Horseshoe players from Ladysmith and beyond will toss their long weekend away participating in the Stew Battie Memorial Tournament.
More than 100 players from as far away as Powell River will compete at the tournament, being held at the Transfer Beach horseshoe pits Aug 4-6.
Anyone wishing to play in the tournament must be a member of the B.C. Horseshoe Tournament, except for juniors. There will be junior boys’ games on Sunday and junior girls’ games on Monday. A mixed tournament will take place Saturday, followed by the men’s open on Sunday and the women’s open on Monday.
Now in its third year, the tournament, which once coincided with Ladysmith Days, is hosted by the Ladysmith Horseshoe Club and is dedicated to Stew Battie, a much-loved community member who spent a lot of time on the horseshoe pitching mound.
Battie was also the club’s president for more than a dozen years, said Vince Herkel, Ladysmith Horseshoe Club secretary-treasurer.
Last year, a special bench was installed at the club in his honour.
“Stew kept the club going and was a really good guy,” Herkel said. “We got a lot accomplished with Stew, and we’re just trying to keep things going.”
Ladysmith born-and-raised Battie was an avid sportsman, participating in softball, bowling and horseshoes. Battie was also very active with the Ladysmith Eagles.
There will be plenty of bleachers for anyone wanting to watch the tournament action. Lawn chairs are welcome as well, and there will be pancake breakfasts served and a concession stand.
“A lot of people will come down and watch and say ‘how can I get involved,’” Herkel said.
He added that everyone is welcome to join the club, which holds its meetings Thursday nights at the Transfer Beach horseshoe pit.
“Horseshoe players all get along really well,” Herkel said. “They like to get out there, have fun and do their best.”
To find out more about the tournament, contact Vince Herkel at 250-245-2341.
