With this sad words the WBF President reported to all the bridge players around the world that Jaime Ortiz Patiño passed away…
Dear Friends, Just now I received the very sad news that Jimmy Patiño passed away yesterday. For the moment I don’t have other information. All of you know what Jimmy represented for bridge, for the WBF and for us, He will live for ever in our heart and in our memories.
Un abbraccio Gianarrigo Rona
Jaime Ortiz Patiño once wrote:
As an executive stress antidote, bridge beats any therapy or a week alone in the wilderness.
As we all know perfection is unattainable, but we will not stop until we achieve it.
Jaime Ortiz-Patiño was born in Paris in 1930, his parents were from Bolivia, he was great- grandson of Simon Patiño, who was known as the «King of Tin» in Bolivia and ambassador of that country in the French capital.
His friends know him as Jimmy Ortiz. Jimmy was the founder of the famous Valderrama golf course in southern Spain. He was President of the World Bridge Federation during 1976-1986, and since 1986 he was Chairman Emeritus of the WBF. At the end of his 10 years of service as President of the WBF he established the WBF Youth Committee that launched the first World Youth Team Championship in 1987. Mr. Ortiz-Patino donated the trophy that bears his name, and which has since become the symbol of supremacy in the World Junior Bridge.
He was also Vice President of the WBF during the period 1974-75, treasurer of the European Bridge League during 1974-75 and President of the Jean Besse Foundation.
As President of the World Bridge Federation, he was responsible for some of the most important developments in bridge. He was who introduced the use of screens and bidding boxes and made under his supervision to develop new regulations. He also envision a promising future for the WBF when he established a solid and healthy financial status. He expanded the borders of the WBF around the world, including China. He also successfully managed the delicate political situation caused by the governments of the Arab countries refusing to play against Israel.
He was chosen «Personality of the Year» 1977/1978 by the International Bridge Press Association.
He was WBF World Life Master and represented Switzerland at the World Team Olympiad 1964, 68, 1962 World Open Pairs, 1982 Rosenblum Cup, European Championships 1955, 56, 59, 61, 62, 63, 65, 67. Finished fifth in the World Par Point Contest 1961. His titles include National Teams Open 1953, 56, 59, 61, KO Teams 1955, 56, 60, 62, 63.
Patiño was who allowed the Ryder Cup of Golf to be played for the first time on European soil in 1997, a vision that began in 1956 and ended with the construction of one of the best golf courses in the world, where were developed the most prestigious events of the European Golf Tour: The Volvo Masters of the periods 1988-1996, 2002-2008 and two World Championships: 1999 and 2000. For all this he was appointed Honorary Vice-President of the PGA for his contribution to the world of golf and his promotion and support in the Golf European Tour.
Among his personal friends we can include the King Juan Carlos of Spain, who awarded him the highest honor a foreigner can receive in Spain, the Civil Merit Order, George Bush, Prince Andrew, and Juan Antonio Samaranch IOC.