BRENT MANLEY’S INTRIGUING LIST OF THE ‘MOST INFLUENTIAL’ …..
Despite the fact that we have not received our April ACBL Monthly Bulletin, I learned from a friend who already had hers delivered that the final 13 of the original 52 MOST INFLUENTIAL BRIDGE PERSONALITIES of the last 75 years have been revealed. Brent started posting them, beginning with the JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH and finally the current APRIL ISSUE unraveled all the suspense. You have probably all read the first three issues but those of you (like us) who were waiting with baited breath for the top 13 will probably be receiving them in tomorrow’s or Tuesday’s mail.
Not surprisingly CHARLES H. GOREN WAS named NO. 1 as his name is synonymous with bridge as the primary promoter. NO. 2, ELY CULBERTSON, was accredited as the foremost authority of contract bridge, known for making the game an international popular pastime! No 3, WILLIAM E. McKENNEY was a famous bridge columnist, philanthropist and administrator. No. 4, of much more recent vintage (and one of my most favorite persons in the whole world) was, my late husband Norman Kay’s partner, EDGAR KAPLAN, who contributed in dozens of territories (writing, publishing, playing, lecturing, administrating, co-inventing The Kaplan-Sheinwold System and far too many more achievements to name at this time).
NOS. 1-4 (GOREN, CULBERTSON, McKENNEY and KAPLAN) are all deceased. NO. 5 (of the original thirteen) begins with the FIRST LIVING BRIDGE MORTAL and ends with no 52 (a combo of both living and dead). You can read all about them when your Bulletin arrives but I beam with pride when I tell you in advance the top one of the most influential LIVING PLAYERS (NO. 5) is none other than my husband, BOBBY WOLFF, who has made a career of many fields for the last sixty years in just about every capacity – probably most well known for organizing The Dallas Aces with Ira Corn and Dorothy Moore and winning eleven world championships (one in each of five different categories), and much more.
The April Issue is gonna be a real hoot and I can’t wait to read about all the other incredible eight superstars who have given so much of themselves in varying capacities to bring the game to where it stands in 2012. READ ALL ABOUT IT!!!!!
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I thought what Bobby had to say about Hamman in his vignette was wonderful. I have had more than a few conversations with Bob about his partnership with “Wolfie” – and have heard no end of glowing compliments about his long time partner. Hamman and Wolff were a force to be reckoned with!
Peg:
That doesn’t surprise me. They are both classy guys.
Judy,
Pass my congrats along to Bobby. I could gush here, but I’m sure Brent did it for me.
Best to the both of you. GM
Judy; you said it!
McKinney’s major accomplishment was the creation of the master-point plan.
Congratulations Bobby, your place in top 5 is well deserved.
Did I see right? Dorothy Hayden Truscott — but no B. J. Becker?
Quite a distinction, but I had to read it a few times to realize Bobby was the Number One Living Selection who has contributed most to the game. The winners read like a Who’s Who but being familiar with your six-decade heritage, it is clear how much you have done for the betterment of bridge the world over and are still in there punchin’! Thanks for your heartfelt devotion in trying to keep bridge at the top of the heap despite all the thorns in the road.