1967 North American Horseshoe Pitching Championships
August 17, 1967 • CNE, Toronto
Qualifying - 100 shoes: Top 32 pitchers

A Class:                                     W-L     R%
  1.  Carl STEINFELDT, Rochester, N.Y.      14-2   86.0
  2.  Dean McLAUGHLIN, Oshawa, Ont.         13-3   84.5*
  3.  Harold RENO, Sabina, Ohio             12-3   80.0
  4.  Dan KUCHCINSKI, Erie, Pennsylvania    12-3   84.0
  5.  A. NATALE, New York                   11-4   79.0
  6.  Elmer HOHL, Wellesley, Ont.           10-5   80.0
  7.  Jim SOLOMON, Pennsylvania              9-6   72.0
  8.  Stan MANKER, Ohio                      7-8   73.0
  9.  Steve FENICCHIA, Rochester, N.Y.       7-8   68.0
 10.  Clyde MARTZ, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania  6-9   75.0
 11.  Ross STEVENSON, Baden, Ont.            6-9   74.0
 12.  Ken SMITH, Moncton, Ont.               6-9   68.0
 13.  Oscar ENGLE, Pennsylvania              5-10  73.0
 14.  Charlie LENTZ, Ancaster, Ont.          2-13  57.0
 15.  Wes KUCHCINSKI, Erie, Pennsylvania     1-14  68.0
 16.  Jack BOA, Hensall, Ont.                0-15  54.0

B Class:                                     W-L    R%
  1.  Robert RIEHL, New Hamburg, Ont.        7-0   64.0
  2.  Gerry ROEDER, Waterloo, Ont.           6-1   62.0
  3.  Joe KUCHCINSKI, Erie, Pennsylvania     5-2   61.0
  4.  Dave MARSH, Russell, Pennsylvania      3-4   56.0
  5.  J. NEWTON, Ontario                     3-4   52.0
  6.  Logan CRUISE, Midland, Ont.            2-5   49.0
  7.  Dennis HOHL, New Hamburg, Ont.         2-5   50.0
  8.  Ed WILLIS, Lorne Park, Ont.            0-7   48.0

C Class:                                     W-L    R%
  1.  D. MARSH, Pennsylvania                 6-1   57.0
  2.  Harold WOLFE, Ohio                     5-2   63.0
  3.  Fernand THIBEAULT, Sorel, Qué.         5-2   55.0
  4.  Harold BLACKMAN, Toronto, Ont.         5-2   54.0
  5.  Clayton NEEB, Wellesley, Ont.          3-4   58.0
  6.  Robert GAUDREAU, Montreal, Qué.        3-4   50.0
  7.  Robert PENCE, Indiana                  1-6   50.0
  8.  Robert CHRISTON, Toronto, Ont.         0-7   43.0

Note:  * Dean’s average was published as being 74% which is an error.

Steinfeldt Wins 1967 North American Title At Toronto

This tremendous event was reported in the News Digest in October 1967: "Carl Steinfeldt of Rochester, N.Y. and Dean McLaughlin of Oshawa, Ontario took the major titles in the most successful tournament ever staged in Canada. The event was staged in the Horse Palace of the Canadian National Exhibition on portable courts by the newly organized Canadian Association. A total of $4,000 in cash prizes and trophies donated by Carling’s were awarded. The event was well managed and ran smoothly. A great array of players took part and George Holtl, secretary of the Canadian group did a masterful job in directing the tourney under the supervision of President George Schummer. Carl Steinfeldt nudged Dean McLaughlin out of the North American title in a playoff, with World Champ Dan Kuchcinski placing 4th behind Harold Reno.
A Toronto newspaper also wrote: "Oshawa Champion Loses Title But Helps Make History - The horseshoe pitching sport received one of its greatest boosts in the history of the game, at the North American championship held this year as an added attraction at the CNE. The climax was the final match between defending champion Dean McLaughlin and Carl Steinfeldt. Dean, manager-owner of Stroud’s Market, here in Oshawa, has found business interfering with his international competitions in recent years. Horseshoe pitching fans declared it one of the greatest finals of all time, the largest competition ever held in Canada. Dean McLaughlin’s contribution as a terrific competitor, his great showing in the final match and splendid sportsmanship, according to George Schummer, helped make this one of the greatest years in the history of the sport."
Carl F. Steinfeldt wrote a letter to Ellis Cobb (editor of the NHPA News Digest) on September 21 in which he said: "It is always nice to win, but it is also nice to come home with the feeling of meeting many new friends north of the border. I think that with the wonderful new group that they have now working in Canada it won’t be long before we see the World’s tournament taking place there. They did an outstanding job in running the tournament and showing us great hospitality. I hope there will be many more tournaments held there and I am sure the rest of the players from the States feel the same. The sportsmanship of the players of Canada is outstanding."
According to Dean’s souvenirs, and this is attested by newspaper report, he defeated the 3 former World champions entered in this event, in what was to be his greatest individual performance (an 84.5% tournament average). He defeated in straight games: Harold Reno, Elmer Hohl and current World Champion Dan Kuchcinski whom Dean beat decisively with a game over 92%. Dean recalls losing the last round game to a New York pitcher (Natale?) creating the playoff situation which he lost.
Note: Entry fee was $5, and each qualified, Thursday the 17th, by throwing 100 shoes. The top 32 were to be put into 2 groups (it was finally 3 groups).


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