Trophies have now been awarded to 2010 Duplicate Bridge Club players. At a recent celebration held during the year-end annual dinner, the following people took trophies home:
- Dennis Bremner and Kay Bremner: two session open pairs
- Rose Andrews: attendance
- Dennis Bremner and Kay Bremner: mixed pairs
- Dennis Bremner and Bob Brewer: Joneson Cup Charity
- San Sian and Tony Thickett: unmixed men’s pairs
- Irene Miller and Marg Havens: ladies’ pairs
- Frank Penich and Alice Lowcay: Whitney Memorial Charity
- Brian Mackie: rookie of the year
- San Sian and Tony Thickett: seniors’ pairs
- Janna Packard, Doug McCormick, Terry Stokes, Scott Glaspey: team of four
- Gail Fennell: ladies’ marathon
- Dennis Bremner: men’s marathon
It is a wonderful “source of social life for our club members,” said Vivian Thickett, club organizer. “Everyone cares about each other.”
Things have changed a little over the 50 years since the club originated. The club was formed by Dr. DeJong and Dr. Gilanders in the mid 1960s. Bridge was first played at the old golf course club house in Townsite and then moved to the old Elks’ building on Duncan Street. In those days, it was a special evening out with ladies often getting dressed up. The duplicate bridge games are now held at the Alano Club on Arbutus Avenue.
The club is part of the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL). This means members can accumulate masterpoints, possibly becoming silver or gold life members. It is a sanctioned club with competitions, tournaments and other special events.
“There are actually two bridge clubs in town, and they compliment each other well,” said Thickett. “People can play bridge every day of the week in Powell River.” The second club plays at Cranberry Seniors’ Centre. It is unsanctioned and less competitive. Many players are involved with both groups. New members are always welcome at either venue.
On January 14 through 16, 2011, the Powell River Sectional Tournament will be held at the seniors’ centre. There will be a novice game in the afternoon of Friday, January 14, complimentary for any player with fewer than 20 masterpoints. This is a perfect opportunity for new players to try their skills in a competitive atmosphere.
The ACBL-sanctioned duplicate bridge club meets three times a week, 9:30 am Mondays for drop-in, 7 pm Tuesdays for members to come with partners, and 2 pm Thursdays for drop-in. It costs only $4 for any session.
“Lots of people play kitchen bridge and feel they are not good enough to do duplicate bridge,” said Thickett. However, this is not the case and people attending the club will find that they are welcome to join as duplicate bridge players.
For more information, the club has a website www.prdbc.com that provides results of recent games, photo gallery, upcoming ACBL events and tournaments. Thickett is happy to provide further information on the club, and readers can call her at 604.485.4430.
