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Letter from a Player
Junior Master Now. Started playing 60 years ago...
Junior Master Now. Started playing 60 years ago...
By John Templin
I started playing bridge almost 60 years ago as a new college student at RPI in Troy, NY. After college I did not play for 50 years. After helping raise 6 children golf became my go to game. I did read the bridge column in my newspaper.
A couple of years ago I started to play social rubber bridge with friends including by golf partner. I found that I enjoyed playing bridge even though I did not know the new bidding techniques such as needing a 5 card major to open in that suit. I then met a lady in Williamsburg, VA who had a copy of the Bridge Bulletin on her coffee table. I scanned it and found it very interesting. She told me about her playing and her percent scores. I had no idea regarding percentages but became interested.
In March I went on line and found that there is a Friday afternoon game 2 miles from my home. So I joined the ACBL and went to my first game. The Director – Terry Bentley was wonderful and she encouraged me to play in the Saratoga Regional in June. She paired me and I was able to get master points on 3 of 4 days including my introduction to team play. By July I had achieved Junior Master status. I now try to play at least twice a week. I do not have a full time partner but have enjoyed playing with several local partners. At age 77 I have found a new passion.