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POLK COUNTY—A Bridge Club is a friendly, social place, which is good for the soul. Some posit that the card game itself also provides a vigorous mental workout for aging brain cells, exercising as it does long and short-term memory, visualization, sequencing and problem-solving.

Here’s a bit of anecdotal evidence supporting that theory: A table during a recent round at the Foothills Bridge Club in Tryon pitted the partnerships of Sally Jo Carter and Tollie Ross against Phyllis Alsdorf and Caryl Beckelman. Their ages, in no particular order, are 86, 90, 94 and 95, which gave the table an average age of 91 years and 3 months. And how did these well-seasoned players fare after three-plus hours of mental acrobatics against a roomful of competitors? Sally Jo and Tollie came in first, while Phyllis and Caryl finished in third. It was a good day. 

Two different bridge clubs in the Tryon area offer five games a week. For more information or to start learning the game, contact Bill at matchcar4@gmail.com.

 

Submitted by Bill McCartha