No one stood out more than courageous 73-year-old Guy Tinder on Saturday at the 2002 Kansas State Horseshoe Pitching Championships at Broken Arrow Park.

The 6-foot-7 Leavenworth native, who has had failing health, gripped a cane with his right hand and pitched shoes with his left, serving as an inspiration for all the competitors.

Dennis Voth of Hesston sets up a pitch during the Mens C Class of the Kansas State Horeshoe Pitching Championships. The tournament continues today at Broken Arrow Park.

“I’m kind of down to my last hobby, and this is good exercise,” Tinder said, taking a break between matches.

“I have had a couple of kinds of cancers and back problems and leg problems. I don’t know how I do it. I just gut it out, I guess.”

Tinder, a retired electrician, enjoyed all sports in his younger days, especially basketball, where his height gave him a certain advantage.

He was introduced to horseshoes in 1972.

“I went to the world tournament in 1978,” he said. “It’s kind of like having a little vacation along with doing the sport you like.”

The ghosts of aging have affected Tinder, but can’t keep him from competing.

When his strength began to decline, he started wearing gloves to get a better grip on the shoe.

When his back went sour, he tied a small hook on the bottom of his cane, so he could pick up his shoes without having to bend over.

“I can pick them up with (the cane), and it helps stabilize me when I pitch,” Tinder said, showing off his invention.

Tinder came to Broken Arrow early Saturday morning donning a blue uniform with his name and hometown on the back.

On the front, two patches graced his chest one recognizing his appearance in the world tournament, and one saying “N.H.P.A Player of the Year” in 1979.

“Over the years, they gave patches,” he said, “but most people don’t put them on anymore. We used to get trophies and patches, now they give a little money.

“Most guys like the cash better.”

Tinder participated in two matches on Saturday morning.

His opening games went decent 16 ringers out of 40 tries the first game, and 14 of 40 the second.

It was a little under his normal average, but Tinder knows better than to complain about his performance after everything he’s been through.

“Considering all things with my health,” he says, “I don’t even know how I’m pitching shoes at all.”