He’s a ringer

By EASportsToday.com
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Updated: July 29, 2016

Mangum makes a pitch for championship as the World Horseshoe Tournament comes to Alabama for the first time

Don Mangum (R) practices horseshoes in the yard with Andrew Brooks. “Every time I miss, Andrew hits me with a golf club,” Mangum said.

By Al Muskewitz
East Alabama Sports Today

Don Mangum has gotten pretty good at backyard horseshoes over the years, but he never had competed in the sport on an organized level before this year.

Turns out, the Wellington senior is pretty good in that, too.

Mangum is both excited and nervous as he heads into his first NHPA World Horseshoe Tournament next week in Montgomery. The event has been going on since early this week, but his division doesn’t get underway at the Cramton Bowl until Monday.

“I’m real excited,” said Mangum, a retired machinist who celebrated his 71st birthday Thursday. “I’ve played horseshoes off and on all my life, but this is first year in competition.

“I don’t know how to say it; it’s probably like playing in the World Series in ball or something like that. It’s really exciting. I probably won’t sleep none Sunday night.”

Mangum is the only Calhoun County pitcher in the tournament. Weaver’s Orville McElroy, his mentor in the sport, was forced to withdraw from what would have been his 12th appearance in the World Tournament due to injuries sustained in a recent car wreck. His division started Friday.

“I can’t express how derailed I am about it,” McElroy said.

But Mangum won’t be completely without his lifelong friend’s influence. He’s taking McElroy’s set of shoes as his extra set.

“He said it’s a whole new game when you get down there,” Mangum said. “There will be a lot more intensity, people throwing all around you and noise going on. He said take a deep breath and do what I ordinarily do. He’s a good one to listen to. He’s got some good advice.”

To qualify for the tournament all Mangum had to do was compete in several state tournaments. He has won three times this year, finished second in “one or two” others and finished third in the state doubles with Joan Garrison.

He is currently fourth in the state in ringer percentage in his elder division and is seeded 10th in his flight. He started the year with a 35-percent ringer rate and is now close to 60. McElroy believes Mangum will win his flight and advance to the next stage later in the week.

“If he’s on, he can shoot 10 percent above his average,” McElroy said. “I’m pulling for him. He’s a natural pitcher. He can wear me out right now. He’s a good ’un.”