Comments From First Vice President

The selection of the Hall of Fame Committee was completed by the Executive Council at the meeting on October 23^rd, 2006. Bill Roop, Joe West, Marvin Grubb, John Peplinski, Wayne Cowger, James Adcox, and myself as Chairman make up the committee for the 2007 year. The deadline for Hall of Fame nominations was March 1^st, 2007. New Hall of Fame inductees voted in by the committee will be introduced at the awards banquet.

Congratulations to the members of the Clearwater Horseshoe Club on winning the Club Championship Tournament in January, 2007. All classes were handicapped at 90% this year for the first time. A total of 9 teams of 6 players each were represented from the Clearwater, Bradenton, Melbourne, Oviedo, & St. Cloud horseshoe clubs. Hopefully more clubs will be represented next year.

I am also serving as the NHPA Regional Director for Florida with Robert Zumbahlen as an Assistant Regional Director. All Regional Director’s in every State Charter are being asked to re-sanction the horseshoe courts at each pitching facility before the end of this year. I have mailed out the new Official NHPA Court Sanction Form to each of the Charter Club Presidents or Tournament Directors. I am asking that each club help out with this re-sanction by making these measurements and correcting any problems they discover before Zoomer and I arrive for the re-check. Please complete the Court Sanction Form A and return to me. I will then schedule a time when I can come to your facility and verify these measurements and other requirements to issue either a Conditional or Full Court Sanction certificate. The explanation of Conditional vs Full Court Sanction is explained in the New RGS Book which became effective January 1, 2007. All members should read this New RGS Book which is the Official Playing Rules, Guidelines, and Specifications for the sport of horseshoe pitching. It is available for viewing on the NHPA website, and each club Tournament Director has been given a copy. Limited copies are available at this time but may be requested from John Peplinski or myself.

I am declaring my candidacy for 1^st Vice President of the Florida State Horseshoe Pitching Association in year 2007 and your vote for me will be very much appreciated. I have enjoyed serving as 1^st Vice President for the past 10 years and feel I have contributed to the success of our organization. I will continue to work hard for the betterment of our association and to the best of my ability, ensure that the FSHPA By-Laws are adhered to. We have an excellent state association and I would like to see that quality continued and improved. Thanks for you support.

I hope to see you all at the State Tournament this year. Please don’t forget the dress code. You must wear a shirt with your last name professionally lettered on the back. Sleeveless shirts are not permitted. Good Luck and Good Pitching.

Ron Deckard

First Vice President