Author of over 40 books on bridge, including Guide To Better Card Play (winner of the Book of the Year Award by American Bridge Teachers' Association); bridge journalist (daily column in Sydney Morning Herald), and a teacher since 1970.
Ron has an impressive Bridge CV with numerous Championships to his name as can be seen below. Away from the table his hobbies include films, novels, walking, swimming, humour (especially involving word play). ... "What do you say to your bridge partner who has two black eyes? Nothing. You've told him twice already."
He tells me that 2004 will be his fifth Open Teams Olympiad, each with a different partner. "Obviously no partner can stand me for more than four years!" he says.
Ron is undoubtedly, however, best known as a Bridge player with numerous national titles; he represented Australia in world championships in 1976, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1993, 2000; 2003 ; reached the semi-finals of the 1989 Bermuda Bowl; holder of the record number of Master Points per annum 1975-1980. Ron will be competing in 2004 World Open Teams Olympiad.
Most recent national successes: won 2004 Open Teams Playoff; won 2004 Butler Open Trials; won Gold Coast Pairs 2003; won Gold Coast Teams 2003; won Grand National Open Teams, 1999, 2000 and 2001; won Seniors (over-55) Trials, 2000, 2003; won Australia-NZ Seniors Playoff 2000; won Australian Seniors Team 2001, 2002, 2003; won Sydney Seniors Teams 2001; second in Spring National Open Teams 2000 and 2001; second in National Butler Open Trials 2002; second in Autumn National Open Teams 2001; second in Victor Champion Cup (national teams) 2001, 2004 .
Earlier achievements: won Bols Brilliancy prize for best play in the World Teams Olympiad 1976; won Bols Brilliancy Prize for journalism, 1978 and 1980; won Far East Pairs Championship 1985 and 1987; won Far East T eams Championship 1970; won South Pacific Teams Championship 1993