Beech Tree News Network

Kentucky has a new men’s elder division horseshoe pitching champion and he is from Butler County. Bob Hudnall has just wrapped up competition at the 2012 State Singles Horseshoe Pitching tournament held this weekend in Chalybeate, Edmonson County. He entered, ranked an amazing number one seed, in his division and 23 in world ranking. Those stats are from the Kentucky Horseshoe Pitchers Association (KHPA) web site which tracks all players who are ranked.

“I joined KHPA back about ’84, then played off and on through the years, but I’ve been back about three years now,” said Hudnall before his competition began Saturday. Describing the sport in general he said, “It’s a tough sport!” He began the tournament with a 72.64% ringer rate.

A favorite game was easy to recall. “It was a league match. I was playing Charlie Meredith (note: Meredith is seven times state champion). Charlie was pitching 80 percent ringers. I was pitching 80 percent ringers. That was the game where I pitched 30 ringers in a row!”

FOLLOWING IN HIS SHOES

“He doesn’t know it, but he will get 2012 ROOKIE OF THE YEAR,” said A.B. Webb, regional director of KHPA, as the tournament got underway Saturday morning referring to Floyd Washer, a nephew of Hudnall’s. “He’s been really coming on this year,” said Webb. “If he knocks off number 25 he will be ranked.”

“Bob taught me when I was a kid, at his house. That was during the 1970’s and 80’s,” said Washer before he warmed up. “I’m averaging 37% ringers now.” This is his first time to compete in a state tournament.

The 2012 Kentucky state doubles tournament is scheduled September 8, also in Chalybeate, which has the only sheltered playing area in the state. Both Hudnall and Washer will compete although partnered with others. They each invite everyone to join the league.

You can follow tournament schedules and results at www.khpahorseshoes.com

Story and photos by Roger Southerland, Beech Tree News