Betty Ann Kennedy

Betty Ann Kennedy (March 13, 1930 – October 30, 2016) was an American bridge player from Shreveport, Louisiana.[1][2] She won five world championships, including four from 1974 to 1984 in partnership with Carol Sanders of Tennessee and the 2003 Venice Cup.[3] Analyst Eric Kokish wrote concerning the 2003 final match that "Kennedy was a standout, doing virtually nothing wrong."[1]

She studied bridge on her doctor's recommendation when she suffered from encephalitis and consequent depression.[4] Sanders and Kennedy were known as "the Southern Belles" or simply "The Belles".[4] They compiled 10 NABC wins and 8 runners-up together.[5]

In 1993 Kennedy became the second woman to receive the Louisiana Hall of Fame Award.[1][6] She was inducted into the ACBL Hall of Fame in 2005.[7] She received the ACBL's annual sportsmanship award in 2011.[8]

Kennedy and her husband Jack, another bridge player, had four children.[1] She died in Shreveport on October 30, 2016, at the age of 86 after a fall.[9]

Bridge accomplishments

Honors

• Louisiana Hall of Fame, 1993[6]
• ACBL Hall of Fame, 2005[7]
• Sidney Lazard Jr. Sportsmanship Award, 2011[8]

Wins

• Venice Cup, 2003
• North American Bridge Championships (15)
  • Whitehead Women's Pairs (1) 1993 [10]
  • Smith Life Master Women's Pairs (2) 1990, 2008 [11]
  • Machlin Women's Swiss Teams (3) 1983, 1995, 2002 [12]
  • Wagar Women's Knockout Teams (7) 1978, 1980, 1983, 1987, 2000, 2001, 2009 [13]
  • Sternberg Women's Board-a-Match Teams (2) 1992, 1995 [14]

Runners-up

• North American Bridge Championships
  • Whitehead Women's Pairs (2) 1990, 1992 [10]
  • Smith Life Master Women's Pairs (2) 1971, 1981 [11]
  • Machlin Women's Swiss Teams (2) 1985, 2000 [12]
  • Wagar Women's Knockout Teams (6) 1982, 1992, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2010 [13]
  • Sternberg Women's Board-a-Match Teams (2) 1986, 1991 [14]

References

1. "Kennedy, Betty". Hall of Fame. ACBL. Retrieved 2014-11-16. Quote: "known for her unfailing graciousness and charm at the table — to partners and opponents alike."
2. Francis, Henry G.; Truscott, Alan F.; Francis, Dorthy A., eds. (1994). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (5th ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League. p. 665. ISBN 0-943855-48-9. LCCN 96188639.
3. "Taking Inference to Its Limit Produces the Margin of Victory". Phillip Alder. The New York Times. July 16, 2005. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "one of the nicest and friendliest players you could meet."
     Correction published July 21, retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "has won five, not four".
4. "BRIDGE: One of the Southern belles". Phillip Alder. Ocala Star-Banner. January 6, 2000. Syndicated column. Reprint at Google News retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "someone who wins admirers everywhere".
5. "Bridge Loses Two Hall of Famers". Phillip Alder. The New York Times. August 31, 2012. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "Among the world's strongest pairs for many years"—concerning Carol Sanders and Kennedy; the column title refers Tom and Carol Sanders.
6. "Betty Ann Kennedy" Archived 2014-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Biographies. WBF. Retrieved 2014-12-08.
7. "Induction by Year" Archived 2014-12-05 at the Wayback Machine. Hall of Fame. ACBL. Retrieved 2014-11-16.
8. "Sportsmanship, and a Knack for Finding the Killing Lead". Phillip Alder. The New York Times. July 15, 2011. Retrieved 2014-12-08. Quote: "one of the best and most likable players of all time".
9. "Shreveport's international bridge champion dies".
10. "List of Previous Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-03-27. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
11. "List of Previous Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2013-11-29. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
12. "List of Previous Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-03-29. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
13. "List of Previous Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2014-07-21. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
14. "Women's BAM Winners" (PDF). American Contract Bridge League. 2013-12-01. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2014-10-16.

External links

• Citation at the ACBL Hall of Fame (archived) – with video interview
• "International record for Betty Ann Kennedy". World Bridge Federation.
• Women Stars at the World Bridge Federation – with biographies (Kennedy)

Kennedy is one of eight featured "Past Great Champions".