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Nice one, Tony.

Today, we celebrate one of the quiet workers of New Zealand Bridge, one of the most reliable of bridge personalities but one who shuns the limelight, Tony Morcom. For the whole of this century and many years before, Tony has contributed as a director, as a scorer, as a dealer, as a fill-in player and always so willingly.

As well, he served on the Auckland Centre/Regional Committee either directly or in a supporting role for nearly 40 years as after he stepped down, he continued to fulfil the important liaison role between clubs, region and NZ Bridge of ensuring there were no clashes of tournaments in the northern half of the North Island. In whatever way he contributed, he was always there to help so willingly.

The current Auckland-Northland Regional Committee and the Auckland and Royle Epsom Bridge Clubs felt Tony should be acknowledged now especially as he is stepping back on his roles. A presentation was thus made to Tony at the start of last weekend’s Auckland Easter Congress. 
 
Never one to seek the limelight. 
Thus, Tony seems to be a little 
surprised to be the centre of attention. 
Regional President, Grant Jarvis, helps 
make Tony feel more at ease. 

Tony learnt and played bridge (in longish lunch-hours!) way back in the late 1960’s with some future fellow bridge playing chemists like Andy Braithwaite, and George Clark.

Tony enjoys playing. He represented Auckland Northland in the inter-provincials over four decades ago. Wryly, he recalls a deal he played as partner with Bruce Bell. Tony opened 1 and after an opposition 3 level pre-empt, Bruce then bid 4 which Tony passed. That seemed reasonable though Bruce was quick to remind Tony that 4 in his system was always for aces!

 

However, most of his bridge involvement has been as a director and dealer. He is a National Director and was part of the directing teams at the National Congress of Arie Geursen and Murray Wiggins for a long time. He travelled all round the North Island to direct major tournaments and has been the director most Auckland- Northland Region clubs called on to direct their tournaments. While Patrick Carter may have been directing most Auckland Club tournaments, it was Tony who directed at most other tournaments in the region and beyond.

 

With Peter Bowyer, he has also been the main organiser and director of Auckland- Northland’s highly successful once a month inter-club event. Prior to Covid, it was held at the Auckland Bridge Club and now more recently is on-line. This event now involves at least 50 teams in Open, Intermediate and Junior grades. Tony and Peter always ensured the players both experienced and others new to inter-club, received a very warm and friendly welcome.

                               
Tony and Peter, making the Auckland-Northland    could there be an Irish theme 
Inter-Club a very pleasant experience for all.          for the evening?

Prior to Covid, Tony was also the regular director at the region’s Inter-Provincial trials.

 

For many years, he dealt boards for tournaments in the Auckland-Northland Region including redealing played boards during the regional events. He also dealt and directed for the Akarana Bridge Club, always entering into the spirit of the dress-up at the club’s party tournament. For the Auckland Bridge Club, he covered for a wide range of activities including directing and dealing and was so often a willing playing reserve should he be needed. He fulfilled this last role in the recent Auckland Congress and got the call to play on the third day.

 

Then, there is the Royle Epsom Bridge Club. Since Angela Royle took over the  club some two decades ago, he has been regularly directing, dealing, scoring, substituting, supporting players and assisting with their regular charity events. 
Angela summed up Tony’s involvement in the following statement: "Tony's love of bridge and support of clubs and players very gently shines through - without players knowing just how much he does in the world of bridge".

 

That’s Tony. I am sure Tony will certainly answer the call if he can in the future like he has so often in the past. Let’s hope Tony gets to play a little more now than he has done previously. I hope and believe club and tournament players recognise just how much he has done in the background on their behalf. Thanks, Tony.

 

A hand for our JIN Club members..and others, tomorrow. 

Richard Solomon

 

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