Shuffleboard | It's Millers' time at Hall of Fame

On Thursday, Jan. 7, at opening ceremonies of Southwest Coast District D-11 at Bradenton Shuffle Club, three Millers were inducted into the Southwest Coast District Hall of Fame. Hall of Fame Chairman Jerry Stannard honored Paul Miller, Jim Miller and Jo Miller.

Paul Miller of Pinecraft has played shuffleboard for about three decades and was inducted into the Florida Shuffleboard Hall of Fame in 2010. Paul and Mary live in Pinecraft, and Paul has won many district tournaments as well as state tournaments. A native of Iowa, Paul became an instant pro before gaining much experience in the district. Back then one had to accept pro status if you earned it. Players today sometimes reject becoming instant pro as it is now optional to wait until next season. Paul Miller is a gentleman and a sportsman, and he has earned this honor.

Jim and Jo Miller also live in Pinecraft in season and have a home in northern Indiana as well. They have three adult children and several grandchildren. Jo is a great cook, sometimes favoring others with delicious foods. She is also a great tournament director and has 10 years' experience at keeping everything fair and smooth at local tournaments. Jim and Jo together have sparked many improvements at Bradenton Shuffle Club, including remodel of the office, tables and chairs in the hall and keeping up the courts, discs and restrooms.

Jim not only is already in the Florida Shuffleboard Hall of Fame and has won many state and district tournaments, but he also has resurfaced many of the district clubs' courts. We all thank Jim for most of the recent court improvements around here and for inspiring many of us to play better. Jim has won top honors in Florida and SWCD Masters many times, and he continues to play most of the tournaments offered and does it in first class style.

This column salutes all three Millers and wishes them well in the future.

Tournament results

FLP-14A at Sebring, Jan. 4, M/L doubles: Ladies Main: 1. Judy Taylor. Men Main: 1. Jerry Everett-Jim Miller, 2. Levi Miller-Larry Mardis, 3. Jerry Stannard. Also, Jan. 4, FLP-14B at Clearwater. Ladies Main: 1. Marlene Coburn-Terri Smith. Consolation: 2. Sue Minnich, 3. Bonnie Walker-Judy Cross. Men Main: 3. Dave Minnich. Consolation: 3. Lloyd Schmidt-Dwayne Cross.

Thursday, Jan. 7, SWCD D-11 at Bradenton, M/L Doubles Restricted to State Ams and Pros. Men Main: 1. Dave Kudro-Jerry Everett, 2. Jim Miller-Clarence Gingerich, 3. John Roberson-Hank Hoekstra, 4. Ed Leonard-Charlie DeVeries. Consolation: 1. Ron Nurnberger-Larry Taylor, 2. John L. Brown-Gerry Curwin, 3. Nelson Kellogg-Jerry Stannard, 4. Don Gray-Phil Booher. Ladies Main: 1. Marilyn Everett-Judy Taylor, 2. Letha DeVries-Pam Nurnberger, 3. Erika Berg-Siggy Gudzus, 4. Terri Smith-Nancy Sclafani. Consolation: 1. Flo Kowalewski-Margaret Hartzler, 2. Marie Hunter-Lois Wegner, 3. Bonnie Walker-Jane Schram, 4. Adriana Cramton-Claudia Kellogg.

Friday, Jan. 8, SWCD A-8 at Bradenton, Any Amateurs/Any Doubles. Main: 1. Jim Clark-Tom Putnam, 2. Paula Jacobson-Jane Baldwin, 3. Bill Bierema-Richard McCowan, 4. Patty Yates-Shirley Pendergrass. Consolation: 1. William Hickman-John Braniff, 2. Arnie Congdon-Gary Lindsay, 3. Ned Fogarty-Bill Rials, 4. Marilyn and Gary Rotman.

Future tournaments

Today, Tuesday, Jan. 12, is the second day of FL P-15A at St. Cloud and P-15B at Lee County, M/L Open Doubles. Also Jan. 12 is the second day of FL A-12 at Lakeland, National Non-Walking, M/L Amateur Singles, 12 Frames.

Thursday, Jan. 14 at Golf Lakes, SWCD D-12 Draw M/L Doubles, restricted to State Ams and Pros, 16 Frames or 75 points.

Friday, Jan. 15 at Golf Lakes, SWCD A-9, Draw Doubles, Any Amateurs/Any Doubles (State Ams No Points), 16 Frames or 75 points.

Monday, Jan. 18, FL P-16 at Ft. Pierce, State Sponsored Singles, M/L, Non-walking, Walking. Hall of Fame Banquet, Winter FSA Meeting. Also Monday, Jan. 18, FL A-14A at Avon Park, FL A-14B at Bradenton Tropical Palms, Any Ams/Any Doubles, 75 points.

Noteworthy

Several items from SWCD Open Board Meeting:

SWCD D-13 moved to Trailer Estates, Restricted Draw Doubles, M.L, 16 Frames or 75 points. (Tri-Par Courts closed due to unanticipated repairs to courts). The date is still Jan. 21, State Ams and Pros.

Also Jan. 22, SWCD A-10, District Ams Draw, Any Doubles will be at Trailer Estates for the same reason. (State Ams welcome, no points).This advance notice will be repeated next week.

In an economy measure, 2016 Open Masters and State Amateur Masters will receive an extra nice pin in lieu of cash prizes. District Amateur Masters will receive usual plaques.

Tournament directors will choose one from their number to be a voting member of the District Board.

The Masters (Amateur, State Ams, Pros) played simultaneously, this season 2016 at Bradenton the week of March 23, followed in 2017 at Tri-Par, 2018 at Golf Lakes, 2019 at Trailer Estates, followed in 2020 at Palmetto. It is anticipated that this will become a regular rotation.

Sue Daidone heard that some players are not content with single-mingles on Mondays and Tuesdays. Sue requests that anyone unhappy contact her to let it be known what would be preferred. Other possibilities could include a regular chart, hoss collar, yellow and black, etc. Constructive suggestions would help more than complaining.

All current district officers will be nominated to serve another year, except there is an opening for secretary. Sue Daidone is nominating chair. Nominations from the floor will be open at the March meeting.

Petticoat League Results, Jan. 4. Mt. Vernon 10 at Paradise Bay 8, Village on the Green 11 at Trailer Estates 7. Three game winners: Jane Baldwin, Phyllis Kemp-Mt. Vernon; Betty Hall, Pauline Tompkins- Paradise Bay; Sandy Kolasinski-Village on the Green. Standings: Mt. Vernon-50, Paradise Bay-40, Trailer Estates-34, Village on the Green-32.

Happy shuffling

This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 12:44 AM with the headline "Shuffleboard | It's Millers' time at Hall of Fame ."