October 25, 2005

 Merger on track
Following in the footsteps of bowling's national governing body, the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), the three local bowling associations will be merging into one next spring.

The Great Falls Bowling Association, The Great Falls Women's Bowling Association, and the Great Falls youth will become the Great Falls USBC. Local bowlers and delegates voted this past March to begin the transition and consolidate the three groups.

"The transition process is well under way," said chairman Fred Sadler. "We have representatives from each organization ensuring that everything goes smoothly."

Ellie Bruner, vice chairwoman of the transition team, said that the team of nine people is currently working on bylaws, budget, and policies and procedures. "Our target date for completion is April 1," said Sadler.

As is the case with the national move, most area bowlers will notice very little change. Their membership cards will look different, and they will find that there are more awards available than before. "The amount and type of tournaments at all levels will remain the same," said Bruner.

In concert with the transition, a separate nominating committee has been formed to solicit interest in the formation of the new board of directors.

One of the positions will be an association manager, which will be a paid position and responsible for the day-to-day business of the new organization. Applications for all positions are available from any board member or by contacting Floyd Bruner or Bob Orham. In addition, applications will be available on the Great Falls Bowling Association's web site at: gfba.mtsba.com.

  • With league season well under way, the weekend tournament scene is starting to heat up. This coming weekend Little's Lanes is hosting the Classic 50's Ladies Classic scratch tourney. This popular event draws many of the state's top female bowlers.
  • The weekends of November 5-6 and 12-13 are the annual City Mixed tournament. This year, Elks Lanes will play host to the event. Entry forms are available at all bowling centers, and last minute entries are accepted if lanes are available. The format includes men and women doubles, as well as four-person teams.

    For bowlers who enjoy watching the professionals of our sport on television, you'll be pleased to learn that ESPN will televise the finals of the Tulsa Open next Sunday. Now known as the Denny's Professional Bowlers Tour, their Fall/Winter schedule runs weekly through April 9, 2006.

    Butte's Sherry Sullivan defeated Fort Benton's Guyla Streit, 176-167, to win the second stop of the Montana Mountain Glass Traveling Club, held last weekend at Pin & Cue Lanes in Whitefish.

    Streit averaged 186.7 to take the top qualifying spot and awaited the outcome of the other stepladder matches.

    Sullivan advanced to the final with a 180-167 semifinal win over Whitefish's Wanda Wooten. Wooten was a 190-173 winner over Helena's Carole Herron, who opened the stepladder with a 204-183 victory over Butte's Kathy Davis.

    Finally, Great Falls will be hosting the 2006 Montana State Tournament next April and May. Expecting to draw in excess of 750 five-person teams, the local association is now accepting advertising for the tournament program, which is given to every bowler upon their arrival. For area businesses that may want to place an ad, please contact Belinda Sadler at 761-3216.

    Pat Terry, whose only 300 game came in a no-tap tourney in 1969, is substituting for regular Tribune columnist Curt Backa, who is on vacation. Terry is president of the Great Falls Bowling Association.

    Here are last week's honor scores, including the second-career 300 game of Jim Aklestad, who tossed the perfect game last Wednesday in Little's MixMasters. Aklestad's 300 was the fifth thrown in the city this year.

    Pin & Cue

    Women's scores

    535 — Tracy Arndt 246, Terri Nall 214-215, Nobi Sirucek 215, Cheri Harlan 202, Skeeze Brown 217

    Wednesday Night Mixed — Chris Dittus 203, Tracy Arndt 277-622

    Thursday Leftovers — Stretch Richards 201

    Morning Glories — Emma Pengilly made the 6-7 split

    Friday Mixed — Orry McLeod 201, Marsha Kummer 202, Nobi Sirucek 207, Denise Curtis converted the 6-7-10 split

    Men's scores

    535 — Curby Dennis 236, Joe Skaggs 233-666-871(4), Don White 245-233-651-884(4), Jerry Wagner 279-908(4), Rick Heck 236-226, Ken Haugen 228-238-653-861(4), Jim Rothweiler 246-656, John Kurtz Jr. 244, Steve Pettis 246

    Wednesday Nite Mixed — Rod Vold 234, Ryan Schaffer 201(sr.), Gordon Gies 219(sr.), Jim Vukasin 227, John Ferda 207-204(sr.)

    Friday Men — Jim Hawley 211(sr.), Mike Bowles 203-205, Ducky Faler 210-205-607(sr.)

    Friday Mixed — Drew Wanner 226

    Pro Alley Bowl/Belt

    Monday Ladies — Denise Puppe 194(+61)

    Thursday Mixed — Lisa Urick 200, Willie Faris 518 series(+128), Paul Lamberson 532 series(+175)

    Aces High/Malmstrom

    Thursday Mixed Doubles — Mary Shampo 233, George Garber 221(+53), Patty Morris 215, Ed Neste 158(+57)

    Snowy Lanes/Lewistown

    Women's scores

    Monday Fresh Air — Sue Mcguire 224, Linda Frazier 204

    Tuesday Trio — Fran Coats 207

    Tuesday Skyliners — Kelly Duncan 207, Karin Longshore 206

    Wednesday Ladies — Kelli Otten 202

    Wednesday Doubles — Melissa Balthazor 179(+58), Kay Kaufman 181(+57)

    Pinetoppers — Becky Olson 200, Jodie Licht 181(+56), Patty Neeman 174(+54)

    Thursday Seniors — Fay Kasala 166(+51)

    Thursday Money — Fran Coats 201, Lynn Vogl 184(+50)

    Sunday Mixed — Stacie Arntzen 178(+62), Linda Petersen 178(+50)

    Men's scores

    Monday Commercial — Chuck Strong 187(+52)

    Monday Doubles — Mike Monfils 200(+56)

    Tuesday Trio — Russ McMullen 233, Monte Solberg 203(+56)

    Skyliners — John Stokken 256, Rod Wesselmann 212(+53)

    Wednesday Doubles — Larry Eckhardt 202(+94)-494(+170)

    Thursday Seniors — Paul Degele 144(+47)

    Thursday Money — Rex Coleman 258-662, Dewey Rosman 235, Vern Howard 172(+52)

    Thursday Merchant — Mike Metcalfe 209(+57)-557(+101)

    Sunday Mixed — Tram Stout 191(+65), Don Miller 169(+55), Casey Vosen 175(+50)

    Elks

    Women's scores

    Jack & Jill — Connie Croskrey 205, Collette Caffyn 205

    Thursday Seniors — Shirley Adams 178(+52)

    Thursday Ladies — Karin Osborn 221, Renee Leveque 191(+57), Karen Rickert 154(+50)

    Friday Mixed — Becky Carter 208

    Sunday Early Birds — Tracy Rigor 212, Dawn Vernon 201

    Men's scores

    Jack & Jill — James Kothrade 289

    Tuesday Men — Jack Anderson 267-628(+115), Jerry Ferderer 264, Bill Brown 246, Bud Lee 246, Jim Rothweiler 239, Ken Ferguson 232, Rich Teesdale 229-226-678, Mac McKay 223(+71)-561(+105), Jerry Osborn 613 series(+109), Howie Low 354 series(+105)

    Bull Elks — Gale Swanson 268-675, Reid Michel 246, Rod Hackett 244, Norm Miller 239, Ken Ferguson 233, Rick Turner 2333, Rich Reeve 231, Loren Snider 203(+54)

    Elks Seniors — Shannon Ostlie 245, Rod Hackett 210-203-602, Don Thrush 208, Don Smith 206, Bryon Morse 204, Norm Green 203, Chuck Hackman 200, Rich Ferderer 200, Cal Hering 200

    Friday Mixed — Roger Winterrowd 255-228-697

    Sunday Early Birds — Chuck Martin 235, Gary Willits 227

    Glacier Lanes/Cut Bank

    Women's scores

    Monday Ladies — Holly Keller 163(+65), Jackie Loring made the 7-10 split; Jamie Freed 496 series (+115)

    Tuesday Afternoon — Dee Rooney 210-516(+120)

    Men's scores

    Sunday Mixed — J.W. Eaton 232-242-645(+114), Tim Freed 209(+51)

    Thursday Commercial — Don Crail 204(+56), Randy Flammond 204(+87)-512(+161), Brian Grainger 202(+53), Rick Kraft 201(+51), Robbie Racine 199(+63)

    Friday Mixed — Austin Carlson 201(+62), Alfred Eagle Feathers 208(+52)