FRED L. SMITH SR Dimondale, MI Fred was a charter member of the Dimondale horseshoe club. This club organized in 1963, six years later in 1969 saw Fred serving as president negotiated with Jim Davis president of the Chief Okemos Sportsman Club an arrangement for the Dimondale club to merge with Chief Okemos into on organization.He won class EE in the state tournament in 1965 and class F in 1971 Fred attended many world tournament and was a delegate to the national convention. Fred served four years as the WSHPA president 1973-76. He, Duane Gillin and Merv Lichty of Canada formed the Friendship tournament. The first tournament was held in Lake Orion, MI. Fred organized a horseshoe pitching league at Ray's Recreation near Dimondale. One year a part of the state championships were held in this indoor facility because of rain. Fred was very much involved in bringing a world tournament to Michigan. Plans started in 1974 hoping to have the world tournament in the Lansing area. Maybe sponsored by Oldsmobile or the UAW but the deal failed due to the economic crunch. Fred was a hard worker and a dedicated pitcher. Fred has that horseshoes is a family affair. His three sons Fred Jr., Norman and Bill pitched as youngsters and Fred Sr. insured they pitched in several world tournaments. |