Bowling leagues come and go. Unfortunately, many more have gone away lately. Not the Straight-A-Way League at Little's Lanes, which is enjoying a rejuvenation this winter.
"We've had some ups and downs,' said league president Willie McGee. "But, lately the league has spurred more interest."
Two years ago the league decided to become a PBA Experience League.
What that means is that the oil patterns the PBA bowls on are incorporated into league play.
"Each quarter there is a new pattern," said league secretary Pat Terry. "Right now, we are on the Scorpion pattern and in the fourth quarter we move to the Viper pattern."
"Each week we have to tape the lanes and make sure the pattern is accepted by the USBC," said McGee, who has taken the league under his wing. "I have to thank Mel (Little's owner Mel Willey) for letting us do it."
The league, which celebrated its 60th birthday last month, began in 1949, the year Little's opened.
"From what I understand, all of the lanes in Great Falls had Straight-A-Way leagues," said Terry. "In 1949, all of those leagues decided to form one Straight-A-Way League at Little's."
"Through the years you had to be a really good bowler or you had to know one of the captains really well to get the ball," said McGee. "In 1970, I got in when Frank Thompson asked me to bowl."
The league started out as a five-man team, and then over the years both the teams and number of bowlers began to wane.
"We went down to 10 teams and then to eight and we changed from five people down to four and now we are at three," said McGee. "If we didn't do something we might have lost the league."
McGee decided to try and toughen the conditions using a different oil pattern.
"I called it the Willie McGee pattern," said McGee. "Some bowlers didn't like it and some did.
"Then two years ago we got a chance to go the PBA Experience and the sport shot. I think it is tougher than the pattern I was putting out."
For non-bowlers, oil is placed on the lanes at different densities. More oil causes the ball to skid more and have break less.
Bowlers have to adjust to the different densities.
"It has completely rejuvenated my interest in bowling," said Bruce Steffani, who recently tossed a 300 game on the pattern and carries one of the top six averages in PBA Experience Leagues across the country.
"One snowy Friday, I told Willie we might have to cancel because of the storm," said Terry. "Lo and behold everybody made it and we had five substitutes wanting to bowl."
The league has already drawn the interest of Helena's John Brodersen and Tony Woodward, who are thinking about driving up each Friday and competing.
"We will will certainly take them and anybody else who would like to bowl," said McGee. "We have half a house to use."
Lewistown's Rod's Team, made up of Tim and Jamie Norling, Bill and Sherry Hodges and Rod Wesselmann, took over the team lead after the second weekend of the Budweiser Handicap Tournament at Lewistown's Snowy Lanes.
The fivesome fired a 3,300 to overtake first-week leader, Rez Dudes, who posted a 3,292.
In the singles, Harlem's Ival Jackson held on to the top spot with a six-game 1,580 total. Lewistown's Jon Larson moved into second with a 1,521.
The tourney, which has a prize fund of over $8,000, will run three more weekends and Rex Coleman says that Sundays seem to be a good day to find openings and encourages bowlers to make the trip.
Phone Coleman at 535-3473 to reserve a spot.
A hard-throwing lefthander led the scores last week as Paul Dehn put together consistent games of 257 and a pair of 243 efforts for a 743 series in the 725 Classified League at Little's Lanes.
After Guyla Streit broke through last week for a 700, the ladies' scores retreated a little with Doris Kimmerle leading the way. Kimmerle, also in the 725 Classified, turned a 266 game into a 668 set, high for the women.
The old man at the Elks, Rod Hackett, led the way downtown with a 289 game and 720 series in the Tuesday Men.
Barb Baumgartner's 213 game and 618 series edged out Lauretta Gifford's 225 game and 617 set for the women.
Across town at Pin & Cue, Bob Orham fired a 703 set, on a 258 high game, to pace the men's scores. Orham was bowling in the Monday 535. Nobi Sirucek, in the Wednesday Mixed, opened with a 257 game and finished with 650 set, for the women.
Look for the results from last weekend's GFUSBC Youth Championships, held at the Elks, in today's youth scores. Also, results from the Fort Benton City Tournament are included in today's scores from Jack's Lanes.
Curt Backa, neither hard throwing nor a lefthander, is a Tribune sports copy editor and local bowling antique. Backa, a kegling anomaly, can be reached at 791-6569, 800 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@gftribune.com
K-Lines / Rudyard
Women's scores— Helen Inabnit 203, Gail Matter 6-10 and 2-7-10 split, Lynn Hybner 2-7-10 split, Barb Snyder 5-10 split
Men's scores— Greg Spinler 267-654 and 6-7-10 and 4-9 splits; Mick Grant 244, Levi Wendland 244, Todd Langel 259-227-652, Frank Nerat 3-10 and 2-7 splits, Dave Jones 4-5-7 split
Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton
Dust Bowlers— Tom Willson 270-245-203-718
Monday Nite Mixed— Jack Willson 236
Tues. Nite Mixed— Jack Willson 236
Thurs. Nite Mixed— Jack Willson 226
Fort Benton Men's City Tournament results:
Team—1. Banque Club B- 2650 (Jack Willson, Blake Lowthian, Zach Kerbs, Randy Kerbs) 2. Jack's Aces, 2,554.
Doubles— 1. Larry Cline and Jim Zanto 1333. 2. Bill Kline and Stan Klimas 1304
Singles— 1. Randy Kerbs 691. 2. Bill Kline 687. 3. Bruce Walker. 4. Drew Greiner.
All Events— Scratch — Randy Kerbs 1826. Handicap — Randy Kerbs, 2,042. 2. Larry Cline, 1,999.
Pro Alley Bowl / Belt
Belt Valley Mixed— Bruce Hoyer 244; Keith Olsen 203 + 50; Erich Maki 195 + 50; Bob Williams 192 + 50; LeeAnn Ferdinand 172 + 50; Chad Stroop 4-7-9-10 split; Vickie Snyder 5-10 split; Shannon Osterman 5-10 split; Sandy Francom 6-7 split.
Little's Lanes
Women's scores
Senior Citizens— Carol Martin 177 + 52, Gloria Pueschel 215, Shirley Christianson 201, Maddy Anderson 201.
Teacher's Mixed— Lynn Weeks 202.
Monday Ladies Classic— Kay Kessel 186 + 57, Cristy Snider 205, Quincie Brown 188 + 52, Collette Amato-Caffyn 201, Janet Huston 199 + 59, Ellie Finlayson 173 + 52.
Casino League— Pam Brendgord 200, Terry Tobiness 202.
Tuesday Night Mixed— Kris Schwantes 200, Roxie Arps 212, Joan Tierney 201.
Wednesday A.M. Trio— Janet Huston 178 + 63, Linda Summers 188 + 50.
A to Z— Mary Thronson 168 + 56, Janet Huston 191 + 51.
Mix Masters— Guyla Streit 218, 223 - 613, Doris Kimmerle 276, 216 - 657, Karin Osborn 211 - 612, Barb Lankford 232, 211 - 611.
725 Classified— Kristen Dehn 205, 254 - 653, Doris Kimmerle 222, 266 - 668, Jackie Graham 210.
Classic Trio— Kay Kinzinger 212, Ruby Willey 205.
Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience)— Guyla Streit 204, 216.
Satellite Mixed— Jackie Graham 207, Connie Dickman 231.
Men's scores
Senior Citizens— Bob Muretta 211, Darwin Reeve 236, Ed Dobeas 202, 218 - 618, Al Decker 235, 209, Roger Deitz 233, Pat Terry 204, Jim Pickering 212, 223 - 617, Pete Pueschel 201, Leonard Buls 212.
Teacher's Mixed— Ron Meyers (sr) 211, Charlie Compton 234, 226 - 653.
Casino League— Roger Deitz (sr) 214, Monte Holtz 232.
Tuesday Night Mixed— Bernie K. Dickman 236, 232, 255 - 733, Cory Arps 267, Bernie E. Dickman (sr) 233.
Little's City— Louis D'Antouno 256, Matt Picking 233, Chad Waltz 212 + 51, Wayne Parker (sr) 222, 201, James Livingston 231, Trevor Cummings 226, Paul Koontz 225.
Mix Masters— Brian Christianson 267, 247 - 691, Joe Levesey Jr. 227, 244 - 675, Terry Pearsall 275, Donnie Zuhoski 243, Tarl Dixon 232, 247 - 668, Sean Howard 229, Steve Volk 253 - 654, Scott Hirschi 257 - 680, Ken Curry 235, 247 - 672, Pat Terry (sr) 217, 217 - 627, Mike Carrethers 255, 268 - 705, Don White picker up 7-10 split, Steve Martin 233, 228 - 654, Roger Deitz (sr) 204, Tyler Rames 235, 255 - 707, Don Jordan 242, Mike Bowles (sr) 222, 215, 205 - 642, Ross Rambo 268, Ryan Moody 245, Mike Arps 276, 246 - 737, Mark Hewitt 225, Steve Howse 246, 254 - 680, Jody Bastas 235, Mike Christensen 231, 236.
725 Classified— Wes Baker (sr) 202, Pat Terry (sr) 248, Al Pearsall (sr) 217, 233, 207 - 657, Doug Yates (sr) 215, 204, Paul Dehn 257, 243, 243 - 743, Dan Schaaf 226, Mike Carethers (sr) 201, 261 - 631, Jim Kernaghan (sr) 223, 253 - 693, Jack Lien (sr) 200, Mike Christensen 255, 235 - 693, Ron Meyers (sr) 235, Mel Willey (sr) 219, 237 - 648, Bernie K. Dickman 279 - 683, Bruce Hruska 246, Fred Sadler 255.
Thursday Night Mixed— Ron Nelson 233, Dan Wilkerson (sr) 257 - 635, Joe Paranteau 243.
Short Short Season Trio— Duane Zeier 268, 227 - 710, Kenny Volk 267, Steve Howse 234, 235, Corey Gulick 227
Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience) — Bob Orham (sr) 219, 225, 200 - 600 - 1012, Mike Carrethers (sr) 235, 230, 211 - 1005, Pat Terry (sr) 222, 233, 234 - 689, Don White (sr) 214, Willie McGee (sr) 212, Bruce Steffani 234, 253, 300 - 657 - 1216, Lucas Cyr 234, Mike Christensen 232, Mike Judd 244, Lynn Taskila (sr) 202.
Satellite Mixed— Steve Volk 245, Mateo Jara 227, Hank Rimkus (sr) 207, 204, Andy Schindele 233, Norm Miller (sr) 210, Ron Blaquiere 230, Don Jordan 246, Lucas Cyr 258, 244 - 694, Abe Zigan 287, 672, Bernie Dickman 246 - 665, Jo Ovalle 235, 242 - 676.
Snowy Lanes / Lewistown
Women's scores
Mon. Doubles: Jan Mane 204
Tue. Trio: Monika Kolstad 203
Tue. Skyliners: Kelly Bracha 213, Karin Longshore 201
Wed. Pinetoppers: Kelly Bracha 210, Arvadel Bodvig 203
Thursday Money: Cherie Errecart 213
Men's scores
Mon. Commercial: Rex Coleman 258-717, Merl Coats 257-709, Fred Wood 235-653, Mike Dinsmore 220(+61)
Mon. Doubles: Rex Coleman 652
Tue. Trio: Merl Coats 241, Doug Bingeman 205(+56)
Tue. Skyliners: Dave Pillar 235, Ben Ward 185(+72)
Wed. Doubles: Gordie Kaufman 224(+60)
Thursday Seniors: Bob Conard 213-551(+104)
Thursday Money: Dewey Rosman 267-682, Scott Bassett 201(+56)
Thursday Merchant: Ron Bowen 257-661, Dean Person 234-659, Rex Coleman 262, Jon Larson 567(+102)
Sunday Mixed:Rex Coleman 267-726, Dean Person 253, Shane Murphy 182(+53)-494(+107)
Elks Lanes / Great Falls
Women's scores
Monday Ag League— Lily LeVeque 210, Marlene Konen 188 (+64), Loretta Sandley 164 (+58)
Jack & Jill Mixed— Lauretta Gifford 225(+52)/617; Sheila Brady 224(+56); Kay Kinzinger 218(+55), Kay also picked up 7/9 split; Dawn Vernon 217.
Thursday Seniors— Donna Schultz 196
Thursday Ladies— Janet Olson 176 (+50)
Friday Night Mixed— Barb Baumgartner 213/212/618; Nobi Sirucek 200; Karen Svenby 191(+51); Michele Dick 166(+51).
Men's scores
Monday Ag League— Rick Cummings 223/220/215=658.
Jack & Jill Mixed Monday Night— Tom Croskey 242(+53); Bernie Dickman 234; Shane Brown 232/226/214/672; Jerry Brown(sr) 210; Dave Gifford(sr) 206; Rod Hackett(sr) 202.
Tuesday Nite Mens— Rod Hackett(sr) 289/222/209=720; Bill Brown(sr) 253(+55)/235/678; Steve Vernon 247/226/210=683; Darwin Reeve(sr) 243(+52)/227/664; Ed Bandel 241(+61); Jack Anderson(sr) 233; Jim Dixon 228/228/633; Joe Summers(sr) 212; Dan Griffin 211(+56) Bob Standley(sr) 205; Al Debortoli(sr) 205; Richard Ferderer(sr) 203; Ken Ferguson(sr) 202; Mike Beggs(sr) 202; Dave Woolsey(sr) 202; Mac McKay(sr) 200; Ray Pankratz(sr) 189(+50).
Weds. Bull Elks — Ken Ferguson(sr) 266(+70)/236/208=710(+122); Scott Rodger 268(+65)/670; Howard Clodfelter(sr) 246(+52)/225/205=676; Randy Guill(sr) 245/236/677; Jim Pickering(sr) 242/605; Dave Gifford(sr) 236/212/615; John Dixon 234; Andy Atkinson 234(+51)/223/211/668(+119); Dave Keil 230; Doc Basta(sr) 216; Rod Hackett(sr) 204/202/605; Shane Benton(sr) 201.
Thursday Sr League — Rod Hackett 277(+87)/639; Jim Krommendyk 243(+76)/213/645(+129); Darwin Reeve 227/223/629;Harlan Lartch 223(+66); Les Murphy 207(+52); Bob Bann 203; Don Kuntz 203; Don Thrush 202; Jim Remsh 202.
Friday Night Mixed — Josh Lyle 245(+59); Doug Casity(sr) 243(+71)/211; Mike Baumgartner 235(+51); Dale Sirucek(sr) 213; Joe Summers(sr) 211/200; Roger Winterrowd(sr) 209; Josh Wuertz 206(+53); Jerry Emerson(sr) 204.
Murph's Party Bowl / Great Falls
Christian Intramural— David Amdahl 202 (sr.), Charlie Pepos 200-211 (sr.), Del Erickson 201 (sr.), Bob Melott 214
Friday Alibi— Dan Miller 201 (sr.), Terry Brus 202, 214-213 (sr.), Joey Palmerton 213, Del Erickson 222, Millard Ketterling 205 (sr.), Al DeBortoli 213-227-203-643 (sr.), Theresa Verhaar 6-7 split
Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank
Sunday Night Mixed— Cheri Bundy 426 (+111), Brian Grainger 201 (+74), Daryl Sletten 208 (+68)
Monday Ladies— Dana Peterson 399 series (+144)
Thursday Commercial— Kevin Eaton 214 (+60), Joe Fisher 189 (+57), Jovon Fisher 194 (+55), Andy Hofer 162 (+59)-429 (+120), John Kapp 223 (+73), Hank Weaver 193 (+50)
Friday Mixed— Paula Augare 198 (+63)
Pin & Cue / Great Falls
Women's scores
Sunday Mixed— Nobi Sirucek 208
Monday 535— Norma Miller 211, Terri Nall 213-211, Chris Dittus 244, Linda Michel 205-233, Mary Orham 210
Ladies Nite— Barb Bessler 202
Morning Glories— Barb Bredeson 209
Wednesday Mixed— Nobi Sirucek 257-211-650, Chris Dittus 233
Friday Mixed— Michelle Resler 210, Deb Thoroughman 206, Cindy Sikes 219
Men's scores
Sunday Mixed— Dewey Sutphin 209-216-201-626 (sr.), Jerry Ferderer 242, Richard Ferderer 212 (sr.), Jerry Gilles 246, Dale Specht 215-202-206-623 (sr.), Ducky Faler 216 (sr.)
Monday 535— Randy Wadsworth 202 (sr.), Jim Reeve 226, George Levandoski 234, Steve Edwards 225-266, Randy Guill 213 (sr.), Rock Rayl 204 (sr.), Dan Woodcock 220-221 (sr.), Jay Lewis 248, Chad Mans 242, Les Bruner 235-234-227-256-696-932 (4), Don White 215-218-255-235-668-923 (4), Chuck Lull 218 (sr.), Steve Quinby 247-233-657, Mike Bowles 209-223-226-211-658-869 (4), Reid Michel 269-225-687-871 (4), Tank Judd 253-873 (4), Bob Orham 258-226-703-884 (4)
Wednesday Mixed— Joe Smith 247-266-691, J.D. Dennen 234, Dusty Curtis 231, Steve Edwards 236-226-663, Rich Billiel 244-670, Ducky Faler 235-222-208-665 (sr.), Charles Keltz 235-203-601 (sr.)
MFCU— Steve Edwards 235, Dale Alexander 224 (sr.), Rich Lembo 239-225-656, Tony Amato 234
Friday Mixed— Darrin Davenport 237-245, Boomer Bruner 211 (sr.), Joe Konesky 205 (sr.), Mick Brown 205 (sr.), Rich Fisher 258-696, Dave Pfeifle 228-605 (sr.), Mike Bowles 212-204-253-669 (sr.)
Black Eagle Lanes
Golden Seniors— Teri Knott 101 triplicate
Thursday Howard Ghee— Kelly Wilke 187 (+64), Lynn Jager 177-463 (+100)
BECC Seniors— Leonard Buls 203
Black Eagle Bums— Bill Thomas 233, Merle Frazer 199 (+68)
Monday Volunteers— Ed Van Vleet 236, Robert Smith 219 (+54)