Curtis SMITH
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Curtis SMITH |
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Curtis Kinett Smith è nato l'8 dicembre del 1925 a Oakland in California ed è stato uno dei più noti giocatori del circuito americano.
Arruolatosi a soli 15 anni nell'aviazione americana, dopo il servizio militare si dedicò ben presto al bridge e alle mogli, visto che ne collezionò ben quattro, l'ultima delle quali Beverly fu impalmata nel 1989.
ACBL Grand Life Master, Curtis ha vinto tra l'altro: l'Open Pair del 1960, due Spingold nel 1966 e 1967, ed il Grand National Teams del 1977.
Curtis, che a causa della sua malattia è mancato per lungo tempo dalle scene del bridge mondiale, ha colto la sua più prestigiosa affermazione con la medaglia di bronzo conquistata nella Rosenblum Cup del 1978 a New Orleans.
Smith che era anche un articolista del Bridge Bulletin della ACBL, è anche noto per aver scritto un libro di successo: "Bidding Thought Logic".
Curtis è scomparso il 28 novembre del 2007 a Grapeland in Texas dopo una lunga battaglio contro il cancro.
Curtis Kinett (Curtis liked "King" better)
Smith was born December 8, 1925 in Oakland, California. At age 15 he entered
college but soon enlisted in the Army-Air Force, lying about his age to serve.
After being discharged he resumed his education and obtained an engineering
degree.
He did some graduate work but did not get an M.S. He soon became interested in bridge, and quickly used all his time to perfect those skills.
His professional career spanned some 20 years, from the late 1950's to the early 1980's.
He was always high in the McKinney Race (now called the Barry Crane List) but was never fortunate enough to win it. He did manage to win 4 National championships, including an Open Pair, the Spingold (twice) and the GNOT. He had numerous other high places including 6 second place results.
Curtis was considered by many of his peers to be one of the best declarers in the country during his career. Curtis spent most of his life in the Houston area. He had 4 wives during his life, marrying Beverlye (the 4th) in 1989. They lived outside Crockett, Texas (about 125 miles north of Houston) for the last 12 years or so. Curtis refused to pay ACBL dues beginning in 1991. He believed ACBL owed Life Masters a lifetime membership. As a result he is not listed on Master Point lists, though he had a c c u mu l a t e d mo r e t h a n 12,000. Except for an occasional appearance, he has not played duplicate bridge since the mid-80's.
He was an active rubber bridge player for many years until the death of his very good friend Bobby Nail.
Curtis passed away on November 28, 2007 in Grapeland TX
after a long clapper against cancer.