Olympic Medalists

In October, Ron and Carole Sholes of Springfield (left) competed in the 25th Annual Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. The games were attended by more than 10,000 senior athletes (ages 50+) from 50 states and 23 countries.

Ron and Carole participated in the three-day duplicate bridge competition and brought home two silver medals. They placed second in the 50-69 age group in both the Open Pairs and the Swiss Team events.

Congratulations, champs!
 

Silver Point Stars

Many of our Central Illinois players had big successes in the Fall Silver Point Sectional, held at local clubs the week of October 31. Congratulations to these players who placed in the the top 75 masterpoint winners in District 8:

25.96   Camilla Rabjohns, Peoria Heights

25.02   Larry Wilcox, Springfield

22.12   Leah Newell, Springfield

16.39   Elizabeth Zalar, Springfield

15.10   Ann Schuyler, Bloomington

15.00   Dennis Fitton, Urbana

14.89   Ned Horton, Champaign

13.67   Brian Maloney, Mahomet

12.41   Gary Kessler, Springfield

12.38   Ron Sholes, Springfield

11.33   Wes Seitz, Champaign

10.79   Carole Sholes, Springfield

10.62   Bob Hathaway, Decatur

10.52   John Brandeberry, Champaign

10.01   Barry Badgett, Chatham

  9.37   Doug Steele, Seymour

  9.22   Sue McNaught, Auburn

  9.22   Shirley Logan, Springfield

  9.16   Chuck Langley, Edinburg

The next Silver Point Sectional is coming up the week of February 6, 2012. Details are here. Check with your local club manager for details on the special games in your area.

North American Pairs

Congratulations to everyone who played in the District 8 North American Pair finals in Springfield in November. Central Illinois pairs won Flight A and took the top two places in Flight B and will be representing our District in the national finals at the Spring NABC in Memphis TN in March. Congratulations to:

B1 - Al Wagner & Mary Niehaus, Danville

B2 -  Jim Slaughter, Champaign & Doug Steele, Seymour

A1 - Nate Ward & Karen Walker, Champaign

Illini Champaign Regional -- May 22-28, 2012

It's not too early to begin thinking about spring and our Unit's annual regional, coming up Memorial Day week in Champaign.

We'll again be playing in the spacious Hilton Garden Inn Convention Center and offering lots of extras, including a speakers program, entry-fee discounts, nightly buffets and a hotel hospitality suite for socializing after the game. Bridge rate is $85 at the Hilton or $95 at Homewood Suites if you book for three nights or more ($95 and $105 for one or two nights).

This year's schedule features a new morning Swiss Teams and three of the popular Gold Rush Pair events for 0-750 players. You can check out the 2012 events and find links for making online hotel reservations on the tournament schedule page .
 

Movin' Up 

   Congratulations to these Unit members who recently advanced in rank: