October7,2012

Lockport Horseshoe Courts & League

It was Joe Dean who first organized the Lockport Horseshoe League in the 1930's. It is in his honor that this splendid facility is known as the Joe Dean Memorial Courts.

Lockport has 15 blue clay courts with lights located in Outwater Park in the North section of Lockport.

The first organized women's league in the United States was organized by the men in Lockport in 1959 and the ladies had as high 60 ladies pitching each summer until 1995 when it combined with the men and is now a mixed league with 12 – 5 player teams pitching Mon. and Tue. evenings. The courts are available to the public when not in use by the leagues.

The Lockport leagues hosted 4 N.Y. State Tournaments and 2 Eastern Nationals in the 1960 and 70's. These courts were the home courts of Lorraine Thomas and Ruth Hangen two former Women's World Champions. Lorraine won the championship in 1968 and 1974. Ruth won in 1970-1974 and 1976. Lorraine was 2^nd each year Ruth won. Lockport was proud of having 1st and 2^nd in the World Tournament in their league.

Lorraine and Ruth dominated NY State championships winning all titles between them from 1963-1991 except 1979 when Fran Carnahan won the state title.

Edith Werth was also a member of the league and was usually #3 in the 60's.

One WT we had 3 players from our league in Women's Class A.

Robert Jones won the Men's State Championship in 2002

Respectfully submitted,

Paul Thomas

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