COMMENTS FROM 2^ND VP

We’re just beginning our summer lull here in Florida as always happens after the State Closed Tournament. Flagler County really stood behind the club up there and provided additional funds for the promotion and pleasure of our horseshoe pitchers. I know I appreciated everything that was done before, during and after the tournament. It really does take a village to put on a tournament that serves so many of us during such a short period of time. The weather even cooperated and didn’t start raining until Sunday! I know I was praying about that!!

It was so very good to see all our Florida pitchers come together and enjoy our sport.

I want to congratulate our Champions this year: Walter Ray Williams Jr., Shalee Cason and Tommy Hall.

I know there are many who don’t for whatever reason attend our Annual Banquet—there is much that you are missing out on—for example, you should have seen the plaque that was given to Bob Hilpersthauser (from all of you)—it was a doozy. I will see if a picture of it can be put on the website so all can enjoy.

You may have noticed that we had judges this year available for each session of the tournament. They are there to help satisfy both pitchers when a shoe is in question. They also are monitoring that the proper etiquette is being observed by all. Some pitchers can’t concentrate with additional conversation going on when they pitch. Everyone is different, some it wouldn’t bother one bit. Being kind to others is a good ‘modus operandi’. There are other things the judges are watching for—how long does it take to pitch your shoes? There is a 30 second time limit from the time you set yourself for the first shoe and finish delivering your second shoe. Also, what happens when you step over the line? It is considered dead and should be removed before any more shoes are pitched. Most of us know all of these rules but over time we forget about them in the course of day to day life. We all like to have a good time when we’re pitching (even when we can’t seem to hit the stake!).

The World Tournament is coming in July and unfortunately if you didn’t enter by May 18^th it is too late for you this year but they are going to have more webcams so if you have a computer you can watch the pitching as it happens and also ESPN will be there to film live on Saturday, July 18^th from 9-noon. Maybe someone you know will be interviewed or will be demonstrating how to pitch horseshoes during that time. Remember, WT 2016 will be in Montgomery, Alabama which is a hop, skip and a jump from us in Florida.

Enjoy your summer and start looking at our next season’s schedule (put together by our State Statistician- Lois Hottinger) to plan where you will be pitching next!

Vicki Marteney, 2^nd VP

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COMMENTS FROM NEW 3^RD VP

As the new 3^rd Vice President some introductions are in order. My name is Peggy Ogden and I live in Hernando with my husband Chris. We moved to Florida, from New Jersey, in 2008 and believe it or not we did not know there was such a thing as organized horseshoe pitching. Since arriving we have joined two clubs. I am the Vice President at Beverly Hills Horseshoe Club and Secretary/Treasurer at the Citrus Spring Horseshoe Club.

Our former 3^rd VP Gwen Mehrwerth has moved back to Minnesota to spoil her first grandchild. Gwen promised she and Ron will be back for a few months next winter to pitch in some Florida tournaments. I have been asked to continue Gwen’s work with the Junior Scholarship Program. Any suggestions on how to bring more young people into our world of horseshoe pitching would be greatly appreciated.

I would also like to send a big THANK YOU to the Flagler County Pitching Club for a great State Tournament. Job well done.

I am looking forward to working with the other members of the Executive Council as well as the members of the FSHPA.