Still a few weeks away, the Eagle Beverage 40 and Over Scratch Classic and 40/90 Doubles Classic are drawing plenty of interest.
Set for Jan 3-4 at Little's Lanes, the singles has more than 26 entries thus far, and 24 of 32 spots for the doubles have been filled.
"I haven't seen so many spots in the doubles filled this early," said Little's Don Jordan. "Over the past few years we have spots open until the last day.
"I don't see that happening this year."
The singles will open things up on Saturday, Jan. 3, with two five-game shifts of qualifying, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The top 24 qualify for Saturday night's double-elimination match play.
Calgary's Jack Guay, who defeated Butte's Mark Hodges in the finals with a memorable 300 game, is the defending singles champion.
Guay, Hodges and some of the top talent in the region — all over 40 of course — will be here to compete for the crown.
Lolo's Dave Sears and Great Falls' Bruce Steffani are the defending champion in the doubles, which will be held Sunday.
Doubles entrants will bowl six rounds of match play within a randomly selected division. Round 7 is a combined position round. The top five teams qualify for the stepladder final, which will be rolled in the Baker alternate-frame format.
Sears and Steffani turned back Great Falls' Rich Crawford and Helena's John Brodersen, 249-222, in a high-scoring final last year.
Entry fee for the singles is $85, and $160 per team in the doubles.
Phone Little's at 452-4116 to claim a spot in either tournament or to learn more information about the tourneys.
Two weeks ago, Kelsey Klundt made a run at the season's first 800 series, ending up with a 771 in league play at Pin & Cue.
This week, Mike Carrethers, bowling in the Wednesday Mix Masters at Little's, opened with games of 247 and 257 and then reeled off the first 10 strikes before a stubborn 4-pin in the 11th quashed Carrethers' big chance at his first 800 series.
Still, Carrethers finished with 289 game and a career high 793 series, tops for the week as well as the season around town.
Doris Kimmerle again led the women. Kimmerle fired games of 227, 214 and 237 for a 678 set, also in the Mix Masters.
Chuck Bartels put it all together last week to lead the scores at the Elks.
Bartels, in the Early Birds Mixed, opened with a 264 and closed with games of 239 and 226 for a 729 set.
Amber Pedersen, in the Jack & Jill Mixed, was high for the women with a 212 game and 570 series, 114 total pins over her average.
At Pin & Cue, or should I say Mike Bowles' private lanes and lounge, Bowles registered a 747 set in the Monday 535, reeling off games of 254, 245, 246 and 214 for a 961 four-game set.
Steady Nobi Sirucek was high for the women with a 229 game and 606 series.
And, hard-throwing lefthander Paul Dehn converted the near-impossible 7-10 split in the 725 Classified last Thursday at Little's.
With plenty of snowballs to go around. no-tap tourney action resumed at the Elks this past weekend.
Lefties Plus One, with Sirucek, Kay Kinzinger, Rod Hackett and Duane Zeier, took over the lead in the SnowBall No-Tap with a 3,372 total. Steve Girls, with Della Johnson, Shirley Christianson, Kinzinger and Steve Lyzewski, are currently in second with a 3,269.
The tourney, with an 8-pin no-tap and nine for men, runs through December with shift times of noon, 2 and 4 p.m. both Saturdays and Sunday.
Phone Hackett at the Elks, 899-1658 to reserve a spot or find out more information.
Curt Backa, in the frozen sports columnists section at your local market, is a Tribune sports copy editor and resident bowling geek. Backa, who can be found next to the peas, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com
Here are the rest of last week's honor scores from around the region:
Little's Lanes / Great Falls
Women's scores
Monday Ladies Classic—Stacey Krautner 191 + 68, Nancy Swanson 6-7 split conversion, Tiffany Palmer 3-7-10 split conversion, Nona Larkin 214, Tammy Cady 203, Dawn Banderob 172 + 62, Mary Reuter 213.
Wednesday A.M. Trio— Bonnie Guthrie 3-6-7-10 split conversion, Carol Gamell 4-10 split conversion.
Mix Masters— Dawn Rambo-Orr 212, 202, Guyla Streit 258, 214 - 680, Kristen Dehn 235, Barb Lankford 211, 244 - 600, Doris Kimmerle 227, 214, 237 - 678.
725 Classified— Doris Kimmerle 218, 247 - 649, Kristen Dehn 204, 203, 204 - 611.
Thursday Night Mixed— Mary Shampo 199 + 50.
Classic Trio— Carolyn Kimmerle 6-7-10 split conversion, Kay Kinzinger 214.
Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience) — Doris Kimmerle 201.
Satellite Mixed— Jackie Graham 235, 211 - 640, Connie Dickman 213, Bobbi Olguin 204.
Men's scores
Senior Citizens— Dennis Smrdel 225, Jim Pickering 234, 232 - 658, Bob Chesko 234 - 605, Dale Sirucek 225, Chuck Dailey 201, Bob Bann 237, Roy Curtis 4-10 split conversion, Pat Terry 204, Joe Reardon 193 + 56, Roger Sherman 215, Julius Jodlowski 213.
Teacher's Mixed— Charlie Compton254, 243 - 679, Ron Meyers 241, John Toenyes 211 + 51.
Casino League— Rod Schwantes 225.
Tuesday Night Mixed— Bernie K. Dickman 235, 233, Bernie E. Dickman 224.
Little's City— Reid Michel 225, 247, Mike Sharp 232, 25, Trevor Cummings 229, Ken Curry 225, Howard Clodfelter 244, 234 - 650, Mike Friman 222 + 56, Wayne Parker 244, Ron Fleming 232.
Mix Masters— Don Jordan 225, Chuck Lull 249 - 670, Mike Bowles 246, Lucas Cyr 246 - 651, Roger Deitz (sr) 222, 221 - 645, Charlie Pepos 233, Pat Terry (sr) 224, Mike carrethers 247, 257, 289 - 793, Terry Pearsall 247 - 652, Jack Lein 237, 226 - 655, Steve Martin 279 - 665, Brian Lee 236, 243, 233 - 712, Steve Volk 255 - 677, Ken Curry 268 - 665, Paul Dehn 247, Mike Brown 243, Bob Orham 235, 228 - 664, Trevor Cummings 246, Jim Esther (sr) 246, 214 - 643, Jody Bastas 254, Jim Svir 243 - 663.
725 Classified— Jim Kernaghan (sr) 232, 202, 215 - 649, Wes Baker (sr) 200, 211 - 601, Donnie Zuhoski 228, 248 - 679, Pat Terry (sr) 210, 235 - 614, Ron Corkin 245, 232 - 694, Mike Carrethers (sr) 222, 201, 218 - 641, Brian Cristianson 269 - 664, Duane Zeier 230, 248 - 685, Fred Sadler (sr) 264 - 630, Doug Yates 226, Al Pearsall (sr) 214, Jesse West 246, Tom Brendgord (sr) 206, 220, Paul Dehn 7-10 split conversion, Tim Neuroth 244, Dan Schaaf 254 - 690.
Thursday Night Mixed— Jon Tovson (sr) 217, 214, Dan Wilkerson (sr) 200, 210.
Short Season Trio— Mike Christensen 267, Joe Paranteau 243, Jerry Meredith 230.
Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience)— Bruce Hruska 8-10 split conversion, Bob Orham (sr) 221, Bruce Steffani 238, 237, 248 - 1121 (5), Mike Judd 240 - 1013 (5), Willie McGee (sr) 216, 209, 226 - 1012 (5), Robert Olson 232, 245 - 1060 (5), Pat Terry (sr) 234, 209, Jim Pickering (sr) 216, Paul Dehn 235.
Satellite Mixed— Joe Bourne 219 + 67, Marty Graham 210 + 53, Hank Rimkus 234, 279 - 671, Steve Volk 244-651, Mike Arps 252, 24, 244 - 740, Don Jordan 247, Brian Cook 230, Matt Harthun 235.
Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton
Dust Bowlers— Danny Danreuther 225; Connie Foreman 219.
Tues Nite Mixed— Bruce Steffani 234; Guyla Streit 209-236, 625 series.
Thurs Nite Men's— Randy Kerbs 233; Zack Kerbs 227; Cameron Tuss 225.
Snowy Lanes / Lewistown
Women's scores
Mon. Fresh Air: Mona Kramer 185(+51)
Mon. Doubles: Jan Mane 212
Tue. Trio:Dawn Johnson 189(+60)
Wed Afternoon Ladies: Carol Strander 203-584(+134)
Wed. Doubles: Patty Houser 184(+67)
Wed. Pinetoppers: Kristi Knerr 158(+50)
Thursday Seniors: Jo Laughlin 190(+49), Peg Jenni 166(+48)
Thursday Money: Cherie Errecart 201, Leslie Smith 172(+50)
Sunday Mixed: Jennifer Blazicevich 177(+60)
Men's scores
Mon. Commercial: Fred Wood 225
Mon. Doubles: Rex Coleman 248-678
Tue. Trio: Bob Conard 220(+68)-591(+135)
Tue. Skyliners: Dave Gates 246, Tom Koski 229
Wed. Doubles: Mark Kucera Jr. 211(+57)
Thursday Seniors: Chuck Sifert 201, Floyd Jenni 162(+49)
Thursday Money: Bob Hanson 221(+55)
Thursday Merchant: Ike Waltari 236, Rex Coleman 664, Dean Person 228
Sunday Mixed:Rex Coleman 269, Dewey Rosman 243
Elks / Great Falls
Women's scores
Monday Ag League— Norma Robinson 192 (+53)-506 (+92) (sr.)
Jack & Jill Mixed— Amber Pedersen 212-570 (+114), Dawn Vernon 208
Thursday Seniors— Barb Bessler 191, Tina Buls 531 (+108)
Thursday Ladies— Sheila Brady 224, Kay Kinzinger 215 and 184 all-spare game; Lauretta Gifford 211, Laurel Brown 148(+61)-374 (+113), Donna Shandley 171 (+50)
Friday Night Mixed— Nobi Sirucek 230
Early Birds— Deb Hasenkrug 201
Men's scores
Monday Ag League— Nick Konen(sr) 228; Larry Howes(sr) 203.
Jack & Jill Mixed Monday Nigh— Bernie Dickman 268/242/204=714; Rod Hackett(sr) 231/2115/610; Tom Croskey 226; Dave Gifford(sr) 213/203; Jerry Brown(sr) 215/210/603; Dave Woolsey(sr) 209; Paul Threlkeld(sr) 205; Bill Duryee(sr) 205(+69); Daniel Rayl 223(+55)
Tuesday Nite Mens— Jim Dixon 258; Donnie Zuhoski 251(+51) Dennis Vendenberg 241(+58); George O'Dore 234(+61); Shane Brown 225 Bill Brown(sr) 223/610; Ken Ferguson(sr) 226/204/201/631; Jack Howard(sr) 223(+57); Lee LeVeque(sr) 216/204; Gale Swanson(sr) 215201; Mel Wardell(sr) 213; Chuck Martin(sr) 212/209/610; Rod Hackett(sr) 212/607; Arnold Schlagel (sr) 209(+57); Mearl Christianson (sr) 203; Ron Harris 588(+105; Rex Rigor 542(+101) .
Weds. Bull Elks — Rod Hackett(sr) 257/240/688; Dave Keil 256/664; Reid Michel 240; Jim Pickering(sr) 238201/612; Dave Culliton 235; Ken Ferguson(sr) 234; Dave Gifford(sr) 226/211/615; Ron Meyers(sr) 226(+52); Gary Jensen 226; Randy Guill(sr) 222; Don Thrush(sr) 203; Howard Clodfelter(sr) 203; Foley Guill(sr) 199(+53).
Thursday Sr League: Jim Krommendyk 229(+60); Jim Remsh 225/202/608; Don Thrush 216; Roger Sherman 211; Len Buls 201; Jap Patton picked up 7/9/10 split.
Friday Night Mixed — Joe Summers(sr) 227(+52); Vince Goecke(sr) 226; Dale Sirucek(sr) 223/221/199/643; Rex Tanberg(sr) 213/666; Jim Olson(sr) 212(+54).
Early Birds Mixed —Chuck Bartels 264/239/226=729(+136); Josh Lyle 254(+57); Lee LeVeque(sr) 249(+54)/234/668; Rod Hackett(sr) 227/610; Bob Standley(sr) 214; Terry Tigart 207(+63); Bob Chesko(sr) 207; Chuck Martin(sr) 206; Jack Mallory(sr) 201.
Murph's / Great Falls
Christian Intramural — Charlie Pepos 209 (sr.)
Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls
Monday Volunteers— Duane Sanborn 191 (+52), Ed Van Vleet 215, Nathan Beebe 203, Robert Smith 200
Tuesday 55 Club— Maggie Deaton 189 (+55), Pat Dross 177 (+61)
BECC Seniors— Dan Ruff 194 (+51), Bob Chesko 200
Wicked Wednesday— Dar Gifford 182 (+59), Shelley Clark 153 (+51)
Thursday Howard Ghee— DJ Capps 225-568 (+100)
Golden Seniors— Loretta Winters 175 (+56), Teri Knott 157 (+59)
K-Lines / Rudyard
Men's scores— Pat Foster 238-233-679, Dave Jones 3-10 split; Levi Wendland 3-10 split; Mick Grant 5-7 split; D. Wanken 3-10 split
Pin & Cue / Great Falls
Women's scores
Sunday Mixed— Norma Miller 213, Nobi Sirucek 229-217-606
Monday 535— Chris Dittus 218, Nobi Sirucek 201, Linda Michel 216, Teresa Solomon 212
Ladies Nite— Teresa Solomon 213, Chris Tinker 212
Wednesday Mixed— Chris Dittus 223, Holly Vukasin 233
Morning Glories— Betty Wandke 5-10 split; Helen Herodes 4-10 split
MFCU — Lindy Crocker 202
Friday Mixed— Cristy Snider 200, Denise Curtis 222
Men's scores
Sunday Mixed— Ducky Faler 202-224-615 (sr.), Richard Ferderer 212 (sr.), Leonard Peterson 233-216-648 (sr.)
Monday 535— Chuck Lull 243-212-616 (sr.), Steve Quinby 236, Mike Bowles 256-245-246-214-747-961 (4), Norm Jensen 225, Randy Wadsworth 215 (sr.), John Krammarich 256, Don White 225-201-203-257-629-886 (4) (sr.), Curby Dennis 200-227 (sr.), Les Bruner 246-662, Tank Judd 237, Bob Orham 216-244-656 (sr.), Reid Michel 243, Steve Edwards 278-227-257-699-956 (4), Randy Guill 226-279-678-867 (4)
Wednesday Mixed— Bill Schlosser 266, George Levandoski 245, Ducky Faler 212 (sr.), Pat Dockter 232, Steve Bankhead 204 (sr.), J.D. Denning 233, Al Vukasin 225
MFCU— Tony Amato 246, Reeves Caffyn 257, Steve Edwards 245-233-673, Luke LaBuda 254, Lance Darby 247
Friday Mixed— Darrin Davenport 234, Rick Martinez 226, Gene Gladue 213 (sr.), Mike Bowles 208 (sr.), Bill Sybrant 243-238-674, Leonard McNee 256-202-210-668 (sr.), Mick Brown 206 (sr.), Charlie Pepos 215-200 (sr.), Roy Curtis 225, John Peters 246, Ron Brown 223, Ducky Faler 246, Boomer Bruner 213 (sr.)