During one weekend in September, the Great Lakes Bridge Club hosted its Annual Congress in Forster.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
According to current club president Des Ford it’s actually held twice a year – once in February and once in September – and attracts a high caliber of player from across NSW, including Tamworth, Port Macquarie Hastings, Brisbane Water, Newcastle, Parramatta, Sydney, Tomaree, and Taree.
Over one hundred players attended the two day competition, which was directed by John Mcilrath from the North Shore Bridge Club. Great Lakes won one of the events.
“Usually February is slightly bigger. We normally have around 160 players but this September we were down a bit,” said Des.
The club itself has been going since 1980 and has been in its our own premises on Lake Street since 2000. Ages within the club range from 13 to 90 plus, with more than 200 members competing in local competitions any day of the week except for Fridays and Sundays.
“I think with the older people it keeps them active in their mind. It’s a very thinking game, and it also gives them somewhere to go to and be with friends,” said Des.
Saturday’s Pairs Open Competition was won by Marilyn Chadwick and Kim Morrison (Sydney). Intermediate winners were Matt Smith and Johnno Newman (Sydney) and the Restricted event was taken out by Nancy De Ville and Cameron Kirkton (Camden Haven).
Sunday’s Teams Competition was hotly contested. Team Lindsay from Brisbane Water Club (Lorraine Lindsay, Di Coates, Michael Johnson and Rachel Rich) took out a first. Intermediate winners were Rowan Ferguson, Colleen Berry, Val Dawson and Anthea Oates from Port Macquarie Hastings. Team Gao from Great Lakes: Edward Gao, Morgan Gao, Delia Dan and Jacqui Jennings took out first place in the Restricted Competition.