History of Shuffleboard in California
The California Shuffleboard Association (C.S.A.) was founded in 1959 by its president, Harold E. Wilson. Its original constitution and bylaws were based on Florida shuffleboard documents. C.S.A. first amended Its original bylaws in 1960. At the inception, the membership fee for state clubs was $6.00 and later raised to $8.00. As of 2018 the membership fee in C.S.A. is $20 a year.
The first districts of the Association were as follows:
1. Long Beach District – comprising all of Los Angeles County south of the Hollywood and Santa Ana Freeways;
2. Glendale District – comprising all of Los Angeles County north of Hollywood and Santa Ana Freeways;
3. Santa Ana District – comprising all of Orange County;
4. San Diego District – comprising all of San Diego County;
5. Palms Springs District – comprising all of Riverside, Imperial and San Bernardino Counties;
6. Santa Barbara District – comprising all of Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties;
7. Northern District – comprising the remaining area of California.
As of 2010 the following districts were active in the state:
* Districts 1&2 Los Angeles Area
* District 3 Orange County
* District 5 Palms Springs Area
* District 7 Hemet and Sun City Area
* District 10 Ventura County
* District 13 Sacramento Area
History of District 7
District 7 was not officially part of the Association until January 25, 1963. For years District 7 was considered a minor district with only 19 clubs. In January 2018 District 7 will be 55 years old and is going strong. As of 2018 District 7 has 14 clubs consisting of 29 teams. In 1963 Glenn D. Windbigler was elected District 7’s first President. In 1966 Mr. P. J. Peterson was elected as President. The Bylaws regarding length of Presidential service were eventually amended and now a new President is elected every two years.
Several of the California Shuffleboard Association Presidents were members of District 7. District 7 is the home of the California Shuffleboard Association’s Hall of Fame at Golden Village Palms Resort’s Shuffleboard building in Hemet. Many District 7 shuffleboard players are proud members of that distinguished organization. Along with many National tournaments, District 7 has hosted an International Shuffleboard Association Team Tournament and an East/West Goodwill games.
Other Districts
Although shuffleboard is still played in the other Districts, Districts 5 and 7 are the only two remaining active. Sadly, District 5’s records have been lost over the years.
District 5 is located in the Coachella Valley. It’s many clubs are comprised mostly of snow birds. It has two leagues and many tournaments during the winter months.
The Hall of Fame
November of 1964 the board of governors adopted a resolution creating the Hall of Fame for the California Shuffleboard Association. Each year a special committee would select no more than three individuals who have given outstanding service to the promotion of shuffleboard in all of its activities. A certificate would be given for sportsmanship and outstanding service and a lapel pin. The first committee consisted of three members. The first Hall of Fame members were inducted in 1965. The Hall of Fame resided in Manteca, California until 2003 at which time it was moved to Golden Village Palms Shuffleboard Club in Hemet, CA (now online).
Since its creation, Hall of Fame Article IX has been amended several times. The 1975 amendment set up more definite rules as to who would be on the committee and limited the number of elected individuals. It also addressed the matter of who would be the Hall of Fame Chairman.
Minor changes were made in 2008, 2012, and 2014.
The Hall of Fame pin design was changed in 1985 by Fred Day of District 7. That is the pin design that is currently presented to the elected Hall of Fame members. The selection Those individuals voted into the Hall of Fame shall be announced at the C.S.A. annual meeting.
The CSA Endowment Fund
In May of 1984 it was decided by the C.S.A. to set up an endowment fund to which players could contribute a one-time donation of $100 or more. The initial goal was to gain 500 contributors for this fund which would be used to keep the sport of shuffleboard functioning more effectively. These contributors would have their names placed on a plaque in the Hall of Fame building, receive a special lapel pin and a donor membership identification card. in October of 1984 two special sections were added – a “Memorial Fund Donation” and an “In Honor Of” donation. To date this fund is open to any member, club or family member who wish to make a donation.
Western Shuffleboard
In Western and Eastern shuffleboard the cues, disc, board layout and dimensions are the same. In Western shuffleboard the board surface is smooth and polished. Often it is coated with a hard wax. Before play, the board is cleaned and the surface is coated with a mixture of white polystyrene beads and cornmeal on the indoor courts. The outdoor courts are coated with beads and cornmeal that have been treated to make it adhere to the boards in a 20mph wind. The dressing is spread with a roller or shaker. The discs glide along on top of the silicone beads and require a very light touch to go the length of the board, often requiring 20 seconds to travel the distance. Traveling so slowly and freely, any drift in the board will be pronounced. The strategy then becomes the maneuvering of the disc to stop in the desired spot, keeping in mind the drift of the board.
The California Shuffleboard Association is proud to have been a member of the USA National Shuffleboard Association for the past 60 years.
Founding Clubs
The California Shuffleboard Association, Inc., was founded November 10, 1959 at Houghton Park, Long Beach. Harold E. (Bo) Wilson was elected as the first President; Harrison Hannah, the first Secretary.
The twelve founding Clubs were:
Adult Recreation Association, San Clemente
* Bixby Park, Long Beach
* Sun Town Trailer Park, Cathedral City
* Torrance Adult Club, Torrance
* Victorian Park, Ventura
* Auditorium Park, Long Beach
* Glendale Adult Rec. Center, Glendale
* Jefferson Park, Pasadena
* Venice Park, Venice
* Lincoln Park, Long Beach
* Houghton Park, Long Beach
-Helen Bell (D7)
California Shuffleboard Association 