Washers Origins
How it all began...
Washers began whatever year it was that Tim and Anne Kane got married in Alton, Illinois, believed to be sometime around 1986. Dave O participated in many contests during that excellent weekend, and brought the game back to North Carolina later that same year. The first set of washers boxes were constructed with untreated wood and nails purchased at Fitch Lumber in Carrboro, North Carolina. The saw-man at Fitch was also kind enough to cut the first south-of-the-Mason-Dixon-line pipes using a band saw, thus forever ensuring his place in washers (and ultimately, Masters) history. A few years later, Curtis Duncan's jigsaw sacrificed itself so that another set could be built.
Many of the first games in the Old North State were contested in the grassy area behind A-2 Carolina Apartments in Carrboro, prior to the fortuitous purchase of the land that is now known as Obringer National. John Hutchinson and Dave O both set what is believed to be the record of 8 consecutive boxes on that court.
The first double pipe ever thrown in Masters competition came courtesy of Lee Ann Obringer. This grand achievement occurred during doubles play in the 1998 Masters. A photo of the beaming Ms. Obringer, taken shortly after her throw into history, documents the occasion on the 1998 Tournament page.
Urban Legends of two or even three consecutive pipes abound, but given the identity of the individuals alleging these throws, no credence is given them here.
The Masters was first contested at Obringer National in May of 1996, and has returned to those hallowed grounds in each successive May. Initially a two-day event, the competition was contested in one day beginning in 1997, as it has been ever since. The conditioning of the players has thus assumed greater significance. Alcohol tolerance and the ability to pace oneself are also helpful to the player in pursuit of the Green Jacket.
