I started playing bridge in the mid 60's while attending classes infrequently at the University of Tulsa; seems like I was not quite ready for the studies (it was the 60's, remember?). We played unstructured rubber bridge... and talk about a terrible player!! Whoever talks of natural talent probably wasn't there during that period. All of my partners received a reprieve when I joined the US Army Medical Corps; I quickly forgot all about spades, diamonds, and clubs.

In early 1970 the bridge bug bit me..... this time it was serious and diagnosed as terminal. I played as often as I could, had a terrific teacher (Louise Fleetwood) and quickly learned the fundamentals of the game. I set a goal to become lifemaster before the end of 1971 which was accomplished on December 31, in Gertrude's Wednesday morning pair game. Needing .13 to go over the top, lo and behold, I won .14 for placing 3rd e/w. I didn't really feel like a champion.... it wasn't like winning a Regional to blast over the top, but to this day, I still have that treasured postcard that says 300.01.

In 1972 I opened the first duplicate club in Tulsa, where I introduced many new players to the game of bridge. I remember one young lady (in my first class!) who after an 8 week course (A=4, K=3, etc) won the first time she played duplicate. I don't know who was more thrilled, her or me. I rarely played in the club games, instead spending my time promoting bridge and writing a column for a local weekly with the help of JRose. I did play tournaments, but, that slowed considerably when I began directing ACBL tournaments.

Although most of the directors tried to be equitable, too many times (especially in the south) I witnessed high profile players getting rulings that were downright unfair. (High profile includes the better players, tournament chairpersons, and the party givers.) Once, in fact, I left a Mississippi sectional during the finals of the open pair because the chief director did something that in my opinion threatened the integrity of all directors. In 1980 I notified the ACBL that I would no longer be available to direct any tournaments. I quit playing bridge then, too. I was simply burned-out.

If not for OKBridge, it is very likely that I would never have ever played competitive bridge again. One evening, after dining out with Hag & Lurker, I received a short demonstration of online bridge. That did it. Hooked again! I joined the very next March morning in 1997 as r2d2, and have been happily beeping ever since.

My purpose in bringing out this website is twofold. First, it is a learning experience for me. Although I have been a computer professional for 30 years, there are still many things to learn. Webpage creation has finally made it to the top of my priority list. Secondly, I have been very fortunate to meet many wonderful people online. If I can contribute a little of myself for the enjoyment of others, I will be grateful.