GREENVILLE – The Treaty City Shuffleboard Club has been selected to host two Ohio 2024 state shuffleboard tournaments at the courts in the Greenville City Park.
The Ohio Shuffleboard Association will hold the Singles Men and Ladies tournament on Thursday, June 6, 2024 and follow up two months later with a Mixed Doubles tournament on Thursday, August 8, 2024 at the Greenville City Park shuffleboard courts hosted by the Treaty City Shuffleboard Club. Of special note, the only mixed doubles state tournament for 2024 is slated for Greenville.
“It’s quite an honor for a city the size of Greenville to be hosting the state tournament were shuffleboard is not premier like Lakeside (OH) that’s always been the Shuffleboard Capitol for Ohio,” said Treaty City Shuffleboard Club President, Tom Luebcke.
Lakeside, Ohio is to shuffleboard what Greenville is to horseshoe pitching in the state and nationally as well.
Luebcke, a Troy resident grew up in Lakeside, OH and continues his love for the game he grew up with at his boyhood home on Lake Erie.
“I started talking to the people here in Greenville,” said Luebcke. “We are trying to build shuffleboard back up, we’re trying to let the community know it’s here. There is no fee, the equipment is here, all you have to do is show up and we have people who will teach them how to play – that is our goal.”
At one time the Treaty City club had 120 members but now numbers a membership of about 25. The club does not charge a membership fee.
“Shuffleboard, when you think of it the old joke it’s for retired people,” said Luebcke. “They have the time to play, however some of the top players in the state still work full time and dominate quite frankly. One guy is in his 30s, one guy 50, a couple 40s. They usually play in the National Tournaments in Lakeside and a couple other ones that are close by to where they live and work.”
Recently retired, Luebcke rarely played while working full time but recently he and his wife Kim started playing much more since retiring one and a half years ago.
Greenville’s Gene Lucas along with his wife Barb keep the local shuffleboard courts in good working order and have the facility ready for play each time the club meets. The Greenville club plays each Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Saturday was recently added to the schedule so “working people” would also have an opportunity to play.
Both men and women enjoy shuffleboard with the numbers about equal between the two.
“There is no advantage or disadvantage in shuffleboard to be a women or a man,” said Luebcke’s wife, Kim. “It’s not about strength, it’s more about precision, more finesse.”
Luebcke noted the City of Greenville is very supportive of the local shuffleboard club and will be making several improvements at the local facility.
The Treaty City Shuffleboard Club welcomes everyone to come out and enjoy a good time of fellowship and fun at the Greenville courts.
Everyone may compete in the two state tournaments scheduled for Greenville in 2024 with a $5 entry fee.
