Horseshoe tournament connects families and friends

For the thousands of Knights of Columbus members attending the 25th anniversary of the Knights of Columbus Missouri State Horseshoe Tournament from Friday to Sunday, there seems to be one common motivation -- camaraderie.

"We're just a bunch of Catholics having a good time. I wouldn't miss going to one." said Wilma Thele of Jackson, bracket board chairwoman.

Thele didn't compete in the tournament this year, but her husband did. She said, "It wasn't until 1989 that women started playing in the tournament. Before that they just came and watched their husbands."

Rosalie Burnett of Jackson, who grew up playing horseshoes with her nine siblings, attributes her expertise at the sport to her tomboy character. She and her tournament partner, Marilyn Landewee, also of Jackson, have played in tournaments since they opened up to women. "I used to play fast-pitch softball and volleyball, but now I just bowl and pitch horseshoes," Burnett said. She and Landewee have always played in the A-team, the tier which pits teams with the most points against each other.

This is the one time a year Burnett pitches horseshoes in an organized setting. She and Landewee practice about an hour a day when Burnett's not working. "It's much easier playing at home," said Burnett. To calm her nervousness during tournaments she just slows down and takes some practice swings.

But for Burnett it's not about winning and losing; it's about meeting up with people you don't see for the whole year. "This is a pretty rural area and I've got family in Oran, Advance and Leopold. It's like a family reunion."

She believes the sport is so popular because everyone can participate. Back in 1981 when the tournaments started, there were only 53 teams. "At family gatherings, kids, seniors, anyone can play."

Tournament director and competitor Tim Beussink said, "My biggest problem is getting from one spot to the next without stopping to talk to someone." He believes making new friends and meeting up with relatives is more important than winning a trophy. As for getting ready for the game, he and Mike Kirby, his horseshoes partner, share the same philosophy: "We don't practice."

About 3,000 people congregated at the Jackson Knights of Columbus Hall Friday. A total of 604 teams, mainly men's teams, competed. The fairly new senior division, of which there are nine teams, is one that Irv Vandeven is thankful for. The distance of 40 feet between pits is customary; 30 feet between is reserved for women's