OXFORD – For the last six years, Bob Marshman and his wife Linda have been wintering in sunny Zephyr Hills, Fla., where one of their favorite pastimes is playing shuffleboard.

“It’s one of those things you get hooked on,” Marshman said.

The couple was first introduced to the sport only a few years ago, but has moved quickly up the competitive ranks. During the months they spend down south, the pair compete in as many as two tournaments a week, in which they are ranked as “pro” players.

In the past, when has come time to return to their home in Oxford in the spring, they have had to resign themselves to spending a few months away from the sport. But this year, they won’t have to do without their bi-weekly shuffleboard fix. With the help of two other couples who share their passion for the sport, the Benjamin’s and the Larson’s, as well as a third, Dave and Mary El Emerson, who was interesting in taking it up; they have started a shuffleboard club.

The four couples pitched in to purchase two 40’ long portable shuffleboard mats, at a cost of roughly $925 each, to get the group started. Before long their numbers had swelled to over 20 members, at least a dozen of which turn out at 6 p.m. every Wednesday and Sunday to play.

Since only four play per court, the added numbers meant the club needed more courts and they needed them quickly. As a short term solution, the Marshmans arranged to borrow two courts from the Empire State Senior Games. This, Linda Marshman said, will tide the group over until they can purchase additional courts of their own.

To cover the additional costs, as well as to partially reimburse the founding members for what they paid out of pocket, club members are asked to pay a one-time membership fee of $100, she said.