February 22, 2005

Helena hosting Open qualifier
With $3,000 in added money, a men's first-place prize of $2,000, a berth into next year's U.S. Open, plus $600 in expense money, this weekend's U.S. Open Qualifier at Helena's Sleeping Giant Lanes can officially be stamped — lucrative.

The tournament, which is sponsored by the MPBA and the BPAA, is expected to draw one of the best fields in the history of the event. It is one of the few times during the season when both men and women bowl at the same house. An attractive sideline to the event is that only Montana bowlers are eligible to compete.

Qualifying, which is eight games, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday morning for both men and women and the high qualifier in that shift earns a $100 bonus.

Squad times continue at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. with an entry fee of $125.

The women's field will be cut to the top 16 for Sunday's match-play portion, while the men's field will be trimmed to the top 24.

Missoula's Tina Davis was the women's winner last year while Simms' Greg Thomas captured the men's title.

Thomas, now bowling out of Oldtown, Idaho, just completed his run at last week's U.S. Open, finishing a respectable 61st to collect $1,145. Thomas averaged a blistering 212 over the first six games to tie for 26th after the opening round.. Thomas could only average 196 over the next 12 games to slide down to 61st.

Chris Barnes defeated Patrick Allen, 213-212, to capture the title in Sunday's televised final.

Phone Sleeping Giant at 442-1004 for more information about the tourney or to reserve a qualifying spot.

 

  • Silky smooth lefthander Duane Zeier averaged an astonishing 239 over 12 games to dominate Sunday's first-ever Marty Vigen Memorial Classic, held at Elks Lanes.

    Zeier fired a 2,871 to capture the $360 first-place prize. Zeier was keyed by a huge 844 shot in the seventh through ninth games of the tourney, putting together games of 279, 266, and 299.

    A ringin' 7-pin halted Zeier's bid for a perfect game.

    Another lefthander, Paul Dehn, finished second with a 2,670, averaging 222 to pocket $200.

    Ken Curry, another lefthander, took third with a 2,594 total (216 average), good for $96.

    The tourney drew 14 bowlers, including two from Deer Lodge.

    "We will run it again next year," said Elks manager Rod Hackett, who took fourth. "We may even add a handicap division.

    "I expect the tourney to get bigger each year."

    Vigen's daughter, Becky, helped with the the opening ceremonies and money generated from the tourney went to the YABA scholarship fund in Vigen's name.

     

  • Tidbits: In case you missed it, junior bowler Kyle Wheatley turned in one of the top junior scores in recent memory. Wheatley, a junior at Great Falls High who also plays basketball for the Bison, reeled off games of 249, 258, 220 for 727 in the Wednesday Afternoon Kids League at Little's. ... Women interested in bowling in this year's Great Falls Women's Association City Tournament have one more weekend left. The tourney wraps up this weekend at Pin & Cue. Watch for results in next week's column. ... In a matchup of Bozeman bowlers, Tami Roper defeated Karen Bockemuehl, 171-138, to capture the title at the latest stop of the Montana Mountain Glass Ladies Traveling League, held at The Bowl in Bozeman. The finals will be held here, March 13, at the Elks. ... Lewistown's Snowy Lanes held its in-house Wild Turkey qualifying. Mike Campano and Merl Coats captured the title with a 1,350 to win $100. Campano and Coats beat Theresa Dirkson and PJ Churchill for the top prize. The top six in the tourney qualified for the state finals, which will be held March 5-6 at Bozeman's Country Lanes or March 12-13 at Little's Lanes in Great Falls. Qualifiers may choose which venue they would like to bowl — but not both.

    Mike Brown, toting a hot hand of late, topped the scores last week with a strong 761 set, sporting games of 257, 247 and 257, while bowling in the MixMasters at Little's. Brown's series edged out Dehn's 758, bowled in Thursday's 725 Classified.

    Guyla Streit topped the women with a 679, on games of 269 and 258, also in the MixMasters, Streit's set beat out Barb Baumgartner's 256-677 effort bowled at the Elks and Judy Jackson's 675 at Little's.

    Other top scores last week included a 707 by Greg Gordon, in the Sunday Early Birds at the Elks. Gordon's effort included games of 256 and 268.

    Richard Fischer led the men at Murph's with a nice 701 series. Fisher's set included games of 226, 241 and 234. Chris Hartman's 287 game and 643 set also deserves mention. Shawna Lane's 200 game was high for the women on the eastside.

    At Black Eagle, Bob Chesko's 621, with games of 227 and 214, and Roxie Foster's 211 game and 590 series led the men and women, respectively.

    Nobi Sirucek enjoyed another strong week topped by a 607 set, on games of 224 and 204, to lead the women at Pin & Cue. Mark Pepin, a new name, was high for the men on the westside with a 683 set, which included games of 256 and 229.

    Curt Backa, who totes a cold hand most of the time, is a Tribune news and sports copy editor and resident bowling mook. Backa, when not pulling for his beloved Geyser Wranglers in this week's Northern C Divisional, can be reached at 791-6569, (800) 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfal.gannett.com

    Here are the rest of last week's honor scores:

    Snowy Lanes/Lewistown

    Women's scores

    Monday Fresh Air — Shirley Degele 205-526(+100)

    Tuesday Skyliners — Karin Longshore 235

    Wednesday Pinetoppers — Dolly Wells 259-613, Becky Olson 222-571(+115)

    Thursday Money — Cherie Errecart 216

    Sunday Mixed — Ginny Vosen 201(+56)

    Men's scores

    Monday Commercial — Dewey Rosman 258-662, Ike Waltari 263-659, Fred Wood 243-656, Bret Turnquist 193(+66), Jim Rolfness 236

    Monday Doubles — Marc Wiggins 203(+67)

    Tuesday Trio — Rusty Hall 211(+59), Monte Solberg 214(+57)

    Thursday Merchant — Tim Durbin 222(+64), Timmy Anthony 184(+51), Dean Person 226

    Sunday Mixed — Wally Steffes 233

    Little's Lanes

    Women's scores

    Teachers Mixed — Linda Berg made the 4-7-10 and 4-10 splits

    Monday Ladies Classic — Carla Murphy 175(+59), Lori Fossen 223, Mary Finlayson 174(+59), Pauline Lorang 216

    Tuesday Afternoon Trio — Sherry Danishefsky made the 6-7-10 split

    Casino — Judy Jackson 235-247-675

    Wednesday A.M. Trio — Colleen Holzheimer 194(+62), Mary Anderson 202, Nancy Muncy converted the 6-7-10 split

    MixMasters — Barb Lankford 215-202-607, Doris Kimmerle 211, Guyla Streit 269-258-679, Karin Osborn 205, Kristen Egan 202-222-606, Teresa Solomon 203

    Business House — Sharon Kunz 222-213-205-640

    725 Classified — Guyla Streit 224-235-652, Doris Kimmerle 236-244-648

    Thursday Nite Mixed — Patty Curry 208

    Little's Classic — Jackie Hassell made the 5- 7 split; Kay Kinzinger 209, Ruby Willey converted the 5-10 split; Vicky Carroll 219

    Satellite Mixed — Karen Arps 200, Jackie Graham 215-208, Judy Davison 201, Shawna Lane 206

    Men's scores

    Casino — Tarl Dixon 235

    Tuesday Nite Mixed — Ed Archey 204(sr.), Leonard Buls 225

    Little's City — Chuck Winn 274, Elwood Sayler 200(sr.), Howard Clodfelter 203(sr.), Mike Morris 279, Ron Thronson 226

    MixMasters — Bob Jackson 254, Bob Orham 247, Bruce Hruska 236-664, Glenn Jeffrey III 248, Jim Aklestad 256-682, Joe Levesey Jr. 227-225, Mike Brown 257-247-257-761, Marlin Cross 287-227-700, Mel Willey 234, Mike Carrette 247, Paul Dehn 244-657, Rick Cummings 226, Roger Deitz 247-693, Steve Lyczewski 236-668

    Business House — Brad Harthun 233, Chad Cunningham 237, Norm Miller 233, Pat Terry 233-655, Richard Snider 208(+73), Steve Johnson 237

    725 Classified — Al Pearsall 233, Bruce Hruska 277-719, Dan Schaaf 225, Dwight Pearch Jr. 233, Frank Thompson 225, Gary Bestwina 236, Glenn Jeffrey III 225, Hans Schell 231, Jody Bastas 259-676, Mike Carrethers 278-705, Paul Dehn 289-236-233-758, Ron Myers 235, Scott Craig 234-247-255-736

    Thursday Nite Mixed — Dan Wilkerson 232, Fred Berry 233, Jim Miller 223(+64), Ken Curry 265-234-712, Mike Moore 191(+55), Russ Zanto 236

    Short Short Season Trio — Brian Christianson 242-225-681, Dan Kleinjan 193(+57), Mike Christensen 237

    Utility — John Peters 253, Rick Suek 245

    Straight-A-Way — Brian Christianson 230, Dan Jackson 232, Mike Carrette 225-247-720-1,315(6), Paul Dehn 231-247-684, Rich Crawford 237-233, Tarl Dixon 255-256-698, Willie McGee 226-244-654

    Satellite Mixed — Greg Romanchuk 223(+53), Hank Rimkus 203-204-604(sr.), Pat Dockter 278

    Little's Seniors — Cal Hering 204-211-265-680, Dale Sirucek 202-200-600, Darwin Reeve 221-216, Dave Shadrick 207-255, Dick Newman 239, Ed Dobeas 223, El Bender 202, Elmer Richards 206, Elwood Sayler 205, Kay Kinzinger 193, Mearl Christianson 203, Pat Terry 225-237-204-666, Richard Ferderer 203, Steve Lyczewski 211-210, Wes Martin 212-237

    Elks

    Women's scores

    Elks Seniors — Betty Patton 181(+60), Jan Olson 174(+47), Luella Merriman 174(+59), Marion Thompson 162(+50), Dale Carlson 439 series(+100)

    Thursday Nite Ladies — Kay Kinzinger 203, Theresa Schreder 202, Anne Chaisson 147(+54)

    Friday Nite Mixed — Barb Baumgartner 256-243-677, Lisa Dunn 226-610(first-ever 600)

    Sunday Early Birds — Connie Bartell 223, Barb Baumgartner 226

    Men's scores

    Jack & Jill — Zane Paulson 269, Rusty Kinsey 256-678, Tony Gribble 236, Paul Threlkeld 226, Mac McNeese 223(sr.), Bernie Dickman 225

    Tuesday Nite Men — Ken Beck 287-654, Talbert Bryan 268, Jim Rothweiler 268-667, Bob Standley 259-247-667, Martin Treis 241, Bill Brown 234, Jerry Ferderer 233, Chuck Bartels 233-228, Donny White 225, Rich Rossberg 233, Jeff Dennen 233, Barry Fields 219(+63), John Figarelle 217(+70), Myrle Gollaher 200(+55)

    Bull Elks — Jake Jacobs 245, Bill Poser 244, Dave Culliton 244-228-676, Jim Pickering 243, Joe Murray 237, Scott Rodger 235-235-654, John Basta 234, John Toenyes 229, John Dixon 226, Bernie K. Dickman 226, Sherm Mills 214(+54), Andy Lebrun 212(+52), Fred Green 190(+54), Emil Nygard 576 series (+102)

    Elks Seniors — Rod Hackett 260-220-659, Rich Ferderer 233, Roger Sherman 224, Shannon Ostlie 219, Bob Muretta 213, Mel Kerbs 212, Dave Shadrick 205, Bob Bann 202, Dave Wise 202, Chuck Dailey 201, Del Mahoney 194(+47)

    Friday Nite Mixed — Steve Vernon 270-704, Jim Olson 237, Bill Walker 235, Dale Sterrett 657, Mike Baumgartner 227, Rod Hackett 226

    Sunday Early Birds — Greg Gordon 256-268-707, Bernie K. Dickman 255, Gary Willits 232

    Murph's

    Christian Intramural — Al Roberts 236, Dennis Mackey 231

    Tuesday Tornadoes — Ryan Moody 276-247-655

    Wednesday Men — Richard Fisher 265, Scott Thompson 255-226-654, Jerry Brown 246, Robert Rioux 234, Tim Preston 225, Ryan Moody 253-657, Keith Sawyer 233, Jeff Dennen 228-256-666, Chris Hartman 287, Ron Simonsen 246

    Thursday SkyRaiders — Barb Nelson made the 5-7 split; Shawna Lane 200

    Friday Alibi — Robin Murphy made the 4-9 split; Al Debortoli 247, Richard Fisher 226-241-234-701, Del Erickson 218(sr.)

    Black Eagle Lanes

    Women's scores

    Volunteers — Suann Konesky 205

    Friday Fallouts — Roxie Foster 211, Mary Anderson 203

    Tuesday 55 Club — B.J. Gerhart 168(+58)

    Black Eagle Seniors — Stretch Richards 210

    Men's scores

    Volunteers — Matt Peck 172(+62)

    Howard Ghee Thursday Mixed — Jed Henthorne 239, Doug Evenson 174(+63)

    Friday Fallouts — Gordon Gies 224(+62)

    Black Eagle Seniors — Bob Chesko 227-214-621, Ed VanVleet 216-203, Elwood Sayler 214-208

    Jack's Lanes/Fort Benton

    Monday Nite Mixed — Cameron Tuss 257, Patty Paulsen 223

    Tuesday Nite Mixed — Guyla Streit 202-267-625, Cameron Tuss 232

    Aces High/Malmstrom

    Loonie Tunes — Martha Beebe 201, Sharon Gribble 209, Patty Morris 212

    K-Lines/Rudyard

    Women's scores — Gail Matter and Shirley Kline both made the 5-7 split

    Men's scores — Terry Grant 236, Greg Spliner 251, 235-236-668, Dick Pollington 231, Pat Foster Jr. 236.

    Pin & Cue

    Women's scores

    Sunday Night Mixed — Debbie Skinner 226

    Ag League — Lynn Freeman 211

    535 Scratch — Nobi Sirucek 205

    Wednesday Mixed — Nobi Sirucek 224-204-607, Judy Ryan 202

    Leftovers — Mary Orham 210, Stretch Richards 234

    MFCU — Connie Bartell 211

    Friday Nite Mixed — Cathy Hartwig 201

    Saturday Mixers — Rose Baker 200

    Men's scores

    Sunday Mixed — Bill Van Hovel 236, Ducky Faler 203(sr.), Richard Ferderer 220(sr.), Elwood Sayler 202(sr.), Ken Poser 213(+62)

    Ag League — Don White 254-226, Rick Cummings 255-670

    535 Scratch — Les Bruner 241, Mike Bowles 233, Joe Skaggs 254-664-868(4), Bob Olson 241-872(4), Rock Rayl 246, Nelson Messimer 242-650-863(4), Reid Michel 254-258, Jim Rothweiler 245, Don White 240

    Wednesday Mixed — Rock Rayl 268 Mark Pepin 256-229-683

    MFCU — Jim Bilger 236, Ducky Faler 203(sr.)

    Friday Men — Jim Rothweiler 236, Jack Hawley 253, Mike Bowles 224-211-627(sr.), Leonard McNee 241-610(sr.)

    Friday Mixed — Chad Konesky 250-232-650, Hans Schell 232, Ducky Faler 219(sr.)

    Saturday Mixers — Don White 226

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