"All the guys in my division were real tough," said Barton while noting that two of the nation's top competitors did not compete in the event. "But with the ringer percentage I threw for the weekend, I believe I would have been right there with them. I was really surprised. I pitched very well this week."
With a high game of 78 per cent and a low of 60, Barton's overall ringer percentage was 67.03.
Having undergone hip replacement surgery in 1991, Barton's doctor has been pressing him to have the other one done as well. But first things came first.
"I told him the Canadians were coming to Saint John," Barton recalled. "If you want to win or compete you have to postpone the surgery. I just love the game."
Indeed, he does. Barton, who is just finishing up a four-year term as president of Horseshoe Canada, has pitched in all but seven national championships since 1972. And he'll be back at it again - as defending champ - next year in Victoria.
The other Canadian champs were: Colin Finnie of Saskatchewan (men's A), Sylvianne Moisan of Quebec (women's A), Nova Scotia's Hughie McKenzie (senior men's 40-foot A), Ontario's Heather Morrison (senior women's A), Buddy Dyrda of B.C. (junior boys' A) and Joanna Vienneau of Ontario (junior girls' A).
Meantime, three New Brunswickers garnered their respective B division crowns: Saint John's Walter Muise in the elder men's 30-foot B division; Moncton's Armand Gallant in the men's open class D; and Arnold Raynes of Saint John in the men's open class E.
George Barton put together a ringer percentage of 67.03.
(David Nickerson/Telegraph-Journal)
(David Nickerson/Telegraph-Journal)