January 3rd, 2013

Did you get that new bowling ball you wanted for Christmas, maybe a new double or triple ball bag that you were eying at the pro shop? Remember, most of the local bowling centers have open bowling where you can try that new equipment out.

     We apologize for not being here last week, but as you might guess, many leagues did not bowl on the last 2 Mondays or Tuesdays because of the holidays so they could spend time with their families. Rest assured tho, we are back, and ready to go. First off, we have the results of the Illinois State Senior Tournament held in Champaign a few weeks ago.

     Looks as if Cliff Dupree and Dorothy McFarland were the top bowlers from the Illiana area. McFarland finished 4^th in Women’s Class D Singles, 4^th in All Events, and finished 3^rd in Doubles with partner Daryl Smith.  Dupree finished 1^st in the class A for Men’s singles, and All events, and 3^rd in doubles with partner Stan Harvey.

      Other top finishers include Mixed Doubles, Class D: 5^th Jan Frank and Joe Blagg. Men’s Singles Class C: 2. Charlie Graul, Women’s All Events Class B: 6^th Darlene Edwards.  Congrats to all the top finishers, and would imagine they are looking forward to next year’s event.

      As we stated before, many leagues have not bowled the past couple of weeks, but will be getting back in full swing.  In their last bowling session, the Tuesday Nite Go Getter’s Sue Strong picked up the 5-10, Tracy Smith converted the 3-10, and Fred Fultz lassoed the 5-7-9.

     In the past couple of weeks, the Senior League has had the following activity: Fred Fultz rolled 56 pins over average for a 193 game. Gerald Arnett, 50 pins over for a 199, and Houston Key, 65 pins over for a 225. Phil Stultz out did his average by 60 pins for a 203 game. John Gebhart was 56 over for a 223, while Clara Copsy topped her average by 52 pins for a 173 game. The following seniors picked up split conversions: Jim Thomas converted the 5-9-7, Donna Berlin picked up both 5-10, and the 5-7. Ernie Harvey also picked up the 5-7. Bob Maxwell converted the 6-7, while Houston Key knocked out the 3-10. Bill McDaniel not only showed everyone how to pick up the 3-9-10 split, but also how to roll a triplicate series, where he shot 3 162 games.

   Moving over to Covington, the early Friday evening league reports that the following bowlers had 50 or more pins over their averages: Kevin Barnes 211 (153), Cliff Albea 267 (204), Ron Cates 252 (189), Chad Edmiston 168 (114), Tom Gebhart 260 (173), Gebhart also rolled a 669 series with 2 other games of 225, and a 184. Brian Goodwin 207 (153), and Art Wagoner 251 (196), while also rolling a 660 series.

. Renee Albea 192 (13 ), Linda Cates 203 (153), Ron Cates rolled a 205, 186, and 246 for a 635 series, 57 pins over series average.  Laurie Dunavan 184 (125) and Cliff Mikel 182 (120).

     In the Friday Nite League at Lincoln Lanes, Josh Troxel rolled a 257 (195), Tyler West 256 (185), Bill Phillips 279 (183), and David Henderson a 289 (205). Brandi Welsch had a 226, and Nicole Brown had both a 267 (204) and a 247. Brown also had a 706 series. Bowlers 50 or more pins over included Tashia Spillman 201 (148), and Jeremy Wright 246 (178)

     We invite your questions on bowling, it’s rules and such. Just drop us an e-mail.

     Thanks again to the folks who report the scores. Your help is greatly appreciated.

     Please submit all reports before midnight on Mondays. If you need any more info, drop me a note at illianabowling@gmail.com. Check out past articles at http://tucksbowlingforfun.blogspot.com/

Once again, we wish you a Happy New Year, and hope nthis is your best bowling year yet.

Until next week, let’s have fun and knock ‘em down.