Vintage

• 2009 Combined Locks Tournament Results - January.05.10
• 2008 Mid-Eastern Open/Lox Classic Results - July.28.08
• 2007 Mid-Eastern Open/Lox Classic Results - July.16.07

Court Location: Jerry Kamps Bar, 303 Williams St, Combined Locks WI 54113
Phone: 920-788-9945

Court Description: 8 outdoor covered clay courts

Contact: Rosemary Kamps, Phone: 920-788-3229

Combined Locks may very well be one of the older established clubs in the WHPA. Although the Combined Locks Club began in 1967, horseshoe pitching actually began in 1960 on one sand court at Jerry Kamps’ Bar. Bob Vanden Boogart, Robert Laha, Bob Lamers, Jerry Kamps and John Rietveld were the organizers of this club. More courts were added over the years, until the present eight clay courts were established. In 1971, a steel roof was installed over the courts and they were renamed Kamps Kovered Kourts. This was a major perk, as there were no more league or tournament rainouts. Over time, additional improvements, such as concrete walkways and a chain link fence, were added.

In 2007, President Bill Matey, Secretary-Treasurer Ray Schommer and Recording Secretary Rosemary Kamps are the club’s leaders. The courts are used Monday through Thursday with a variety of games, including mixed couples count-all, senior couple count-all, twelve Men’s teams playing 50 shoe count-all, and eighteen teams playing three games of count-all.

There are currently about 135 adult pitchers, but no juniors (yet). After each league completes their play, the players meander inside the bar to discuss their game, good and bad, over a few glasses of beer. Each week, the pitchers return for another round of horseshoes, beer and the exquisite camaraderie everyone enjoys.

Each July, the club hosts a sanctioned tournament called the “Mid East Open,” first held in 1965. John Rietveld, who was the tournament director for 30 years, turned this event over to Rosemary Kamps. This tournament has drawn quality horseshoe pitchers from all over the state: Tommy Bartlen, Ed Schimek, Wally Saeger, Carl Joppe, Bill Glass, Ralph Maylahn, Don Kangas, Gert Wilcziek, Mer Sorenson, Phyllis Davids, Al Seemann, Al Leintz. The Combined Locks club also hosted the Wisconsin State Tournament five times in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

The club also boasts of five WHPA Hall of Fame members: Jerry Kamps, Cy and Wally Srenaski, Bob Phelan, and Ann Opsteen, who in 1983 was the very first woman inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Thanks to Combined Locks Club Historian Gene Mason, aka "Mr. Horseshoe," who sent the Newsletter many pages of information about horseshoes at Kamp's Kourts.