Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association members to attend world tournament

Several members of the Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association will be attending the NHPA World Horseshoe Pitching Championships, which begins Monday and concludes Aug. 6 in Montgomery, Alabama.
Local horseshoe pitchers Tim Gilmore, Linda Dodson, Ryan Fryou, Randy Giroir, Dwain Arceneaux and Al Dodson are among the 26 Louisiana competitors anticipated to compete.
Up to 60 portable horseshoe courts will be installed in the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl for the event’s competition and practice.
This two-week event is held once each summer to crown a World Champion horseshoe pitcher in each of eight divisions — Open Men, Open Women, Senior Men, Senior Women, Elder (short-distance) Men, Junior Boys, Junior Girls and Junior Cadets (12-years-old and under).
This year’s entrants hail from the United States, Canada and, for the first time, Switzerland — all vying for titles of World Champion and a share of more than $160,000 in prizes.
In previous years, competitors from Norway, South Africa, Namibia and Japan have competed.
Current Men’s World Champion Alan Francis of Defiance, Ohio, earned his 20th world title in the 2015 Men’s Division and will be vying for No. 21 this year with his 89.25 percent ringer percentage. Hoping to block Francis’ charge are previous world champ Brian Simmons, who boasts a 79.8 percent ringer average; Charlie Meredith of Kentucky, 81.50 percent; Dan Watson of Alabama, 78.9 percent; and Gale Greene of Vermont, 74.12 percent.
Also carrying ringer percentages above 70 percent are Austin Bailey of Illinois and Rick Howe of Massachusetts.
The Women’s Division top five contenders feature ringer averages above 70 percent. The No. 1 seed is seven-time world title holder Joan Elmore with an 84.61 percent average. She will be striving to regain the championship. Challenging her are Shalee Cason of Florida; Marlene Ray, Tennessee; Debra Odum, Texas; and Kathy Brazier, Alabama.
The top four contenders in the Elder’s Division all hold averages greater than 80 percent. They are defending champion David Holmes of West Virginia; Virgil Rife, Ohio; Russ Phillips, Washington; and David P. Jagers, Florida. The group will not have an easy time as the entire class of top-seeded players in their division holds averages in excess of 70 percent.
Final championship rounds for Men, Women and Elders begin Aug. 4 and continue through Aug. 6, when the overall World Champion will be decided in each division.
Additionally, the Junior Boys, Girls and Cadets will be in competition beginning July 28, with champions in the three divisions decided July 30.
Other competitors of note are Marcus Dubach and Patrick Fischer, who are members of the American Horseshoe Pitching Association of Switzerland. Participating in the American and German disciplines of the sport, Dubach is the current Swiss titleholder at the American discipline.
Competition will begin by 8 a.m. each day through the preliminary rounds, starting Monday.
The action will break for the NHPA convention and Hall of Fame banquet on July 31, then will resume at 8 a.m. Aug. 1.
Spectators are encouraged for all competitions.
To follow the event via live webcams or to learn more about the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association, visit www.horseshoepitching.com or contact NHPA 2nd Vice President Tina Hawkins.