BERNICE BUSCH - NANAIMO
2002 Inductee

Bernice's Accomplishments:
Bernice Busch has been a top player in the sport of Horseshoe Pitching since 1987. She has been a well-respected opponent throughout her pitching career and has played with grace and dignity at every event she has participated in

Bernice and Lou Busch met at the tender age of eight when they were in grade four. They were married in 1961. As an interesting anecdote, two of Bernice's sisters married two of Lou's brothers. Bernice was the sixth child of eight in her family of four girls and four boys. She and Lou had three sons, Arnie, Brian and Darren and five grandchildren, Raelynn, Jessie, Michael, Nicholas and Jesstine.

Bernice started pitching horseshoes in Edson, Alberta in the early 1980's where she won ten trophies and in 1983 she won the Ladies A Doubles in Hinton, Alberta.

In 1987 the Busch family moved to Nanaimo, B.C. where they joined the Ladysmith Horseshoe Club. Bernice was later instrumental in starting the Nanaimo Horseshoe Club. Bernice also excelled in both 5 and 10 pin bowling garnering several trophies in that sport as well.

The tournament record of Bernice is outstanding.
Winning the B.C. International Ladies Championship Class in 2000
The Island Championship Class 1993-1996, 1998 and 2000
B.C. Summer Games Championship Class for the Gold Medal 1993-1995
B.C. Ladies Champion 1987, 1993-1994, 1996, 1998 and 2000
Canadian Ladies Champion 1996 and 2000, finished 2nd in 1998

Bernice was still looking to take the Championships in the Western Canada Classic, coming a close 2nd and the World Tournament, playing in 1997 in the B division and in the A division in 2000.

Bernice was a professional both on and off the courts. Whether playing in the backyard or at a World Championship, for Bernice it was always about the fun, the camaraderie, and helping out her fellow pitchers. Bernice was a great coach, and always took the time to give out a few pointers on how to get the best out of a player. She wasn't often wrong.

Bernice was sidelined with a broken leg in 2000 and as a result, cancer was discovered. She fought a hard fight and again, as was her way, Bernice had a positive attitude to the end. She lost her battle on February 18, 2002. Her passing will leave the sport of horseshoe pitching with some very large shoes to fill. Bernice left friends from coast to coast not only in Canada but also across the United States. She made friends wherever she travelled and those friends where blessed to have known her. She will be missed.




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