With a little less than two weeks to go, entries for the Ladies Scratch Classic are running a little ahead of last year.
So far, a total of 24 bowlers have signed up for the tourney, which is set for Nov. 8-9 at Little's Lanes.
Last year the tourney drew 24 bowlers, so organizers are well pleased with this year's signup already.
Notably absent from this year's field so far is last year's winner, Erin Quinn.
The talented Canadian stunned the field last year taking an impressive 247-210 victory over 2005 winner Barb Lankford in the final.
Even without Quinn, the tourney has drawn a solid field including Doris Kimmerle, who won the Magic City Classic earlier this month; past winners Guyla Streit, Kristen Dehn, Billings' Julie Redfern, Missoula's Tina Davis as well as Lankford, who was denied a second tourney title a year ago.
A notable newcomer that warrants attention is teenager Joleen Martinich, who will be making her adult scratch debut in the tourney.
The $1,500-added tourney will have six-game qualifying shifts at 1 and 4 p.m. on Nov. 8, with Sunday's cut determined by the number of entries on Saturday.
Sunday's round-robin match play will culminate in a stepladder final on Sunday to produce a winner.
Entry fee for the tourney is $90 and phone Little's at 452-4116 for more information or to sign-up.
With a week to go, BBNF, out of Belgrade, continues to lead the team standings at the 2008 MUSBC Mixed Tournament in Bozeman.
The foursome's 2,558 is one-pin ahead of Bozeman's Chapter One, who have a 2,557.
Bozeman's Jeffrey and Mira Williams continue to lead the doubles with a 1,337. Belgrade's Jill Zimbric and Steven Johnson are in second with a 1,321.
Unfortunately, a low turnout in the event may force the state board to cancel the tourney next year.
It's not often I voice my opinion but it is my belief a concerted effort by the MUSBC and the tourney site to promote the tourney could certainly increase the interest and possibly save the event.
One would do well to take a tip from Lewistown's Rex Coleman, who's Budweiser Handicap in February and March is flourishing and growing each year.
Hiddy Ho Returned, with Tim Drazich, Shane Brown, Sandi and Dave Woolsey, captured the Elks' Fall Fiasco Tournament, which wrapped up Sunday downtown.
The foursome fired a 3,264 no-tap score to outpin Don't Know, made up of Josh Lyle, Rich Teesdale, and Dawn and Steve Vernon, who compiled a 3,219.
The tourney featured an 8-pin no-tap format for the men, and 9-pin for the women.
The event is a takeoff of the popular SnowBall No-Tap Tourney, which again is set for the Elks in December.
Kudos to all who either took part or kindly donated to this past weekend's Big Brothers-Big Sisters Bowl for Kids Sake. A special shout-out goes out to those N.E.W. employees, who again turned out en mass and showed everybody how to have a good time.
Elks' bowlers continued to set the pace last week as Shane Brown turned in the high series for the men.
Brown, bowling in the Tuesday Night Men, reeled off games of 267, 242 and 212 for a 721, high for the week.
Brown edged out Josh Lyle, who tossed his first-ever 700 with a 712 in the Elks' Early Birds.
At Little's, Belt's JC Lindeman came into town to lead the men downtown. Lindeman fired a 708 series with a 257 game in the MixMasters.
Kristen Dehn's 247 game and 667 series, also in the MixMasters, was high for the women.
Tracy Rigor earned women's honors at the Elks with a 618 series, with a 235 high game.
On the westside, Mike Bowles led the men at Pin & Cue with a nice 697 series in the Friday Mixed. Bowles' set included games of 235 and 246.
And finally, it was quite a week for Nobi Sirucek who three a trio of 600 series at Pin & Cue. Sirucek registered a 255 game and 625 set in the Sunday Mixed, followed by a 246 game and 617 series in the Monday 535 and wrapped up her week with a 215 game and 607 series in the Wednesday Mixed.
Here are the rest of last week's honor scores from around the region:
Pin & Cue / Great Falls
Women's scores
Sunday Mixed— Nobi Sirucek 255-211-625
Monday 535— Teresa Solomon 215, Nobi Sirucek 246-204-212-617-829 (4)
Wednesday Mixed— Holly Vukasin 225, Sheila Egged 234, Nobi Sirucek 215-607
Friday Mixed— Judy Ryan 232
Men's scores
Sunday Mixed— Leonard Peterson 200 (sr.), Ben Calhoun 213 (sr.)
Monday 535— Norm Jensen 201 (sr.), Ken Haugen 208-203 (sr.) Trent Reeve 236, Mike Christensen 279-677, Curby Dennis 211 (sr.), Les Bruner 235-226-667, Arnie Judd 224 (sr.), Steve Quinby 245, Mike Bowles 257-223 (sr.), Leonard Peterson 206-218 (sr.)
Wednesday Mixed— Al Vukasin 211 (sr.), Sam Hagen 267, Gordon Gies 211 (sr.), George Levandoski 231, Kelsey Klundt 245-237-657, Steve Bankhead 228, Bill Schlosser 226-227, Kevin Hieb 235, Dusty Curtis 236, Joe Smith 256, J.D. Denning 227, Ducky Faler 213-224 (sr.)
MFCU — Terry Cross 236, Dale Alexander 201-203 (sr.)
Friday Mixed— Charlie Pepos 202 (sr.), Boomer Bruner 216 (srs.), Darrin Davenport 237-660, Dave Pfeifle 235, Mike Bowles 235-216-246-697 (sr.), Leonard McNee 209 (sr.), Alan Brummetl 6-7-10 split
Little's Lanes / Great Falls
Women's scores
Monday Ladies Classic— Donna Weinholz 171 +51, Debbie Thoroughman 206, Tammy Cady 202, Tracy Eisenbarth 201, 223, Tami Nardinger 213 (1st 200), Lulu Ueland 216.
Tuesday Afternoon Trio— Joanie Schmidt 7-9-10 split conversion.
Casino League— Jackie Undem 201, Vicky Carroll 234, Rhea Harthun 201.
Tuesday Night Mixed— Roxie Arps 207, 213.
Wednesday A.M. Trio— Max Frank 5-10 split conversion.
A to Z— Margie Hillyard 157 triplicate.
Mix Masters— Doris Kimmerle 214, Barb Lankford 234 - 642, Guyla Streit 232 - 631, Kristen Dehn 216, 247 - 667, Sally Callery 233 - 613.
725 Classified— Kristen Dehn 235, 206 - 615, Doris Kimmerle 210, 227 - 607, Jackie Graham 203, 206.
Short Season Trio— Michele Woods 210.
Classic Trio— Shirley Christianson 201, Deb Erwin 201, Joan Slocum 175 +58 3-6-7 split conversion, Wendy Bistedeau 186 +60.
Straight-A-WayPBA Experience— Guyla Streit 205.
Satellite Mixed— Connie Dickman 223, Nadine Symons 178 +51, Karen Arps 217, Michele Woods 214, BobbiOlguin 209.
Men scores
Senior Citizens— Dale Sirucek 217, Steve Lyczewski 212, 223 - 621, Darwin Reeve 205, Bill Claassen 214 - 604, Jim Pickering 209, 245 - 653, Roger Sherman 211, Chet Knab 223.
Teacher's Mixed— Bob Dickinson 240 - 660, Wayne Pittard 200 +59.
Casino League— Mark Pettis 244, 257 - 664.
Little's City— Galan Flanagan 225, Mike Firman 226, Steve Krattiger 229.
Mix Masters— Sean Howard 257, Mike Brown 267 - 688, JC Lindeman 228, 257 - 708, Steve Volk 247, Ken Curry 237, 279 - 729, Jim Aklestad 225, Bob Orham 250 - 662, Terry Pearsall 241, 256 - 670, Stephen James 239, Ryan Moody 257, 227 - 664, Mike Bowles 230, Steve Martin 289, Mike Carrethers 246, 247 - 662, Pat Terry (sr) 222, 232 - 642, Tyler Rames 247, Hank Rimkus (sr) 211, 202 - 606, Jesse West 235, Mike Christensen 227, Ross Rambo 230.
725 Classified— Wes Baker (sr) 236, 215 - 631, Donnie Zuhoski 232, Doug Yates (sr) 215, 212, Pat Terry (sr) 217, Al Pearsall 225, Jim Kernaghan 232, Mike Carrethers 227, 246, 233 - 706, Carl Conte (sr) 214, 202 - 608, Glenn Jeffrey III 236, Tom Brendgord (sr) 212, Mike Christensen 233.
Thursday Night Mixed— Steve Krattiger 243, Mike Hodges 176 + 57, Ken Curry 228, Fred Berry (sr) 211, 200.
Short Season Trio— Tyler Rames 246.
Straight-A-Way PBA Experience— Pat Terry (sr) 201, Ron Corkin 234, Bernie K. Dickman 234, Jim Pickering (sr) 215, Bruce Steffani 236, 235 -1095 (5), Eric Crawford 242, Rich Crawford 232, Wllie McGee 266, Don White 239, Bob Orham (sr) 202, 205.
Satellite Mixed— Bernie K Dickman 236, Ron Blaquiere (sr) 202, 224, Norm Miller (sr) 218, Steve Volk 232, Mike Arps 243, Hank Rimkus (sr) 256, 235 - 665, Joe Bourne 201 +60.
Aces High / Malmstrom
Thursday Mixed— Rock Rayl 245, Jeff Adams 212 (+55)-224 (+67)-219 (+62)-655, Karen Garber 197 (+59), Mandy Haumschild 167 (+59)
Snowy Lanes / Lewistown
Women' s scores
Tue. Skyliners— Dorothy Taylor 224
Wed Afternoon Ladies— Billie Shammel 210
Wed. Pinetoppers —Arvadel Bodvig 210, Mary Duncan 203, Karin Longshore 203, Mabel Hill 181(+57)
Thursday Seniors— Ellen Baldwin 183(+63)-464(+104), Fay Kasala 397(+118)
Men's scores
Mon. Commercial— Dewey Rosman 228
Mon. Doubles— Rex Coleman 227
Wed. Doubles— Ollie Grindland 255
Thursday Seniors— Bill Baldwin 206
Thursday Money— Larry Pemberton 213(+59)
Thursday Merchant— Dewey Rosman 225
Sunday Mixed— Rex Coleman 234, Shane Murphy 163(+51)-450(+114)
Monday Majors(Youth): Tanner Lund 221-641
Elks Lanes / Great Falls
Women's scores
Jack & Jill Mixed— Sheila Brady 222(+59); Lauretta Gifford 221/604; Dawn Vernon 218; Bobi Brown 203/199/574(+100); Cara Piccono 124(+53); Val Kraenzel 194(+52); Barb Kakalecik 186(+50).
Thursday Seniors— Carol Martin 172(+50)/489(+123).
Thursday Ladies— Tracy Rigor 235(+61)/210/618; Lisa Jewell 198(+58); Kay Kinzinger(sr) 191.
Friday Mixed— Holly Vukasin 226/603; Nobi Sirucek 207/194 (sr.); Barb Baumgartner 225/206; Robbie Korte 214(+62); Lydia Low 161(+53).
Early Bird Mixed— Barb Baumgartner 223/202; Janine Chesko(sr) 211(+84)/505(+124); Dawn Vernon 209; Kay Kinzinger(sr) 192.
Men's scores
Jack & Jill Mixed — Bob Dompier 251(+66); Jerry Brown(sr) 214/209/601; Dave Gifford(sr) 248/223/661; Bernie Dickman 244; Rod Hackett(sr) 223/206/205/634; Jon Neiffer 218(+58).
Tuesday Nite Mens— Jim Dixon 279/234/682; Josh Lyle 278(+89)/675(+108); Shane Brown 267/242/212/721; Rod Hackett(sr) 266215/647; Al Ridder 255; Darwin Reeve(sr) 254(+70)/248/685(+133); Bill Brown(sr) 253(+59)/224/215/692(+110); Al Debortoli(sr) 253(+74)/236/372(+135); Steve Soria 241(+60); Ken Ferguson(sr) 238/620; Jack Mallory(sr) 235(+79); Bob Standley(sr) 234/234/647; Dave Woolsey(sr) 232(+66)/203/624(+126); Vince Geocke(sr) 230210; Lee LeVeque(sr) 224/210/200/634; Talbert Bryan(sr) 214; Chuck Martin(sr) 210203608; Rex Tanberg(sr) 210; Martin Tries(sr) 206; Richard Ferderer(sr) 200; Myrle Gollaher(sr) 200; Ed Buresh(sr) 200.
Bull Elks— Rich Reeve 266/644; Reid Michel 259; Josh Lyle 257(+75); John Dixon 248(+65)/213/654(+105); Dave Gifford(sr) 247/246/653; Emil Nygard(sr) 246(+81/596(+101); Dave Keil 244; Randy Guill(sr) 235/215/621; Norm Miller(sr) 235200/602; Chad Mans 235/225; Dave Shadrick(sr) 221; Bill Poser(sr) 215; Ken Ferguson(sr) 214; Dale Sterrett(sr) 212/209; Chuck Dailey(sr) 211; Ron Kimball(sr) 209; Darwin Reeve(sr) 209
Thursday Sr League — Mel Wardell 236(+57)/213/204/653(+116); Bob Bann 228; Dave Shadrick 225/601; Jim Remsh 222/216/625; Richard Ferderer 216/200; Willy Heupel 212/202; Sherm Mills 208/200; Rod Hackett 208; Bob Muretta 202/200/568(+112); Bob Bellaver 200 .
Friday Night Mixed—Steve Vernon 265/658; Mike Baumgartner 255(+81)/641(+119); Rex Tanberg(sr) 224/220/632; Chuck Rogers(sr) 217(+67); Joe Summers(sr) 203; Howie Low(sr) 201(+54); Josh Wuertz 198(+61); Bob Tilson 189(+63)/508(+130).
Early Birds Mixed— Josh Lyle 244/243/226/712(+139)(First-ever 700); Rod Hackett (sr) 242/229/643; Lee LeVeque(sr) 208; Gary Willits(sr) 229; Tyler Hasenkrug 220(+55) Ray Keatts 224(+61); Chuck Martin(sr) 229/214/203/646; Fid Fitterer(sr) 212; Ken Beck(sr) 209.
Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton
Tuesday Mixed— Sandy Jones 204, Amanda Jensen 203
Triple L— Tracy Finlayson 223
Thursday Men— Monty Meeks 297-651, Tom Willson 234, Jack Willson 226
Pro Alley Bowl / Belt
Thursday Mixed— Charlie Keltz 193 (+50), Charlie Pepos 188 (+50), Sandy Francom 203
Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank
Sunday Mixed— Daryl Sletten 170 (+50)-172 (+52)-476 (+116), Ed Hollister 215 (+73)
Monday Ladies— Jackie Loring 248-538 (+123)
Tuesday Housewives— Lee Egger 186 (+53)-532 (+133)
Happy Bowlers— Vern Watson 208
Wednesday Ladies— Sherry Dassinger 197 (+67), Sabrina Pendleton 163 (+52)
Thursday Commercial— Joe Fisher 167 (+57)-173 (+63)-473 (+143), Jovan Fisher 164 (+50), Randy Flammond 164 (+54)-452 (+122), Albert Jordan 212 (+74), Tom Lane 200 (+54)-560 (+121), Roy Nolkamper 166 (+50), 184 (+68), Bob Olson 201 (+51), Cliff Omsberg 227-534 (+132), Raymond Skunk Cap 208 (+60), Lynn Weaver 202 (+55)
Friday Night Mixed— Tyler Blomquist 169 (+59)
Murph's / Great Falls
Monday Christian League— Ralph Wagenhauser 208 (sr.), Lee Vernoy 208 (+63)
Friday Alibi— Terry Brus 212 (sr.), Del Erickson 226-203 (sr.), Al Debortoli 201-200 (sr.)
Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls
BECC Seniors— Dave Harris 216
K-Lines / Rudyard
Women's scores— Shirley Kline 9-10 and 4-5 split; Gail Matter 4-7-10 split
Men's scores— Pat Newton 233, Monty Groth 235, Greg Spinler 233 and 2-4-10 split
Curt Backa, whose opinions and shout-outs are usually spoken and rarely found in print, is a Tribune news and sports copy editor and resident kegling hooligan. Backa, when not botching 10-pin spares, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com.