Our Club continues to grow due to information on our website and information board (located at the pits) and we currently have 2 new teams interested in pitching this next spring.  Based on initial numbers, we should have 3 full nights of horseshoe pitching next year with either 8 or 9, three member teams.  

Thanks to all that participated with the annual cleanup activities.  We continue to have good support from all three nights of league and we will continue the pit rotation for next year.  Thanks to all the club members who supported the Ted Allen Memorial, Rocky Mountain Open and the Boulder Invitational.  We had a wonderful turnout for the Rocky Mountain Open and despite the afternoon storms the first day, the tournament was a success.  The entry fee had been reduced back to $20.00 this last year and will continue to stay at that fee for 2011.  There was discussion at opening up the Boulder Invitational to all NHPA card holders and the club decided to continue to keep it local to Boulder members only.  This has been a great tournament for new members to learn and become comfortable with tournament play.  

Thanks were given to Lee Stevenson for the management and upkeep of the Boulder Club website.  It has been a great vehicle for communication, including weekly stats updates during the season, and a good publicity site for new individuals interested in pitching and becoming part of the sport.  Thanks were also given to Bob Carpenter for all of his work, as City liaison, again this year.  Bob has been working with the city more then 15 years and has an excellent rapport with the Parks and Rec manager, along with the grounds crew.  The city presented Bob with a new contract again this year, and due to some wording and potential liability concerns, the club decided to continue under our current agreement. 

The City Playoff this year, between all three league nights, was an exciting one.  There were two tie break rounds, which ended with Wednesday night finishing on top by one game.  Congratulations to John Dewey, Vicki Barham and Rick Barham!!  Boulder sent all 3 teams to the State Tournament this year and Boulder Tuesday night took second place. 

Stan Bonnes was presented the Arch Wood Sportsmanship award this year at the State banquet.  This is a State presented award, acknowledging individuals who represent the true meaning and characteristics of sportsmanship.  Congratulations Stan!! 

Stan was also presented with the “Golden Horseshoe Award”.  This was a special award this year, recognizing Stan with 50 years of horseshoe pitching (NHPA).  Stan has been pitching longer then 50 years and has been a part of the Boulder Club for much longer then that. 

The club amended the following items in our ByLaws:

            Article VII, Section 2

• Item G has been updated to include:

• If two teams that are scheduled to pitch, agree to make up that week’s pitching on another night, they have 3 weeks to do so or the games are split 4.5 and 4.5 (wins/losses).  All make up games within the last three weeks of scheduled play must be completed prior to the last week of scheduled play.  If two teams agree to make up a scheduled pitching match a mutually agreed upon date must be set.  If one of the teams is unresponsive to that date, that teams games will be forfeited.  Extenuating circumstances can be brought forward to the club officers for a ruling.

• Item L has been added:

• If a team consists of four members, three members must be designated prior to the start of the first game of each week.  A fourth member substitution is not allowed after the first game has begun.

 The financial status of the club for 2011 is:

            Beginning Balance         $ 866.26

Total Income -               $1,599.90

            Total Expenses –           <$2,140.25>

            Ending Balance -           $ 325.91

Overall expenses were slightly higher this year due to trophy costs, three positions were awarded for each of the three nights and one team had a fourth member.  All three league nights sent teams to the State League Tournament (none participated in 2010) and the State League entry fee, per team, had been increased.  The club had approved, last year, the purchase of prizes for the Rocky Mountain Open.  Neck coolers were purchased and Coffee cups and Koozies were donated.  All items not used this year will be included in future years as door prizes.    

Steve Ruddock expressed his interest in working with Bob Carpenter as an assistant City Liaison.  Since this position is appointed by the President, the 2011 President will oversee the roles and responsibilities, or split of duties assigned.  Steve expressed an interest in raising funds for court maintenance and engaging with the City’s Historic Landmarks to establish our pits as a site due to Ted Allen and his legacy. 

Team Standings and Awards:

Percentage Patches:

10%                              Aron Easter, Ivan Fernandez, Carl Hittle, Cliff Norris, Steve Ruddock Jr.

20%                              Christina Suarez, Evan Jackson, Kate Knights, Miles Lahue, Andrew Stevenson

                        30%                              Sallie Lodewyck, Carol Demos

                        40%                              Steve Ruddock, Maryanne Dopler

                        50%                              Sandy Stevenson

                        60%                              John Dewey, Diane Elwood

                        70%                              Dale Boss

2012 Club Officers were voted on as follows: 

Club Officers:

            President – Vicki Barham

            Vice President – Harold Wilcox

            Statistician (s) – Tuesday – Lee Stevenson

                                     Wednesday – Brad Keiser

Thursday – Brad Keiser

Thank you all for your support and help during the last 5 years.  It has been my privilege to work with such a wonderful group of people during my time as President of the Boulder Horseshoe Club. We saw a lot of positive changes in those 5 years and I am grateful that I was a part of it.   For those of you who were not in attendance at the annual picnic, I made the decision not to run for President for another year.  This decision was based on known conflicts with family obligations that could possibly interfere with the first several weeks of our season.  Vicki Barham graciously accepted the nomination and was voted into office.  She will officially take office on November 1, 2011. 

Thanks again to all and have a great winter and holiday season.  We hope to see you all next year.

Sandy Stevenson

Boulder Horseshoe Club President