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Every North American Bridge Championship is a remarkable event, but the Summer NABC has long been the premier event on the calendar. Unfortunately, for the last two years Mother Nature has deprived tens of thousands of duplicate bridge player of the pleasure of participating in one of these grand occasions.
Of course, in 2022 it is foolish to predict anything. Nevertheless, I fully expect this year's event in Providence, RI, to be a really BIG DEAL. In fact, I harbor hopes that it will help thousands of players remember (or learn) how great face-to-face bridge can be and how spectacular the continent-wide events should be.
A little history: The Summer NABC in 2021 was scheduled for Providence, but the event was canceled because of the pandemic. However, the ACBL was so impressed with the preparatory work done by the local team that the city was named as the site for the event in July of this year.
I know the people who are running the tournament very well. Many of them were also involved in the planning and execution of the very successful Fall NABC in 2014. There is no doubt in my mind that they will rise to the occasion this year and conduct an event that the entire ACBL can be proud of.
In the autumn of 2014 I attended the last NABC held in New England. In those days I was still quite busy working in the real world, but I managed to attend on both weekends. I had a great time, bordering on the euphoric. The site was exceptional, the feeling of camaraderie was quite touching, and the bridge was great. I liked the game a lot before the tournament, but I fell in love with tournament bridge in Providence.
One of my most vivid memories was of my time working at the partnership desk. After I had successfully paired up a gentleman from Italy he grinned broadly when I said goodbye to him and his newly found partner with "In bocc' al lupo!" (The phrase means "In the wolf's mouth;" it's like saying "Break a leg" to an actor.)
I also remember being very impressed by the WaterFire event for which Providence is justly famous. Unfortunately, my appreciation was somewhat limited by uncontrollable shivering in the very brisk air of late November. This year, however, no one should fret about the weather. The SWAG bag will not include the souvenir blankets that were distributed in 2014. This is how the website Travel Awaits described what we can expect:
The summer weather in Providence is usually perfect. The extreme heat that envelops much of the country just doesn’t touch this city near Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The average high temperature in July is 83 degrees. ... In the summer, the city experiences nearly 15 hours of daylight, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore everything Providence has to offer.
Here is what you need to know at this point:
• The tournament will be held July 14-24.
• All events will be in the Rhode Island Convention Center, the same location as in 2014.
• The best source for information is the website maintained by the tournament committee: ProvNABC.org. It will be timely, accurate, and comprehensive.
• Hotel reservations can now be made. Information about the hotels and the link for reservations is on the above website.
• Great food and a plethora of attractions can be found in and around Providence. You can find some ideas here.
• Newport, Cape Cod, Boston, and several casinos are within easy driving distance.
This would also be a great time to consider sponsoring some portion of the tournament. I can think of no better way to honor someone whom you have admired. Both sponsorships and memorials will be available. Detailed information has been provided at https://provnabc.org/en/sponsorships/.
THIS JUST IN: The ACBL has released the schedule for the 2022 Summer NABC in Providence. It is available at https://provnabc.org/en/schedule/.
Please consider this your personal invitation. Meanwhile, you still have a few months to bone up on your slam bidding to get ready for A BIG DEAL in Providence.
Mike Wavada
District 25 Webmaster and Communications Chairman