Horseshoe Canada
PHOTO OF THE MONTH
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1971 PHA Saxon Invitational
(Back row - From L-R):Roger Vogel, Bob West, Elmer Hohl, Curt Day, Ray Martin, Frank Stinson, Jim Knisley
(Front row - From L-R):
Glen "Red" Henton, Ted Allen, Dan Kuchcinski, Clair Bruce, Clyde Martz.
The Professional Horseshoe Association (PHA), similar to the PBA, was formed on July 31, 1971 with Clyde Martz as President, Dan Kuchcinski, Sec.-Treas. and Ted Allen, Elmer Hohl, Ray Martin, Bob West and Glen Henton on the executive. This short-lived association started a professional tour with some of the best prize money ever given in horseshoes. Among the great tournaments was the PHA Saxon Invitational horseshoe tournament held in July, 1971 at Anderson, Indiana. In the final, Elmer Hohl (86%) downed Ray Martin (82%) 17-14 for the title, $1300 and a new Fiat Sports Car! The last time these two had met they threw over 180 shoes (1969 World Tournament). An estimated 12,000 spectators were in attendance for the 3-day tournament. The final game was broadcast live on the local radio station. Elmer averaged 80.0% in five 50-shoe games and 86% in the ladder-playoff (one game). Here are the complete results:
FINALS 1. Elmer HOHL, Ont. 86.0 2. Ray MARTIN, Illinois 85.0 3. Dan KUCHCINSKI, Penn. 72.0 4. Bob WEST, Oregon 66.0 5. Curt DAY, Indiana 65.0 6. Clair BRUCE, Penn. 64.0 SEMI-FINALS - GROUP 1 1. Dan KUCHCINSKI, Penn. 5-0 77.2 2. Ray MARTIN, Illinois 3-2 80.3 3. Clair BRUCE, Penn. 3-2 66.9 4. Jim KNISLEY, Ohio 2-3 72.4 5. Clyde MARTZ, Penn. 1-4 72.4 6. Frank STINSON, Minn. 1-4 66.8 SEMI-FINALS - GROUP 2 1. Curt DAY, Indiana 5-0 76.5 2. Elmer HOHL, Ont. 4-1 80.0 3. Bob WEST, Oregon 3-2 75.6 4. Red HENTON, Iowa 2-3 74.8 5. Ted ALLEN, Colorado 1-4 67.2 6. Roger VOGEL, 0-5 67.2Here are the results of another PHA event held in Erie in 1971 that can be found on the WPHPA history site.