It is an honour for me to present Douglas and Margaret Mowat, of High River, Alberta, for induction into the CNSA Hall of Fame, Special Awards Category.
This couple has been involved in the game of shuffleboard for over 25 years. They have represented Canada at the international level in Brazil, Lakeside, Ohio, and Seattle, Washington. They have played in the IP in Innisfail, Alberta, and were scheduled to play in New Brunswick in 2013, but those hopes were washed away as a result of the disastrous flood that swept through southern Alberta in the spring of 2013.
Doug and Marg were part of the group who brought shuffleboard to High River, Alberta, and the formation of the Foothills Shuffleboard Association (FSA). Both served as Directors of FSA. Margaret gave strategy lessons to both new and seasoned players at FSA. Because of health issues, Doug resigned a couple of years ago, and Margaret served as Secretary of FSA until the flood of 2013 when she found it impossible to work through their personal flood issues, and continue to act as FSA Secretary through the turmoil that Club faced following the flood.
The Mowats played major roles in the shuffleboard club at the resort where they winter in Arizona, and as a result of those volunteer efforts, were awarded the “Hall of Fame” distinction there. They formed the “Gypsy” shuffleboard team that has competed in Hemet, California, for the past dozen years. Hemet is home to a major team competition at the end of March every year, and the Gypsies won the event two years in a row.
Despite advanced age, (Marg is 82 and Doug will be 88 years of age on April 29th) and some major health setbacks, they continue to winter in Arizona and play competitively there. You’ve heard the phrase, “beware of little old ladies and little old men on the shuffleboard courts”. Well, when you’ve faced a game against either of these two people, you appreciate those words more than ever.
They are well known and respected in the shuffleboard communities in southern Alberta and in Arizona. They love the game, and are great promoters of it, even now.
I give you Douglas and Margaret Mowat for induction into the Canadian National Shuffleboard Association HOF, Special Awards Category.
Nominated by Ken Wardley and presented by Brian Scott. 2015 07 24. (Goderich, ON)
