By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Niles Y Duplicate Bridge Club honored two of its members at a special luncheon Wednesday afternoon.
Mary Powell, 87, and Linda Podlin, 62, both from Niles, recently-attained Life Master status in the American Contract Bridge League, an international organization which governs the game of duplicate bridge.
Club Director Louise Tickfer, who has also attained Life Master status, said attaining Life Master distinction is a difficult and long process.
Life Master status is attained when a player has accumulated a certain number of red, black, silver, and gold master points, either through regular club play or at sectional, regional and national tournaments.
Red and black points can be attained through regular club play and at tournaments. Silver and gold points can only be attained by playing and winning at tournaments.
There are differing levels of Life Master depending on how many total points a player has accumulated in their career. To attain the lowest Life Master status, a player must accumulate 300 total points and at least 25 gold points.
Powell reached the requirements for Life Master in June when she was playing at a regional tournament in Montrose, IL, and because she had enough total points, she was promoted Bronze Life Master status.
Podlin attained her Life Master status in August when she played at a sectional tournament in Grand Rapids.
The club has four Life Masters, Tickfer, Powell, Podlin, and Joan Tobler. Before Tobler attained her Life Master status in March, Tickfer was the only Life Master of the group.
Both Powell and Podlin never imagined they would reach this point in their careers.
Fellow club member Donna Simon never doubted Powell for a minute.
Both players credit Tobler for inspiring them to push themselves a little harder to achieve such a distinction in the game.
Podlin attained her Life Master status almost by accident.
Both said they couldn't have made it this far without the support of their fellow club members.
The club meets in the All Purpose Room at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. and Monday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Anyone interested in attending the club session should contact Louise Tickfer at (269) 683-0959.