Here is an article about Jim and MaryAnn from the ACBL District 14 web site:
We are always delighted to announce the rank achievements of our District 14 members. Part of bridge is about continuing to aim at new heights and accomplishments. When our players do this, highlighting it is important.
District 14 Director Sharon Anderson had the chance to acknowledge two players who arrived at Sapphire Life Master status together: husband and wife Jim and MaryAnn Boardman. Jim and MaryAnn’s bridge travels together span 46 years. Their story is a great one – made even more impressive by their success as a bridge playing couple! As many of us know, played with your “significant other” can be a challenge. Yet, as you can see, it’s one that Jim and MaryAnn have mastered well.
Congrats to the Boardman’s on their new status AND their 50th anniversary! Hope everyone enjoys their great story!
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Sharon – thanks for the congratulations! Here is our bridge story:
We took lessons as newlyweds in the 1970’s after a session or two of kitchen bridge. We dove right into duplicate, playing in a regional right out of the newbie class. The late-great Ivah Vater gave us some pointers and we were sure we were ready to roll.
We’ve played with many good partners, certainly not always as a pair. Early on, I, MaryAnn, played more and reached Life Master first. Jim took early retirement from his service manager job and spurted ahead. There was a hundred point difference in our point totals at times. It is special to us that we balanced out and hit the 3500 goal the same month, even at the same tournament, playing together.
As husband and wife, we have enjoyed many vacation stops at the bridge table. We’ve been lucky to play in numerous nationals, regionals, and sectionals all across the US and Canada. We drop in on club games all over, also. For a while we wore corny buttons that said, “True love is playing with your wife (husband).”
Bridge has been good for us and we celebrate that by giving back through teaching, service, and charitable efforts. This year we celebrate 50 years of marriage and 46 years of bridge playing What a big deal!
Jim and MaryAnn Boardman