On July 8, 2023, the Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association held their Memorial Horseshoe Tournament at Kemper Williams Park in Patterson. Participants from various hometowns competed fiercely, with the following standout performers:
Class A winners were Tim Gilmore (1st place) from Bayou Vista with a 4-1 record and 61.5% ringer, Clyde Landry (2nd place) from Pierre Part with a 3-2 record and 44.5% ringer, and Ricky Richard (3rd place) from Church Point with a 3-2 record and 39.5% ringer. Gilmore was named the Tournament Champion.
In Class B, Jim Guzdial from Patterson claimed first place with a 5-1 win-loss record and 25% ringer percentage, followed by Larry Pertuit from Marrero with a 4-2 record and 30.4% ringer. Danny Navarre from Carlyss secured third place with a 3-2 record and a 33.5 ringer percentage. Guzdial emerged as the Class winner after defeating Pertuit in a nail-biting 40-shoe playoff game.
Glen Caillouet from Raceland topped Class C with a 4-1 record and a 20.5% ringer rate, closely followed by Travis Bourdier of Patterson who secured second place with a unique score of 3½ -1½ wins and losses, as well as an impressive 33.5% ringer rate. Randy Giroir took home third place with a successful tournament result boasting a score of 3-2 and a ringer rate of of 22.5%.
Linda Dodson dominated Class D sporting an unbeaten record (5-0) and a ringer rate of 25.5%, followed by Tyler Bourdier in second place with a 3-2 record and 22% ringer rate, and Charles Benoit rounding off the top three with another 3-2 record and an identical 22% ringer rate.
Finally, Warren Raymond from Patterson reigned supreme in Class E by achieving his first-ever singles class title with an unbeaten streak (5-0) and a 14.4% ringer percentage. Joe Primeaux from Broussard came in second, while Ricky Pitre of Chauvin settled for the third spot.
Funds raised from the tournament will be sent to the National Horseshoe Pitchers Foundation (NHPF Hall of Fame, Wentzville. Mo.) in memory of deceased members of the Bayou Horseshoe Pitchers Association.
