Orange Blossom Classic on tap

One of the oldest and most prestigious shuffleboard tournaments in the Sunshine State will begin today and run through Wednesday.

The Orange Blossom Classic has attracted the top shufflers to the Heartland area for many, many years, but this year's event has an added importance with a record of approximately $6,000 in prize money expected to be given out to the winning participants.

The Sebring Recreation Club, which is located behind the Sebring Police Department, is the site of all the tournament shuffleboard activity.

The Sebring Recreation Club has year-round activities and the busy venue will host four state, four county and six Central Florida District Shuffleboard tournaments in 2010.

The dues to join the Sebring Recreation Club are only $25 for a year, which runs from November to October.

The Orange Blossom Classic is open to members of the Florida Shuffleboard Association affiliates, such as the Sebring Recreation Club and the Avon Park Recreation Club and memberships are available.

The Orange Blossom Classic is for professional shufflers, but amateurs can compete, and going up against the pros can be both exciting and educational.

There are two categories in which to compete: men's doubles and women's doubles and you must bring your own partner to the three-day event.

Local expert shuffler Pat Dell has won several shuffleboard tournaments and is excited about the upcoming Orange Blossom Classic.

"The Orange Blossom Classic is one of the oldest and most prestigious shuffleboard tournaments in the entire state of Florida," he said. "The spotlight is going to be on Sebring and shufflers from Canada and some of our winter-seasonal residents are making plans to be here to compete.

"This is going to be a great event because it's attracted the top shufflers who will compete for the largest prize money in the tournament's history and it will also boost our local economy."

The sport of shuffleboard, which is a great way to get some physical exercise and activity, will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2013 and "baby boomers" are just being introduced to the sport that is a combination of bowling, billiards, golf and chess.

The Orange Blossom Classic is only able to offer such a large amount of prize money because of the very generous support from the local community.

"We can't thank our local sponsors enough," Dell said. "Because of their generosity, this is going to be an outstanding event that will benefit our community."

For more information on shuffleboard or to join the Florida Shuffleboard Association, contact Sebring Shuffleboard Chairman John Bushee at 863-385-2966.