Carole Benkelman

I learned to play bridge on the train on my way to Georgetown Visitation Junior College in Washington, D.C. and have played on and off for these past many years.  I rejuvenated my bridge skills through lessons, thanks to Marcia Broddon.  I jumped into Duplicate six years ago at Garden Villa and haven't stopped since.  I became a Life Master in October of 2007. I have had a lot of fun traveling to Bridge Tournaments -  Nationals, Regionals, and Sectionals alike.  My first Tournament and the best Tournament of all was in Reno, Nevada, where I met a darling young couple named Ettelson in the 0 - 25 Masterpoint Room.  I also met and had a picture taken with another famous bridge player named Bill Gates.

I am a graduate of Maryville College with a B. S. in Education and taught Elementary School for five years before having a school of my own at home (5 children).  This interrupted my bridge playing for quite a few years, as you can well imagine, but I hung in there by playing the occasional social bridge game.  My other loves are reading, knitting, and talking (not necessarily in that order).

I'd like to see more young people become interested in bridge.  In my day, everyone played bridge - in college and after college but today there are very few young adults playing bridge.

Regarding the Caddies, I'm looking forward to working with these fabulous young people who give their time to caddying.  I've gotten to know several of them over the years and they are great kids.  Hopefully, they'll enjoy working with me also.