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Official Publication of the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association
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From the Editor
Notice: The old email address (
Ringerdigest@minnesotahorseshoes.com) for submitting digest material has been discontinued.
Please submit all material to Jlabro6186@aol.com
Over the years the number of issues and the timing of the Ringer Digest has changed. Currently we publish 6 issues annually, on a bi-monthly schedule. Beginning with this issue, we will be starting the year with a three month issue (Jan-Feb-Mar). Then we will publish bi-monthly during the more active season (Apr-May) (Jun-Jul) (Aug-Sep). The last official Digest of the year will be a three month issue (Oct-Nov-Dec). That brings it to 5 issues annually. We do plan to create a 6th issue, the Special State Tournament Edition. Everything about the State event will be in this issue, like it was in 2017.
Another thing I wanted to share with you is the opportunity to see how the Digest is prepared, processed, and delivered. We use a very popular service called Constant Contact. If there is anyone out there who has any interest in learning more, and possibly taking a shot at being the MGSHPA Editor, give me a shout and we chat about it. Jlabro6186@aol.com
Thanks
Jerry
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Recognizing Our Horseshoe Veterans
Marlys Timm had an idea to have some fun and also honor our horseshoepitching veterans. Originally we thought we might make you guess who the veterans in the photos were, but we changed course and decided to just put the vets info along with their photo.
Please take a moment to say
thank you to these fine people, and all veterans, for serving this great nation and fighting to preserve the freedoms we all enjoy!
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George R. Huntington
Illinois
Pitcher
US Navy 1960 -1964
3 years aboard the USS Everglades AD24 (Destroyer Tender)
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Stan Barney
MN
Pitcher
Army 1963
Ft.
Leonard
Wood
Mo,
Ft. Knox
Kentucky
Operated Armored tanks in
Germany
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Ron Smith
Louisiana Regional Director
Navy 1967
USS Enterprises CVAN 65, a nuclear aircraft carrier, with the seventh fleet.
Served three tours in
Vietnam
.
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David Borscheid
MN
Pitcher
Army 1971-72
Company C, 2nd of the 27th wolfhounds 71-72
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Casey Sluys -
CA
NHPF President
US Navy 1964 - 1968
Three tours to the
Caribbean
on the USS Guam LPH-9
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Arlen Lee
SD
Pitcher
US Marine Corps 1985 to 1991
Kaneohe
,
Hawaii
First Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1stMEB)
Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC).
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Al Blumer
MN Pitcher
US Army 1979 - 1991
205th Infantry Brigade
Rapid Deployment Force
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Blake Roberts - OH
US Air Force
Currently deployed to
Afghanistan
.
First cadet World Champion.
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Tom McQueen - NV
US Navy
1956-1960
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Shawn Warnemunde
MN
Pitcher
US Army 1991-1993
Parachute Infantry Regiment-82nd Airborne
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Ron Deckard
Florida Regional Director
US
Air Force 1962-1966
Personnel Specialist
Tours
in
Phillipines
,
Thailand
,
Hong Kong
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Ray Volkers
MN Pitcher
National Guard 1960-1968
Company C 2nd Battalion
Fort Leonard Wood, MO
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Leo LaBrosse
MN Pitcher and former charter secretary
US Army 1942-1945
Served in 302nd Artillery Battallion under General Patton
European theater
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Jerry Hokkala
MN Pitcher
US Army 1969-1972
Rank E5
Stationed in
Germany
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Don Ebbinga
Pitcher
Korea 1953-1957
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Dick LaBrosse
MN Junior pitcher
US Navy 1961-1966
Stationed in Key West during Cuban missile crisis
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David Haugen
MN pitcher
US Army 1971-1972
Trained combat engineer.
3rd infantry division.
G2 intelligence,
Special
Operations
Center
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Byron Edwards
MN pitcher
(Picture Unavailable)
US Army 1946-1948
Assigned to interior guard duty
Los Alamos
,
NM
Guarding the atomic energy scientific community.
We were not needed elsewhere at that time, as the "war to end all wars" was over
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Larry Strandquist
MN pitcher
US National Guard 1966
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Denny Keogh
MN pitcher
US Navy 1969 -1973
CT Communications Tech
Stationed
Pensacola
FL.
Communications
School
, Homestead FL., The
Philippines
, and
Vietnam
.
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Ronald Heacock
MN pitcher
US Navy 1967 - 1970
RVAH11 USS KittyHawk
VA65 USS KittyHawk
both tours
Vietnam
VA65 USS
Independence
.
Mediterranean
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Mike Maguire
MN pitcher
US Marines 1963 to 1967
Vietnam
Veteran
Made the rank of Captain
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Erwin W. Tischer
MN HOF promoter
US Army 1954 - 1955
PFC
,
US
55 412 144
Engineer Fire Fighting Company
8075th Army Unit
APO
59
Fort Riley KN,
Fort Chaffey
AK
,
Fort Lewis WA,
Pusan
Korea
,
Fort Lewis WA, discharged
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Horace Clayton Gage
Wisconsin pitcher
US Navy 1941- 1945
U.S.S. South Dakota
BB57 Battleship
Awarded Bronze Star Medal
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Bill Danielson
MN pitcher
US Navy 1962 - 1988
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Jim Aleckson
MN pitcher
US Army 1956
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Ray Pierce SR
MN pitcher
US Army 1965 - 2001
2 tours Vietnam
retired 232 yrs as
Command Sergeant Major
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Ray Pierce JR
MN pitcher
US Army National Guard 1989-2002
Sergeant 11 years
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Ryan Pierce
MN pitcher
US Army 1994 - 2017
Two tours Middle East
retired 20 yrs First Sergeant
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Rory (Rocky) Pierce
MN pitcher
US Army National Guard
1996 - 2002
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President's Message
Rick Wright
Hey Everyone,
I hope everyone had a great holiday season. This time of the year, the winter leagues are going strong and I hope everyone has a chance to participate in the winter tournaments that are going on. Thank you to all the tournament directors for all your hard work so we can have a chance to play during the winter months.
I would like to remind everyone that on Saturday, March 24th, we will be having a winter summit meeting. The meeting will be held at the Forest Lake VFW at 10 am. We will meet in the morning, break for lunch and I anticipate we will be finished by 4 pm. I am looking for representation from every club. It can be the Club President, League Director, Tournament director or just a person that is your spokesman of your club. We want to share with you information that will help you start up your horseshoe season, how to share our sport with others, how to finish up your league play etc. A lot of you might have questions or be new to the position and this will be a good time to address them and help keep your club running smoothly. We will also offer help for tournament directors on who to send any league or tournament results to as well. I hope to see someone from every club make it to this very informative meeting.
See you on the courts
Rick
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South VP
Robin Constance
As you are reading this, Christmas, New year`s, and the other seasonal holidays are over. Hopefully the Vikings are still in the playoffs and the Timberwolves and Wild are headed for the playoffs. As for New Year`s resolutions, I would like to participate in a couple of added tournaments, and try to convince my neighbors to give horseshoes a try. I told them about the fun we have and the variations in Ringer percentage from 5 percent to upwards of 60 percent, with most of the pitchers on the lower end of the scale. On our Tuesday night league in
Bloomington
I am one of the youngest and then on Wednesday I would be one of the oldest pitchers. Vern Bolduc, an WWII veteran, is 93 years old and still pitching and we have several more over the age of 80. Wednesdays in Bloomington and in West St Paul our percentages vary from about 1 percent to Sara Otto`s 62 percent so there is room for all in our inexpensive sport.
After the first of the year I will be contacting all the club`s in the South District to familiarize myself to the contact people for each club. If anything has changed as far as contacts please let either myself or Ann Hagman know or if you have questions about anything give me a call or send me an email. My email address is robin.constance@landisgyr.com and phone number is 612-327-0553. Remember, spread the news about horseshoes, enter some of the Winter tournaments, and have a safe and happy Winter season.
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North VP
Janet Larson
What is it that keeps you pitching? Is it the competition, the friendships, the exercise, or maybe the chance to do something together as a family? It can be a very affordable sport, depending on how far you are willing to drive for tournaments. I personally am addicted for all of the above reasons. I love the fact that everyone can participate at their own level, and have a chance to be successful. I love the fact that it is a multi-generational sport. I like challenging myself to keep up to my opponents and try to keep improving on my personal bests. I enjoy familiar tournaments and pitchers, and I like trying new ones and going up against new opponents. I especially love being able to share this sport as a family. You might have your own reasons for pitching, whether you simply pitch on league or if you get more involved by pitching in tournaments as well.
I know that it can be hard to get others interested in trying out the league experience, people are busy and they do not feel they have the time to commit to one night a week. Do not give up and do not stop sharing your love for the sport. Be passionate when you share your experiences. Find ways to introduce the sport to others that may not involve a huge commitment right away. You never know when you might connect with someone who notices your excitement and may want to get involved with horseshoes. Be a patient instructor and encourager. Keep offering opportunities for them to see you in action. Look for casual pitchers and share information with them about leagues and tournaments. Make it fun, share rides, include a potluck or a group meal with a tournament. We have been to several tournaments in Kansas that included potluck meals. It encourages stronger bonds and friendships. Take the time to get involved with a new aspect of the sport, because, like anything else, you get out of it what you put into it. Now is the time to plan your events for the upcoming season, change things up a bit, try a new tournament, invite a friend or family member, or make your next tournament part of a bigger adventure.
Word of mouth is still the best way to promote our sport, but advertising in local papers and summer rec brochures has worked for us in the past as well. Remember to stay positive and have fun, because in the end, that is our ultimate goal. A huge thank you to everyone who takes the time to put on a tournament, participate in a league or tournament, write an article for the digest, or encourage a new member. Whatever it is you do to keep our sport alive, keep up the good work. It takes many people with a variety of talents to keep everything going.
See you on a court soon,
Janet
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From the Statsman
Josh Olson
Hello Everyone
I hope you all had a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! By the time you all are reading this it will be January and the new season of horseshoes will have officially begun. As most of you know the Dakota Magic Casino Tournaments have been resurrected! I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to participating in these events, I have heard many great stories from those tournaments and hope to see many of you there over the 3-day weekend!
Now to business, I am still working on the Pitcher of the Year Point Totals, by the time you read this I "Should" have the up-to-date totals on the website.
Tournament Directors, if you haven't responded to Jerry about the upcoming tournament Schedule for the 2018 Season please
do so now! Directors please remember to send me your results from the tournaments this winter!
REMINDER that our National Dues went up for the 2018 Season, $25/National Dues and Minnesota is still staying with the $13 for a total of $38. If you are planning on playing in Dakota Magic this winter, or any other winter tournaments in general, make sure you contact Ann Hagman for your 2018 membership card. If you visit the Charter website you can purchase your membership online!
Since this issue is covering the months of Jan/Feb/March, I will be contacting some of you for the up and coming Team World event that will be held in May in Beloit, Wisconsin. If you would like to go to Beloit in May and participate, please let me know so I can get you on a team. It is one of the most fun horseshoe tournaments to play in, it's a 3-day tournament, Friday-Sunday, and horseshoes all day each day.
World Tournament, don't forget to get your 4 events in for the upcoming World Tournament in Florence, South Carolina! Never to early to start looking at flights if you are flying. The tournament is also earlier than previous years, July 9th - 21st, so sign up NOW!
I would also like to talk about Membership, I would encourage everyone to do their part and get a new member to join horseshoes this year, even if its just for league, get them sanctioned and bring them along to a tournament that you are going to, I know its hard to get some people to commit to things but it's worth a shot. Minnesota was the #1 Charter, now we are falling behind and not holding our spot on the top anymore, so let's get back up there.
That's all for now, any questions or comments please contact me! scrunchy_8@hotmail.com
Josh ~STATSMAN~
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News Media Jottings
By Marlys Timm
2018, a new year of horseshoe travels, which is what my New Year's Resolution is this year. Since joining the MGSHPA 30 years ago I have pitched in many tournaments but this year I am making it a priority of entering ones that I have never pitched in before.
Now is also the time for all of us to be actively recruiting for our clubs. Maybe by waiving a new member's dues the first year is something to consider. Our club did this last year and got 15 new members so hopefully they liked it enough to return this year. Sometimes people lose interest and it just takes that little extra encouragement to keep them pitching. See you on the courts.
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Regional Director
By Jerry LaBrosse
Thank you to all the Tournament Directors who have provided us with their tournament dates and details. This is very helpful in determining your spring and summer tournament plans. And of course we have some winter tournaments planned beginning in January. Once again, it is very advisable to enter these winter tournaments early. Sometimes they fill quickly and sometimes they don't. If you really want to play, don't take the chance of missing out and just sign up early.
Remember, you need 4 sanctioned Natstats events on your record by May 15th to qualify for the World Tournament.
You saw Rick's announcement of the spring Summit Meeting. This was done several times in years past and proved to be very fruitful. We are hoping to have representatives from every one of our clubs attend. Hopefully the directors, secretaries, and TD's can attend. We will be reviewing our procedures and policies, and listening to everyone's input. Everyone will go away from this meeting well informed and ready to go.
2018 is the year the NHPA considers Proposed Rules Changes (PRC). All the PRC's received by the November 30th deadline are now being reviewed by the NHPA Rules/Bylaws Committee, of which I am a member. The Committee's function is to make sure the rule is sensible and viable, and worded correctly in the right format. They are then submitted to the NHPA Council for review at their annual winter meeting. Once approved, the PRC's are then placed on the ballot for voting at the Annual Convention in Florence. Once the list of PRC's is complete, I will share them with our membership.
Let's make 2018 a prosperous year for membership growth in MN. Pay close attention to a new tournament on our summer list called the Minnesota Mixer (June 2nd - Forest Lake). This tournament will be designed to spark new members into joining our association. It will be a doubles format with one sanctioned member teamed with a new member. Watch for more details on this and other recruitment tools coming up.
There is one thing that I have seen work right in my backyard here in Rockford. Smaller towns usually have a "community calendar" listing local events for free. Contact the city and see if you can get an "Introduction to Horseshoepitching" class scheduled at your local club. Have your club people help the newcomers and show them how much fun it can be. Marlys Timm of the Rockford Ringers Horseshoe Club has had great success using this simple method.
I want to personally wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year !
Jerry
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From the Nominations Director
By Joe Mueller
Congratulations To Al Larson for being Inducted into the Hall of Fame
in 2017. I would like to remind our members that I am accepting Nominations for The Hall of Fame (Deadline May 1st) , Junior Scholarship (Deadline June 15th) Rookie Of The Year (Deadline August 1st), Edi Holland Sportsmanship Award (Deadline August 1st)and Achievement Awards (Deadline August 1st). There are many of pitchers that deserve these awards and we would like to recognize them at the State Banquet. If you have any questions or would like to make a nomination please contact me.
jmueller0822@msn.com
Happy New Year
Joe
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Birthday Cheers - Byron "Mike" Edwards, Alexandria HC
We would like wish a Happy
90th Birthday to Byron "Mike" Edwards. Mike has been a member of the Alexandria Horseshoe League since 2000, but he has been pitching since he was about 8 years old. Mike is still a very competitive pitcher, placing 1st in Class B during the league singles competition. Then, together with his partner Chuck Betterman, they finished 2nd in the Double Elimination Portion of the League competition. Mike is an excellent example of how this sport truly is a sport for all ages.
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Greenfield Horseshoe Club in full swing
By Jerry LaBrosse
Monday Night:
This group meets every Monday night through the middle of March. They throw 6 games, 40 shoes, alternate pitch handicap.
Great chemistry and lots of fun !
(L-R) Dave Borscheid, Tom Strandquist, Ron Fadden, James Gasper, Dwayne Robeck,Lowell Johnson, Bill Marquette
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Thursday Night:
The Thursday Night Straightaway League features 3 pitchers well into the 60 +% bracket, and many "wallhangers" of 80% games are posted. They have perfected the art of striving for excellence while having a barrel of fun doing it. Several State Championship Class pitchers abound, including current MN State Champion Mark Smith.
(L-R Front) Lori York, Sara Otto
(L-R Back) Jerry Hokkala, Joe Mueller, Ray Volkers, Tom Prokop, Mark Smith
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Congratulations to former GHC member Pat Backhaus who finally received his new heart on October 18th, and all is going great !! He's got a new lease on life thanks to all of your prayers and support. Pat, we wish you the best in your ongoing recovery and look forward to seeing you back in the pits !
Please keep Pat in your prayers
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The Ringers of Rice 2017 Season Summary
By Lu Cave President
The Ringers of Rice Horseshoe club began their regular pitching on May 15th and concluded on August 14th. This year 26 pitchers took part in two shifts each Monday evening at the club courts located at O'Briens Pub in Rice, Minnesota. The second shift got rained out once, otherwise we made it through the whole season.
First shift teams included Auto Body 2000, Melbanc Cabinets, Morningstar Grooming and Howies St Stephen. Second shift teams included Stoltman Insurance, DMZ Trucking, K/S Construction and Nathes Insurance. Melbanc Cabinets had the most wins for the first shift. Members of their team were Mel Larsen, Tom Lashinski and Kathy Welle. Stoltman Insurance came out on top for the second shift. Their team members were Brian Wipper, Ben Grebinoski and Annette Grebinoski. The two teams played off for the overall league champions on August 21st and Stoltman Insurance earned the traveling trophy.
Ringers of Rice pitchers and their spouses gathered on August 21st and enjoyed pizza provide by the club and were presented with awards. Stoltman Insurance was awarded the League Championship Trophy. Bonnie Poplinski earned the High Ringer award with a 72% game as well as High Season Average with 55.65% for the first shift. High Game Over Average went to Jim Volkers with a game 28.4% over his average. Bev Grose had the Most Improved Average for both shifts with 6.14% over her average. For the second shift Brian Wipper and Kathy Stueve tied for High Game with a 55%. Brian Wipper had the High Season Average with a 40.38% High Game Over Average went to Kathy Stueve with 20.19% over her average. The Sportsmanship Award went to Tom Lashinski.
Myron Vanderweyst organized an in-league tournament that was held on August 28th with eight members participating in two classes. The class winners were Ginger O'Brien and Mike Holtz. Ginger won the playoff between her and Mike to give her the championship.
Thanks go to all the team sponsors for their support this year. Special thanks to Keith O'Brien and his staff at O'Briens Pub.
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2017 Jack Frost Tournament
By Janet Larson
The tournament was held on 11/18, a cool but sunny day. The frost seemed to be on everyone's horseshoes, or maybe it was a little late fall rustiness. Leslie Marquardt, in Class B, was the only pitcher of the day who apparently shined up his shoes and was ready to play. He gave a perfect performance with 7 wins, 0 losses and a whopping 5.27% over his average, the only pitcher to finish on the plus side of his average. Leslie also had the high ringer % game in Class B at 37.5%, 15.27% above his average. Mike Littell, started out with a loss to Leslie, but then went on to win the next four and finished with one more win to take second place. Steve Berning finished 3rd. He had a bit of a slow start, but found the stake in games 4, 5 and 6, pitching a 35% game in 5 which was 12.2% over his average.
In Class A Russ Girtz had a good day, losing only one game by a mere 4 points, and finishing just 1.29% below his average to take 1st place. Jim Aleckson was back to being a tough opponent, winning 5 games and having the high game in Class A at 67.5%. One of his losses was to Russ by just one point. Marlys Timm came in 3rd. You may wonder why Janet Larson photo-bombed the winners photo. She and Marlys originally thought they had tied with 4 wins and 3 losses, with the tie breaker being their head to head game. Later they realized that Gerald Hagen had also finished 4/3 and they had each beaten each other in one game. So the tie breaker then went to over/under average which was Marlys at 0.22% below her average which was the best anyone did in Class A.
Congrats to all the winners and thanks to Wayne Peterson and his crew for hosting this tournament. Wayne served up some good barbeques for us too. If you get a chance check out the Becker tournaments, they do a good job with their events.
(L_R) Jim Aleckson, Russ Girtz,
Janet Larson, Marlys Timm
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(L-R) Steve Berning, Leslie Marquardt, Mike Littell |
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Arctic Open
Sanction # 23-18-001
Date: 1/20/2018
Location: Isanti Indoor
Entry Fee: $25,juniors $5
Dead Line: 1/10/2018
Director : Shawn Warnemunde
414 11th Ave NW
Isanti, MN 55040
763-227-1804
Additional Information
Limited to first PAID 16 players.
40 shoe games, handicap if needed
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NHPF Benefit
Sanction # 23-18-002
Date: 2/3/18
Location: Upsala
Entry Fee: $30
Dead Line: 01/24/18
Director: Jerry LaBrosse
8170 Fern Ln
Greenfield, MN 55357
612-819-7353
Jlabro@aol.com
Additional Information
Eight-person classes; 40-shoe games; may be handicapped; $5 of every entry will be donated to the NHPF in the name of the MGSHPA; 50-50 drawings and door prizes
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Ice Hole Open
Sanction # 23-18-003
Date: 2/17/18
Location Isanti Indoor
Entry Fee: $25 Juniors $5
Dead Line 2/7/18
Director : Shawn Warnemunde
414 11th Ave NW
Isanti, MN 55040
763-227-1804
Additional Information
Limited to first PAID 16 players. 40 shoe games, handicap if needed
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March Madness
Sanction # 23-18-004
Date: 03/03/18
Location Upsala
Entry Fee: $30
Dead Line 2/21/18
Director: Joe Mueller
2057 152nd Ln NE
Ham Lake, MN 55304
612-718-0921
jmueller0822@msn.com
Additional Information
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St Patty's Tournament
Sanction # 23-18-006
Date: 3/17/18
Location Isanti Indoor
Entry Fee: $25 Juniors $5
Dead Line 03/07/18
Director: Shawn Warnemunde
414 11th Ave NW
Isanti, MN 55040
763-227-1804
Additional Information
Limited to first PAID 16 players. 40 shoe games, handicap if needed
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Isanti Spring Fling
Sanction # 23-18-007
Date:4/21/18
Location Isanti Indoor
Entry Fee: $25 Juniors $5
Dead Line :03/07/18
Director: Shawn Warnemunde
414 11th Ave NW
Isanti, MN 55040
763-227-1804
Additional Information
Limited to first PAID 16 players. 40 shoe games, handicap if needed
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Upsala Spring
Sanction # 23-18-00
Date: 4-21-18
Entry Fee: $30
Location Upsala
Dead Line: 4-11-18
Director: Josh Olson
PO Box 353
Bertha, MN 56437
218-639-4641
Additional Information
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MGSHPA Executive Board MGSHPA Directors
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President
Rick Wright
50586 Shorewood Circle
Rush City ,Mn 55069
651-491-2404
North Vice President
Janet Larson
22651Co Rd 82 NW.
Evansville,MN 56326
218-948-2164
South Vice President
Robin Constance
18273 Emerald Trail
Farmington, MN 55024
612-327-0553
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Ringer Digest Editor
Jerry LaBrosse
8170 Fern Lane
Greenfield,MN 55357
612-819-7353
jlabro6186@aol.com
Statistician
Josh Olson
PO Box 353
Bertha, MN 56437
218-639-4641
Webmaster
Rob Hagman
652 Cross St.
Anoka,MN 55303
612-600-3777
Nominations Director
Joe Mueller
2057 152nd Lane
Ham Lake, MN 55304
612-718-0921
Constitution and Bylaws
Gordy Schmidt
5631 187th St. W
Farmington, MN 55024
651-460-8084
Promotion/News Media Director
Marlys Timm
4210 Woodhill Drive
Loretto
,MN 55357
612-751-1525
martimm2@aol.com
Junior Promotions Director
April Lynch
25679 Friesland Ct
Wyoming, MN 55902
651-226-7970
Communications Director
Jerry LaBrosse
8170 Fern Lane
Greenfield, MN 55357
612-819-7353
jlabro6186@aol.com
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About Us
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MGSHPA's Ringer Digest is the official newsletter of the Minnesota Gopher State Horseshoe Pitchers' Association. It is free to members of the MGSHPA and other interested parties. Changes of email address can be sent directly to the editor Jlabro6186@aol.com
All submissions to the Ringer Digest Editor is subject to editing, available space, and must be received by the 10th of the month preceding the date of issue.
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