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State’s best shuffleboard players coming to North Fort Myers

2 min read

Beginning level shuffleboard players need not apply to play in this event.

The very best the state has to offer will converge on the Lee County Shuffleboard Club at the North Fort Myers Community Park from April 6-9 when it hosts the 55th annual Florida Shuffleboard Pro Masters.

The eight best men and eight best women in the state will play a round-robin tournament over four days, with the players with the best record being named state champions.

“We are so pleased the Florida Shuffleboard Association and the area’s local club are hosting this statewide event at the North Fort Myers Recreation Center,” said Dana Kasler, director of Lee County Parks & Recreation.

They are expected to arrive for an afternoon practice on Easter Sunday, with play set to begin Monday morning at 9 following the opening ceremony.

The competitors from all seven regions of the state will play twice a day from Monday through Wednesday starting at 9 a.m. and once on Thursday morning before an afternoon banquet at the recreation center, where the championship jackets will be presented.

Dick Widdis, president of the Lee County Shuffleboard Club, said it’s the perfect opportunity to see how the best in the state play the game.

“These people qualify all year long and those eight with the most points qualify. We host this event every seven years,” Widdis said. “It’s pretty exciting because these are the guys who know strategy and they really pull off a lot of great shots.”

The players are veritable celebrities in the shuffleboard world, with more than half of the players having been inducted into the Florida Shuffleboard Association Hall of Fame while others have won previous district, state, national and international titles in singles and doubles events.

Spectators are invited free of charge. Up to 100 spectators are expected each day of the event.

For Florida Shuffleboard Pro Masters information, contact Dick Widdis of the Lee County Shuffleboard Club, 940-1713 or dickwiddis@gmail.com.