District 25 players Zach Grossack of Newton MA and Linda Robinson of Arlington MA won the Baldwin North American Pairs, Flight A, a year-long grassroots contest that kicks off the spring NABC. They finished about a board and a half ahead of second-place pair Louis Glasthal of Berwyn PA and Jay Apfelbaum of Phildadelphia PA, representing District 4.
Winners of the North American Pairs, Flight A: Zach Grossack and Linda Robinson
Grossack–Robinson qualified for Thursday’s two-session final in sixth place. Their first final session score of 60.95% propelled them into first place. “I was so nervous,” said Robinson. “Fourth was where I wanted to be.”
They followed that up with a 58.52% second final session for a combined score of 435.16.
Robinson has known the Grossack family for years and has played with Zach’s mom, Jori, and his brother, Adam. It’s a comfortable partnership. “We get along at the table very well,” she said.
“Linda played fantastic – lights out,” said Grossack. “One board at a time, that’s how you play the game of bridge.”
Runners-up in the North American Pairs, Flight A: Louis Glasthal and Jay Apfelbaum
Grossack, who was 2022 Player of the Year, credits Robinson with the assist. They played together in the Grand National Teams – the other districtwide grassroots event – and made it to the semifinal, edging out Grossack’s other partner, Michael Rosenberg, for the most platinum points last year. “This is a good start for a repeat,” said Robinson.
It’s the first NABC+ win for Robinson, but she isn’t a Grand Life Master – yet. “I gotta live another 20 years,” she joked. “I only have about 4,000 points.
“It’s a terrific thrill.”