• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2023
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices
    • Browse Notices
    • Place Notices

Joan Cook on doorstep of 1,000 points

September 25, 2011 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

In the Florida Shuffleboard Association’s (FSA) 83-year history, only one woman has ever scored 1,000 career points. Zephyrhills resident Joan Cook plans to soon make it two.

Cook has amassed 895 points since she started playing 16 years ago. Players earn points for finishing near the top of state-sanctioned events and Cook is likely to crack the 1,000-point mark in two years, especially considering how dedicated she is to the game.

“Other than shuffleboard, I don’t do a whole lot,” Cook sad. “It’s my life.”

The Betmar Acres resident takes a break from the sport each summer, but is a regular sight at the RV park’s shuffleboard courts. There is something about the strategy, clanging of the discuses and spirited nature of the game that keeps her coming back.

“I started because I thought I’d be good at it,” Cook said. “As it’s turned out, I have been. I’ve always been competitive, so I want to play something that I can win at. I love sports, and it’s a good way to stay active.”

Cook grew up playing baseball and bowling. She was born in Ontario, Canada and first came to Zephyrhills 25 years ago. She never expected to come anywhere near 1,000 points when she first picked up a shuffleboard cue.

“The goal wasn’t to get to 1,000 points,” Cook said. “It was to get to 200 points to get into the state hall of fame, which I did (in 2003). … There is the social part of it, but mostly I love to win. It certainly isn’t about the money, because it costs more to travel to the tournaments than you can get if you win.”

Cook has played in the state masters tournament, for only the top eight men or women in the state, 10 times and won it three times. She has also claimed eight national and three international championships.

Two of those titles came with Earl Ball, whose 15 national titles are tied for the most all time.

“We won two mixed doubles national championships in Hendersonville, N.C.,” said Ball, who lives in Betmar. “We also won the only two mixed doubles state tournaments two years in a row, and no other team has ever done that. So that makes four state championships. I’d say we were very successful together.

“She’s dead serious and a hard worker,” Ball added. “She expects the very best out of herself. If she isn’t playing well, everyone knows about it too. She doesn’t accept mediocre.”

Ball said Cook has benefited from playing in so many mixed doubles events.

“She comes and plays with and against men often, so her game is tailored to a man’s style of play,” Ball said.

Ball explained women shuffleboard players tend to focus on hitting their opponent’s discus out of the way. Men usually employ several game plans to win, such as setting up blocks or working to put people in the kitchen, the section of the court that deducts 10 points from their score.

“That means she has a lot of different ways to win when she plays against women,” Ball said. “They don’t know what to do when she has more tricks up her sleeve.”

Cook is back on the fast track toward 1,000 points, but personal heartbreak almost derailed her chance. Her husband Richard Cook died in 2009.

“That was the saddest thing that could have happened to me because he was my biggest supporter,” Cook said. “I took a year off after that, or I probably would have already had the 1,000 points.”

Cook said she and her husband played shuffleboard a lot.

“I actually got him into it,” Cook said with a laugh. “I had to teach him how to play. We played as a team together in amateurs and never won anything. He was the typical man doing whatever he wanted on the court. I’d get so mad at him sometimes because we’d have a match won, and then he’d do whatever he wanted, and we’d lose it in the end. He drove me nuts, but as soon as we were off the court, we’d love each other again.”

Once Cook gets to 1,000 points she said her focus will shift toward helping others improve their own shuffleboard game.

“Once I get the 1,000 points, I’ll help people get into the hall of fame,” Cook said. “I’ll team with some of those who are close and try to help them win enough points to make it.”

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Primary Sidebar

Search

Sponsored Content

WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

September 5, 2023 By Mary Rathman

Tampa Bay welcomes WAVE Wellness Center, a state-of-the-art spinal care clinic founded by Dr. Ryan LaChance. WAVE … [Read More...] about WAVE Wellness Center — Tampa Bay’s Most Advanced Upper Cervical Spinal Care

Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

August 29, 2023 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Time is running out on your chance to live at Del Webb Bexley. We’ve built the ideal active adult community to suit your … [Read More...] about Only a Few Homes Remain — It’s Your Final Chance to Build Your Home in Del Webb Bexley

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

09/23/2023 – ‘Pioneer Reunion’

A gathering of Lutz folks, “You Know You Are From Lutz,” is scheduled for Sept. 23 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Old Lutz School House. Guests should bring a chair, a covered dish and a drink (no alcohol). Paper plates and plasticware will be provided. … [Read More...] about 09/23/2023 – ‘Pioneer Reunion’

09/23/2023 – Bavarian Band

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host the Deutschmeister Blas Band on Sept. 23 at 2 p.m., in celebration of Oktoberfest. Band members dress in authentic Lederhosen and Bavarian clothing. The ensemble includes clarinets, trumpets, a baritone trombone, accordion and drums. Admission is free. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. … [Read More...] about 09/23/2023 – Bavarian Band

09/23/2023 – Binoculars and Birds

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host “Binoculars and Birds in the Park” on Sept. 23 at 9 a.m., at Cunningham Park, for all ages. Participants can learn how to use binoculars to identify local bird species from J. Mike Kell of the West Pasco Audubon Society. Bring a notepad and pen/pencil to record findings, as well as water and any other items (sunglasses, hats, sunscreen) needed for the activity. A signed safety waiver is required for everyone, which will be provided at the start of the program. For information, call 727-815-7126. … [Read More...] about 09/23/2023 – Binoculars and Birds

09/23/2023 – Boating Course

America’s Boating Club of Tampa will offer a weekend course on Sept. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Tampa FOP Building, 6912 N. Florida Ave. Saturday’s class will include registration, classroom lectures and simulator exercises. Sunday will include lectures, simulator exercises and Florida State Boating Laws. There also will be a course review on Sunday and a proctored exam. The weekend course is free for active or retired military and first responders. For information, call 813-810-6914. To register, visit TampaPS.org. … [Read More...] about 09/23/2023 – Boating Course

09/23/2023 – Fall Family Fest

The Tampa Bay Mom’s Group will present a Fall Family Festival on Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Water Works Park, 1701 N. Highland Ave., in Tampa. The event will include interactive exhibits, vendors, family resources, games, food trucks, character visits, entertainment, giveaways, and more. The first 100 moms will receive a swag bag. Admission is free. … [Read More...] about 09/23/2023 – Fall Family Fest

09/23/2023 – Girl Scouts Fest

The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida will host its annual Girl Scouts Fest on Sept. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Florida State Fairgrounds. The event is open to all ages and their families. Participants can explore the four program pillars: entrepreneurship, life skills, outdoors and STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). The living history museum, Cracker Country, also will be open and girls will have opportunities to earn Girl Scout badges and patches. There will be more than 50 hands-on activities, including making stress balls, a hockey match, making homemade butter, a photo booth, and more. Admission is $5 per person and includes all activities, a Girl Scout Fest patch and tickets to the Florida Botanical Gardens. Parking is $10 per vehicle. Pre-registration can be done online at EventBrite.com, or at the event. … [Read More...] about 09/23/2023 – Girl Scouts Fest

More of What's Happening

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2023 Community News Publications Inc.

   
%d bloggers like this: