Bridge Blog 1034: Half past August

I can’t believe how hard it’s been lately to find some clear time and a clear head for blogging. It’s occurred to me that the only way to open up an opportunity is to … not play bridge. Oh, no. Out of the question.

However, if it wasn’t for the air-conditioning, I might as well have skipped the first week of the month. A series of minor shortfalls and a couple major setbacks – 45.50%, 46.43%, 48.49%, an even 50%, 36.01% and 38.19% – all adding up to zero points.

Meanwhile, as of Aug. 1, I’m 75 points short of hitting a major goal in my bridge existence – Gold Life Master. To attain that exalted status before New Year’s Eve, it’s going to take 15 points per month. That bad week may have derailed me.

The second week brought blessed relief.

June Feuerstein and I tied for second in our direction on Wednesday, Aug. 8, with 51.49%. 1.04 points.

More success Thursday with Brian Block, with a game that ordinarily would have been unproductive – 47.92%. Nevertheless, second in the B strat in our direction for 0.74 of a point.

In St. Catharines, Ont., on Friday, Selina Volpatti and I tied for third North-South with 54.76%. Not an extra-point game there like there is at the Airport Bridge Club, where I play all the rest of the time, but good for 0.68 of a point.

Even the Unit 116 picnic on Sunday (see Blog 1033) had its slight reward. A 50.39% with Florence Boyd in the morning session was good for 0.19 of a point.

The big score, however, came Monday with Judie Bailey. We were in tournament form – 58.76% – first North-South, second overall, 2.67 points.

Then another dry patch until Saturday with Denise Slattery, slipping into third place in the B strat with a 50.46% game and earning 1.04 points. Total so far this month – 6.36. Eleven more chances to pick up nine more points.

Bridge Blog 1033: Picnic

Winning youth tournament kids with one of their teachers, Jim Gullo.
Another teacher, Fred Yellen, is seated left in dark shirt. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. The picnic is my favorite Unit 116 event. What's not to like? Two bridge games and a terrific summer feast with Weidner’s barbecued chicken. And plenty of Paul and Linda Zittel’s magnificent fresh corn salsa.

Not at the unit’s usual venue this time. The Erie County Fairgrounds in Hamburg, the site in recent years, was unavailable Sunday, Aug. 12. It's Fair Week.

Instead, Rescue Fire Hall in North Tonawanda, often a second choice for these affairs. Believing it had a 10:30 a.m. start, I arrived a few minutes before that to find only half a dozen cars in the parking lot. Was this a bust?

Then I looked at my ticket. 11 o’clock. The hall filled up and emcee Betty Metz announced that it was a record turnout – 104 players.

Well, 103 when she made the announcement. My partner, Florence Boyd, thought it started at 11:30. Gay Simpson, who was working the event, but not playing, filled in until Flo arrived in the middle of the first hand.

We had a reasonable morning game – 50.39%, just enough for a fraction of a point, 0.19, for seventh place in the B strat. We faded after lunch in the afternoon – 42.36%.

One of the day’s high points was the was introduction of the kids from the bridge class over at the Bridge Center of Buffalo, who made a good showing at a youth tournament in Atlanta a week earlier. Flo and I did not play against any of them, but one of the kid pairs – Daren Liu and Tyler Mu – earned more points than we did, 0.44 for coming in fourth in the C strat in the afternoon game.

Bridge Blog 1032: The Birthday Bump

Would the bridge gods smile upon my birthday celebration this year? Both installments of it? Like everything in life, maybe yes, maybe no.

       Still, the run-up to the big day on the 18th wasn’t all that promising. Monday the 16th with Marilyn Sultz yielded a mere 46.06%, the equivalent of a gentleman’s C on the report card. Tuesday with Dotty May felt much better, but our 53.01% failed to earn us any rewards.

       The daytime game with June Feuerstein on my actual birthday on Wednesday was an abject disappointment – 42.36%. We thought we did better, but we wound up settling for not being last.

       Selina Volpatti came over from Canada to be my partner in the Wednesday night game, where I treated everyone to free play. It was the smallest turnout since I began it when I turned 70 in 2012 – just seven tables – with cupcakes for the cake. And since Selina and I had just turned in 35% and 40% games in St. Catharines on the two previous Friday, our game could have been equally diminished. But no, we came through with 56.55%, second North-South, first in the B stratification, 1.40 points.

       The bump got bigger Thursday with Art Matthies, even though the score was lower. 53.85%, fifth overall, second in B, but since it was a slightly bigger game, our payoff was 1.58 points.

       Friday brought the Canadian version of the birthday treat. The club provided a cake just as wonderful as the one a year ago and everyone was pleased at the gift of the free game. Here the turnout was 12½ tables, also down from last year. Selina and I weren’t quite as brilliant, but still pulled through with 52.84%, third North-South, second in B, 0.65 of a point.

       The biggest gift, however, didn’t arrive until Saturday. In a four-table Howell at the Airport Bridge Club, the usual Howell effect (always getting the low cards) was reversed. Denise Slattery and I enjoyed an almost unbroken string of great hands. We took almost all of the bids. We bid slams and made them. If we had been a little more astute, it would have been one for the record books. Still, it was my best game of the year – 64.88% – first overall, 2.63 points. Thank you, bridge gods.  

Bridge Blog 1031: Midpoint 2018

It coulda been big, what with the Airport Bridge Club offering extra point games all the time. It was for Alan Greer and Mike Silverman, who led the master point race at the club with 47.32 and 35.60, respectively.

For me, in 12th place on that list, thanks to a miserable STaC Week, I wouldn’t have even come close to my 15-points-per-month goal if I didn’t have an unexpected win in the final few days. Now that the ACBL race results have been up for a while, let’s see where we stand at midpoint 2018.

   Unit 116 (Buffalo only), Ace of Clubs (club play only), Ruby Life Masters (players with 1,500 to 2,500 points). 

     I gained 13.40 club points in June, bringing my Ace of Clubs total to 66.96, just enough to keep me in fifth place among the Rubies, although I’ve slid from 12th to 17th among all players in the unit. Here's the top 10:

      Still well ahead is David Millward, with 102.02, maintaining his 20-point lead over Allen Beroza, who now has 82.30. Mike Silverman’s bonanza gives him 80.92, zipping past Martin Pieterse, who now has 71.35. Then there’s me with 66.96.

     Ken Meier, who was fourth, slides back to sixth with 65.65. Rounding out the list are Dorothy May, 53.64; Fred Yellen, 53.40; Gene Finton, 53.26; and Elaine Kurasiewicz, 38.45, with Davis Heussler nipping at her heels with 38.20.      

   Unit 116, Ace of Clubs overall. 

     Alan Greer, missing a month ago, has been restored to the throne with a massive 201.42 points. Then it’s Nancy Wolstoncroft, 137.10; John Ziemer, 118.65; David Millward, 102.02; and Allen Beroza, 82.30.

Sixth is Mike Silverman, 80.92, up from 13th place a month ago, followed by Liz Clark, 79.67; Barbara Libby, 77.58; Bud Seidenberg, 77.31; and Mike Ryan, 75.31.

Second 10 goes like this: Ron Henrikson, 71.67; and Martin Pieterse, 71.35; Bob Linn, 70.64; Jay Levy, 68.40; Martha and John Welte, 68 even; moi, 66.96; Ken Meier, 65.65; Jim Easton, 65.01; and Judy Graf, 63.49.

Taking the list a little further, we have Marilyn Wortzman, 60.34; Gay Simpson, 59.30; Denise Slattery, 58.59; Judi Marshall, 55.35; and Ed Morgan, 54.42.

      Moving on to the Mini-McKenney races, which count all points earned everywhere, I have 86.96, up 14.46 from May, but not enough to keep up with Mike Silverman, who displaced me in the fifth position here.

     Continuing far ahead is Davis Heussler, who passed the double century mark with 221.08, but he's no longer tops among all Unit 116 players. He’s slipped to second.  

David Millward is runner-up again with 128.36, down from eighth overall to 11th. Then it's Ken Meier, third again with 127.66 (12th overall); Allen Beroza, holding steady in fourth with 102.56 (20th overall); and Mike Silverman, 91.36 (24th, up from 43rd).

     I lead the next fivesome with my 86.96, 28th overall, down from 26th. Then it’s Fred Yellen, 86.55 (29th); Martin Pieterse, 81.07 (34th); Elaine Kurasiewicz, 57.42 (49th); and Dorothy May, 56.91 (50th).  

     Among all players in Unit 116, the leader now is Alan Greer, with 245.20. Then comes Davis Heussler with his 221.08; John Ziemer, 183.21; Linda Burroughsford, 171.48; and Saleh Fetouh, 165.93.

The Weltes, tied for third a month ago, now are tied for sixth with 162.88; followed by Nancy Wolstoncroft, 162.86; Jay Levy, 148.78; Chris Urbanek, 128.55.

The second 10, all in three figures, include David Millward, 128.36; Ken Meier, 127.66; Sandi England, 127.02; Mike Ryan, 124.83; Bud Seidenberg. 113.16; Christy Kellogg, 110.82; Dian Petrov, 110.28; and Bert Hargeshimer, 106.55.

      Now let’s widen our horizons.

   District 5 (Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh) Ace of Clubs, Ruby Life Masters. 

     Here Unit 116 players hold seven of the top 10 spots, led by David Millward, with 102.02, though his lead is shrinking over the man he displaced in April, Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., who has 93.73. Millward has slipped from fifth to eighth among all District 5 players. Goulding was ninth a month ago, now he’s 11th.  

     Allen Beroza continues third with 82.30 (16th overall in the district, down from 15th). Then it’s Mike Silverman, 80.92 (18th); Martin Pieterse with 71.35 (31st); Marvin Shapiro of Akron, Ohio, 70.42 (34th); James Wheeler of Edinburg, Pa., 67.13 (39th); me, 66.96 (40th, up from a tie for 44th); Ken Meier, 65.65 (42nd); and Susan Konig of Bridgeville, Pa., 61.91 (50th)

   Overall Ace of Clubbers in District 5 look like this:

     Two Buffalonians on top – Alan Greer with 201.42 and Nancy Wolstoncroft with 137.10. They lead Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh, 134.95; Richard Katz of North Versailles, Pa., 121.93; and Arlene Port of Pittsburgh, 120.12.

Sitting sixth is John Ziemer, 118.65; then it’s Asim Ulke of Monroeville, Pa., 102.13; David Millward, 102.02; Barbara Belardi of Pittsburgh, 99.68; and Patricia Katz of Pittsburgh, 98.17.

     Other Unit 116 players in the Top 25 are Allen Beroza, tied for 16th with 82.30; Mike Silverman, 18th with 80.92; Liz Clark, 19th with 79.69; Barbara Libby, 20th with 77.58; Bud Seidenberg, 21st with 77.31; and Mike Ryan, 23rd with 75.31.  

   Now for the District 5 Mini-McKenney, Ruby Life Masters. 

    Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., has pulled way ahead of Unit 116’s David Heussler. Ahead by less than a point a month ago, now he leads 238.32 to 221.08. They’re eighth and tenth overall in the district.

     The other leaders include: Craig Biddle of Pittsburgh, 183.95 (holding steady overall at 19th); David Millward, 128.36 (down from 39th to 48th); Ken Meier, 127.66 (up from seventh to fifth and holding steady at 49th overall); Leroy Hackenberg of Pittsburgh, 122.51 (down from 47th to 54th); Marvin Shapiro of Akron, Ohio, 119.92 (58th); Barbara Greenpsan of Beachwood, Ohio, 116.73 (down from 45th to 64th); Wayne Heritage of North Olmsted, Ohio, 105.95 (down from 58th to 80th); Allen Beroza, 102.46 (82nd) and Mike Silverman, 91.36 (95th). I’m down one notch to 15th with my 86.96, and steady at 107th overall.

   Mini-McKenney leader among all District 5 players is, not surprisingly, Sue Lan Ma of Kirtland Hills, Ohio, who added 101.83 points in June to reach 533 even.

     Second and third again are Kathleen Sulgrove and Don Sulgrove of Twinsburg, Ohio, with 356.12 and 323.69.

     Robert Alexander of Mentor, Ohio, switches places with Bernie Greenspan of Beachwood, Ohio. They have 294.88 and 289.19, respectively. Then it’s Stephanie Alexander of Mentor, 281.14; Buffalo’s Alan Greer with 245.20; Ruby Life Master leader Philip Goulding with 238.32; Kenneth Kranyak of Parma, Ohio, 228.59; and Davis Heussler in tenth place with 221.08. Also above the double-century mark are Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh, 217.74; and Marc Sylvester of Edinboro, Pa., 206.22.

   Ace of Clubs, Ruby Life Masters, nationwide.

    Paul Hassett of The Villages, Fla., keeps ahead of Anna Maxcine Thacker of Palm Coast, Fla., 189.44 to 172.31. April's leader, Russ Pearly, also of The Villages, continues third with 169.82.

    Brian Breckenridge of Corvallis, Ore., vaults from eighth place to fourth with 165.22, thanks to a 46.41-point month. Richard Seidman of Orlando, Fla., who merely had a 37.28-point month, drops to fourth with 163.95, followed by Joanne Matchette of Vero Beach, Fla., 160.12; Bruce Ladin of Harwood Heights, Ill., 150.33; Emil Dimitrov of Hot Springs Village, Ark., 144.41; Mason Barge of Atlanta, 142.28; Jonathan Williams of The Villages, Fla., 141.93; and Michael Fishman of Great Neck, L.I., 140.45.

     Unit 116 leader David Millward is down from 40th to 70th. Allen Beroza also is down from 158th to 190th. Other local notables include Mike Silverman, 208th; Martin Pieterse, down from 291st to 343rd; I’m back on the list in 448th place. Last Buffalo player is Ken Meier, 469th. The list cuts off at 64.75.

   Ace of Clubs, all players, nationwide. 

     Bill Kulbersh of Atlanta is amazing! He followed a 67-point month in May with an 83.93-point month in June. His 411.32 is way beyond Bella Ionis-Sorren of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in second place with 293.96. She edged back in front of Robert Epstein of Atlanta, who has 285.53.

     Then it’s Harry Kaufmann of North Redington Beach, Fla., 268.15; Irva Neyhart of Corvallis, Ore., 265.85; Kay Schulle of Purchase, N.Y., 255.45; Tania Reyes Hiller of Bedford Corners, N.Y., 253.67; Neil Silverman of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., 247.09; and tied for ninth, Diane Hurt and Edgar Hurt Jr., both of Laguna Woods., Calif., both with 243.34.

         Alan Greer is 28th; Nancy Wolstoncroft is 218th. John Ziemer is in 424th place. The list stops at 113.65.

    Onward to Mini-McKenney, Ruby Life Masters, nationwide.

         Way, way, way out front is Robert L. McClendon of Ponte Vedra, Fla., who enjoyed a 168-point month to reach four figures – 1,040.85. That more than doubles Mary Ose of Sacramento, Calif, a very distant second with 449.16. Alex Khrakovsky of Columbus, Ohio, is still third with 427.15.

       Sabrina Miles of Mansfield, Mass., had a 112-point month to rise from fifth to fourth with 400.96. Darryl Legassie of Milton, N.H., is nearly as good, jumping from seventh to fifth with a 110-point month for a total of 391.24.

     Then it’s Junko Hemus of San Clemente, Calif., 320.60; Mason Barge of Atlanta, 306.27; Russ Pearly of The Villages, Fla., 299.35; Kim Brinkman of Highland Village, Texas, 286.96; and James Walter of Ann Arbor, Mich., 276.58.

Unit 116’s Davis Heussler, is 39th with his 221.08. David Millward drops from 204th to 292nd. Ken Meier slips from 265th to a tie for 296th. The list ends at 107.02.

     And now for the really heavy hitters, the Mini-McKenney leaders overall.

     A month ago there were nine players in four figures. Now there are 12.

     Joe Grue of New York City sits on top for the fifth straight month with 1,746.47. Mark Itabashi of Murrieta, Calif., continues second with 1,601.12.

Brad Mass of Denver once again trades places with Kevin Dwyer of Melbourne, Fla., moving from fourth to third with 1,464.28 to Dwyer’s 1,436.91.

     Hall of Famer Eric Rodwell of Clearwater, Fla., moves from seventh to fifth with 1,228.39, while longtime collaborator Jeff Meckstroth of Clearwater Beach, Fla., slides from ninth into sixth with 1,202.37. 

     Then it's Shan Huang from Melbourne, Fla., with 1,185.49; John Hurd of New York City with 1,132.88; January leader Geoff Hampson of Las Vegas, down another notch from eighth to ninth with 1,119.97; and Jacek Pszczola of Chapel Hill, N.C., with 1,091.75. Also in four figures – Justin Lall of Charlotte, N.C., 1,043.84, and the aforementioned Ruby Life Master leader Robert L. McClendon with 1,040.85.

     Familiar names: Former Buffalonian Joel Wooldridge advances from 25th to 24th with a 125-point month, reaching 820.31. District 5 leader Sue Lan Ma is up from 91st to 76th with 533 even. No Unit 116 people here. This list cuts off at 251.49. Bet we see Alan Greer among the Top 500 next month. 

Bridge Blog 1030: UnSTaCked

     This had to be my most pathetic STaC Week ever. Played nine times, scratched just once for 1.07 silver points, which left me tied for 619th place. The week after STaC Week has been another story.

     With an ailing June Feuerstein on a Wednesday, June 20, when we spent most of the session on defense (declarers on just eight of 24 boards), we nevertheless pulled off a 57.08% game, which looked like first East-West under Ed Morgan and John Bava found an error in their favor. I was happy for the 1.17 points.

     Thursday with Marietta Kalman seemed more dismal that it turned out to be. 54.02% Second North-South, first in the B strat. 1.44 points.

     That’s more than double what I got in the STaC. Did it get me to 2,400 career master points?

     Actually, I didn’t need the STaC to get there. I hit the magic odometer number on the Saturday before STaC Week  started.   

   

Bridge Blog 1029: Big

     Two big games – the World Wide Bridge Contest on June 2 and the District 5 Spring STaC (Sectional Tournament at the Clubs) on June 15. Two big hands.

     For me and my partners, Dotty May and Joe Rooney, respectively, they lifted our spirits. Sadly, they didn’t lift our fortunes.

     I had high hopes that this top board at the Airport Bridge Club would give us a World Wide top and significant international standing.

     Board 20, everybody vulnerable. West is dealer. Sitting East, I’m declarer at 4 Hearts.

North (Eva Schmidt)

Spades: J-8-6-2; Hearts: A-8; Diamonds: K-10-5-3; Clubs: 9-5-2.

East (me)

Spades: A-K-10-3; Hearts: J-10-7-5-4; Diamonds: 7; Clubs: K-4-3.

South (Denise Slattery)

Spades: Q-9; Hearts: 9-3; Diamonds: J-8-6-4-2; Clubs: A-J-8-6.

West (Dotty May)

Spades: 7-5-4; Heart: K-Q-6-2; Diamonds: A-Q-9; Clubs: Q-10-7.

     The commentary booklet analysis is short and sweet: 

     “If West starts with a 13-15 1 NT, East will look for a major suit fit using whatever methods are to hand and 4 Hearts will be reached.

     “If West opens 1 Club/1 Diamond, (which Dotty did) East responds with 1 Heart with the same outcome.

     “It’s easy to see how declarer can arrive at 10 tricks, but if South happens to lead the Queen of Spades, declarer has a shot at an overtrick, although after winning the opening lead and playing a Heart for the King and Ace, North’s Spade return will give declarer pause for thought.”

     Denise leads the 8 of Diamonds, which I take with the Ace, then knock out the Ace of Hearts. Eva may have conveniently led the King of Diamonds. I believe I wound up getting a second Club trick by finessing South, collecting four Hearts, two Diamonds, two Clubs and two Spades and one more trick somewhere. A ruff? A Spade?

     At any rate, very few were likely to make the overtrick and I had big hopes for this one. But we weren’t the world wide top. Top score was plus 1,100 match points. Then plus 680 and plus 660. We were among 86 pairs tied for fourth with 650, winning 2,253.9 match points out of a possible 2,346. A great mass of them – 626 – were plus 620, good for 1,523.2.

     We came in second East-West at the club, fifth overall, with 53.87%, not bad considering it was my first game after nearly two weeks on vacation. On a global scale, though, we weren’t as brilliant. Among 2,237 pairs, we were 1,124th with 51.21%, barely over the median.

     In the afternoon game June 15 at the Airport Bridge Club, there was no questioning the supremacy of the plus 1,600 that pickup partner Joe Rooney and I scored against the formidable Martha and John Welte on Board 23. Joe played it at 5 Spades vulnerable, redoubled. Here’s the hand:

South is dealer. All are vulnerable.

South (Joe)

Spades: K-Q-10-8-5-3-2; Hearts: none; Diamonds: K-9-5-4-3; Clubs: 9.

West (Martha)

Spades A-7-6-4; Hearts: A-6-2; Diamonds: 10-2; Clubs: A-J-4-3.

North (me)

Spades: 9; Hearts: K-10-9-7; Diamonds: A-Q-J-7; Clubs: Q-10-6-2.

East (John)

Spades: J; Hearts: Q-J-8-5-4-3; Diamonds: 8-6; Clubs: K-8-7-5.

     Martha had bid Hearts aggressively – that’s why we were at the 5 level – and she held 3 Aces and four cards in our trump suit, so her double was entirely legit. I redoubled simply because we were having such a bad round. As Bob Dylan observed, when you’ve got nothing, you’ve got nothing to lose.

     Martha’s lead, naturally, was the Ace of Hearts. Joe ruffed that Ace, discarded his singleton Club on dummy’s King of Hearts, conceded the Ace of Spades, drew trump and ran the Diamonds.

     The hand record says it should make 5 Spades or 5 Diamonds for us, 3 Hearts for our opponents.

     A week later, I’m still smiling about that one. It didn’t do much for us, though. We had many more bottom boards than tops. 40.49%, next to last overall.

Bridge Blog 1028: The Bygone Month of May

     Gone following a 10-day vacation in Arizona, but not entirely forgotten. Let’s belatedly crack into the ACBL race results and see where we stand.

   Unit 116 (Buffalo only), Ace of Clubs (club play only), Ruby Life Masters (players with 1,500 to 2,500 points). 

     In January, I was first. In February, I slipped to fifth. In March, I narrowly climbed back to the top. April sent me back to fourth place. Now I’ve returned to fifth. Here's the top 10:

      Continuing on top is David Millward, 93.53, who’s returned from Florida, where he got most of those points. He remains in third place among all players in the unit. Allen Beroza had a good month and reclaimed second place with 71.87. Martin Pieterse, 61.77, retreated from second to third.

     Ken Meier moves up to fourth with 55.06. I’m next with 53.56, getting just 8.92 club points for the month. I remain 12th overall in the unit.

     Mike Silverman, at 53.46, is poised to overtake me. He may already have done it, since I’m writing this on June 22. Dorothy May bounces up from ninth to seventh with 40.57.
     Rounding out the Top 10 are Gene Finton, also back from Florida, with 35.90; Fred Yellen, 35.76; and Elaine Kurasiewicz, 26.58.      

   Unit 116, Ace of Clubs overall. 

     Alan Greer should be the leader here. He had 120.77 points a month ago, but he’s missing from the list. On top instead is last month’s runner-up, Nancy Wolstoncroft, with 114.77.

     John Ziemer is next with 97.32, followed by Ruby Life Master leader David Millward with his 93.53. Allen Beroza, eighth overall last month, now is fourth/fifth with 71.87.

     After that it’s Liz Clark, 62.16; Martin Pieterse, 61.77; Barbara Libby, 61.20; Jay Levy, 58.85; Bob Linn, 57.88; Ron Henrikson, 55.68; Ken Meier, 55.06; and Gay Simpson tied with me at 53.56.

     Rounding out the plus-50s are Mike Silverman, 53.46; Denise Slattery, 52.12; John and Martha Welte, 51.63; and Bud Seidenberg, 18th with 50.56.

     Last month’s leader John Ziemer, now fourth with 74.28, still has a commanding lead over the next bunch of players. Bud Seidenberg, third last month, is fifth with 50.56. Barbara Libby, previously second, is sixth with 50.43.

   Moving on to the Mini-McKenney races, which count all points earned everywhere, I have 72.49, up 9.39 from April and now below my goal of 15 points per month. Nevertheless, I’m firmly fifth again among Ruby Life Masters in Unit 116.

     Continuing way out in front is Davis Heussler, almost to the double century mark with 199.39. He's also tops among all Unit 116 players. 

     Second once more is David Millward with 119.87 (eighth overall). Then it's Ken Meier, third again with 112.92 (up from 14th to 11th overall); rampaging Allen Beroza, 75.07, up from sixth place last month (up from 38th overall to 24th); and me with 72.49. I'm 26th overall, down from 24th. 

     The next fivesome includes Fred Yellen, 63.92 (34th); Martin Pieterse, 63.14 (35th); Mike Silverman, 53.46 (43rd); Elaine Kurasiewicz, 43.86 (47th); and Dorothy May, 42.92 (49th).  

     Among all players in Unit 116, after Davis Heussler with his 199.38 comes Linda Burroughsford, up from fourth place with 152.58. After her come the Weltes, tied for third with 141.59, up from a ninth-place tie a month ago.

     Last month’s runner-up, Saleh Fetouh, is fifth with 134.98. Then it’s John Ziemer, 132.78; Jay Levy, 129.66; David Millward, 119.87; Nancy Wolstoncroft, 119.66; and Sandi England, 118.35.

       Alan Greer also is missing here. There’s a good chance he’d be second.

      Now let’s widen our horizons.

   District 5 (Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh) Ace of Clubs, Ruby Life Masters. 

     David Millward, with 93.53 points, maintains a slightly smaller advantage over the man he displaced in April, Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., who has 78.71. Millward has slipped from fourth to fifth among all District 5 players. Goulding has rebounded from 12th to ninth.

     Allen Beroza moves up from sixth to third with 71.81 (15th overall in the district, up from 28th). Then it’s Martin Pieterse with 61.77 (21st); Chantal Whitney of Bratenhahl, Ohio, with 61.73 (22nd); Marvin Shapiro of Akron, Ohio, 59.69 (27th); Susan Konig of Bridgeville, Pa., dropping from fourth to seventh with 27.24. She’s slipped from 21st to 34th overall in the district.

     Then it’s Ken Meier, 55.06 (41st); James Wheeler of Edinburg, Pa., 54.74 (42nd); and then, tied for tenth place with me is Joane D'Antonio of Sewickley, Pa., both 53.56 and both 44th overall. Mike Silverman, 53.46 is No. 12 and 47th overall.

   Overall Ace of Clubbers in District 5 look like this:

     Buffalo's Alan Greer would rule with last month’s total of 120.77, but he’s missing in action.

     So it’s Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh, 115.18; Nancy Wolstoncroft, 114.77; John Ziemer, 97.32; , Richard Katz of North Versailles, Pa., 97.31; and David Millward, 93.53.

     Sixth and eighth are Pittsburghers Arlene Port with 88.54 and Barbara Belardi with 81.61. Seventh is Patricia Katz of Pittsburgh, bouncing back from 10th place with 87.58. Rounding out the Top 10 are Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., 78.71; and Robert Alexander of Mentor, Ohio, 76.55.  

     Other Unit 116 players in the Top 20 are Allen Beroza, 15th with 71.87; and Liz Clark, in 20th place with 62.16. Three more – Barbara Libby, Martin Pieterse and Jay Levy – come in between 21st and 30th.   

   Now for the District 5 Mini-McKenney, Ruby Life Masters. 

     Omigod! Philip Goulding of Wexford, Pa., has edged ahead of our own David Heussler, 199.84 to 199.38. They’re eighth and ninth overall in the district.

     The other leaders include: Craig Biddle of Pittsburgh, lifted by a 66.10 month to 156.82 (up from 37th overall to 19th); David Millward, 119.87 (down from 23rd to 39th); Barbara Greenpsan of Beachwood, Ohio, 115.76 (45th); Leroy Hackenberg of Pittsburgh, 113.73 (47th); Ken Meier, 112.92 (49th); Wayne Heritage of North Olmsted, Ohio, 104.67 (58th); Marvin Shapiro of Akron, Ohio, 90.90 (76th); and Frank Scali of North Ridgeville, Ohio, 86.53 (81st). I’m 14th with my 72.49 and 107th overall.

   Mini-McKenney leader among all District 5 players continues to be Sue Lan Ma of Kirtland Hills, Ohio, adding 111.49 points in May to reach 431.17.

     Then it’s Kathleen Sulgrove and Don Sulgrove of Twinsburg, Ohio, with 325.97 (130.95 points in May) and 293.54 (130.25 in May), reflecting their success at the Cleveland Regional. In fact, the top seven spots are all held by Ohioans.

     There’s Bernie Greenspan of Beachwood with 256.38; Robert Alexander of Mentor, 223.19; Kenneth Kranyak of Parma, 219.97; and Stephanie Alexander of Mentor, 209.45.

     Ruby Life Master leaders Philip Goulding and Davis Heussler are next with 199.84 and 199.39. In 10th place, down from second last month, is Reanette Frobouck of Pittsburgh, 194.74. Last month, 27 players were in triple digits. Now 62 players are.

   Ace of Clubs, Ruby Life Masters, nationwide.

     A 46-point month moved Paul Hassett of The Villages, Fla., ahead of Anna Maxcine Thacker of Palm Coast, Fla., 161.51 to 148.34. April's leader, Russ Pearly, also of The Villages, continues third with 143.67.

     Richard Seidman of Orlando, Fla., is next with 126.67, followed by Joanne Matchette of Vero Beach, Fla., 124.57; Mason Barge of Atlanta, 123.92; Michael Fishman of Great Neck, L.I., 119.17; Brian Breckenridge of Corvallis, Ore., 118.81; Bruce Ladin of Harwood Heights, Ill., 116.80; and Chester Neel Jr. of Tyler, Texas, 116.41.

     Unit 116 leader David Millward is 40th. Allen Beroza moved up from 335th to 158th.Other local notables include Martin Pieterse, up from 320th to 291st. Last Buffalo player is Ken Meier, 465th. I’ve dropped off the list. It cuts off at 52.85.

   Ace of Clubs, all players, nationwide. 

     Bill Kulbersh of Atlanta had a 67-point month and now enjoys a 90-point lead over Robert Epstein of Atlanta, 327.39 to 237.49. Epstein, with a 60-point month, edged ahead of Bella Ionis-Sorren of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who had a mere 52-point month to reach 235.84.  

     Then a trio of new entries in the Top 10 – Tania Reyes Hiller of Bedford Corners, N.Y., with 216.59; Harry Kaufmann of North Redington Beach, Fla., 215.18; and Kay Schulle of Purchase, N.Y., 207.78.       
      After them, it’s Roberta Trayman of Naples, Fla., 203.20; Jack Snyder of Naperville, Ill., 201.85; En Xie of St. Louis, 194.66; and Michael Dalton of Palm Coast, Fla., 193.42.

      Nancy Wolstoncroft has moved up from 314th to 221st. John Ziemer, who just missed the list last month, is back, sitting in 437th place. David Millward, who made it a month ago, missed it by less than a point this time. The list stops at 94.14.

    Onward to Mini-McKenney, Ruby Life Masters, nationwide.

         Out of sight out front is Robert L. McClendon of Ponte Vedra, Fla., who had a 206-point month to reach 872.22. Mary Ose of Sacramento, Calif, remains a very distant second with 396.79. Alex Khrakovsky of Columbus, Ohio, stays third with 374.43.

      Still sitting fourth is someone we’ve played against, Joel Wooldridge’s sometimes partner Junko Hemus, of Windermere, Fla., last month and now of San Clemente, Calif., who has 302.32.

     Sabrina Miles of Mansfield, Mass., moves up from eighth to fifth with an 81-point month to 288.71.  

     Then it’s Mason Barge of Atlanta, 280.87; Darryl Legassie of Milton, N.H., 280.87; Kim Brinkman of Highland Village, Texas, 253.15; Russ Pearly of The Villages, Fla., 245.67; and Kevin Castner of Kentfield, Calif., 232.28. Unit 116’s Davis Heussler, is 31st with his 199.38. David Millward drops from  154th to 204th. Ken Meier rises from 318th to 265th. The list ends at 90.15.

     And now for the really heavy hitters, the Mini-McKenney leaders overall.

     A month ago there were four players in four figures. Now there are nine.

     Joe Grue of New York City sits on top for the fourth  straight month with 1,489.61. Mark Itabashi of Murrieta, Calif., continues second with 1,399.65.

Kevin Dwyer of Melbourne, Fla., moves from fourth to third with 1,242.58, pushing past Brad Mass of Denver, 1,231.57.

     John Hurd of New York City jumps from seventh to fifth with 1,119.70, thanks to a 323-point month.

     Then it's Shan Huang, also from Melbourne, with 1,068.59; the legendary Eric Rodwell of Clearwater, Fla., 1,028.94; January leader Geoff Hampson of Las Vegas, dropping from sixth to eighth with 1,022.55; another legend, Jeff Meckstroth of Clearwater Beach, Fal, 1,001.82; and Justin Lall of Charlotte, N.C., 926.94.

     Familiar names: Former Buffalonian Joel Wooldridge bounces back from 41st to 25th with a 235-point month, reaching 694.83. District 5 leader Sue Lan Ma is up from 109th to 91st with her 431.17. No Unit 116 people here. This list cuts off at 212.97