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1991-1997

In 1991 the St. Clair Shores Recreation Department was awarded a small grant to fund the construction of 12 horseshoe courts with clay lined pits, concrete pitching platforms and walkways, in Kyte Monroe Park at Masonic and Harper. A notice was put in the local paper for anyone interested in being part of building and organizing the new club.

Kim and Nancy Aiken, Mike Kelly, Gretchen Deng and others volunteered to form a committee to complete the project. Paul Wishon was recruited to give the SCS City Council a presentation on the value of pitching horseshoes and why courts should be constructed. Other help was solicited from the Berkley Horseshoe Club with members Jerry Shene, Marv Falk and Claude Shannahan helping out.

The President for the first year was Kim Aiken. Nancy Aiken was the Secretary/Treasurer and Court Manager for the first 7 years. The first pit clay (aka blue clay) came from Lake St. Clair at the end of Eleven Mile Road where dredging of parkland was being done. The courts were constructed with great care, with care given to every detail. Kim recalls the original layout of the courts was made to comply with official horseshoe regulations. It's been rumored these courts are the best in the State of Michigan. League play was held two nights a week for the first two years.

Over the years, the membership has fluctuated, however, since 2001 there has been a steady membership increase with public awareness of the opportunity to pitch with the SCSHC.

Looking back, Nancy and Kim say a display of outstanding sportsmanship was adopted by all members. Some people grin and think of horseshoes as a backyard game or " barnyard golf." To them I say, bring your horseshoes with you on league nights and start having some real fun.!

—Contributed by Nancy Aiken

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS SAINT CLAIR SHORES HORSESHOE CLUB

John Banks, champion many times around and the only original active member since the inception in 1991.

History since 1997 Membership was down to 10 pitchers in 1997. A storage shed did not exist

until 2000. Before that time members would bring their own chairs, shovels, watering containers, etc. Nancy Aiken, the original secretary, toward the end of her 7-year service became responsible for most of the equipment. She would drive it back and forth in her car for the Monday night league play. "

A new secretary/treasurer took over in 1998 and membership started to turn upward. The Club shed was built in 2000 under the direction of Dean Schmitz and a half dozen club members. The courts were sanctioned by WSHPA Regional Director Steve Summerlin and weekend sanctioned tournaments began. In 2008 the Club Pavilion was built under the direction of Darrell Miller. This was all done with club funds raised through the growth in club membership. The Club got together with the Mount Clemens Recreation Department in 1999 and formed an indoor club. When the MC Recreation Department closed, the indoor club was forced to shut down after three years of existence. Paid membership totaled 163, with two nights of doubles play, a sanctioned league and some weekend sanctioned tournaments."

John Thomachefski became president of the club in 2001. Since John became president membership has grown every year. There are now three nights of league play and two weekends of sanctioned tournaments. During his tenure as president, the singles recreation league continues, a sanctioned league formed from the indoor club, a doubles league that plays at two different times on Tuesday night formed and sanctioned tournaments began. John took charge of publicity with club jackets, shirts, patches, cozies, decals, towels and other horseshoe pitching paraphernalia. "

The late SCSHC court manager, Boz Miller, took charge of the equipment and built new scoreboards. The Pavilion was built, (again, under the direction of Darrell Miller with assistance from about 2-dozen club members). Stakes are continually being reset, new clay supplied and landscaping continues every year. The club donates to the SCS Recreation Department and to the Horseshoe Pitchers Hall of Fame every year. A yearly tournament (The Woody Cup) is played with other NHPA/MHPA clubs to determine the organized league state champion. Funds raised during the tournament go to the St. Jude Fund. Larry and Juanita Woods sponsor the traveling trophy."

Many members have contributed their services and money over the years as evidenced by the shed logo, trophies, the PA system, the MHPA pavilion memorial, making of equipment, donating equipment and supplies, getting the shed and pavilion wired, improved night court lighting, recruiting new members, publicity and keeping the club in good spirits."

Since John has been president the club has strived. More and more residents of St. Clair Shores, Macomb County and surrounding areas are becoming aware of the great opportunity to participate in this wonderful family sport. John has a good working relationship with Greg Esler of the Recreation Department, members of the recreation committee, the City Mayor and members of the City Council. John is truly dedicated to the sport of horseshoe pitching."

We can boast that we are probably the best NHPA/MHPA club in the state.

Claude Shannahan, an original and founding member of the SCSHC made an appearance on the courts during last year’s league play.