I like bridge. No, it's more than that. I love bridge. It has everything anyone could want in a pastime: It's stimulating; it's entertaining; it's social; it's portable (very important to those of us who travel on business) and it's ageless. Keeping bridge in New York enjoyable and accessible is important to me. So I'm pleased to have the opportunity to serve as the President of the GNYBA Board in 1996.
Over the five years of my participation on the GNYBA Board, each successive President-Henry Bethe, Bill Rosenbaum and Robin Kay-has led the Board to propel the quality of New York bridge forward. What makes their accomplishments so much more commendable is knowing how the odds for success were stacked against them. The environs of New York are not particularly hospitable to bridge tournaments. Finding space that is large enough, affordable, safe and accessible has always been, and continues to be, one of our greatest challenges.
Last year, through a competitive bid process we were able to negotiate a favorable contract with the Crowne Plaza. Was the hotel perfect? No. Ask anyone who had to play on the 5th floor that Saturday night before New Year's Eve, or anyone who played on the 6th floor the day the elevators went out of service or anyone who played on the 4th floor any day and wanted more than coffee, tea or soda during the game. Did the GNYBA and the Crowne Plaza learn from this experience? You bet we did. If we are offered a reasonable contract for the December 1996 Winter Regional, will we consider it? Absolutely! Our options are not as many as you would think.
And as few options as we have for December tournaments, we have even fewer for May tournaments. By now you know we are going back to the New York Sheraton this May. What you need to know is that until very recently, the Sheraton had planned renovations to begin April 1, 1996 to turn the Exhibition Hall into smaller conference rooms. Purely by chance we learned early in January that renovation plans had been delayed until later in 1996. Good for us in the short term, but a door has been closed for the long term.
I cannot stress enough how serious the space problem has become. A new GNYBA Committee set up this year, is charged with examining our current tournament schedule to see if moving traditional New York tournament dates makes a difference in the spaces that are available or the costs to rent them. At the same time, the search for space continues and any and all suggestions are welcome. Hoping to stumble across 'rent me' signs- which is how we found St. Paul the Apostle Church for the 1996 Pro-Am, Newcomers Sectional and Betty Kaplan Teams-is not exactly a stress-free way to organize a tournament!
But then again, it's worth it! I had the opportunity to kibitz a few rounds in the Pro-Am which brought back memories of the event in which I played several years ago. Back then Pros and Ams could sign up as a pair, which is what my Pro and I did-he being my beau at the time. A few rounds into the game he motioned me to step away from the table with him. What he needed to tell me was, and I quote "I will bid the hands. I will play the hands. Just sit there and turn the dummy." Now, some may say that was apt advice given my level of play, but it certainly put a damper on the evening. From what I observed at the '96 Pro-Am, quite the opposite was going on.
One Am, named Bradley, who came to the table was thoroughly delighted with the event and his good fortune to play with Bill Ehlers. Bradley told us while he was watching Bill play a contract that he saw this as a great chance to play with and against people who were much better at bridge than he. He was in awe of the Pros' abilities, but he also felt terrific when he played a contract and brought it home.
Another Am, Corey, had just completed 12 weeks of bridge lessons. While I was watching, Bob Blanchard, her Pro, asked if she had ever played a slam before. She replied: "No. Our teacher does not let us bid above the four level unless it's a minor suit." Bob then asked her if he put her in a slam and it went down, would she never play a slam again? A wary no was her reply. After the slam was bid and dummy came down, Corey looked across the table and with wide eyes and in a very tiny somewhat nervous voice she rhetorically asked "I can only lose one trick?" A bad trump split and a king of hearts off-side did her in, but I could see the gleam of bridg addiction in her eyes.
Thanks to all who volunteered their time as Pros to introduce 66 new players to New York tournament bridge. Thanks also to Bill Rosenbaum, Robin Kay, Lisa Berkowitz and Reba Cole for organizing such an enjoyable event. To the newcomers who participated in the Pro-Am, we look forward to seeing your free entries used at upcoming GNYBA Regional Newcomer events.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Gellas