Timochin Hassan earned 71.41 masterpoints — the metric of accomplishment in the world of bridge — during the 2011 calendar year securing him the Ace of Clubs Regional Manager award for the American Contract Bridge League's (ACBL) District 99 recently. The Ace of Clubs contest recognizes achievements at the ACBL club level, and only masterpoints won at local clubs are counted in this race. Players are placed in a category based solely on the number of masterpoints they have at the beginning of the year. Timochin was very happy on receiving this recognition. He said: “On being asked, how I felt in receiving this ACBL recognition, it reminded me of the great bridge icon Omar Sharief, who in his autobiography wrote: ‘I am known to leave and misplace awards received in my film career, but a small cup won in any Bridge tournament, I hold tightly and proudly display in my drawing room.' “So you can imagine my delight! On such occasions, one recalls those who have directly or indirectly contributed to my success.” He also thanked his elder brother, Toghrille Peter Hassan, who taught him that “meticulous planning, eye for detail and sheer perseverance, the key for any achievement. He is my inspiration and I share this with him,” he added. The ACBL is divided into 25 districts, each governed by a volunteer board of delegates, with a representative elected to the ACBL's board of directors. Each district is further divided into units, of which there are 300 total within the organization. Indisputably the most challenging card game ever invented, bridge attracts players of all ages and walks of life. 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.
