Richard (International Director) and Sue Grenside
Those members who do not play in major tournaments or Friday afternoon at the bridge club may not be aware that we are fortunate within the club to have a leading International Director from Australia as a club member.
Richard Grenside originally from Sydney made the move to Perth with his wife Sue in 2001 and immediately joined WABC. Richard has been a professional tournament director since the early 70's and his long career in bridge has led him to his current role as Assistant Chief Tournament Director to the World Bridge Federation.
Richard began his professional career in 1972 as Chief Tournament Director & Manager of the Victorian Bridge Association. A few years later he worked in an official capacity with the NSW Bridge Association and by 1977 he was the Chief Tournament Director for the ABF. He continued to be a chief director of all major events in Australia until the year 2000 and since the early 80's he has also been an International Director.
In 1998 whilst involved in the ANC in Adelaide he met Sue a Perth resident and a competent player, hence the Grenside's decision to reside to Perth. In 2000 Richard made the decision to only direct at International Events, thereby enabling him to play more bridge Australia. But he is still an active participant of the ABF in his role as National Tournament Co-coordinator.
In his position as an International Director Richard has worked at over 50 tournaments overseas currently attending about three a year. This year the Grensides have been to Tokyo, China for a huge private congress and in October they will head off to Holland for the World Championships
To the average WABC player this standard of bridge with prize money as high as $100,000 US is well beyond our sphere. But Richard noted that players at this level rarely make mistakes and adjudication is mainly about minor misunderstandings usually caused by the use of screens.
The expertise of the Directors these events needs to be very professional as the stakes are so high, however there is an Appeals Committee set up to adjudicate possible disputes or rejections of a director's decision. So vou can imagine Richard's job is an onerous and at times stressful one.
Richard and Sue have enjoyed many highlights in their bridge lives. Richard is credited with organising the first bridge cruises out of Australia, from Sydney in 1974 and these became extremely popular. In 1980 Richard decided to relinquish his role as cruise and bridge holiday convenor and handed the reins to Ron Klinger, who as many would know is still active in this capacity.
The Grensides now play in most major tournaments in Australia and Sue accompanies Richard to the international competitions. This year they were the winners of the ANOT Senior Swiss Pairs in Adelaide, in fact they didn't drop a match. They also did very well Canberra in January and Queensland in March.
Sue's attendance at international congresses has given her some interesting experiences with the rich and famous. In 1999 in Cairo, Sue's first International Event, Omar Sharif was a competitor and as his partner had not arrived for the first session, Sue found herself partnering him at very short notice. His only advice prior to play was. "Darling we play 5 card majors, Stayman, & Blackwood. That is all you need to know".
Sue summoned up her experience on the golf course to focus her attention on the game, blocking out the media hype this renowned player and famous movie star was attracting. She succeeded - Omar and Sue finished 15th out of 210 pairs! A very commendable performance by a cool headed Sue! By the next session, Omar's partner had arrived, and Sue was somewhat amused to discover that this partnership finished 86th.
Richard and Sue are renowned for having a personal bridge strategy of opening with 11 points. Richard believes that as 10 is an average hand, any hand with more is worthy of a bid. Sue employed this convention in a tournament when Bill Gates was her opponent and he was quite miffed when her 11 point opening brought him down.
The Grensides are also keen golfers as members of Lake Karrinyup Club and of course their other great passion is travel. Bridge has given them a stimulating life of great variety and wonderful opportunities to travel widely and the chance to meet some fascinating personalities.
Helen Seward
Published in June 2011 Edition of Trumps Plus
