One of the biggest horseshoe tournaments in the province was hosted by the Bentley Horseshoe Club on the fair and rodeo August weekend with more than 40 different competitors from all around Alberta and some from Saskatchewan competing over the two days of competition with weather perfect for play.
The special Allan Boettger Memorial VIP Award, an annual presentation started last year, went to David Kilbourn from Red Deer, for his total involvement in the sport, his volunteerism, sportsmanship and promotion, and caliber of play.
There were nine different classes in singles play on Saturday, more classes than there has been for a number of years.
Winning placings follow:
Men’s A - Ray Madu from Leduc, second Fred Lochner.
Men’s B - Wade Katzmarzyk from Sylvan Lake, second Erv Callin.
Men’s C - Cliff Miller from Red Deer, second Kyle Berlino.
Mixed A - Alvin Nanninga from Neerlandia, second Lyle Olmstead.
Mixed B - Jim Lea from Tofield, second Egon Sandau.
Mixed C - Bill Moody from Alder Flats, second Paul Degagne.
Mixed D - Doreen Peers from Calgary, second Eugene Domshy.
Mixed E - Allan Peers from Calgary, second Winnona Kilbourn.
Juniors - Bradan Madu, 10, from Leduc, second, Garrett Christensen, 6.
Eight teams played in the mixed doubles on Sunday. At the end of the day the doubles champions were Alvin Nanninga and Rick Clark, with Myrna Kissick and Wies Valckx second.
Continued financial support makes Bentley one of the top paying tournaments in Alberta. All entry fees, plus the collected donations from a number of generous sponsors are paid back to the players. The club makes money by running a well-supported lunch concession — all run by volunteers and helpers.