Feb, 2010 -Tipton Golias - Grand Life Master

Tipton Golias achieved Grand Life Master, the highest rank bestowed by the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL), in Feb. 2010.

This is a monumental achievement requiring the accumulation of 10,000 master points, and winning a national championship event. It is an honor achieved only by some 300 active members of the community of world's greatest players - most of them for full time careers. Tipton plays regularly at our Beaumont Bridge Studio. We are proud of his membership in and support of our club. He quietly and without fanfare, has provided a remarkable amount of support to our club facilities, events, activities and level of play.

Tipton achieved this award, while serving as founder and President of Helena Laboratories since 1966. He found and chairs Etoco, an independent Houston energy company. He serves our city and community. and directly participated in emergency services in Beaumont through local disasters including hurricanes - Ike, Rita, and Gustav. His path of influence is long, wide and commendable. Tipton is also an internationally recognized clinical chemist. At Helena, he designs and manufactures diagnostic test kits and clinical laboratory instrumentation and supplies. His technical expertise and creativity, have generated a hundred plus patents, products, and approximately $100 million annual revenues. The Corporate headquarters are located in Beaumont, Texas and consist of over a quarter million square feet of research, manufacturing, inventory, engineering and administrative facilities. Helena products are distributed globally. Helena has been awarded the U.S. Secretary of Commerce "E" Award for excellence in contribution to the American economy through export operations.

Tipton also received the Van Slyke award sponsored by the American Association of Clinical Chemists. This is the highest academic award in Laboratory Medicine. Two recent Van Slyke recipients have gone on to receive the Nobel Prize. Tipton was recognized for making significant improvements over many areas of Clinical Chemistry during the past 46 years. His acceptance of this award is entertaining, inspirational and charismatic, reflecting his essence. Tipton Golias - Van Skyke Acceptance Speech

Tipton is truly an expert bridge player. In 1997, he played on the team that won the most prestigious Spingold Championship - with Grant Baze, Adam Ludminski and three other world class players. This competitive expert class tournament is a most coveted national championship event. Tipton played for years on the Grant Baze duplicate bridge teams, one of the worlds best. Grant who died in 2009, was one of the greatest players of all time, and one of Tipton's close friends. Their team won awards in many national events. Tipton hosted a tribute to Baze at the Houston nationals in 2009 following his death, and authored a special article about his times with Baze in the ACBL's Bridge Bulletin.

In the 1990’s as past unit representative to the District 16 board, he was instrumental in bringing a regional tournament to the Beaumont area, and thanks to his efforts an additional sectional tournament. He has most generously underwritten countless club activities such as member directories, tournament newsletters, life master award parties and other special events. Tipton’s many contributions to bridge in general and Unit 201 in particular, earned him the prestigious Texas Star Award.

One of the greatest features of the tournament bridge organization, the American Contract Bridge League, is the opportunity to play with and against the world's best. It's truly an exceptional honor and is unprecedented in all major sports and world class competition.

From The Beaumont Bridge Studio membership - "Thank you and congratulations Tipton". "We're proud to know you, be associated with you, and it is a great honor to play with you."

And now - Presenting our newest
Life Masters - Don and Juinez Moss.

Even though Don and Juinez Moss, like most of us, are some 9,000 + points behind Tipton, we are proud they have achieved the first major award in their ACBL lifetime- The rank of Life Master.

Don and Juinez started their quest for Life Master a short three years ago. They played together as happy spouses, which is a difficult path for most pairs. They made the accomplishment in a notable time frame, and received their award-while being ever together loving. They also through the course, inspired many hopefuls to more aggressively pursue the goal, because of their success. They have spawned a new group of up-n-comers, that benefit from their achievement. Their confidence and success is an inspirational challenge and motivation to newer players. We are proud of not only what they accomplished, but what they have contributed to our club.

One of the characteristics of their quest was a fearless desire to compete in any field of players. Don and Juinez ventured into the open games, with many great players and competed effectively. Most new players take the more comfortable path of playing in the limited games, where comfort is higher, and inflicted ego damage is lessened. Their confidence and ability grew as did their skills, mental focus and greatly aided their rapid development. Great doings Don and Juinez - we love ya.

We are ecouraging them to have two Life Master Parties, one for each - so we can honor each of them individually - paying them special attention.

OK if we're going to be totally honest about this - it's also a matter of do we want one party - or two? - - - Is that a Duh?"

We're proud of you Don and Juinez"

Bobbi Robinson - Life Master

Bobbi earned her Life Master at the Houston Regional Feb 2nd 2010. Mighty congrats - few players have been more qualified for the title, and we can all be proud of her for her accomplishments in 2009. Besides her Life Master Bobbi has accumulated 163 poins this year to win the Unit 201 Mini-McKenney award, had a 69+ % game to win the District 16 International Fund Game in the spring, has tirelessly managed the Lufkin Bridge Cliub and taught many aspiring players how to play duplicate bridge. Well done Bobbi.

Lufkin Club Featured on ACBL Home Page To ACBL

Click Here for story and pictures

Two of our Friends from Lake Charles are now Life Masters

C players have a tips for Gold Points. Click 4 6 Tips

Funny Information and serious schedules. Click 4 Fun

Basic Info.Click for Basic Info.

2nd Annual Birthday Party at Lufkin, Oct 28 noon til 5 ish.

Overall Game winners -
1A Betty Poindexter and Edwina Landrum.
2A/3A Jimmie Lou Conner and Peggy Wright.
2A/3A/B1/C1 Leland and Mary Briggs
B2 Aniel and Hellen Revelle
B3 Ginni Mayhew and Paul Keedy
C2 CAROLYN Booth and R.A. Brookshire
C3 Joe Ulicnik and Tommy McDonald
Complete Game Results, Click Here

Lunch Winners - Everybody - Was a great event, Thanks Bobbi

Website Updates

Game Results has changed.

A Special Game Schedule (and regular games) calendar has been added to the Game Results Page. I think this is a good change - but your feedback to me will help me sort out the benefits/weaknesses. Do I need to get a real job????