President’s Corner
April 2024
Calling all Intermediate/Newcomer players. While the saying goes “April Showers Bring May Flowers,” this year those April showers will also be bringing the chance for lots and lots of gold points. Thanks to great work by D20 Tournament Coordinator (and ACBL Tournament Director) Jeff Jacob, all you I/N folks out there looking for gold should be aware there is an Oregon “Gold” Trail available the month of May.
It starts with the Seaside Open Sectional concurrent with the I/N Regional the May 3–5. The folks in Seaside always put on a great event and what can be better than bridge at the Oregon coast? Lots and lots of affordable lodging within easy walking distance from the playing site.
The action moves from the Oregon coast to the high desert of Central Oregon, where the district hosts the Bend/Redmond Regional the week of May 13–19. This event will be held at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond. There are decent lodging options near the playing site. There is a bonus for the I/N folks this year. Once again, national-level player Jeff Roman has once again agreed to offer a series of lessons each day. I had the distinct pleasure of attending this last year and Jeff does an amazing job. And they are free. Wow.
The third piece of this trifecta is the Eugene Open Sectional concurrent with an I/N Regional May 31–June 2. While I may have a bit of a bias here, this Eugene-Springfield event is a special one. The playing site is spacious, well-lit, and acoustically perfect. The food and hospitality are exceptional and the proximity to the University of Oregon campus makes for some great food options. Great lodging options are available within a mile of the site. One of the things that makes the Eugene-Springfield Sectional I/N Regional extra special is that the event provides duplicated boards for the Sunday Swiss. Yup, you will have hand records to discuss all those brilliant plays you made. Of course, we also have the great good fortune to have McKenzie Myers as our Director-in-Charge. Lastly, there will be a mini lesson prior to the Sunday Swiss on Swiss Team strategy.
While these events are open to all players, of course, this is an exceptional opportunity for all you non-Life Master folks with less than 750 masterpoints to pan for tons and tons of gold.
(You CAN be a Life Master and play in Gold Rush events at the Bend/Redmond Regional. The I/N Regional events ARE limited to non-Life Masters.)Thanks to all for reading. Looking forward to seeing you at the tables.Ciao,
Don
541.228.4140.
