If I may borrow a quote from Dickens ‘A Tale of Two Cities’, “It was the best of times”  Seventeen teams with players from two nations vowed to uphold the legacy of that quote as they signed on for the event at four Hemet venues.  Players from Canada and the U. S. took part in this Soboba Classic:

The Captains meeting was held Sunday morning, the 27th, followed by practice at the venues. Play ran from March 27th – 31st., 2017 starting at 8:00 in the morning and ending around 5:00pm.

 The Classic directors for the tournament were George Hayes and Sharyn DiChiro, asst. and treasurer. Other personnel who assisted in the program were Helen Bell, program and pins, Steve Piccinonno, statistician, Michael Garrett and Tootie Chittenden, Special Projects, Nelda Lichtwald and Glenda Epps, Banquet, Rocky Raver, secretary, and Jay Davidson, CSA President. They turned in a masterful job!

The four venues and their ATM’s were: Hemet West; Bobbi McClemore, Shirley Calahan, Jan Filatoff and Lynn Cisto. Seven Hills; Donalee Allen and Mary Davis. Hemet Muni; Kerry Selway, Lorraine Donahue and Rita Deidrich. SDSE, Jan Stephens and Len Sweet.

Forgive me, please, if I miss acknowledgement of any of the personnel who made this an unparalleled event.

The major sponsor, The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, whose officials were on hand  were presented at luncheon. They were Sally Ortiz, President of Soboba Foundation, Geneva Mojado, Vice President, Patrick Placentia, Treasurer. Sally distributed prizes to those who won in the drawing. We also welcomed

Myrna Torres and Aaron Young, Bank of Hemet officials and another long time sponsor of shuffleboard, as well as Russ Brown, City council member, City of Hemet. Mr. Brown presented District 7 with a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the City of Hemet.

Other sponsors included Miller Jones Mortuary and Crematory, sponsor of our annual picnic, Motel 6 on W. Florida, new this year and Travelodge on W. Florida, a returning sponsor.

All games were 12 frames and were played under CSA and special Classic rules. Teams received 1 point per win and 1/2 point for a tie. Teams also supplied the scorekeepers but players refereed their own games. Following the team roster, 8 players at a time played all of the other 16 teams once, for a total of 128 games for each team. 1st and 2nd place teams tied with 75 1/2 points each. The winner was decided by the results of the games between these two teams. Thus Del’sDozen earned the win over the Calizona Compadres.

The Classic culminated in awards luncheon Eastside Valley Wide’s Community Center.The lunch was supplied by Café DJ Catering. It included a choice of sandwiches: roast beef, tuna or turkey, with two soup selections: cabbage loaf

or clam chowder. Deserts followed: cookies or brownies.

Honored guests were Dale Monday (Calizona Compadres) recently inducted into The U. S. A. National Hall of Fame. Roland Schneider (Sun Chasers) was presented his USA Hall of Fame pin and certificate by USA-NSA Shuffleboard President, Rob Robinson. Roland’s wife Ruth proudly pinned Roland.

Along with USA President Robinson were 2nd VP, John Houser, Sect. Sheila Monday and Western Rep. Sylvia Smith. The full California Shuffleboard Association board were present as well as the full board of District 7.

Prevailing for first place was this team from District 4, Apache Junction, Dell’s Dozen  – their first number one title. They were presented a handsome traveling trophy and each player awarded a “Classic Vest” plus a commemorative pin.

They were led by Captain Karen Fodchuk and Co- Captain Karen Breddon.  Their players were:Denis Trudel, Sheila Stockman, Dennis Stockman, Darlene Salls, Rob Robinson, Ralph Conant, Lila Wessel, Dolores Evans, Vangie Cain, Bill Cain, Dot Noad, Doug Noad, Mike Bowden, and Gwen Bowden

Coming in second was a players representing a robust mix from District 1 (Mesa AZ), and District 7, Hemet. they received an engraved team plaque. The team, called the Calizona Compadres was directed by Dale Monday, captain and Steve Piccinonno, co-captain. On their roster were 15 other players: Moe Balcaen, Gale Balcaen, Sid Barone, GiGi Briggs, Rocky Briggs, Robert Brooks, Jay Davidson, Bill Gallinger, Dean Haske, Del Just, Sheila Monday, Kenny Phipps, Jane Piccinonno, Gord Pollock and Mike Walker.

 

Vaulting into 3rd place is another AZ team, Kokopelli Red, from Mesa. Their captain is Sylvia Smith and co-captain is Myrna Greer. They had a registry of 10 more players: Chuck Crouse, Jan Crouse, Dan Smith, Keith Farmer, Kathy Farmer,

Stan Schumacher, Tom Wiehle, Dale Greer, Barry Aldous and Richard Willsey.

 

And in 4th place, we find another AZ team, the Desert Howlers. They were led by captain David Long and co-captain Bob Rhinehat.  This team is made up of: Gloria Haase, Paul Haase, Connie Thrasher, Dick Ball, Jim Thrasher, Leroy  Daniels,

Ron Wiltala, Carl Howsell, Jim Ellis, Carol Howell, Joe Badrtosh, Bernie Hersley, Lee Schrader and Marlus Wohlers