Cal Cordes Memorial Opens Horseshoe Tournament Season in Prescott

Photo: Jay Mast won Class C by winning his last five games. Jay and Cal were good friends for many years

The Mile Hi Horseshoe Club hosted their first tournament in 2025 on a beautiful Saturday morning in Prescott.

This year with the passing of legendary Prescottonian Cal Cordes came a name change to his namesake tournament. Now and forever the first horseshoe tournament at Watson Lake Park in Prescott will be known as the Cal Cordes Memorial. The name change is to honor of the man who not only got horseshoe tournaments going in Prescott, but was widely known as a beloved and respected teacher, coach, volunteer, and friend.

Photo: ASPHA President Robert Chubinsky with the six-pack tribute to honor Cal Cordes

A brief remembrance was held prior to the start of the tournament with Cal’s son Kelly Cordes speaking about his late father and his impact on horseshoe pitching in our community. That was followed by a final six-pack tribute by ASHPA-Arizona Horseshoe Pitchers Association President Robert Chubinsky.  A new embroidered American flag was also raised prior to the event.

This year three winners took home the top prize in each of their class.

Class A and overall tournament champion was won by  Prescott’s Trisha Lincoln who went undefeated on the day racking up 127 ringers and dominated the tournament. Her closest contest came in her final game with a 10 point win over Bruce Miller of Surprise. Two Prescott players battled it out with John Lincoln placing second and edging out Cody Williams.

The Class B winner also went undefeated and was won by Mike Brewer of Prescott. The next two players, both from Surprise took second and third were Robert Chubinsky and Steve Harman.

Jay Mast of Prescott Valley rebounded from a one point loss in his first game to win his final five, taking home first place in Class C.  Joseph Cowsert Jr., who beat Mast in the opener, made the trip from Williams worthwhile by taking second place. Terry Sloan of Prescott finished in third.

Photo: Some of the participants including the winning pitchers in each of the three classes

The club would like to acknowledge all the scorekeepers including Cookie Brewer for keeping score in the Class B, and each of the players in Class A for using your bye to keep score as well.

The past two weeks club members were very busy in regards to updating the courts with new backboards and painting of the lines along with general maintenance and cleanup. Brian Belcher, John Lincoln, and Cody Williams all helped out in this capacity.

The Mile Hi Horseshoe Club would like to thank two local businesses, Home Depot and The Fat Frog for assisting in the sponsorship of this tournament.

Next tournament at Watson Lake Park in Prescott will be on Saturday, May 31, at 9am. The two weeks prior on May 17, Prescott Valley will be hosting their tournament at American Legion Park starting at 9am.