Club President Cliff Gibbards inspecting Bridgemate gear with Councillor Peter Cumming. Photo: Supplied.
BY JOHN AMPRIMO, SECRETARY
The Wynnum Manly Bridge Club has modernised its scoring system thanks to a grant from the Lord Mayor’s Community Fund.
Previously, games were scored by players on a paper sheet that remained with the cards played. The cards, and the sheet, moved from table to table in a round-robin style tournament. Under COVID restrictions, the sheets posed a risk of transmitting the virus.
Fortunately, the club was given 12 second-hand scoring devices called Bridgemates, which remain on each table. This reduces the risk of transmission. Also, the devices automatically calculate the scores, removing the risk of players recording incorrect scores.
However, to make the Bridgemates operational, the club needed to purchase a laptop computer and a server that allows the devices to “talk” to the scoring program in the laptop. That program calculates the tournament winners, saving many hours of time once spent by club volunteers. The $800 grant was sufficient to buy the laptop and largely cover the cost of the server.
The club is grateful to Councillor Peter Cumming for his support with the grant. He has also been instrumental in the club securing a permanent playing venue at the Council’s Municipal Hall in Bay Terrace.
Additionally, using a $2660 grant from the Wynnum Manly Leagues Club, the club recently bought 12 new Bridgemates, which will allow the club to run larger tournaments for its 80 members.
The club plays at the Municipal Hall Fridays (1pm to 5pm) and most Wednesdays (8:45am to 1:15pm). For more details, email [email protected].
