PEOPLE PLAY Games Horseshoes: It’s not just for horses

BY ERNIE DORLING

It is believed, although difficult to prove, that during ancient Olympic Games, athletes who participated in discus throwing often practiced with horseshoes.

Some contend that soldiers in both the Greek and Roman armies drove stakes in the ground and threw old horseshoes at it when not engaged in fighting.

Today, 76-year-old Jerry Michalek, the president of the Brevard County Horseshoe Club, (BCHC) who has been pitching (the official term of one who throws horseshoes) for more than 35 years, has little in common with ancient Olympians or Roman soldiers. Instead, Michalek shares a love of the sport that many, no doubt, give little thought to.

On a cold and windy Saturday morning at Wickham Park, he was preparing to host a horseshoe tournament, welcoming pitchers from other clubs throughout the state.

“I’ve enjoyed horseshoes since I was a kid growing up in New York,” Michalek said. “Like so many sports, it’s competitive, but attracts a group of people who enjoy the camaraderie and socialization aspect as much as anything. The sport, like bowling and golf, is handicapped. Normally, people pitch from 40 feet. However, if you’re over 70, you pitch from 30 feet.”

Handicaps are established after a new player throws 100 pitches. The number of ringers (when the shoe encircles the stake so that you can touch the tips of the shoe with a straight edge without touching the stake) the player makes out of 100 establishes their handicap.

The BCHC members play at 9 a.m. on Sunday and Wednesday at Wickham Park and at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Stradley Park in Cocoa. The cost for league play is $4. Anyone wishing to try it out can simply show up.

“We have plenty of extra shoes for people who want to try it out. And, if Wickham Park is open, so are the horseshoe pits. The gate is never locked,” Michalek said.

Michalek, along with the BCHC secretary and treasurer, Bob Hilpertshauser, hope to introduce the sport and the club to new players.

“We used to be the largest pitching club in the state,” Michalek said.

“Now, we’re down to about 20 people. We really are hoping to increase our membership in the club and sport.”

The club is open to everyone of all ages, but currently it has only four female members.

The flier that is provided to all who inquire about the sport reads in part, “Many seniors pitch horseshoes because it provides light exercise, a chance to meet people and is a wonderful outdoor activity.”

For more information on the

BCHC, contact Michalek by phone at 321-632-2527 or Bob Hilpertshauser at 321-433-1579. Or, check out the club at brevardhc. mysite.com SL