Elbert Lowder was born March 3, 1932 in Albemarle, North Carolina. He started playing checkers at age 16, and in his first event placed 5th in the 1949 Sourthern States Tournament at age 17. Elbert won his first tournament in 1952 at age 20 in the North Carolina State Tournament. He now resides in Sanford, North Carolina where he owns and operates a music store, along with his checker partner, Tim Laverty. There is little doubt Elbert has played in more checker events than anyone else in modern times and probably all times as is testified below by his records in the major tournaments. These records are not complete and do not include the endless lesser events such as State and District Tournaments. His match record will be added later.

Capsule Record

• Played in 21 consecutive US OPEN 3-move Tournaments SINCE 1956: 4 2nd place finishes; 1 3rd place; 4 4th place - out of prize list 4 times
• Played in 41 Southern Tournaments since 1949: Winner of 12; runner-up in 9; 3rd in 11; Note: There are gaps in: 1950, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1957 and 1965, in which neither ECB or the ACFB give his entry. Since only the top prize winners are given, it is quite possible Lowder also played in some of these.
• Played in 38 Florida Open Tournaments since 1957 - perhaps several more, due to incomplete records: Won 10 with one tie; 2nd in ten, with one tie; and 3rd in 7. High water mark in the 1970's, then a gradual decline to present.
• Played in 9 US Open Go-As-You-Please (GAYP) Tournaments from 1977 to 1995: 1st 3; 2nd 1; 3rd 4; 7th 1.
• Played in 30 Northen States Tournaments; Won 12 (with one tie), 2nd 7, 3rd 3.
• Overall tournament record:
  • 21 US Open 3-move
  • 10 US Open GAYP
  • 41 Southern States
  • 38 Florida Open
  • 30 Northern States
  Grand Total: 140 Tournaments (Remarkable!)