History of Shuffleboard
By
Grace Rohde
By
Grace Rohde
Shuffleboard was once called shovelboard where the disc was shoved by either some kind of device or by hand on a board, table, or outdoor surface. It also became a popular board game, using a coin or a disc, by the aristocracy in England just around the 15th century. Another name for shuffleboard was shovegroat or slide-groat. A groat is an old British coin. Later shuffleboard became a deck game for travelers on ocean liners and now on some cruises.
Is was around 1913 when shuffleboard, played on courts, was introduced in the United States in Daytona Beach, Florida. The game became very popular and spread throughout the United States with each area having their own rules to play by. It was not until about 1924 in St. Petersburg, Florida where the modern rules of shuffleboard were made more uniform. These rules were later adopted by the National Shuffleboard Association, which defined the shape and size of the courts, the discs, and the methods of playing and scoring. At On Top Of The World, we play by the official rules of the Florida Shuffleboard Association.
At On Top Of The World, Shuffleboard first began at the May 19, 1986 organizational meeting. Fifty-five people met with Ken Colen to discuss the possibility of forming a Shuffleboard Club and providing a location and equipment for members to enjoy playing the game. A president, vice president, secretary and treasurer were elected at that time.
Plans were finalized at the September 8th meeting with the establishing of teams on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Team captains and co-captains were also selected. By the middle of September 1986 shuffleboard team playing became a reality.
Looking back, there was one pioneer club member who stood out among all of the other by working relentlessly at whatever projects or tasks were to get the Shuffleboard Club started. This member was Jack Huard, who later became affectionately known by club members as "Mr. Shuffleboard". Jack was not only vice president of the club, but he also served as a shuffleboard instructor and tournament director.
At the entrance of the shuffleboard courts is a beautiful magnolia tree with a bronze plaque denoting the tree was planted in honor of Jack Huard.
With over 100 people in attendance, a formal ceremony was held November 2, 1991 for dedication of the tree and plaque in Jack Huard's name. "Tribute was paid to Jack for all of his fine qualities, and his contributions to the Shuffleboard Club were detailed.
Enclosed in glass is the display case near the sidewalk of the shuffleboard courts, is a plaque entitles "Jack Huard Memorial Championship Tournament". This plaque designates all of the winners and runners-up in the Jack Huard Tournaments, which have been held nearly every year in March in his honor since 1991.
Is was around 1913 when shuffleboard, played on courts, was introduced in the United States in Daytona Beach, Florida. The game became very popular and spread throughout the United States with each area having their own rules to play by. It was not until about 1924 in St. Petersburg, Florida where the modern rules of shuffleboard were made more uniform. These rules were later adopted by the National Shuffleboard Association, which defined the shape and size of the courts, the discs, and the methods of playing and scoring. At On Top Of The World, we play by the official rules of the Florida Shuffleboard Association.
At On Top Of The World, Shuffleboard first began at the May 19, 1986 organizational meeting. Fifty-five people met with Ken Colen to discuss the possibility of forming a Shuffleboard Club and providing a location and equipment for members to enjoy playing the game. A president, vice president, secretary and treasurer were elected at that time.
Plans were finalized at the September 8th meeting with the establishing of teams on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Team captains and co-captains were also selected. By the middle of September 1986 shuffleboard team playing became a reality.
Looking back, there was one pioneer club member who stood out among all of the other by working relentlessly at whatever projects or tasks were to get the Shuffleboard Club started. This member was Jack Huard, who later became affectionately known by club members as "Mr. Shuffleboard". Jack was not only vice president of the club, but he also served as a shuffleboard instructor and tournament director.
At the entrance of the shuffleboard courts is a beautiful magnolia tree with a bronze plaque denoting the tree was planted in honor of Jack Huard.
With over 100 people in attendance, a formal ceremony was held November 2, 1991 for dedication of the tree and plaque in Jack Huard's name. "Tribute was paid to Jack for all of his fine qualities, and his contributions to the Shuffleboard Club were detailed.
Enclosed in glass is the display case near the sidewalk of the shuffleboard courts, is a plaque entitles "Jack Huard Memorial Championship Tournament". This plaque designates all of the winners and runners-up in the Jack Huard Tournaments, which have been held nearly every year in March in his honor since 1991.