January 17th, 2013

       What is the dumbest question asked in bowling?  The answer….at the end of the column.

Triple X Pro Shop is currently leading in an ongoing tournament at Bulans Bowl with a 3250. Another week remains in the team event on Sunday with squads at 10am and again at 1pm. You can contact Doug Oakes, the tournament director at 217-304-4735.

       The next two weekends are for doubles and singles, and reservations are now being taken.

       Top honors this week go to Brandon Hamilton from Hoopeston and the Fast Lanes Center. Hamilton rolled a 300 game as well as an 804 series. He was heard to say “it’s bad when I have more 800 scores than 300 games.”  If you want to know the truth, I will take either one.  Other high rollers from the Hoopeston area include Porgy Anderson, a 299, Chad Bruens with a 297, and Marvin Dobkins with a 290 game. The ladies did great as well, as Jennifer Crawley rolled both a 268 and a 265 for a 674 series, alas, only to be outdone by Karen Porth’s 685 series which included a 268 game.

       Robbie Ketcherside had a 678 series for the Monday Nite No Tap League at Lincoln Lanes, while U Pete Wiliams had a 257, 77 pins over average. Nancy Goodner topped at 214, 52 over her 214 normal, and Albert Syass, a 169 average bowler rolled a 219.

      In the MS Nail Salon League, Sharon Craft rolled a 202, and Donna Reyhel was right behind her with a 201. Cheryl Callison rolled a 209 and a 516 series, while Dorthy Hesler topped out at aq 207 with a 545 series. Sue Strong rolled a 575 series which included a 204 game.

        The Tuesday Nite Go Getters reports that Derek Darr rolled a 223, 87 pins over his 136 average, which helped him attain a 530 series. His series average is 408. Melissa Castle rolled a 178, 51 over, while Maggie Birge was 101 over her series average for a 543.  Ella Miller picked up both the 7-9, and the 5-7. Russ Puzey and Jan Frank picked up the 5-10, while Dot McDaniel roped the 3-10. Sherry Castongue corralled the 4-7-10.

        In the Monday Morning Ladies League at Westville Laura Baird knocked out the 6-7.

        The Senior League at Lincoln Lanes tells us that John Gebhart rolled a 242 game, 73 pins over average, while Terry Bell shot a 247, 52 pins over his game average. Clarence Martin bowled a 182, which is 5o pins over his average.  Allen Taylor, Greg Miller and Sue Broderick both picked up the 4-10, and Marla Troyer knocked out the 5-10. Jack Ball corralled the 4-5-7.

        The Friday Nite Evening League at Sycamore Lanes has Dale Benedict rolling a 235, which was 58 pins over his 177 average. Ted Pearman rolled games of 202-226- and 176 for 606 series. His 226 was 54 pins over average. Jon Dunavan shot games of 203-197 and 200 for an even 600 series.

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

      Oh, at the beginning of the column, we asked what the most stupid question in bowling was. Let’s see if we agree. My answer would be “are you going to take that?”  Of course you’re going to take that.

     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/  The blog has been updated.

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

January 10, 2013

We have word that former Danville resident Jim Miller rolled his 4^th 300 game of his bowling career last Thursday evening. These guys make it look so simple.

      Area bowling is now back in full swing. On the Monday Nite No Tap League Finas Glenn rolled a 677 series, which included a 241 game. Other bowlers 50 or more pins over average were Terry Jones 261 (60), Cal Richards 254 (57), Mike Jett 234 (51), and Ella Ellis with a 245 (89).

      At last Thursdays Senior League it was party time. One of the past senior bowlers, Harvey Miller was at the center and surprised with a small party for his 80^th birthday. Cake was served to everyone present.  The use of candles was considered, but was rejected because it was felt that the Danville Fire Department might be too busy to be on call. Hope you had a happy birthday Dad.  In Senior League action Allen Taylor rolled a 268, 69 pins over average, and Greg Miller topped out at 232, 57 pins above. Bob Maxwell picked up the 5-7, and Laura Baird converted the 4-5-10.

    Transporting ourselves to Sycamore Lanes in Covington, the Early Friday evening league tells us that Ron Cates rolled a 256, 66 over. Ernie Contu bowled a 214 game, 62 pins above. 154 average bowler Brian Goodwin knocked out a 216, which accounted for 62 pins over his average. Ladonna Crowder, a 109 average bowler, rolled 85 pins over her average for a game of 194. 118 average bowler Chad Edmiston rolled games of 134=174- and 183 for a 495 series.  That is 140 pins over normal. Beth Barnes picked up the 5-8-10 split, while Linda Cakes knocked out the 6-8-10.

     We have a couple of weeks to report for the Friday Nite Mixed League at Lincoln Lanes. 3 of the men rolled over 250 this report: Tyler West 250 (62), Jim Thomas 265 (66), and Doc Finch, rolled a 266 (75) game and 692 series. Matthew Pate topped out at 267 (107) while Jerrad Reed rolled both a 264 (54) and a 276 (66), which helped him roll a 784 series. Rich McFarland also rolled above 675 with a 685. Nicole Brown rolled a 235 game and a 631 series. Other bowlers that rolled 50 or more pins over average included: Megan Connelly 233 (55), Lonnie Tapscott 220 (50), Austin Adair 225 (56), and a 243 (58), Jon Cox 223 (60), James Cramer 191 (50), Rachel Pendleton 164 (63), Heather Snook 200 (54), Karen Rice 199 (62), Joe Cox 241 (57) and Teresa Cloyd a 222 (66).

      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/

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

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.

Dec 20, 2012

Word has it that Derrick Hufford has once again placed 1^st in the Westville Sweeper tournament.

       Lincoln Lanes had a Bowler’s Choice tourney this past weekend with 5th place going to Byron Miller, 4th to Bob White, 3rd Joe Chowning, 2nd to Doug Wagner and 1st place to Steve Skimehorn.

       Looking for something to do on New Year’s Eve? There is a No Tap tourney scheduled for that day at 8:30pm at Bulans. Cost is only $40 a couple.  

      Joe (Ten Pin) Davis had the top score for with a 298, 103 pins over his average, for the Monday Nite No Tap League at Lincoln Lanes. Joe, have to ask, was one of those 2 pins left, the 10? Other high scores were a 288 for Robbie Ketcherside, which help him to achieve a 799 series. Cal Richards had a 278 series, which included a 278 game. Jimmy Scruggs also topped out with a 675 series. They had the following bowlers top 50 or more pins over average: John Nixon 234 (164), Pam Jones (164), Brock Dieu 230 (177), and James Fair 186 (106). Nancy Goodner picked up the 5-10.

     Nick Grubb is in the news again, with a high game of 280, and a series of 696. Robin Turner rolled a 254 (187), while Kathy Seymore had a 222 (168)

        The Tuesday MS Nail Salon Bowling League is reporting that Judy Mentzer bowled 2 (200 games) 227 and 202 for a 565 Series and earned an award for having a game 75 pins above her average. Donna Rayhel bowled a 216 for a 515 series, and  Ilse Durbin earned an award for a 400 series. Also receiving awards were Barb Dinsmore and Tammy Hathaway.

     The Tuesday Nite Go Getter’s Russ Puzey rolled a 205, 71 pins over average, while both Joe Davis and Joe Blagg converted the 3-10.

       The Senior League had only a few higher games this week. Joe Blagg had a 223 game, 50 pins over his game average and a 627 series, which was 108 pins over series total. Aaron Williams, 166 game, 50 pins over his game average, and a 491 series which was 143 pins over series total. Split conversions were John Gebhart with the 5-10, Laura Baird, the 3-7, and Ed Reed with the 6-7-8-10.

       The Early Friday Evening League at Sycamore Lanes in Covington had Renee' Albea picking up the 2-4-10 split, while Ernie Coutu bowled a 203-152 average for 51 over.  Kenny Storckman rolled 59 pins over his average for a 204.
       The Friday Nite Mixed League at Lincoln lanes had some great scores again. Check them out!!  David Henderson 258,  Jarvis Brown 256, and a 675 series. Terrence Cloyd 266, and a 722 series.  Jerrad Reed 289 and 255, and a 755 series. Evan Davis rolled a 269, Josh Maynor topped out at 255, Bill Phillips had a 267. Nicole Brown had a625 series which included a 266 game.

      We’re not quite done yet. More bowlers 50 or more pins over their averages: Jon Cox 245 (159), Teddy Carter 239 (186), Bud Taylor 246 (196), Autumn Michael 135 (77), Josh Troxel 247 (195), Jerrad Reed 289 (208), Evan Davis 269 (193), Josh Maynor 255 (180), Carl Robertson 207 (154) and a 215 (154) and Bill Phillips 267 (182).

      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/

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

Thursday Dec 14th, 2012

       Had a great turn out for the Doubles Tournament Sunday at Lincoln Lanes. Congratulations to the following: 1st place - Larry (Bubba) Cash and Ron Phelps / 2nd place - Nicole Brown and Chad Hoshauer / 3rd place - Larry Richards Sr. and Paul Woodworth / 4th place - Jolene Krout and Roger Gant / 5th place Terry Bell and Harry Powell. 

     The Monday Morning Tuesday Morning Ladies League had Laura Baird picking up the 5-6-10 to start of the week.

      The Monday Nite No Tap League at Lincoln Lanes had the following bowlers top 50 or more pins over average: Sue Strong 250 (188), Joanie Hedlund 213 (153), Mallory Buss 197 (128) and Matt Myers 193 (127). Both Terry Jones and Essie Syass converted the 5-10, while Pat Evans used the other side of the lane to knock out the 5-7.

        The Monday Night Mixed League at Bulans is telling us the following persons rolled 50 or more pins over average: Sandi Burke 258 (171), Greg Miller 219 (168), and Mathew Pate 224 (169).

      The TLC League at Bulans on Tuesday nite has Don Coan rolling a 263, Jerry Kinney shooting a 221 and a 267 which helped get him a 656 series with a 180 average. Sarah Spencer garnered a 213, exactly 50 pins over average, and let’s not forget Charlie Forshier, who had a 655 series with a 178 average, which also included a 228 game.

     The Tuesday MS Nail Salon Bowling League is reporting that in recent weeks Cheryl Callison bowled 201 / 485 series, Sharon Craft bowled a 215, Brenda Lomax bowled a 201 / 575 series, while Sue Strong bowled a 203 / 571 series

       The Tuesday Nite Go Getter’s Lisa Moudy topped out at 200, 56 pins over her 144 average. Paula Beatty picked up the 3-10, while Kevin Powell and Joe Elliott both knocked out the 5-10. Melissa Castle demonstrated how we should pick up the 5-7, and her husband Jon Castle picked up the 2-5-7. Irvin Summers snagged the elusive 4-7-9.

       The Senior League had only a few higher games this week. Terry Bell rolled a 611 series which included a 235 game. Stan Harvey rolled a 600 series, including a 225 game. Split conversions for the week were Terry Koebrich and Bob Coburn, who both picked up the 5-10. Michelle Williams converted the 5-6, while Greg Miller showed everyone how to pick up the 4-6.

      The Early Friday Evening League at Sycamore Lanes in Covington had Katrina Edwards rolling a 199-252 and 192 games for a 643 series. She has a 180 average, and the high game was 72 pins over. Other bowlers 50 or more over includes Darrell Edwards 265 (177), Doug Blankenbeckler 225 (171), Benji Brink 209 (146), and Bill Shoaf with a 227 (170).  Karen Blankenbeckler picked up the 7-9, Judy Gebhart, the 4-7-10, and Renee Albea converted the 4-7-9-10.

      The Friday Nite Mixed League at Lincoln lanes had some great scores as well the past couple of weeks. Seven  men rolled over 250. They were: Jarvis Brown had a 257, 52 pins over, Tyler West, 97 over, Bryan Lawson 268 (197), Rob Pendleton 255 (190), Terence Cloyd 258, Jarvis Brown 285,  and Rich McFarland 278. Two women had great scores the last 2 weeks. Brandi Welsch rolled a 238, while Nicole Brown shot 235, 247, and a 278. The following guys rolled 675 or over: Terrence Cloyd, 678 and a 701, David Henderson 687, Tyler West 698, Jarvis Brown 730 and Wayne Brown, Sr. 682.  Two gals were over 625, and that was Nicole Brown with a 729, and Dakota Pollock with a 659, 176 pins over her series average. Other bowlers 50 or more pins over include: Karen Rice 186 (134), Tyler West 245 (160), Brandi Welsch 238 (186), Larry Richards, Sr. 221 (163), Teresa Cloyd 201 (150), Jarvis Brown 257 (205), Bud Taylor 244 (194), Doc Finch 247 (189), Ed Stone 237 (182), Wayne Brown, Sr. 245 (191), Delbert Lowe 198 (148), and Rich McFarland 278 (215).

     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/

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

Thursday, Dec 6, 2012

Can you believe it is actually winter? I for one am very glad we have been having the temperatures we have been experiencing. However, we are presuming the weather is about to take a turn for the worst. One way to keep warm during the cold winter months is to join a league. Believe it or not, there might be some openings on some of the leagues, can’t promise, but it never hurts to ask. No leagues open to new bowlers, well, most centers have open bowling where you can go and better your game.

      Looks as if the Monday Nite Church No Tappers were on the mark again, with Robbie Ketcherside leading the way. Robbie Ketcherside rolled  78 pins over his 208 average to achieve a 286 game, and a 788 series. Jimmy Scruggs bowled a 683 series, which included a 266 game. Other No-Tappers achieving 50 or more ins over average were Finas Glenn with a 241 (189), John Nixon 250 (161), U. Pete Williams 264 (178), Richard Morgan 219 (147, Courtney Nord 156 (94), and Louise Cunningham 190 (129). Sharon Craft picked up the 3-7-10 split.

    Also on Monday nite, but across town to the west at Bulan’s, Cindy Esworthy rolled 51 pins over her average for a 206 (155), and Judy Foley shot a 159 (109) in the Mixed League.

    Also at Bulan’s, the Tuesday Nite TLC League Jerry Kinney rolled a 239 (172), and Janis Thompson a 223 (157). Both of these scores were 50 or more pins over average.

    The Tuesday Nite Go-Getter’s Dot McDaniel rolled a 435, 126 pins over her series average. Jodie Wade was 66 pins over her 122 average with a 188, and Joe Blagg topped out 50 pins over his average with a 218. Bub Tiffin knocked out the 3-10, Mac McDaniel and Ella Miller blew aprt the 4-5-7. Tony Dompe lassoed the 3-6-7, while Fred Fultz, picked up the 5-10.

      Allen Taylor has been on a hot streak lately and this past Thursday afternoon was no exception in the Senior League. He rolled 75 pins over his average for a game of 224, and a 550 series, which was 103 pins over his series average. Gerald Arnett rolled 52 pins over average for a 199 game. Dorothy Hesler converted the 4-7-9 split, and Taylor picked up the 4-7-10.

     Quite a few scores from the early Friday nite League at Sycamore Lanes in Covington. Among them are Cliff Albea with scores of 212, 231, and 277 for a 720 series. The 277 was 79 pins over his 198 average. Others 50 or more pins over were Doug Blankenbeckler  231 (171), Karolyn Blankenbeckler 221 (153), Ron Cates 238 (187), Ernie Coutu 211 (152), Mike Dunavan 246 (186), Darrell Edwards 227 (174), and Kenny Storckman 190 (139), Tommy Bee picked up the 3-7, Laurie Dunavan showed us how to pick up the 5-7, and Rose Schaeffhold knocked out the 2-6-8-10.

     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/

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

Bowling - Thursday Nov 29th, 2012

Let’s start off with the Monday Nite Church No-Tap League at Lincoln Lanes. Terry Jones rolled a 682 series which included a 268, 71 pins over his 197 average. Finas Glenn was able to pick up the 5-7, while Miles Clark and Larry Craft, both converted the 5-10.These No-Tap bowlers rolled 50 or more pins over average: Scott Cunningham 242 (188), Mike Jett 274 (176), Albert Syass 244 (163) and Ella Ellis 222 (155).

        We have received reports from the Tuesday nite Mutual League in the annex at Lincoln Lanes, that it has featured a couple of great series the past couple of weeks. Kevin O’Brien rolled a 795 series, but  Steve Skimehorn was not far behind with a 782 series with games of 279, 258, and a 245.

      Heading to the front part of the Lincoln Center had the Tuesday Nite Go-Getters, with Chris Brookins, Harlie Huckleby, and Tracey Smith all picking up the 3-10 split. Huckleby also knocked out the 5-7, and the 3-5-10 split. Bub Tiffin was able to shoot out the 5-10, and Sue Strong made picking up the 5-7 look easy. Tuck Miller shot a 564 series, which was 138 pins over his normal, while shooting a 213 game, 71 pins over his norm.

     In the Monday Nite League at Bulans, Robin Turner rolled a 631, which included a high game of 256, 68 pins over her average. Others, 50 or more pins over: Karen Luse 180 (123), and Brent Honn 219 (149).

       The Monday Morning Tuesday Ladies League in Westville tells us that Jo-Ann Brooks picked up the 2-7-8.

       Back to Tuesday nites out at Bulans, the TLC League has Ed Barteck rolling a 246, and a 660 series. Kristin Duke topped out with a 210, with a 155 average. Don Coan shot a 258, while Stephen Forshier rolled a 631 series.

       The Thursday afternoon Senior League is telling us that Houston Key was 64 pins over his average with a 224 game. Allen Taylor shot 113 pins over his series average for a 554 series.  This is another time the USBC no longer recognizes this achievement, but this column will. Stan Harvey, bowled a 203 not once, not twice, but 3 times, for a 609 series. Please remember long time Danville bowler Ruth Campbell in your thoughts and prayers. A few weeks back she had fallen and broke her hip, and she has been in and out of the hospital and nursing home since.

      In the Early Friday Evening League over at Sycamore Lanes, Darrell Edwards rolled a 212, 247, and 207 for a 666 series, 153 pins over his series average, and he was also 76 pins over his average for the 247 game. Kenny Storckman shot 52 pins over average for a 186.

      Finally, we have some scores from the Friday Nite League starting off with Zech Connelly rolling a 255, and Jarvis Brown shooting a 253. Wayne Brown Sr. shot a 688 series. Megan Connelly bowled a high game of 259, while Nicole Brown topped out with a 236.  The following bowlers had 50 or more pins over average: Randy McMasters 217 (161), Matt Moudy 209 (157), Dorothy McFarland 223 (171),

Doc Finch 237 (186), Jon Cox 223 (157), Dave Beckett 198 (136), and Teresa Cloyd 203 (150).

     An Alert for all USBC bowlers, most of you should either have or should be getting your USBC card. In the instructions it says to activate your card.  You do NOT have to actually activate it, only if you want to obtain some of the optional benefits such as coaching, and maybe merchandise at a discounted price.

        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/

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