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06/07/2007
Tuesdays with the guysBridge club brings together longtime pals
From bottom left going counter-clockwise, Bill Letsche, Bob Rosso, Ned Ver Hagh and Bernie Schmitz play a hand of bridge in Elk Rapids. The group of men are four of about a dozen whom have been gathering to play bridge since 1981. ELK RAPIDS — Each of the 12 men arriving at Ned Verhage's house plunk down a $1 bill and head straight for one of three tables. They mostly ignore the counter where the snacks and drinks are until after the first round. They don't waste time chatting before they quickly get to the cards. "That's what the ladies do when they play,” Larry Flowers said, chuckling, and helping set the mood for the jovial card party. Tuesday Men's Bridge has been meeting since 1981 and its members, all retired, range in age from 58 to 91. "A few of us kids are in our 80s,” said Bob Rosso, one of four at a recent party who has been with the group since about the time it started. The other three are Willard "Bud” Fensch, Sam Serrell and Bill Walker. "I was looking at a registry and 36 members have passed on,” Rosso said. The group has a list of 23 people — 10 regulars and 13 substitutes — so they always have enough players. The members rotate hosting duties. This gathering was at Verhage's home overlooking Elk Lake; most of the players live around the lakes of western Antrim County. The weekly tournaments last about four hours, with 30 separate hands played — five rounds of six hands each. As they view their cards, they chat about golf and their wives, tell jokes and rib each other. As the tables finish the first round, Rosso gets up and fixes himself a martini. 
From bottom, counter-clockwise, Ned Verhage, Bernie Schmitz and Bill Letsche play a hand of bridge in Elk Rapids. "I drive to Traverse (City) so I have it early,” he said. "I hope to get him as a partner before he does that,” said Don Ellis, joking. They have ways to keep it moving along. There are two decks of cards at each table and one person shuffles a deck while another deals, so there's always a deck ready for the next hand. They put quarters, nickels and dimes in the pot when certain things happen in the games — all part of the complicated prize system that also includes their initial $1 ante. "Seven guys of 12 come out of here with something in their pockets,” said Leonard Klein. They all respect the game, saying it's a complex contest of strategy that's ever-changing with the deal of the cards. "Chess is to checkers as this is to pinochle,” John Ferrari said. Ellis said the game combines knowledge of probabilities, as well as an ability to remember what cards have been played, making it an ideal mental exercise. "It gets us to use our brains,” Ferrari said, smiling. "Well, it's amazing what that'll do for you,” added Fensch, 89. "George Burns played bridge until he died,” said Rosso, speaking of the comedian who was 100 when he passed away in 1996. But the main reason they play? "It's the guys,” said Bill Letsche. "They're good people.”
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