12-26-2006

Merger went well in 2006, but faces test in new year

We merged!

After generations of having three associations — the ABC, WIBC and YABA, formerly the AJBC when I was a junior — we decided one association, the USBC, could best govern us.

Many were skeptical, yet many were also accepting.

I preached that we needed to remember we were just plain old bowlers who wanted to go out each league night and have a good time. I believe those involved in the merger may have heeded my words.

I congratulate all those involved, we came together nicely.

Except for a few spats and squabbles, which we worked out, we have become the Montana USBC and the Great Falls USBC.

And I believe bowling in the state and Great Falls is the better for it.

But, only time will tell.

As we look forward to 2007 the new local and state affiliations will be tested.

The local USBC will be responsible for both the open and women's city tournaments. Both are already scheduled and through the supervision of president Don Jordan, look well organized.

On the state level, the open tournament, which will be held in Butte, and women's tournament, which will be hosted by Missoula, have already distributed their entry forms and taking entries.

Unfortunately, the state tournaments are the only times the work of state associations are measured and we should take caution not grade them too harshly this first year.

I am sure all of the tournaments will turn out to be successes and more importantly, more of us will take part in them.

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Great Falls High won the team title, while Jeff Lull, Trent Reeve, Sean Murray and Angela LaPierre were individual winners at the Great Falls High-CMR Roll Off, held recently at Murph's.

Great Falls High scored 2,183 to CMR's 1,789 in the team chase, with the Bison holding the upperhand in team scores, 616.88 to CMR's 606.13.

In the individual standoffs, Lull won the scratch title with a 183-119 victory over Reeve, who was the GFH winner, beating Joleen Martinich, 198-138. Lull was the CMR winner, downing Bonita Falcon, 150-135.

LaPierre captured the handicap title with a 227-199 victory over Great Falls High's Sean Murray. Murray won the Bison singles with a 219-202 win over Kara Osborn. LaPierre defeated Ben Buckridge, 218-207, to represent CMR.

Both the GFH and CMR Leagues will return to league play in the new year and will roll-off again in the spring.

Here are some of last week's honor scores, and because of the holiday, the rest of the scores will be published later in the week:

Women's scores

Tuesday Trio— Karin Longshore 201

Skyliners —Karin Longshore 214, Jenni Gaines 190(+56)

Wednesday Afternoon— Marcy Dirkson 210

Wednesday Pinetoppers— Karin Longshore 224, Dorthy Erlandson 189(+64)

Thursday Seniors— Carol Strander 197

Thursday Money— Shirley Degele 205, Terri White 205, Lynn Vogl 203

Men's scores

Monday Commercial— Ernie Coppedge 226, Steve Bracha 196(+59)

Monday Doubles— Rex Coleman 235, Ted Campbell 214(+65)

Skyliners — Dave Pillar 268-279-738(+165), Jay McGuire 177(+57), Steve Horacek 213(+50)

Thursday Seniors— Jim Duncan 211, Chuck Sifert 208

Thursday Money— Rex Coleman 267, Tim Thomas 233-232, Joe Goodwin 225

Thursday Merchant— Rex Coleman 268-246-238-752

Women's scores

Jack & Jill— Karin Osborn 276-215-611, Lauretta Gifford 233, Sharon Gribble 205

Elks Seniors— Betty Noble 204-487(+91), Shirley Christianson 198, Donna Wingard 198, Dale Carlson 177(+69)

Thursday Ladies— Lauretta Gifford 233-228-656, Kelly Bell-Dyson 191(+64), Renee LeVeque 186(+53)-497(+100)

Friday Mixed —Heather Vukasin 217-215-630(+102), Jean Ostlie 203, Dawn Vernon 206

Men's scores

Jack & JIll— Jake Jacobs 247-223-223-693, Burt Tschetter 246, Tony Gribble 206(sr.), Dave Gifford 204(sr.)

Tuesday Men— Shannon Ostlie 241-620(sr.), Mel Wardell 234, Rich Teesdale 231, Ed Buresh 226-218-635(sr.), Mike Beggs 225-202-201-628(sr.), Rod Hackett 219(sr.), Rex Tanberg 217(sr.), Ken Ferguson 216(sr.), Gary Willits 213(sr.), Lee LeVeque 212(sr.), Ben Flanagan 207(+56), Chuck Martin 204-204(sr.), Ken Beck 202-200(sr.), Al Debortoli 201(sr.)

Bull Elks— Rod Hackett 235-226-641(sr.), Dave Gifford 235-222-649(sr.), Don White 232, Randy Guill 231-214-639(sr.), Josh Lyle 226, Jake Jacobs 225, Doc Basta 225-610(sr.), Jock Rodger 225, Dale Sterrett 220-611(sr.), John Basta 220, Mel Zuidema 205(sr.), Ron Meyers 203(sr.), Dave Shadrick 202(sr.), John Toenyes 200(sr.)

Friday Mixed— Robert Smith 246-226-694, Rex Tanberg 235-618(sr.), Dale Sirucek 231-202(sr.), Shannon Ostlie 215-204-602(sr.)

Tuesday Mixed— Guyla Streit 201, Tom Willson 256, Jack Willson 229

Thursday Men— Kyle Scott 227

Monday Volunteers— Reves Caffyn 227 (+76), Charles Harant 191 (+62), Roy Porter 173 (+52); Reeves Caffyn 581 series (+128).

Tuesday Club 55— Maggie Deaton 175.

Black Eagle Seniors— Bob James 187 (+51); Peggy Bowles 198 (+69); Peggy Bowles 554 series (+187); Bob Chesko 208, Cal Hering 208; Stretch Richards 202, Peggy Bowles 198, Mary Reuter 182, Mary Gies 186, Mary Gies 175.

Howard Ghee Thursday Night Mixed —Bo McCoy 231 (+82); Brett Ingram 156 (+52); Kathy Jorgenseon 203 (+65); Cheryl Rounds 193 (+60).

Friday Club 55— Pamela Morris 192 (+81); Charlene Kommers 178.