This year’s Bentley horseshoe tournament was one of the biggest in many years, and in fact was one of the best attended on the Alberta Horseshoe Pitchers Association circuit this year.
There were a total of 47 different players over the two days with many playing both days. Most were from around Alberta, some from Saskatchewan, and one from B.C.
Club members were glad they had decided to go ahead with hosting the tournament in spite of the few members they had. It was the many volunteers and the abundance of players and other supporters that made the tournament the great success is was. The club continues to depend greatly on volunteers outside of their club to help with maintenance work, help organize and run the tournament on tournament dates, and assist in manning the kitchen, etc.
In “Singles” play on Saturday, August 6, there were nine classes. Often there are only four or five. The name of the winner of each class is engraved on the John Talsma Memorial perpetual club trophy.
Top winners in “Singles” play were: 30’ Men’s - Steve Moody from Wetaskiwin, second Lyle Olmstead out of a class of 5; Mixed A - Myrna Kissick from Innisfail, second Tammy Christensen from Regina out of a class of 4; Mixed B - Irene Nanninga from Spruce Grove, second Bill Hinds from Alsike out of a class of 6 (they were tied and had to play off); Mixed C - Paul DeGagne from Red Deer, second Winnona Kilbourn from Red Deer out of a class of 5.
In the Mixed D there was a three-way tie. After the playoffs first was Alex Wiersma from Red Deer, second was Clarence Hoffman from Wetaskiwin, and third was Jake DeGagne from Red Deer out of a class of 5.
Winning Mixed E - Allen Budd, second Janice Drader from Wetaskiwin out of a class of 5; Mixed F - Omar Corbiere from Lethbridge, second Dave Hynne from Edmonton out of a class of 4; Mixed G - Sandra Jahn, second Olga Corbiere from Lethbridge out of a class of 4; Pee Wee - Garrett Christensen from Regina, second Brayden Christensen from Regina out of a class of 5.
A potluck supper followed in the early evening.
In “Doubles” play on Sunday there were two groupings for the nine teams. The winning team’s names are engraved on the club’s Doubles perpetual trophy each year.
Winning all of their games in the “A” Division were Myrna Kissick from Innisfail and Wes Walker from Surrey, B.C. and winning all of their games in the “B” Division were Clarence Hoffman from Wetaskiwin and Darcy Benoit from High River.Second in the “A” was Steve Moody and Irene Nanninga. Second in the “B” was Janice Drader and Riley Prevost.
The 2016 recipients of the Allan Boettger Memorial V.I.P. Award, started in 2011, was Judy Coninx, with club president Paul Norvila an honorary recipient. This award recognizes volunteers/good sports each year.
The club is grateful to the Bentley Ag Society and the town, and all the sponsors/donors for their continuing support.
For the first time in many years the club was unable to hold regular weekly league play. Most club members this year couldn’t play due to health reasons.
The club was considering closing down after this year, but because a new, younger local person, who says he has friends that like to play, has showed an interest and participated in the tournament, the club will hold out for next spring to seewhat happens. They are excited about the prospects.
At this time plans are to try to hold a 2017 tournament on August 12, 13 with the annual Bentley fair/rodeo.
People with or without experience are welcome to come try out horseshoe pitching.
This was the 43th year with the fair/rodeo.