The International Bridge Press Association, referred to as the IBPA, this is a worldwide organization of bridge writers, mostly professional, and whose reports, series and articles appear in newspapers and magazines and other publications around the world, where bridge tournaments and bridge events occur. This group also includes authors, radio hosts and even television hosts. In order to become a part of this prestigious organization, membership is required.
The European Bridge Press, or the EBP, founded in 1958 at the Oslo 1958 European Championships by the jounalists, was created first to represent these goals of reporting bridge events and eventually evolved into the Internation Bridge Press Association. At the first Olympiad, played in 1960 in Turin, Italy, so many journalists from around the world joined in the cause and thus the organization was renamed.
The International Bridge Press Association (IBPA) is a world-wide web group. IBPA has more than 300 members in all corners of the world. Its main objective is to assist bridge journalists in their bridge-related professional activities.
IBPA liaises with the World Bridge Federation, its zonal organizations, national contract bridge organizations, and other bodies, in order to achieve good working conditions for members. Bridge writers can apply for full membership, others can join as an associate member.
The attempt has been made to collect as much data as possible about the time and effort of these bridge players and professionals, who bring the news to all other bridge players around the world for their information and enjoyment. In some years the awards are not presented for all the categories.
Previous Presidents of the International Bridge Press Association
| Year |
|
IBPA President |
| 1958-1959 |
|
Guy Ramsey |
| 1960-1964 |
|
Ranik Halle |
| 1964-1970 |
|
Jack Kelly |
| 1970-1981 |
|
Richard Frey |
| 1981-1986 |
|
Alan Truscott |
| 1986-1991 |
|
Rene Ducheyne |
| 1991-1996 |
|
Tommy Sandsmark |
| 1996-2003 |
|
Henry Francis |
| 2003 - present |
|
Patrick Jourdain |
Main Features of the International Bridge Press Association
The main features of the International Bridge Press Association include many of the following items, but are not restricted to only those listed.
| 1. |
Negotiations with tournament organizers to improve working conditions and accessibility of information to the bridge press and press in general. |
| 2. |
Establishing closer cooperation with national and international bridge organizations. |
| 3. |
Publication of hand collections such as Bridge Writer's Choice, Bols Tips, and Fit For A King. |
| 4. |
The establishment and presentation of annual awards for accomplishments in various fields of bridge. |
| 5. |
The dissemination of news bulletins to members and associate members via the written word and computers. |
| 6. |
The sponsorship of bridge promotions. |
Note: The attempt has been made to include the winners of the various awards presented by the International Bridge Press Association. As the organization evolves new Awards are added if deemed pertinent. Many of the Awards are sponsored by companies, individuals, and involved persons.
Note: Also known as the Le Bridgeur Award for the Best Play of the Year. Also known as the C. R. Motors Best Played Hand of the Year, an American national corporation selling automobiles.
Note: The first award was presented in the year 1973. The winning journalist was co-listed beginning in the year 1987.
Note: The country of the player and also the winning journalist are both entered in parentheses.
| Year |
|
Charles J. Solomon Award |
|
Winning Journalist |
| 1973/1974 |
|
José le Dentu (France) |
|
|
| 1974/1975 |
|
Benito Garozzo (Italy) |
|
|
| 1975/1976 |
|
Tim Seres (Australia) |
|
|
| 1976/1977 |
|
Harold Ogust (USA) |
|
|
| 1977/1978 |
|
Dominique Pilon (France) |
|
|
| 1978/1979 |
|
Maurizio Sementa (no data) |
|
|
| 1979/1980 |
|
Benito Garozzo (Italy) |
|
|
| 1980/1981 |
|
Andrzej Wilkosz (Poland) |
|
|
| 1981/1982 |
|
Lajos Linczmayer (Hungary) |
|
|
| 1982/1983 |
|
Claude Delmouly (France) |
|
|
| 1983/1984 |
|
Zia Mahmoud (Pakistan) |
|
|
| 1984/1985 |
|
Wan Li (China) |
|
|
| 1985/1986 |
|
Henri Svarc (France) |
|
|
| 1986/1987 |
|
Jon Andreas Stoevneng (Norway) |
|
Winning Journalist |
| 1987/1988 |
|
Trond Rogne (Nor) |
|
Knut Kjarnsrod (Norway) |
| 1988/1989 |
|
Kerri Shuman (USA) |
|
Alan Truscott (USA) |
| 1989/1990 |
|
Miss Raczynska (Poland) |
|
Guy Dupont (France) |
| 1990/1991 |
|
Shmuel Friedman (Israel) |
|
Jos Jacobs (Netherlands) |
| 1991/1992 |
|
Elizabeth McGowan (Great Britain) |
|
Barry Rigal (Great Britain) |
| 1992/1993 |
|
Peter Schaltz (Denmark) |
|
Villy Dam (Denmark) |
| 1993/1994 |
|
Hervé Mouiel (France) |
|
Jean-Paul Meyer (France) |
| 1994/1995 |
|
Philippe Cronier (France) |
|
Patrick Jourdain (Great Britain) |
| 1995/1996 |
|
Wubbo de Boer (Netherlands) |
|
Eric Kokish (Canada) |
| 1996/1997 |
|
Geir Helgemo (Norway) |
|
Edgar Kaplan (USA) Awarded posthumously |
| 1997/1998 |
|
Jeff Meckstroth (USA) |
|
Jean-Paul Meyer (France) |
| 1998/1999 |
|
Jeff Meckstroth (USA) |
|
Omar Sharif (Egypt) |
| 1999/2000 |
|
Vincent Ramondt (Netherlands) |
|
Jos Jacobs (Netherlands) |
| 2000/2001 |
|
David Berkowitz (USA) |
|
Jody Latham (USA) |
| 2001/2002 |
|
Sebastian Kristensen (Denmark) |
|
Otto Charles Pedersen (Denmark) |
| 2002/2003 |
|
Geir Helgemo (Norway) |
|
Geir Olav Tislevoll (Norway) |
| 2003/2004 |
|
Cezary Balicki (Poland) |
|
Eric Kokish (Canada) |
| 2004/2005 |
|
Bill Petis (USA) |
|
Roy Welland (USA) |
| 2005/2006 |
|
Tarek Sadek (Egypt) |
|
Brent Manley (USA) |
| 2006/2007 |
|
Alfredo Versace (Italy) |
|
Marek Wojcicki (Poland) |
| 2007/2008 |
|
Giorgio Duboin (Italy) |
|
Mark Horton (England) |
| 2008/2009 |
|
Steve Weinstein (USA) |
|
Philip Alder (USA) |
| 2009/2010 |
|
Michael Courtney (Australia) |
|
Ron Klinger (Australia) |
| 2010/2011 |
|
Pierre Zimmermann (Monaco) |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|