American Contract Bridge League
Unit 484   District 20

Profile/Tribute

Phil Selby

(Published November, 2003)

As you all know, we have a few well-qualified, dedicated, and genial individuals who direct most of the bridge games in the Rogue Valley. Phil Selby is one of these directors. He owns the Rogue Bridge Club, and directs the ACBL sanctioned games held Monday-noon at the Masonic Temple in Medford.

The Rogue Bridge Club was started by Erma Neal, Carol Ellis, Grace Martin, and Rita Sheppard (with valuable assistance nom Elois Evans) in 1993. Phil bought the club for a nominal fee in 1995.

Phil strives to provide a "sociable and enjoyable atmosphere as well as a competitive game for bridge players:' He feels that Internet Bridge has not hurt attendance. "Most people need the social aspects of a club game:' He further states that "quality of the club is far more important than quantity of people attending." But, emphasizing quality has resulted in an increase in attendance. The Rogue Club has been averaging over 14 1/2 tables most of the second half of 2003. This is up from about 12 1/2 for the same period in 2002.

Phil is a strong promoter of bridge. He has taught bridge classes for over 20 years at a variety of locales- YMCA, Senior Ventures, and privately. Phil has served on the Unit and Ashland Club Boards. In addition, he has loaned his truck and lent his brawn, in the gathering and transporting of equipment for Sectionals, over the past ten years.

Phil is one of those rare Rogue Valley residents who has lived here almost his whole life. He was a baby when his family moved to the Valley from Klamath Falls. His mother was an avid bridge player; she taught Phil the game. Phil is now a Bronze Life Master with over 700 masterpoints.

After graduating from high school, Phil attended the University of Oregon, Eugene, earning a degree in business. He was Sales Manager for the Chevrolet dealership in downtown Ashland until he retired from there in 1977. He and his wife reared four daughters and one son. Today Phil is a very involved grandfather of 10. Many of us bridge players are acquainted with two of the little ones-John, 6, and Daniel, 4. They, along with their mother (Phil's daughter, Suzanne), helped Phil at his club before moving to Portland.

Optimistic about the future of bridge in the Rogue Valley, Phil feels that interest in the game is growing. Part of this can be explained by classes being taught by Bill Holt, Dan Voorhies, Ken Lansing, Bob Scott, Bernadine Lacy, and himself as well as others. "Perhaps," he opines, "people are just bored with TV and want the mental stimulation and social life that bridge offers:' Perhaps it's also because of the many volunteers who help with the set-up, the take-down, the put-away, the collection of fees, the assignment of places, and especially because of the many who provide the delicious snacks we all enjoy.

We salute you, Phil, and we thank you for all you do to make bridge strong (and more enjoyable) in our Rogue Valley.

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