Comments from the Secretary/Treasurer

Great State Tournament, everybody! It was so nice to get to see folks again that I don’t get to see during the regular horseshoe season. Most everything went rather smoothly, thanks to the super organizational skills and preparation by Lois Hottinger and the Bradenton Horseshoe Club. You guys ROCK! I think this might have been the most successful doubles scoring ever. Great preparation, multiple training sessions and a terrific suggestion from Shirley Ingles for us to pre-fill the pitchers names on the scoresheets to help keep things clear for the scorekeepers.

Attendance this past April was among the lowest that I have seen firsthand. We had 21 Mixed Doubles teams, 8 fewer than last year; we had 32 Doubles teams, down from 40 last year; and 90 singles, 15 fewer than last year. I’d like for everyone to start planning now for next year so that we can increase our overall participation.

This larger tournament is a great way to get experience and practice for a World Tournament. Plus it’s a wonderful way to connect again with folks that you might not get to see on the regular rounds you make during the tournament season. As a reminder, you’ll need 5 tournaments OR 4 tournaments and one sanctioned league to qualify. Get started with your planning now using the tournament schedule and be sure to attend at least 6 or 7 tournaments – over plan just in case you can’t make one or the club has to cancel.

Thank you, Executive Council: Dale Marteney, Janet McFarland, Vicki Marteney and Peggy Ogden. Not bad for our first time out as a team!!! It was great working with you and I look forward to more!

Congratulations to the following pitchers who have 50 or more tournaments: Raymond Baertschi, Donald Beam, Nick Borick, Richard Bradley, Ralph Hanks, Herb Heesch, Lois Hottinger, Bob Jolley, Daniel Litle, Daniel Lizakowski, Janet McFarland, Larry Mollett, Chris Ogden, Bob Schake, and Randall Weaver

Congratulations to the following pitchers who have 100 or more tournaments: Pete Balkus, Sue Benware, Ed Herald, Alan Kasch, Ed Lalonde, Bob LeBlanc, Jerry Michalek, Larry Mobley, John Murphy, Irve Swihart, and Richard Watson

Congratulations to pitchers with 10 years in NHPA: Dale Bublitz, Carl Buchanan, Michael Dickinson, Delrose Fuchs, Edward Fuchs, Ernie Jennings, Ed Lalonde, Stu Lindberg, Charlie Pierson, and Bob Schake

Congratulations to pitchers with 20 years in NHPA: John Clock, William Harris, and Dean Throckmorton

Have a great summer, everyone! I look forward to seeing you out on the courts!