Everyday, St. Pete is shufflin’. Pucks that is. Today 1,200+ local residents are active members of what is known as the largest and oldest shuffleboard club in the world.
The Club remains central to St. Pete. In fact, this Saturday, the club is featuring Cocktails on the Court hosted by the Museum of History in honor of their Vintage Florida Celebration.
Bringing back excitement and pride in a sport and hobby that has been underestimated, the St. Pete Shuffleboard Club offers the community more than just a 52-ft court to play on.
Since its establishment in 1924, the club has not only become a local staple for families and advocacy groups, but a place to build connections. After catching the eye of The Artillery, a young local artists group in 2005, the past time grew in popularity.
How it started 👟
While the game of shuffleboard arrived in St. Pete area in 1923, it took a year for residents to get hooked. In 1924, six local enthusiasts started the St. Petersburg Mirror Lake Park Shuffleboard Club — the world’s first exclusive club.
After its first tournament, the club gained an influx of new members, which of course demanded new courts to be added. At its peak, the club recorded having up to 5,000 active members at one point in 1963, according to Flamingo Magazine.
How it’s going 🏅
Though a drop in shuffleboard fans brought a decline in memberships, the club’s doors have remained open as they’ve served the community in different capacities — hosting community wide events as an activities center, and with old Florida weddings.
Today, more and more families and younger folks are spending their free time at the courts, and love of the sport continues to grow in the Tampa Bay area, with even new courts like Shuffle, the Heights Shuffleboard Society popping up.
Members of the club can play any time throughout the week from 5 a.m. to midnight. They also offer free admission for children. Any non-members can pay $10 for a visit. Pro tip, on Fridays you can play for free with a donation.
You game? Join the club, Tampa Bay.