PRESIDENTS COMMENTSHello everyone. I have had the pleasure of seeing many of you at the tournaments that Vicki and I have attended so far this year. I expect to get to as many tournaments as possible. I still have fourteen months to go before retirement and I can’t wait to start pitching full time.
I am proud to be your president and I want to thank the members of our fantastic executive council who work very hard most of the time behind the scenes and their work goes unseen. Janet’s position as first VP, Peggy’s position as 3rd VP, and my position as President were up for re-election this year with no nominees submitted. Janet, Peggy and myself agreed to stay on in our positions for another two years. So in a couple of years from now we will again announce the availability of our positions. Anyone willing to step up to the plate go ahead and throw your name out there. It is a great way to be involved in shaping the FSHPA for the future.
We just finished up another Club Team Tournament a few weeks ago and it went flawlessly again this year. The Winter Haven Horseshoe Club led by Bob Yost and Larry Folkenroth was ready for us to come there, had all the necessary tables and tarps to block the wind, which were invaluable in the cooler temperatures. They had so much organized in advance that all the Tournament Director had to do was turn on the computer and away we went. Despite the cooler weather, the tournament went very well and went off on time and without a hitch. Special thanks go out to Vicki for her hard work before the tournament with all the paperwork that is involved in such a tournament with thirteen teams. Additionally, thanks go to Lois Hottinger, Sue Benware, and of course Janet, Peggy, and Marcy without their support the tournament would not have been so successful. Congratulations to Sebring 1 for their first place finish, Bradenton 2 finishing second, Beverly Hills finishing third, Sebring 2 finishing fourth, Oviedo finishing fifth and Bradenton 1 rounding out the top six.
I belong to one of the smallest horseshoe clubs and it is imperative that if you can possibly make it out to Oviedo, Orlando or St. Cloud it would be great. Sometimes at these smaller clubs we have even had to cancel tournaments due to the lack of participation. I know that for some it’s a long drive but please consider coming over our way to the east side of the state, we even have running water and great restaurants to eat in as well.
The State Closed tournament is right around the corner at the Clearwater Horseshoe Club. Please make sure you get your five tournaments (or four and one sanctioned league) to be eligible to participate. It promises to be a great event with fun, food, and did I mention ringers… lots and lots of ringers. So sign up soon so as not to miss out on this great event.
Finally, some of our members have passed away this year, which we will recognize at our banquet this year. In the meantime please keep their families in your prayers. So until I see you at the courts, “The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24 NIV)
Dale Marteney
President FSHPA