Ringerpalooza 2012

Despite a gloomy forecast that called for a monsoon, hail and thunderstorms, the 4th annual Washers Tourney, Ringerpalooza 2012, went off without a hitch Saturday in Pine Bluff, USA on the fields at Morgan’s Bar and Grill.

2011 champion Fred Heffling became the first back-to-back champion, teaming with Doug “Club Doug” Hentsch to form “Nuthin But Pipe”, and they took home the first place cash with a thrilling best of three championship match over the ‘Eh Holes”, Kurt Peterson and Andy Berens, winning the last two games with clutch performances by both players, most notably “Freddy P.”

Nuthin But Pipe finished 5-2 overall, needing to win both of the last two games after getting smoked by the ‘Eh Holes in the first game of the Championship best-of-three match.

An unpecendeted 7 point play (2 ringers and a single) on a single turn midway through the second game by Freddy P, turned the tide, however, and then Heffling added game winning ringers in both games of the last two games to close out the match. Hentsch, quiet for the first two games of the match, came alive in the final game with three ringers and was a key factor in deciding the outcome. It was a complete team effort from Nuthin But Pipe, an absolute requirement against the likes of the ‘Eh Holes.

Team Bomzo, led by the uncanny tossing efforts of Rockin’ Rob Lela and Katie Lindquist, grabbed third place by battling back through the Loser’s bracket in the double elimination format. Lindquist, a rookie, wowed the huge crowd with a never-before-seen toss dubbed “The Vertical Taco” by Reverend Big Bass.

Special thanks to all 20 players that participated in this year’s event, who all contributed to finishing the half barrel and wrappping things up by 6pm. And a big shout out to Cyndi Heffling who generously devoted her time and culinary skills with a healthy dose of biscuits and gravy for the much needed base before the activities got underway.

Here’s the official list of teams and participants:

“Nuthin But Net” – Doug Hentsch and Fred Heffling – 1st place
“‘Eh Holes” – Andy Berens and Kurt Peterson – 2nd place
“Team Bonzo” – Rob Lela and Katie Lindquist – 3rd place
“Scoregasms” – Kelsey Rudd and Freddy Wenzel
“”A” Team” – Arnie Foster and Andrew Heffling
“Allied Van Lines” – Don Leaser and Kevin Pachucki
“Soggy Bottom Boys” – Brad Burdette and Nat Dietz
“The Manholes” – Tom Raemisch and Pat Heffling
“Washed Up” – Ron Schultz and Chris Rockwell
“The Finishers” – Jerry Foster and Bill Schrum

Kudos and thanks to Tom Zabrowski, Cassie and Katie, and everyone at Morgan’s Bar and Grill, and to Madison Top for the great T-shirt design. Thanks again everybody, see you again next year!

And For What