NEWSLINE STORY

published July-August 2015

President's Message
Happy Summer! Talking numbers, Hall of Fame Tournament and World Tournament

by Stu Sipma, NHPA President

I want to take a moment and wish everyone a happy summer. Horseshoe season has officially started throughout the country and I want to thank everyone for their efforts in recruiting new members. Based on our preliminary numbers, it appears our numbers are about the same (maybe a little down) from last year. Congratulations to all the charters in their efforts to go out and seek new members.

The 4^th Annual Hall of Fame Invitational was hosted by the Quail Ridge Horseshoe Club (QRHC) this past May at the Hall of Fame building located at Wentzville, MO. Our new “rookie” officer Jerry Smith was the tournament director and in talking to Jerry, it sounds like it was a very successful tournament. I want to apologize to the participants and the QRHC for not being able to attend. The NHPA would like to thank all the sponsors who supported this event, and we look forward to another successful tournament next year.

The 2015 World Horseshoe Tournament will be held July 13–25 at Topeka, Kansas. The host site, the Kansas Expocentre, is located right in downtown Topeka. David Sidles, World Tournament Director, has reported a total of 1,404 pitchers, making this the seventh largest in NHPA history, based on number of entries. The NHPA is very pleased with the number, especially the large increase in the Cadets’ Division.

I mentioned this in my last Newsline article, however, I do want to again mention that, speaking on behalf of the Council, I feel the changes we have made during these last years have improved the World Tournament and how the event is being run. Thanks to the NHPA Council for all their efforts in making these changes and for working together to make sure each and every World Tournament is run smoothly. For those of you who have never attended a World Tournament, it is an experience you will never forget.

In conclusion, I look forward to visiting with everyone, especially all the new members and first-time attendees in Topeka. I am really looking forward to watching the Junior and Cadet Divisions.

If you aren’t able to attend the World Tournament, feel free to contact me anytime regarding how we can make this a better sport for everyone to enjoy.

I wish everyone safe travels to Topeka.