President Clarence Wright accepts the Downings into the FSA HALL OF FAME.

Buzz and Betty Downing were inductid into the Florida Shuffleboard Association “Hall of Fame”, Special Awardw Category, on January 17th, at the HOF Banquet in Sarasota, FL.  Buzz and Betty met at a New Years Eve dance while in High School, became instant sweethearts, and decided to spend the rest of their lives together!! They married and moved to the farm.  Working on the farm in Michigan allowed them to get away for a few months during the winter. In 1969 they headed for Florida and Buzz soon found park shuffleboard to his liking and it wasn’t long before he became involved in tournaments. Always one to keep busy, he got involved in helping the tournament director by calling blocks.  Buzz’s involvement increased and it was not long before he realized that he liked helping the tournament director more than playing!!  As he was a man who knew what he wanted, this is precisely what he did.  Betty started working on charts in 1986 and took up directing tournaments in the Southwest Coast District~~was so well thought of that she was invited to direct tournaments in the West Coast District~~along with her faithful helper Buzz.  Betty conducted a tournament director school for the District on two occasions.  She has directed two Pro “Masters” tournaments, a Florida State Singles Championship as well as numerous State tournaments. Betty and Buzz are so well thought of that special arrangements are made for them to direct the summer Nationals at Lakeside, OH each year. Buzz has referred several Pro “Masters” and teaches referee school, always willing to answer questions about the game he loves. They have one son Mike, who with wife Char have a daughter Jenn who has Grandma and Grandpa wrapped around her little finger. Congratulations Buzz and Betty!!!! YOUR EXAMPLE SHINES FOR OTHERS!!