1-2-2007

Belt bowlers make move to Murph's

Wall, who bought six machines from the now-closed Lucky Lanes in Townsend, had been working diligently since August to have the equipment installed in his establishment for this bowling season.

Unfortunately, the move may not pay off this season.

At a recent meeting, Belt bowlers decided to form a four or six-team league to bowl at Murph's on Tuesday nights. Competition will be in the form of the many short-season leagues.

"We need to get our 21 games in so we can continue bowling in tournaments," said Sandy Francom. "It doesn't look like we will able to bowl out here this season."

Francom and the other bowlers from Belt have been scouring the tournament schedule all fall to find places to bowl and keep their games in shape.

It has paid off for Francom and her husband Wayne, who captured the State Mixed doubles title in November.

·  ·  ·  Missed in the holiday hoopla was the 299 tossed by Jody Bastas two weeks ago in Little's 725 Classified League.

Bastas, who was seeking his eighth-career 300, left a ringin' 10-pin after stringing the first 11 strikes in the second game of the evening.

The 299 game help turn a mediocre night into a pretty good one for the free-swinging righthander, who finished with a not-so-shabby 709 set.

·  ·  ·  Here's an update on the upcoming Great Falls USBCA Open Championships, which are set for Jan. 20-21 and 27-28 at Murph's and Black Eagle Lanes.

Black Eagle will play host to the team event and will have squad times of 11 a.m., 2:30 and 6 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sundays, teams can bowl at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Doubles and singles squad times at Murph's are at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays. On Sunday, the times are 11 a.m. and 2.

The tourney will have an additional $1,000 in added money, made possible by the GFUSBC. Entry fees are $20 per person per event, for a total team entry of $100, doubles $40 and singles $20. Money must accompany all entries to guarantee a spot.

There will be three divisions for each event, based on average.

Willie McGee will serve as tournament director and he can be reached at 781-5244 or 453-7801. Entry forms are available at all local houses.

Entries close the Thursday prior to each weekend.

·  ·  ·  Entries are still being taken for this weekend's Santy Agency-Bud Light Over 40 Singles and 40/90 Doubles, to be held at Little's. The Elks Sno-Ball No-Tap also wraps up this weekend.

Here are last week's honor scores from around the area:

Women's scores

Tuesday Trio— Karin Longshore 205

Skyliners — Diane Rector 181(+53), April Dirkson 181(+50)

Wednesday Ladies— Nancy McKeen 182(+65)-452(+101), Kandy Walton 188(+58), Billie Shammel 188(+51)

Pinetoppers— Karin Longshore 246-626, Arvadel Bodvig 212, Dolly Wells 207, Jessica Fisk 165(+60), Verna Fisher 182(+50)

Thursday Money— Cherie Errecart 201

Men's scores

Tuesday Trio— Bryan Mullins 173(+56)

Skyliners — Larry Van Dyke 210(+56), Josh Stroud 430 series(+115)

Wednesday Doubles— Les Melichar 201(+63)

Thursday Money— Rex Coleman 245, Tim Thomas 235, Larry Maier 224(+51)

Thursday Merchant— Ron Bowen 258-671, Jim Rasmussen 237, Jim Clinton 235, Jeff Whitcraft 189(+52), Cody Hoffer 418 series(+103)

Women's scores— Marjie Spinler 202 and converted the 5-6 split; Shirley Kline made the 6-7-10 split; Rose Ish made the 2-5-7; Bel Puglsey made the 2-3-5-10 spare, Stefinie Carlson coverted the 2-7 split

Men's scores— Chris Kline 225, Bill Langel 232

Women's scores

Wednesday A.M. Trio— Linda Summers made the 4-10 split; Deb Erwin 224

MixMasters — Barb Lankford 221, Doris Kimmerle 226

Business House— Sharon Kunz 211-203

Thursday Mixed— Kathy Chaney 190(+53)

725 Classified— Guyla Streit 234-201-623, Barb Lankford 205-210

Classic Trio— Becky Bortnem 213

Men's scores

Casino— Joe Paranteau 248

Little's City— Louis D'Antounio 226-651, Frank Blaney 226

MixMasters — Ross Rambo 226, Paul Dehn 248-235-677, Mike Arps 246, Bruce Hruska 225-232, Mike Carrethers 255, Jim Dixon 236, Ken Curry 235-675, Steve Martin 245-236, Brian Lee 226-248-686, Jim Esther 245-236-684, Bob Orham 239-235-675, Mike Bowles 234, Don White 268

Business House— Brad Harthun 229-663, Charlie Compton 213-219, Matt Harthun 215, Chad Cunningham 212-226, Dale Linder 279

Thursday Mixed— Ken Curry 227-264-688

725 Classified— Brian Christianson 227, Carl Conte 231, Jody Bastas 259, Paul Dehn 269-692, Glenn Jeffrey III 238-235-654, Fred Sadler 225, Don Jordan 228, Dan Schaaf 236, Hank Rimkus 232, Mike Arps 249, Wes Baker 237

Short Season Trio— Greg Tacke 178(+51), Bob Hoenisch 187(+59), James Morton 216(+88)

Utility— Mike Peters 205(+33), Ron Brown 245, Clinton Krause 229-238-670, Tony Cobeaga 210(+61), Roy Hensley 243

Straight-A-Way— Mike Judd 246, Pat Terry 246-656, John Balzarini 233, Wade Thompson 279, Willie McGee 236-239, Wayne Quinby 226-229, John Quinby 246, Bob Orham 225-238, Roger Wirtanen 227, Mike Christensen 225

Thursday Mixed Doubles— Sandra Finan 203-237-608

Wednesday Men's Handicap— Garn Wanner 235, Al Debortoli 226, Larry Taylor 265, Jack Hawley 228, Tony Milovich 236, Dick Preston 265-670, Butch Preston 224-202(sr.), Tom Croskrey 231, Rick Beyer 225

SkyRaiders— Diana Maus 209

Friday Alibi— Terry Brus 228, Jim Miller 214(sr.), Robert Rioux 223