A bridge tournament organized to support locals who qualified to play bridge in the upcoming B.C. Seniors Games raised about $900, organizers say.
The June 14 tournie, held at Centennial Hall, drew competitors from as far away as Chilliwack.
“The tickets just went off the shelf so fast,” said Valerie Wilson.
Wilson said 20 people from Zone 3 – which includes communities from White Rock to Boston Bar – have qualified to play bridge in the games. Proceeds from Tuesday’s tournament will be split amongst the six who belong to the Kent Street Activity Centre, she said.
The funds will help with such costs as travel and accommodation. For White Rock’s Louise Hutchinson, this summer will be her first appearance in the Games, where she will compete in duplicate bridge.
Hutchinson, who has been playing the game for about 50 years, described it as “a really good sport.”
“Once you’re hooked, there really isn’t – I think – a better game,” she said.
Tuesday, she teamed up with Surrey’s Joyce Curran to take on Burnaby’s Lina Cheng and Paul Pu of Vancouver.
The overall tournament was won by Burnaby’s Pam and Dennis Peacock.
Wilson had originally hoped to host two fundraiser tournaments before the Games, which take place mid-August in the West Kootenays.
A second will not happen, as there is no suitable space available to hold it, she said.
Tuesday’s competition was supported by a $300 grant-in-aid from the City of White Rock.
