Monthly Summary: February 2024
February began with Anniversary Celebrations followed by a very popular Fabulous Friday later in the month. Two new competitions were introduced and well supported - the Birthday Swiss Pairs, and the WABC Mixed Pairs Congress. Despite a record breaking heat wave, and challenging playing conditions with a broken air-conditioner, members continued to support the Club.
Anniversary Celebrations
The 16th Anniversary of the opening of the new WABC clubhouse in Swanbourne was celebrated on Saturday 3 February. As in previous years the Anniversary Pairs competition was well attended. During the afternoon tea break the Anniversary cake was cut by one of our Patrons, Helen George. The cake was kindly made and decorated by Sandy Veling.
The winners of the Anniversary Pairs were Belinda Taranto & Patricia MacNamara, closely followed by Bruce Fraser & Chris Ingham, and in third place Kate Pinniger & Carla Sullivan.
On the same day, 28 pairs competed in a new event, the WABC Birthday Congress Swiss Pairs. The winners after a gruelling day were Gwyneira Brahma & Dave Munro, closely followed by Eve Clarkson & Sandy Veling with David Matthews & Don Allen coming third. The best WABC pair was Mark Doust & John McMullin.
The Charles Pearce Cup
This competition was run over the five Wednesday evenings in January with pairs counting their best three (or fewer) results towards their overall score.
The winners were Kate Pinniger & Carla Sullivan (for the second year in a row). They had a strong finish to the competition and edged ahead of Ravi Soin & Geoff Yeo on the final night.
The winners in the category of Regional Master or below (50 Masterpoints) was won by Megan Jefferies & Juliana Westlake.
Fabulous Friday (sponsored by A2W (Aspire to Wealth)
Friday 16 February, another Fabulous Friday, was a fun filled afternoon with bridge, prizes, a raffle, and another of John Nelson True or False Quizzes. This was followed by delicious platters put together by Jacqui Prue & Janice.
2024 Gold Coast Congress
There were a lot of West Australians at the 2024 Gold Coast Congress among the 2,000 plus bridge players who descended on Broadbeach. It is one of the best congresses in the world.
Many of WABC players did well.
Andy Hung and Alex Smirnov playing in the Open Pairs Final came second. Only 20 of the 225 Open pairs made the final.
Viv Wood playing with Sue Lusk (Adelaide) also made the Open Pairs Final, coming fourth, and were the highest placed Women’s Pair. Well done!
Jo Theriault, Brenda Campbell; Eve Clarkson & Sandra Veling came second in the Restricted Teams (<300 Masterpoints)
Jeff Veling & Jamie Luxton (Undercroft) playing with two New Zealanders Tracy Gieck and Sandy Close won the Novice Teams (<100 Masterpoints).
Mimi Packer playing with Simon Hinge won the G Final.
Linda Coli playing with Jamie Thompson won the H Final.
Inaugural WABC Mixed Pairs Congress
24 Pairs played in the Inaugural WABC Mixed Pairs Congress on Sunday 25 February. A number of pairs had barely arrived back from the Gold Coast Congress before fronting up at 9:30 am for another day of fun.
Congratulations to Gywneira Brahma & Dave Munro who won from Kimberly Zhao & Alan Cransberg with Gill Gavshon & Chris Cullen in third place. The best placed WABC pair not in the top three was Deana Wilson & Hamish McCracken.
