Larry was born April 8, 1919 in Napanee (Ontario). Married in 1968 to Jean Palmer. Larry has one daughter (Dawn). Larry started pitching with his father at the age of 14. Often on his way home from school, his dad would call out to him from a neighbors back yard to come and make a foursome. Well it wasn't long before he really enjoyed the sport. However, when he was 17 he joined the army, 1st division 54th R.C.A. Battery and was sent overseas in 1940 from Petawawa. (finding out later on that Elmer Hohl was also at Petawawa at the same time). Larry did not return home until 1946 with the rank of Sargeant. He settled in Hamilton and served an apprenticeship for carpentry. (Elmer was also a carpenter).
In 1953 while strolling through one of Hamilton's Parks, he came across a few guys pitching horseshoes. He stopped and talked with them and they invited him to join their group. He organized a club with these men and his love of the sport soon returned. This group pitched every Sunday morning in Gage Park, and during the week the club met in Eastwood Park, Burlington Street, Hamilton. They soon had quite a following and the membership increased. Larry got into more competitive pitching by travelling to Linwood Rod & Gun Club, where he first met Elmer, Waterloo Rod & Gun Club. In 1963 he met Jean and gave up the sport for 5 years. Since he got involved again in 1968, he has attended many fall fairs, club, provincial, canadian and World Championships. He is a member of the Hamilton Horseshoe Pitiching Club and is a Director. He is also a member of the K.W. Khaki Club in Wellesley and has assisted in many duties including putting a lavish roof over the first 8 court. He is also a member of the St-George Club and has been on the Executive for many years.
In 1963 he met Jean and was out of pitching for a while, returning in 1967. His Suburban is usually the first vehicle to arrive at any tournament site, it is full of game related items which Jean takes care of during the day.
His favorite type of shoe is the Imperial with which he has racked up the following records:
Larry has pitched in many World Tournaments Erie Pa in 1969 & 1976, Greenville, Ohio, 1972, 1977 and 1999. Middlesex N.J., 1971. Keene N.H. in 1974. Lafayette Indiana in 1975. Des Moines Iowa, 1978. Genola Minnesota 1981, Gillette Wyoming, 1996 and Kitchener Ontario in 1997. His best showing was in Gillette Wyoming when he won his class and finished 6th in the Championship Class. In Kitchener he finished 13th and just missed the Championship class by one ringer. He also pitched in Eastern National in Erie Pa. Also the Ringer Classic in Greenville Ohio. He is currently on the Ontario/Michigan team and has been since 1975. This is a friendship tournament held once a year in either Michigan or Ontario. He has built horseshoe courts and scoreboards which were used for the Canadian Championships at the C.N.E. He is a member of Horseshoe Ontario and a Director. Larry is always ready to lend a helping hand no matter what the task. He was very instrumental in the success of Canada's first World Tournament held in Kitchener Ontario in 1997. Larry and Jean are the first husband and wife to be honored into the Canadian Hall of Fame.
