19th Annual Mixed Doubles
Ernie’s Fir Cone
Shelton, WA
By Arnold Rimmer

On a cold rainy weekend in Western Washington, barely one week after the NASC in Reno a band of weary shuffleboard warriors gathered at Ernie’s Fir Cone to do battle and lay claim to the Mixed Doubles Title. But, it almost didn’t happen. While the NASC was taking place in Reno, Western Washington was under siege from the worst storm to hit the area in 50 years. So much rain had fallen in such a short time that the governor declared a state of emergency. Flights from Reno were delayed up to a minimum of three hours, sparking fears that there could be stranded shuffleboard players, and the turn out at Ernie’s would be really small.

Come on, did you really think that 10 days of doing nothing but playing shuffleboard and a natural disaster would stop the faithful from showing up at Ernie’s? Some players had to make multiple stops and finally cruse into Sea-Tac on a puddle jumper with only nine seats. The show must go on.

The show did go on, everyone that’s anyone in Western Washington was at Ernie’s Fir Cone. What a turn out. It was tremendous to see so many great players doing what ever it took to be there. You could tell that the players were tired, worn-out, and waterlogged by their demeanor and sluggishness between matches, but while they were playing you would have thought that this was their first time, what enthusiasm and excitement. All the participants will tell you that this was the most fun they had playing shuffleboard in a long time, if you missed it - shame on you.

Due to all the dedicated shuffleboard players at Ernie’s it was impossible to finish the tournament. Therefore, first place was a split between Claire and Clark Kenney and Jeanette and Mel Hohn. Third place went to the team of Jennifer King and Mike Waters. Penny Jorgensen and Dick Doak from Shelton finished in fourth place. Fifth place was a tie between Tim and Sharon Nugent and the team of Frank and Carolyn Floyd.

Ernie would like thank the multitude of players and the Shelton Shuffleboard Community for their tireless support. The next tournament at Ernie’s Fir Cone will be the Washington State Tournament on December 7 thru 10, 2006. For more info contact Ernie at 360-426-2221.