Jay's View
REPORT ON PLAY FROM WEDNESDAY, January 7, 2026
As is our custom every year at our club, the first week of play for 2026 featured our annual awards night. And other than not being televised for the whole world to view other awards ceremonies, ours also featured the presentation of gilded awards (except for the gilded part), attendees dressed to the nines (okay, so maybe to the sixes), and award recipients and presenters receiving gifts and sumptuous culinary treats (maybe not so much; at the Academy Awards, they get a goody bag that includes luxury travel and stays and high tech goodies worth about $200,000; we featured— thanks to all that attended— a pot luck goody table with everything from fruit to beverages to truly yummy home made cookies made by newcomer Liz Ganitopoulos (welcome to the club, Liz!) and returnee Sehnaz Hopali). But to me what was most rewarding was the turnout— eighteen strong.
The attendees this week included players that have won awards in just about every backgammon event or category. It’s not exactly like the all-around performers in the entertainment world’s EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) but we’ve got some really good players coming to our club and I for one am proud and thankful.
In addition to all the hoopla over the awards and treats, there was backgammon being played as well and it all ended with the Rockwells— Linda and David— bookending the final matches in the Consolation and Main brackets. Fighting their way through some tough competition in both brackets, Linda defeated Amy Trudeau in the final match in the Consolation final, while David split the master points and prize money with Michael Valentino in the Main final due to time constraints.
All in all, a great first night of play in Winnetka. I look forward to it being a trend for the club throughout the year. And the best way for that to happen is if you come to join us for play next week and beyond. Until then, have a great weekend, everyone!
Jay