- November 23, 2024
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On a gorgeous Saturday morning in Flagler County, steel horseshoes thudded into the dirt surrounding the stake at the home of the Flagler County Horseshoe Pitching Club, at Old Dixie Park.
Hundreds of horseshoe pitchers were in town for the Tom Martone Open, a tournament put on by the local club that attracted pitchers from throughout Florida and Georgia.
In total, more than 150 pitchers were in town, staying at area hotels, eating local food and spending their money in Flagler County. It was also fantastic exposure for the club that Martone has built from the ground up.
“I promised (county officials) that if they built it, they will come,” said Martone, who is the president of the club and has been a member since its inception about five years ago. “And they have come.”
The Tom Martone Open was dedicated to the work Martone has done to raise awareness and membership for the club.
When the new courts were dedicated about a year ago, the Flagler County Horseshoe Pitching club had about 40 members. As of Saturday, there were 108.
The county also recently added lights above the courts, and that’s something that Martone said could help attract a younger crowd to the club as he continues to try and grow its membership. With the lights, the club is tossing around the idea of having leagues on weeknights rather than mornings; that way, people who work can participate with their children.
“We’re getting the word out, and that’s really what we need," he said.
Earlier this year, the club, in conjunction with the Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches tourism office, announced that seven horseshoe pitching tournaments would be coming to town through 2015.
The Flagler County Horseshoe Pitching Club meets 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the courts, 1250 S. Old Dixie Highway. Anyone is invited.
For more information, email Martone at [email protected].
