More than 90 Islanders and visitors participated in the Fourth annual Buddy Harris Bid Whist tournament held at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs on August 21.
The tournament is named for Buddy Harris of Columbia, Maryland, a seasonal visitor who for nearly 20 years set up housekeeping with five other couples at the Carrousel house on Ocean Avenue in Oak Bluffs. Buddy had a love for playing cards and enjoyed challenging friends and visitors to daily games of Bid Whist. After he passed away five years ago, one of his housemates, Len Stephens of Silver Spring, Maryland, and Duncan Walton, a longtime resident of Oak Bluffs, proposed the idea of a Bid Whist Tournament in Buddy’s memory to his widow, Barbara, who was thrilled with the idea and gave them her blessing.
The event continues to grow. This year, players arrived an hour early to ensure seating and playing time.
Barbara was in attendance, and she graciously extended her gratitude and appreciation for the tribute paid to her late husband. She said that Buddy would have been thrilled to know that there were so many caring people who would come out to honor him. It was an exciting event and players were anxious to sign up a year in advance for the 2014 Fifth Annual Buddy Harris Bid Whist Classic tournament, although details will not be announced until a later date.
The 2013 winners of the Budd Harris Bid Whist Classic Tournament are: 1. Leonard Dabney and Bill Clemens. 2. Louise Johnson and Laurie Perry. 3. Ray Smith and Leon Braithwaide.
