by Curt Backa

10-7-2008

You had better strapped up your bowling shoes pretty tight if you wanted to compete in this past weekend's Coors Light John Willey Memorial Tournament at Little's Lanes.

In what might have been the highest scoring tournament in years, a pair of 300s, one by a woman, were bowled. If that wasn't enough a 296 was tossed and four bowlers were able to string together 11 in a row.

"You certainly had to be ready to bowl this weekend," said Little's Don Jordan.

Medicine Hat's Colleen Insko set the tone early in the tourney, posting a 300 in her second game of qualifying. The perfect game propelled the former Ladies Classic champion into Sunday's match play, where she eventually finished 14th.

Calgary's TJ Calara, the 2006 winner, matched her with a perfect game of his own a short time later.

Great Falls' Ryan Moody got his momentum started early stringing 11 in a row on his opening game of qualifying and finished with a 296. That game helped him to a sixth in qualifying and he kept it going on Sunday in match play, eventually turning in a solid 12th place finish.

Calgary's Mike Williams, on Saturday, put the final 11 together for a 290 and fellow Canadian Corey Clayton wrapped up his day on Sunday with a 290.

Overall it took a staunch 208, or 67 over, to make the cut into Sunday's match-play portion.

Saturday's qualifying was led by former winner Bruce Steffani, whose lowest efforts in the eight-game stretch was a pair of 224s. Steffani, the former USA Team member, averaged an unheard of 245.5, for a 1,964 total or 364 pins over a 200 average.

Butte's Mark Hodges wasn't far behind with a pinfall of 1,961, 361 over and a blistering 245.1 average.

Nine of the 32 finalists were from Great Falls, and Big Sandy's Jim LaBuda deserves a mention for a strong eighth place showing in qualifying.

If you missed it, Utah's Chuck Groat captured his third Willey title with a 214-213 win over Billings' Josh Hale.

Hale had a chance to claim his second Willey trophy, but left a stinging 4-6-10 split in the 10th frame to fall in the championship match.

Groat's record in the last five years of this tourney is bordering on spectacular with three wins, a second and a third.

In all, the tourney drew 94 entrants, up a healthy 16 from a year ago.

It's the women's turn this weekend as many of the top bowlers in the region will travel to Billings for the inaugural Magic City Classic at Sunset Bowl.

Entry fee is $80 with two six-game qualifying shifts on Saturday.

You can phone Sunset Bowl 656-6211 for more information or to enter the tourney.

Not far behind the Billings' event will be the annual Ladies Scratch Classic at Little's. Entry fee for the Great Falls' get together is $90, with six games of qualifying.

Also, a new scratch tournament dots the schedule with the introduction of the Treasure State Open, set for Nov. 15-16 at Billings' Fireside Lanes. Entry fee is $125 with $2,000-added money. Phone entries or get more information by calling Fireside at 245-3678.

It's good to see a few more scratch tournaments springing up from around state.

After the first weekend of action in Elks' Fall Fiasco, the Volunteers, with Dawn and Steve Vernon, Josh Wuertz and Josh Lyle, have the early lead in the no-tap event with a 3,105.

The mixed tourney, which features an 8-pin no-tap for the men and 9 pins for the women, continues through the month of October. Phone the Elks at 454-1305 to enter a team or find out more information.

Bernie Dickman has been relatively quiet on that start of the season, but he made plenty of noise last Monday night posting games of 268, 256 and 245 for a big 769 set in the Elks' Jack & Jill Mixed.

Dickman's effort led the men for the week, while Doris Kimmerle broke out of an early season slump with a 733 series, coming on games of 267 and 247 in Little's MixMasters.

Lucas Cyr, also bowling the MixMasters, was high for the men downtown with a 731 set, with a 268 high game.

Connie Dickman took women's honors at the Elks with a very nice 698 set, reeling off games of 243, 233 and 222.

At Pin & Cue, Amy Clure was high for the women with a 614 series in the Ladies Nite Out League. Clure's set was powered by a 244 game. Ken Haugen put together games of 244, 238 and 234 in the Monday 535 league for a 716, high for the men.

Steve Vukasin earns a mention after posting a 264 game and 613 set in the Bums League at Black Eagle Lanes.

Curt Backa, poised to make his season debut on Wednesday night, is a Tribune sports and news copy editor and resident bowling flunky. Backa, whose debut is welcome by few and dreaded by most, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com.

Back to serious news, here are last week's honors scores from around the region:

Little's Lanes

Women

Monday Ladies Classic— Becky Buckentin 7-9 split conversion, Cathy Altringer 174 +66, Kay Kessel 179 +52, Quincie Brown 185 +61, Roberta LaPorte 177 +58.

Tuesday Night Mixed— Roxie Arps 242 - 608.

Wednesday A.M. Trio— Janet Wenger 159 +57

A to Z— Cheri Alexander 3-6-7-10 split conversion, Janet Huston 231 +107, Shirley Shoquist 6-7-10 split conversion.

Mix Masters— Dawn Rambo-Orr 235 - 225 - 644, Kristen Dehn 220 -205, Guyla Streit 233-205-232-670, Doris Kimmerle 247-267-219-733, Barb Lankford 225-255-674.

Thursday Night Mixed— Patty Curry 212.

725 Classified— Jackie Graham 212-201-604, Doris Kimmerle 222-238-202-662, Guyla Streit 201-212.

Classic Trio— Kay Kinzinger 210, Becky Bortnem 217, Joan Tierney 190 +61.

Straight-A-Way PBA Experience— Doris Kimmerle 219, Guyla Streit 243-206-212-661 (3) - 1034 (5)

Satellite Mixed— Karen Arps 233-226-639

Men

Senior Citizens— Jim Pickering 225, Bob Chesko 216-233-630, Pat Terry 200, Ed Dobeas 206-203, Leonard Buls 267, Darwin Reeves 214.

Teachers Mixed— Kyle Grossman 267.

Casino League— Roger Deitz 247 - 613.

Tuesday Night Mixed— Bernie E. Dickman 236 - 604, Bernie K. Dickman 258 - 668.

Little's City— Frank Blaney (sr.) 232-207-202-641, Mike Christensen 238, Howard Clodfelter 235, Reid Michel 244, Ross Bartell 226.

Mix Masters— Tyler Rames 278-664, Bob Jackson 205-205, Lucas Cyr 268-225-238-731, Ryan Moody 229-236-687, Steve Martin 235-654, Brian Lee 232, Bruce Hruska 238, Jim Esther (sr.) 221-205, Bob Orham (sr.) 228.

725 Classified— Donnie Zuhoski 245, Bruce Hruska 232, Wes Baker (sr.) 234-221-625, Mike Judd 239, Pat Terry (sr.) 211-222-603, Al Pearsall (sr.) 235, Glenn Jeffrey III 225, Mike Carrethers (sr.) 210-209-611, Jack Lien (sr.) 233-219-224-676, Jody Bastas 234, Ron Corkin 238.

Thursday Night Mixed— Joe Paranteau 245-247-706, Ron Nelson (sr.) 202-236-625, Dan Wilkerson (sr.) 216, Robert Shampo 237.

Straight-A-Way PBA Experience— Bruce Steffani 235-233-1024 (5), Rich Crawford 231-1061 (5), Jim Pickering (sr.) 206, Pat Terry (sr.) 200-211, Mike Carrethers (sr.) 205, Corey Gulick 232, Willie McGee (sr.) 214, Bob Orham (sr.) 202.

Satellite Mixed— Hank Rimkus (sr.) 242-235-666, Bernie K. Dickman 244, Roy Hensley 3-6-7 split conversion, Mike Arps 236.

Snowy Lanes / Lewistown

Mon. Fresh Air: Mary Gies 203

Wed. Pinetoppers: Karin Longshore 213, Glenda Kolar 204

Men scores

Mon. Doubles: Rex Coleman 247-665

Tue. Trio: Mike Newton 242, Tim Anthony 231, Robert McNary 206(+81), Bob Conard 212(+63)-558(+111)

Thursday Seniors: Bill Baldwin 207, Chuck Sifert 200

Thursday Money: Dewey Rosman 233

Thursday Merchant: Jim Clinton 238

Sunday Mixed: Bob Thompson 171(+56), Dean Person 625(+121)

Jack's Bar and Lanes / Fort Benton

Tues Nite Mixed— Guyla Streit 234-239-247-720.

Thurs Nite Men's— Cameron Tuss 258; Jack Willson 230; and Dick Fisher 228

Elks / Great Falls

Women's scores

Jack & Jill Mixed— Connie Dickman 243-233-222-698, Amber Pedersen 221-541 (+127), Tracy Rigor 200, Judie Trujillo 489 (+129), Hallie Jacobs 185 (+51)

Thursday Ladies— Tracy Rigor 266-648, Esther Ferda 196 (+69), Ann Rambo 181 (+56)-483 (+108), Janet Olson 177(+54)

Friday Mixed— Heather Vukasin 244-603, Dawn Vernon 225, Brenda Carpenter 215, Nobi Sirucek 202, Jan Olson 196 (+51)-535 (+100)

Early Birds— Roxie Arps 237-211-600, Renee LeVeque 205

Men's scores

Jack & Jill Mixed— Bernie Dickman 268-246-245-769, Dave Gifford 248-214-643 (sr.), Steve Vernon 229, Jake Jacobs 225, Rod Hackett 214 (sr.), Jon Neiffer 214 (+68), Adam Kanning 220 (+60)-615 (+135), Dan Rayl 220 (+50)

Tuesday Men— Jim Dixon 266-238-227-731, Chuck Martin 263-234-640 (sr.), Jim Whetham 256, Darwin Reeve 237-202-638 (+125), Jack Anderson 236, Jake Jacobs 235, Shane Brown 235, Tarl Dixon 230, Rex Tanberg 225-200-613 (sr.), Bud Lee 223 (sr.), Mel Wardell 215, Bob Standley 214 (sr.), Bill Brown 209-202, Rod Hackett 204 (sr.), Lee LeVeque 204 (sr.), Ken Ferguson 203 (sr.), Myrle Gollaher 203-203-579 (+126)(sr.), Al Debortoli 202 (sr.), Dave Woolsey 202 (sr.), Howie Low 201-563 (+119)(sr.)

Bull Elks— Dave Keil 255, Talbert Bryan 245, Darwin Reeve 245-228-677, Tim Hagen 245, Ken Ferguson 235-222-218-675 (sr.), Jim Pickering 234-626 (sr.), Reid Michel 231, John Basta 230, Scott Rodger 225, John Toenyes 225-111-586 (+109)(sr.), Jack Patton 225-598(+115), Dave Shadrick 221-616 (sr.), Don White 216-209-201-626 (sr.), Randy Guill 210-208-613 (sr.), Bud Hagen 202 (+60)-529 (+103); Fid Fitterer 201 (sr.), Rod Hackett 200 (sr.)

Thursday Seniors— Jim Remsh 238, Bob Bann 225, Len Buls 225, Mel Wardell 224, Dave Shadrick 223-215-202-640, Roger Sherman 217, Al Decker 209, Bob Ramsted 207, Tony Degele 206, Aaron Paul 204, Rod Hackett 202, Ron Levandowski 187 (+56)

Friday Mixed— Steve Vernon 258-662, Vince Goeke 226-647, Jim Olson 222-539 (+107)(sr.), Joe Korte 215 (+77)-536 (+122), Al Vukasin 201-532 (+106) (sr.), Josh Lyle 220 (+53)

Early Birds— Chuck Martin 255-223-645 (sr.), Bob Standley 226-203-617 (sr.), Lee LeVeque 232-206-628 (sr.), Chuck Bartels 233-666, Gary Willits 221-204-623 (sr.), Ken Beck 220-202 (sr.), Rod Hackett 215-200-604 (sr.), Vern Durand 201 (sr.), Gordon Weninger 200 (sr.), Josh Wuertz 183 (+55), Doug Casity 198 (+52)

Murph's / Great Falls

Christian Intramural— Del Erickson 203 (sr.), Lee Vernoy 202 (sr.)

Pin & Cue / Great Falls

Women's scores

Sunday Mixed— Debbie Skinner 201

Monday 535— Nobi Sirucek 219, Sheila Egged 202, Linda Michel 212

Ladies Nite Out— Amy Clure 210-224

Wednesday Mixed— Chris Dittus 213, Heather Vukasin 200

MFCU — Sandy Jackson 211-210

Men's scores

Sunday Mixed— Kevin Hieb 226, Ducky Faler 205 (sr.)

Monday 535— Jay Lewis 226, Joe Smith 225, Bob Orham 224 (sr), Leonard Peterson 223 (sr), Randy Guill 227, Reid Michel 236-674, T-Bone Williamson 211, Ken Haugen 244-238-234-716, Mike Bowles 237-233-612 (sr.), Wayne Quimby 200 (sr.)

Wednesday Mixed— Mick Brown 208 (sr.), Charles Keltz 211 (sr.), Kevin Heib 246, Kelsey Klundt 257

MFCU — Reeves Caffyn 277, Dale Alexander 221-210-607 (sr.), Jay Schmidt 257-669, Boomer Bruner 203 (sr.)

Friday Mixed— Rick Martinez 245, Gene Gladue 221 (sr.), Darrin Davenport 259, M. Eastwood 210 (sr.)

Friday Men— Mike Walker 225, Mick Brown 215 (sr.), Charlie Pepos 210 (sr.), Dave Pfeifle 213-201 (sr.), Bill Sybrant 212 (sr.), Leonard McNee 213 (sr.), Jeff Richard 212 (sr.)

Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls

Black Eagle Bums— Steve Vukasin 264-613 (+136), Russ Simonsen 222 (+76), Jeremy Mellinger 212 (+72), Don Sears 212 (+56), Jeff Walsh 206 (+51), Chris Greenfield 205 (+70), Ed Kacer 205 (+60), Irah Shaulis 192 (+56), Cory Dailey 174 (+51)

BECC Seniors— Ethel Sayler 172 (+60), Dave Harris 212

Wicked Wednesday— Mel Raffensberger 155 (+114)-330 (+207)

Howard Ghee Thursday Mixed— Leonard Peterson 235

Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank

Sunday Mixed— Kevin Bundy 452 (+113), Jamie Freed 179 (+53)-487 (+109), Charleen Neely 174 (+55), Scott Racki 176 (+57)

Monday Ladies— Lynn Eaton 482 (+110), Kanie Lemieux 215, Lee Shock 503 (+116)

Happy Bowlers (Srs) — Donna Kennedy 157 (+50)

Wednesday Ladies— Debbie Higgins 198 (+71), Casey Parsons 170 (+51)

Thursday Commercial— Harry Ehlert 555 (+123), Tim Freed 186 (+60)

Friday Mixed— Kenny Weatherwax 181 (+58), Karcem Arnoux 175 (+60), Paula Augare 174 (+53), Jerry Rehmer 179 (+53)-493 (+115)