2011 State Championship Tournament

Hi Everyone - Are you reeeeeady for some horseshoooooes?????

I am sure most everyone has heard that Lebanon, MO has been selected as the site of the 2011 state tournament. The event will be hosted by the Lebanon Convention and Visitor Bureau, Lebanon; Pitcher’s Paradise Horseshoe Club, Marshfield; Doling Park Horseshoe Club, Springfield; and ‘The Pits’ Horseshoe Club, Sunrise Beach. This combined effort should bring you the best state tournament ever and it’s all inside in air conditioned comfort. Virtually all the hotels, restaurants and shopping areas are within two miles of the Cowan Civic Center.

The Cowan Center houses a large exhibit area which will contain the 32 portable courts. In addition, there is a theatre and several meeting rooms and it is home to the Lebanon YMCA which offers a gymnasium, swimming pool and exercise area. There may be some individual costs to utilize the YMCA areas and we are still working on the details. The general membership meeting, Friday night, and Awards dinner, Saturday night, will be held in the Cowan Center on the same level as the courts. There’s lots of parking and concessions will be available each day of the tournament. Yes, there will be adult beverages available, but they will not be allowed on the courts.

The main lobby area, entered from the back side of the building where most parking is available, will contain the check-in area, concession and eating/visiting area, souvenir sales, game related sales and a designated area for the awards presentations. Water fountains and restrooms are located throughout the arena area and there will be water jugs placed in areas convenient to the pits. Except for special needs foods and drink, coolers and outside food will not be permitted.

The host hotel will be the Super 8 Motel, 417-588-2574, located at I-44, exit 127, (West Elm St). Rate $57/Single, $64/Double. A sister hotel, the Best Western Wyota Inn, 417-532-6171, is located near I-44, exit 130, (East Elm St) and the rates are the same. There are other hotels near each of these facilities with rates lower and higher. You might consider the Monger-Moss Motel which is older and has a Rte 66 era motif. It’s also at exit 130. All have restaurants nearby. The Bennett Spring area has lodging but we encourage you to utilize the two primary hotels since they are supporting our event.

Interested in RV parking? There’s lots of it in the Lebanon area. Happy Trails RV Park, 417-532-3422, a Good Sam Park, is adjacent to I-44 @ exit 123. They have all the amenities, including horseshoe courts. They really want our business. It’s only five miles from the Cowan Center. Bennett Spring State Park, a great camping and regional recreation area, is only 12 miles away and there are several RV parks in the vicinity. Call the park at 417-532-4338 for more information. Rates range from $13-$26. The park is a popular camping location so you should get your reservations early. For park lodging call 417-532-4307. Nearby is the Bennett Spring Inn, 417-588-9110 and One Eyed Willy’s, 417-993-2628.

The Lebanon area offers a wide variety of recreation and sightseeing opportunities for families and individuals. Be sure to take advantage of them while you are attending and participating in the State Championship tournament.

Concerned about distance? The following mileage chart is provided to Lebanon:
Kansas City - 176
Hannibal - 189
St Louis - 163
Cape Girardeau - 218
Springfield - 55
St Joseph - 228
Joplin - 122
Jefferson City - 84
Columbia - 114
An excursion to Branson is only 88 miles away.

This year the tournament is centrally located and convenient to everyone in the state. Let’s make this tournament the biggest one ever!

Remember to order your awards dinner tickets early - you’ll love it, and it’s the perfect opportunity to personally recognize last year’s and this year’s honorees.

There has been a new button added on the MOHPA web site for the tournament. We will be adding more detailed information such as pricing, amenities, locations, hotel rates and shopping suggestions as planning is finalized throughout the year. Expect another update in the May Shoe Biz but periodically check www.mohpa.us. You can also review these SHOE BIZ update articles there.

Ad sales have already begun in the Lebanon area and we have the full support of the Director of Tourism and Marketing, Gail Bryant. Her efforts got sales off to a brisk start and we hope to have most of the sales work done by March 2011. We are currently accepting ads. If you are interested please call or email one of the contacts listed below. Ad prices are as follows:
biz card (10/page) $25, ¼ page $100, ½ page $175, and a full page is only $300.
Ad sales will be terminated by 31 May to prepare the program for publication. We need your support to make this an event to remember. We will be calling all the purchasers of 2010 ads but it’s OK to take the initiative and get your ad today.

If you have any suggestions or questions please give us a call.
Jim Bainter - Event Coordinator - 816-918-6789 - jbainter@charter.net
Marshel Keith - Pitcher’s Paradise HC President - 417-844-0603 - keith_freda@yahoo.com
Jim Caulfield - Pitcher’s Paradise HC - 417-872-6766
Ed Eliason - Doling Park HC President - 417-869-4823 - eeli488227@aol.com
Bob Bastel - MOHPA Regional Director - 573-378-3430