Waltham Native Wins National Title At North American Bridge Championships

Melvin Marcus of Needham, Mass., claimed victory in an event at the world’s largest bridge tournament – the Summer North American Bridge Championships (NABCs) – held Aug. 6-16 in Chicago and hosted by the American Contract Bridge League.

Marcus and his team of six placed first in the Truscott/USPC Senior Swiss Teams event, one of 18 championship-level events held at the tournament. This is Waltham’s second national title.

Members of the winning team, pictured left to right (from top left), include John Hrones Jr. of Needham, Mass., Haven Sharaf of Danvers, Mass., Bill Irvine of Quincy, Mass., Robert Lurie of Wayland, Mass., Rena Leiberman of North Easton, Mass., and Marcus.

The NABCs are held three times a year across the U.S. and Canada to bring together players of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, with opportunities for everyone to play daily from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The 2015 Fall NABCs will be held in Denver, Colo., from Nov. 26 to Dec. 6.

About the American Contract Bridge League

Founded in 1937, the ACBL is the largest bridge organization in the world, serving 167,000 members and 3,200 bridge clubs and sanctioning 1,100 sectional and regional tournaments annually. The ACBL’s three North American Bridge Championships each attract up to 5,000 players representing every state in the United States, Canada and about 20 other foreign countries. A challenging and rewarding card game, bridge attracts players of all ages and walks of life – from Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to poker star Phil Gordon. For more information about the ACBL, visit www.acbl.org.

Media Contact:

Darbi Padbury

American Contract Bridge League

(901) 487-0504

Darbi.Padbury@acbl.org