When two of the best shuffleboard players in the world take time from their busy schedules to take part in a Shuffleboard Tournament held in Coldwater Ontario Canada  May 24/26 2011, it can only be a result of their dedication and the love of the game.

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Winners of the Main Event: Henry Strong and Earl Ball receiving their winnings from Coldwater Shuffleboard President Gary Pipher

Earl Ball was one of these special dedicated players who travelled over 2500 klms from Zephyrhills Florida USA to partner with Henry Strong of Belle River Ontario. It was not just the fact they came home Grand Champions in the Main Event, it was as much about them promoting the game of Shuffleboard to the Coldwater Club and others who took part in the tournament.  
When two well known Shuffleboard players like Ball and Strong are in the tournament line-up, it attracts other players who either want a piece of them, or they just want to see two of the best in the world in action.
The competition they were faced with from the very onset of the tournament was tops, however they managed to win all their qualifying games and ended up in the final round to play against Hubert Van Eerd of Chatham and Lionel Young of Sauble Beach.

 

 

The skills of Ball and Strong were soon put to the test as the games with Van Eerd and Young seesawed back and forth.
However it wasn’t long into the second game that Ball and Strong had figured out the lay of the courts and put the drift to their advantage.
The experience these two players have garnered while playing throughout the Central District of Florida allows them to contemplate each other’s move and strategy as the game progresses, and no doubt accounts for a large portion of their success, but also their positive attitude toward the game is every bit as important.
That was never more evident than at the tournament in Coldwater.

Henry Strong is 3rd Vice President of the Canadian National Shuffleboard Association, and will represent Canada at the International Shuffleboard Association meetings in Dieppe New Brunswick in Aug 2011.
During the AGM of the CNSA held in Coldwater, Strong gave a comprehensive report on Canada’s role in the International Games that will be held in Dieppe NB, and went on to say how much interest there has been from Canadian players to take part in these prestigious events around the world.

The ISA World Team Tournament will take place in Seattle Washington in 2012 and teams from no less than 10 countries will compete for the bragging rights.
Coldwater was put on the map because it is home club of World Champion Curler “Glen Howard”, but it can also brag that it is the home to one of the finest shuffleboard clubs in Canada.
This was the 6th annual CNSA Doubles tournament to be held in the small village of Coldwater pop 1000, and the 165 plus Shuffleboard Club members always look forward to making this tournament fun and enjoyable for others.