Howard Weitzel's been pitching horseshoes since he was just a kid growing up on his dad's farm in Edam and 80 years later he's still going.
When he was 14 he started playing against men at picnics and just kept getting better. Weitzel's top notch play gave him the opportunity to travel throughout North America for competitions. He's been to New York, Ohio, Mississippi, Montana, Minnesota and all over Saskatchewan.
He competed in the world championships 13 years in a row. He won the tournament in Minnesota.
"Horseshoes don't pay big money, but it was just the love of the sport. I say people have to love the sport to play," Weitzel said.
Even though he didn't make big money playing horseshoes, he enjoyed some perks. His travels were paid for by Sask Sport. They covered his flight, food and hotel room when he attended the competitions.
"I was a good player, I guess. Some of them would say, 'Well how come you get to go?' Well, I said, 'I earned it.'"
Now living in North Battleford, Weitzel's age is starting to catch up to him a bit. He said this might be his last summer of horseshoes. He still gives it his all, beating players much younger than he, proving experience can't be overlooked.
Age is just a minor obstacle for Weitzel. He's already overcome three types of cancers. He underwent an operation to treat bowel cancer. Not long after, doctors discovered he also had liver cancer. Because he was so thin from the previous cancer treatment he was sent home to get stronger before he underwent treatment again. When Weitzel went back, the doctors couldn't find any sign of the tumour on his liver. He was given only two or three years to live at the time, that was 26 years ago.
Five years ago he was fighting a familiar fight. He had to get tumours removed from his bladder, but he wasn't about to let that slow him down.
"I pulled through that and they said everything looked good, so I was back playing horseshoes," Weitzel said.
With his medical problems in the past, Weitzel's feeling pretty good now. He says he gets tired now and then but it sure doesn't show when he's pitching shoes. Just last weekend he competed in the Western Classic Horseshoe Championship in North Battleford. Weitzel finished in second place in the Elders' A division.
"I knew the one guy from Alberta, he never could beat me in the 40 foot, eh? But he's getting even with me now when I'm 91," he said.
After a tiring 10 games on the weekend, Weitzel isn't taking much down time. He's considering attending another tournament this weekend in Manitou, Man.
"I'll probably be silly and go, I hope to get limbered up by then," Weitzel said.
He was one of 48 players who competed over the weekend, enjoying the gorgeous weather.
Saskatchewan beat Alberta in Friday night's team challenge. The tournament also had some great performances from some other North Battleford players.
Clarence Drescher won the Elders' E division. Vern Bannerman placed fourth in the Elders' A competition. Peter Dudek finished fourth in Elders' D. Frank Ironstand and William Wintonyk came fourth and fifth respectively in the Elders' E division. Marg Kemp was second best in Ladies' C and Doreen Dudek finished second in Ladies' D.
It was the first time the championship was hosted in the Battlefords and the club couldn't have asked for a better weekend.
