The Spring Sectional was a huge success thanks in large part to the enthusiasm and dedication of tournament Chair Jill Stainforth. Here, in her own words, is a recap of the event:
The sun was shining for our Sectional in Sidney, held April 1, 2, and 3 at the very comfortable Mary Winspear Centre. Attendance was huge on Friday with 17.5 tables in the Newcomer/199er Pairs event alone.
Players came from Alberta, Washington, Oregon, mainland BC and the Island.
At the end of three days of play, Victoria’s Duncan Smith was the overall individual winner with 39.73 MPs.
The Friday afternoon Open Pairs game (48 tables) was won by Debbie Mineault and Duncan Smith. Linda Edgell and Johanna Rusnak won the Newcomer/199er game (17.5 tables).
On Friday evening, Sandra and Doug Fraser won the Charity Open Pairs (44 tables) while Daina Eby and Dianne Clark won the Newcomer/199er game (6.5 tables).
Winners of the two-session Open Pairs event (38 tables) on Saturday were Axie and Craig Millar. The Saturday afternoon Newcomer/199er game (13 tables) was won by Dianne Clark and Daina Eby while the Side game went to John Massman and Galen Hesson.
Saturday evening, Marylynn Ghitter and Al Stacey won the Side game and Dianne Clark and Daina Eby won the Newcomer/199er game (again !).
Sunday’s Open Swiss Teams event (52 tables) was won by Victoria’s Rita Beny, Delma Murray, Bob Cheeseman and Jon Gage.
Both single-session 299er Swiss Team sessions on Sunday were won by the Sidney and North Saanich team of Edwina Bauer, Viv Harding, Madeleine Tremblay and Brenda Wilson.
The table count over the three days was a startling 341.5 and 329 players went home with silver in their pockets. Better still, players seemed very happy with the bridge, the venue and the great offering of baked treats.
Our Sectionals will continue to be held at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney and we hope to see many returnees and new players at the Fall Sectional on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 8-10, 2016.
Pictures from the tournament can be found on our Photo Gallery