Hawkins, Yomotov Capture Silver Ribbon Pairs

Lifelong friends Allen Hawkins and Bernie Yomtov reunited to win the Levintritt Silver Pairs on Monday night. It was touch and go – they dipped to second going into the last round, but emerged the victors by 52 points – less than a board (on a 77 top). The win is the first North American Championship for both men.

Finishing second, with 2532 points, were Allan Siebert from Little Rock AR and Don Caton from Pensacola FL.

Hawkins says he and Yomtov played competitively 40 years ago, but family and work became priorities. They got back together a couple of years ago. “We play recreationally,” he says, and only at NABCs. Earlier this week the pair nabbed third place in the IMP Pairs.

Hawkins, a bank examiner, hails from Birmingham AL. Yomtov is an investor who lives in Cambridge MA.