club history

The History of
Daytona Metropolitan Bridge Club
Daytona Beach, Florida

In 1956, Polly Mullin began offering bridge classes in a little studio she had built in her back yard on Grandview Avenue. Soon her games outgrew her little studio, and she moved her games to the Carnival Inn.

In 1958, Polly’s Novice Club was joined by the Halifax River Yacht Bridge Club and the Ocean Dunes Bridge Club to form the Metropolitan Bridge Club.

For the next four years, the club held games at Daytona Plaza, the Bath and Tennis Club, a motel on Ridgewood, and a bar on Main Street. The club had About 125 members.

In 1962, the Metropolitan Bridge Club voted to construct their own building, and signed a 20-year land lease with the City of Daytona Beach. The club was built for about $25,000 at 600 Driftwood Avenue, the site where games have been held since. Marshall Goldman was the contractor. Club members sold bonds to pay for the building.

On February 8, 1992, the Metropolitan Bridge Club celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the building, and honored the founders with a special luncheon prepared by Peg Lupo. The Club also recognized twenty current members who have been members for 25 or more years. They are: Dick Belcher, Aline Block, Jane and Ken Campbell, Vera Chambers, Patty Chambliss, Corinne Cichon, Theresa DeWalt, Jeri Fields, Ben Hovde, Evelyn Koett, Bruno Kunz, Polly Mullin, Nell Murray, Rita Madden, Bruce Ohmann, Frances Raymond, Warren Ross, Thelma Wallace, and Peg Wisner.

At that time, the Metropolitan Bridge Club, under the direction of the Club Manager, Spike Lay, had about 275 members and sponsors eight weekly games, including a Friday afternoon novice game.

In 2005 the Daytona Beach Metropolitan Bridge Club has over 350 members with 12 weekly games and is open to the public. The Club has developed a close working relationship with the City of Daytona Beach and is recognized by the City as a recreational asset. There are many teaching programs for all ages. Our talented teachers include: Betty Bayard, June Byrne, Candace Fowler Griffey, Pat Heading, Spike Lay, Peg Lupo, and Linda Miller.

Spike Lay was Managing Director of the Club for 15 years until Spring of 2006.

Spike Lay was Managing Director for 15 years . Candy Griffey became Assistant Managing Director with him in September 2005. In the Spring of 2006, Max Bayard took over. When he was unable to continue because of his health, June Byrne became Club Manager in January 2007.

In early 2009, Spike Lay returned as Club Manager ... the club has over 330 members.

In 2009, our bridge teachers included: Spike Lay, Betty Bayard, Matie Ellery and Bob Renuart. Betty Sandifer, June Byrne and Joe Reeves also have taught classes recently.