Photo: Hal Handelman in the championship finale as John Lincoln looks on
Hal Handelman and Robert Chubinsky took home championship patches in the Mile Hi Classic, hosted by the Mile Hi Horseshoe Club, at Watson Lake. Perhaps the best day yet this season was this past Saturday, as temperatures stayed under 80 degrees with a slight breeze the entire morning. The competition heated things up, as both classes battled in some tight games.
Class A saw the best games, with a playoff needed to award the overall tournament champion. Chino Valley’s Hal Handelman went (4-1), losing his only match to Steve Harman, resulting a three way tie with John Lincoln. Harman started off slow on the day, but steadily improved to win the final game in regulation. Lincoln, who threw 300 shoes on the day, was able to get past Harmon, but Handelman had too much left in the tank, nipping Lincoln for the win.
Photo: Robert Chubinsky
Robert Chubinsky, of Surprise, Arizona, went (3-1) on the day and took home first place in Class B. Sam Lerma edged out Mike Brewer and Terry Sloan, in a three way finish for third.
Thanks to everyone who came out and did their part to make it a fun day. The day started off with everyone singing Happy Birthday to Terry Sloan, who was celebrating his 59th birthday for the 24th year. The crew of scorekeepers, Trisha Lincoln, Cookie Brewer, Sandy Huddleston, and Jay Mast, kept the games moving along.
Prescott Valley will host tournaments on Saturday, July 1, and July 8 at American Legion Park. The Mile Hi Club will host their next tournament at Watson Lake on Saturday, July 15. All tournaments start at 9am. Anyone interested in horseshoe pitching can come out to watch and learn more about the sport.
