08/14/2026
Here is a letter submitted by Ken Dombrowski to the Finger Lakes Time regarding the demise of the Waterloo Ringers courts. The paper saw fit to publish it.
LETTER: Decades of horseshoe pitching comes to a bitter end
Aug 7, 2026 Updated Aug 11, 2026
To the Editor:
Around 1991, four local men established the Waterloo Ringers horseshoe club. They made yearly agreements with the Waterloo Sportsmen Club for use of land, utilities, etc. These agreements were always fair and reasonable. The Waterloo Ringers installed 22 horseshoe courts, fencing, lighting, and many other improvements. The most recent improvement being LED lighting.
New officers were voted in [to the sportsman's club] three years ago or so. This year these officers wrote up a new agreement which stated, “NO OUTSIDE BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED TO BE ON CLUB PROPERTY, EVEN IN PARTICIPANTS AND/OR SPECTATORS VEHICLES!! NO EXCEPTIONS!!!” The secretary of the Sportsmen Club said this was always a rule, but never enforced. We could not find such a rule in the old agreements. The Waterloo Ringers could not sign this new agreement as it is impossible to enforce.
After the secretary heard this, she informed the Waterloo Ringers that they had 10 days to remove their property and vacate the premises. She also said only three particular horseshoe pitchers could come on the property. ALL OTHER WATERLOO RINGERS WERE BANNED! She offered no negotiations, just GET OUT!
The three people the secretary allowed on the premises, two men are over 80 and the other in his 70s. How much property are they going to remove in 10 days in 90-degree weather? Not much, quite an impossible task! The Sportsmen Club then destroyed or kept what these men could not remove. Very sad!
Two members of the Waterloo Ringers were also members of the Sportsmen Club. Both of these men have also been banned from The Club. One of the men was a lifetime member, but not now. The secretary stated that they were liabilities. I think she has things backwards.
After over 30 years of pitching horseshoes here, it comes down to not being able to bring a bottle of water on to the property. Ridiculous! Good management!
In conclusion, the Waterloo Ringers had to cancel two big tournaments in June because of this ridiculous rule! When the secretary was approached about this, she said, “I didn’t cancel them, you did.” Very rude! Also the New York State Tournament was scheduled here for Labor Day weekend but not now. Much revenue has been lost for the community as in restaurants, motels, etc.
Maybe the Club had a legal right to do what they did, but was it morally right? You tell me!
KENNETH H. DOMBROSKI
Expelled club member
