Wassup??

Time for another whip around the websites of the region to see what's happening with everyone.

Putaruru is over the moon about their new dealing machine which was generously funded by First Sovereign Trust Limited. Up until now the club's dealing had been being done by the good folk at Tokoroa just down the road a piece. On their site, which is shared with the Tokoroa club, is a notice about the fast-approaching Novice Tournament on Sunday, March 11th at Matamata.

And while we're talking of fast-approaching events, the second season of The Waikato InterClub Teams (TWITs) will be kicking off on Friday 24th March at 7pm sharp. This is a hugely fun event run at the Hamilton club over six sessions on or near the last Friday of every month. There are three sections - Junior, Intermediate, Open each playing its own competition of IMP Teams. You can read all about it by clicking here.

Te Puke has a new website at www.te-puke.bridge-club.org. Although in the early days of development this new Drupal-8 site went up just in time for the club's hosting of the first round of the Waikato-Bays Intermediate Champions League the results of which may be seen on the new site. (The second round is coming up at Taupo this Saturday 10th of March, btw.) Drupal-8 websites are supplied by Milan Durovic of Sydney as a DIY package. These can be morphed into something like www.cambridge.bridge-club.org/, for example, which started out looking like Te Puke's new site. Watch this space.

And speaking of Cambridge ... Jane Stearns began running her celebrated Nesting Pairs last Sunday. You may think you're too late to sign up now but never fear! Jane has been busy in the professional recording studio putting all her lessons on YouTube. Click on the link to see how you can follow her through as she proceeds. Jane has 120 people from many clubs and groups all around NZ registered to follow her lessons in real time. There would quite likely be many more not registered. Hers is a thoroughly well-prepared course with bri dealing files so you can prepare the hands to be discussed. Seminar notes, bidding notes, and handrecords are all supplied on the above link.

The Hamilton club has a new secretary. It is unclear at present how many affiliated New Zealand bridge clubs employ part-time staff but only three or four spring to mind. Good luck in the role, Donna Prentice - you may be one of just a few.

The happy folk at Te Aroha had a big win on the Gold Coast - the Dress-Up theme of "Aussie Aussie Aussie" was notably well-supported by Kiwis who must be conditioned to having more fun at the game. Not many of the home team seemed interested enough to make the effort. Kiwis took out the top three spots!

Mount Maunganui ran its Open Restricted tournament on the Saturday just passed. Nineteen table turned out for a fun day. All the usual suspects have their pictures on the front page but Blair and Liz Fisher didn't quite have it all their own way, having to share top place with Judy Pawson and Kate Terry. Full results may be seen here.

Lessons for beginners get under way this week at Hamilton, Waikato, Te Aroha, Tauranga, and The Mount at least and, no doubt, several other clubs as well. As we all know, new players are essential to keeping our numbers up. The best advertising is word-of-mouth so you can help by encouraging all your friends and relations to attend the lessons at their local bridge club.