Reno NABC

Sunday, March 21

Berkowitz and Cohen win
Silodor Open Pairs

Larry Cohen and David Berkowitz put together two strong sessions in the final of the Silodor Open Pairs 1 to claim victory in the four session contest. The pair scored 64.10% in the afternoon session and backed it up with a 65.95% in the evening to finish on top by almost four boards. Their final score was 1879.47.

In second with 1682.61 was the St. Louis-based pair of Roger Lord and Jacqueline Sincoff.

This is the ninth NABC win for the Berkowitz-Cohen partnership (and the 19th for each individually), yet the duo has been plagued by several near-misses in recent years. “We were first after five rounds in the Blue Ribbons, but faded in the last set, and we’ve been first after three rounds in other four-session games, only to see our lead evaporate. It’s been a running joke,” said Cohen, laughing. The most painful nearmiss for Berkowitz and Cohen, however, occurred in the World Open Pairs in Lille where a deadly final round cost them the gold medal.

“We’ve finally managed to be in first place when an event was actually over,” joked Cohen.

 

Celebrating
Bridge Week

It’s official: the United States House of Representatives has declared March 21-27, 2004, as Bridge Week in North America (BWNA) Rep. Harold Ford Jr., who represents the Tennessee district where the American Contract Bridge League is headquartered, Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn and Reno Mayor Robert A. Cashell Sr. have issued proclamations in honor of the week- long celebration of our game.

BWNA will be celebrated during the spring North American Bridge Championship each year to help focus national attention on bridge and to provide a bit of fun for our members.


ACBL Chief Executive Jay Baum, Reno Tournament Chairman Sheila Wimer, Hospitality Chair Joy Rieckers and ACBL President Bruce Reeve display the Bridge Week in North America proclamation from U.S. Congressman Harold Ford Jr.