The 2008 Canadian Championships were held in Calgary from August 12-16 (see more on the City of Calgary at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgary). Calgary Horseshoe Club’s beautiful indoor permanent facility was also host in 1988, 1996 and 2002. In 2008, there were 138 entries.
Champions were crowned in seven divisions:
Men – Colin Finnie, SK (69.86%)
Ladies – Lucille Leis, ON (67.58%)
Jr Boys – Scotty Lumb, ON (46.51%)
Jr Girls – Lindsay Nooren, ON (25.55%)
Sr 30′ (Elders) – Howard Weitzel, SK (66.63%)
Sr Men 40′ – Charlie Fromm, ON (31.76%)
Sr Ladies – Ida Boschman, BC (46.93%)
The complete results are available here, while the game by game summaries will be available soon.
Colin Finnie (Men’s division) was a successful defending champion. He recorded the highest overall average of all the participants (69.86%) and was also the only undefeated champ. In his trademark he saved his best games for his nearest challengers. First a 75% out of 88 shoes, longest game of the Men’s, defeating Tom Gallina (69.3) 51-40. Yes the Men’s championship played 50-point games, and a double round-robin. In his last 3 games of the tournament he shot 76.8% at Terry Steinke, then a 76% vs Tony Rondow in a pivotal 52-20 win giving Colin his 7th title. In an academic last round game, Colin (79.5%, highest in the Men’s) edged Tom (75.6%) 51-39 in 78 shoes, the best game of the division.
Lucille Leis, former World Senior Ladies champion, captured her first Canadian Women’s title losing only one game, the last round versus runner-up Elyse Brunelle. The score was 50-39 and Elyse (69.2%) needed 78 shoes to beat Lucille (64.1%). The women played a triple round-robin, also with 50 point-games. The high game was 78.6% shared by Lucille (round 2 vs Donna Thompson) and Elyse (round 12 vs Jane Cordingley). That game between Elyse and Jane lasted 84 shoes, Jane bowing 33-54 despite a 69.1% effort. All three encounters between those two were long games, including the longest of the tournament (94 shoes) where Elyse (66.0) edged Jane (64.9) 50-44. Lucille, who had clinched her title with 3 rounds to go, becomes the first Ontarian to win the title since 1990 when Sheila McGrath (now Lucille’s sister-in-law) captured the coveted prize.
Ontario also did very well in other divisions, especially the Juniors’ which they swept. Lindsay Nooren was crowned Junior Girls champion, while Scotty Lumb needed a playoff to edge young Matthew MacDonald. That playoff was a nail-biter, lasting 80 shoes with the final score 51-46 in favor of Scotty who shot 43.8% in that decisive game.
Charlie Fromm is the other successful defending champion, having won his 3rd Senior Men’s title. He had to defeat Casey VanderLinden in the deciding last round game by a 42-33 score. Ida Boschman, from B.C., regained her title obtained in 2006, confirming it by edging defending champion Bonnie Clemmensen 50-45 (round 11). Howard Weitzel won his 2nd Senior 30′ title. His previous win was in 2004. Runner-up was Jerry Melissa from B.C. Defending champion, Keith Lindsay, finished 5th but had his moment of glory when he recorded the first perfect game in that division. Ralph Connell was the victim of this 22-shoe game (see scoresheet here).
At the banquet held Saturday evening at the Calgary horseshoe club, winners and champions received their awards. Among other special presentations made, Sandy Janssens was inducted into the Horseshoe Canada Hall of Fame as outstanding female pitcher. As usual, this great annual event is the occasion to meet our friends and make new ones. Among longtime friends we had not seen in a while, Laurence and Marg Johns were present in Calgary. Thanks to all (volunteers, sponsors) who helped make this 2008 tournament a success!
About the AGM:
Three members of the executive were replaced: Dave Kilbourn (President) by Cecil Mitchell; Tony Rondow (vice-president) by Larry Lynch; and Kathy Beznoska (Treasurer) by Sherryl Arnold. Hopefully we’ll see you again at our annual family reunion!
The 2009 Canadian Championships will be held in Aylmer, Ontario.
2008 Canadian Championship winners.
