On March 3, 1931 in Rockville Centre, N.Y. a man by the name of Simeon Harold Holland was born. The world was oblivious to the genius that had just entered it was oblivious to the world that had just entered it. As he grew he took a liking to different sports and games. He spent his early years as an amateur golfer, but was charmed by the game backgammon. Soon he would begin the process of mastering it.

Tim Holland is that person, the World Backgammon Champion. It’s a well deserved title. At the age of 36 he won the World Backgammon Association Championship. He reigned as the champion throughout 1971. However, three world champions are held by him because a competition was not held in 1969 nor in 1970.

A few books were authored by him about the game he loved so much. Beginning Backgammon, Better Backgammon, and Backgammon for People Who Hate to Lose are the titles. The teaching help called Auto backgammon was a creation of his, and he opened a Backgammon club in New York, although it is no longer in use.

He lived 79 years, and he will always be remembered for his Backgammon skills. An undying image of this man is given by Jon Bradshaw in a book published in 1975. It is entitled, “Fast Company.” He states that Holland “rolled the dice and moved his men about the board with the poise of a man who knows victory is only a matter of time.” He will forever live on as he now lays to rest. Hats off to the world’s greatest.