June 2 - 3 saw Betmar in Zephyrhills, Florida as host club for the National Shuffleboard Association "Any Doubles" tournament with 102 participants showing up from Michigan, Ohio, New York, Canada, and more.  This was the first "National" hosted here and was a tournament awarded to the club on a trial basis due to the unknown number that it may draw.  With 102 players, it was considered a success, and Joe Messier was there to say so. Joe is President of the National Shuffleboard Association and was delighted with the response.   The Zephyrhills News was there and will print the story on Thursday.

The first day competition started promptly at 9:00 A.M and the last team wound up their third round at 7:30 P.M. in 93 degree temperatures. At this point, half the field had been eliminated and the other half would compete the second day starting again at 9:00 A.M and finished with the final games over at 5:30.  This competition requires a lot of stamina and a lot of fluids to stay sharp.  The tournament is played best two out of three, 75 point games to complete one round.  A round can last up to three hours or more (normal about 2 hours) of non-stop play and serious concentration.  Every player plays a minimum of two rounds. Those who keep winning keep playing until the finals where we have have teams playing on four courts for the 1st to 4th place prizes in both the main event and the consolation event.

First place Main event honors went to Phil Rebholz and George Shaver, both from Ft. Pierce, Florida.  Cash prizes are awarded to all the winners from our sponsor of this event, Humana Health.  For more info about the tournament and pictures, go to www.theshuffler.org, then click on the center box for photo slide show of the Betmar National Tournament. 

Tags: Florida Shuffleboard