The Beginning

The Pennsylvania Horseshoe Pitchers Association was organized in 1927, and the elected officers were: President, First Vice-President, Second Vice-President, Commissioner, and Secretary-Treasurer.

From 1921 and up to 1954 some of the Pennsylvania State Tournaments were held at the Pennsylvania State Farm Show at Harrisburg. There were not NHPA sanctioned tournaments. Some of the Farm Show winners where John Fulton of Carlisle, Rudolph Bourret of Ruffdale, and Ed Mayes. John Fulton won four of these tournaments. Fulton won in 1940 with a 4-0 record. In 1947 and 1951 he won with 2-0 records.

In 1921, F.C. Newcomer of Uniontown is listed as the State Champion, and by all known records is the first Pennsylvania State Champion. Roy Fournier won the title in 1922. These tournaments are probable farm show events.

The first NHPA sanctioned Pennsylvania State Tournament was held at New Brighton in 1927. The winner was Mervin George of Jackson Center.