Great Falls bowlers are certainly making their presence felt at the 2009 Montana USBC Open Tournament in Anaconda.
For the second weekend in a row, the names of Electric City bowlers, led by the superlative effort of Brian Lee, can be found at the top of the standings.
In a week when a 300 game had to take second place, Lee literally was a one-man wrecking crew this past weekend at Copper Bowl, the site of the doubles and singles.
Teaming with radio personality Scott Hirschi, Lee reeled off games of 279, 259 and 289 for a huge 827 series as the pair burst into the A Division doubles lead with a 1,485 total.
With Hirschi's 545 the duo was also top the scratch doubles with a 1,372.
Both totals will be hard to beat in the next six weeks.
Lee did not stop there shooting a 714 in the singles to lead the A Division, and his 2,171 is atop the scratch all-event standings. For six games with handicap, Lee totaled 2,267, also first in the standings.
Last Wednesday, before all of the fireworks in Anaconda, Ken Curry added his name to this season's perfect game club.
Curry, bowling in Little's MixMasters, put all 12 together for his eighth-career perfect game and 12th registered in the Great Falls this season.
Curry, a silky smooth lefthander, rolled his 300 in the second game of the night after a 249 to finish with a fine 746 set.
It was a long dry spell between 300s for Curry, who last toed the perfect game mark in 2000.
That year, Curry, without benefit of a practice ball, stepped out and reeled off his first 12 in league play.
Curry joins Guyla Streit, Ryan Moody, Steve Edwards, Bruce Steffani, Mike Bowles, Stephen James, Fred Sadler, Ken Haugen, Reid Michel, Ron Simonsen and Steve Martin in this season's 300 club.
Great Falls USBC director Willie McGee has announced this year's three inductees for the hall of fame.
Henry Baker, Nathan Beebe and yours truly have been selected to enter this year and will be honored in ceremonies Saturday, May 23, at the Knights of Columbus.
Baker, an all-around ambassador to the sport, has been bowling for over 67 years and owns a 289 high game and a 744 high series. He was selected in the pioneer division.
Beebe's brilliant junior career earned him his induction. In 15 years of youth action, Beebe recorded a 300 game and a 716 series and held the high junior average in the city for many years. He also won the Glenn Rose tourney.
Ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails, with dinner to follow at 7. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 after May 16. Contact any USBC director to buy a ticket.
In league play last week, Glenn Jeffrey III earned the high score for the men.
Jeffrey, bowling in the 725 Classified at Little's, put together games of 255, 274 and 234 for a 763 series.
For the women, Kristen Dehn got untracked recording games of 246 and 279 for a 722 set, also in the 725 Classified.
At the Elks, John Basta turned in a strong week. Basta, in the Bull Elks on Wednesday, tallied games of 254, 233 and 205 for a 692 set, good enough to lead the men.
Dawn Vernon is ending the season with a rush turning in a 257 game and 644 series in the Friday Mixed, high for the women.
Scores remained on the high side at Pin & Cue, with Donnie White leading the men with a 278 game and a 728 series in the Monday 535.
Holly Vukasin led the distaffs with a 611 set, including a 245 game.
Just a note, Missoula's John Conger represented Montana in this past week's U.S. Open. The strong-throwing lefthander turned in six-game sets of 1,079 and 1,017 to finish well down in the standings.
Mike Christensen, the recent winner of the U.S. Open qualifier in Helena, will represent Montana in next year's event.
In today's edition, in addition to the results from the Montana USBC Open, see write-ups on the past weekend's Glen Rose junior tourney and the High School Bowl-Off, held recently at Little's Lanes.
Curt Backa, who will be honored to be inducted into the hall of fame this year, is a Tribune sports writer, copy editor and longtime member of the Bowling Writers Association of America. Backa, when not overwhelmed, can be reached at 791-6569, 438-6600 or e-mailed at cbacka@greatfallstribune.com
Here are the rest of last week's honor scores from around the region:
Elks Lanes
Women's scores
Jack & Jill Mixed— Lauretta Gifford 234, Connie Dickman 230-204-604, Barbie Kakalecik 199 (+62)
Thursday Seniors— Eileen Curty 212, Barb Bessler 190
Thursday Ladies— Sheila Brady 216, Laura Manzer 211, Hallie Jacobs 190 (+50), Christine Pattee 189 (+76)-457 (+118)
Friday Night Mixed— Barb Baumgartner 203, Dawn Vernon 257-201-644, Tara Estes 204, Jean Ostlie 201, Nobi Sirucek 192 (sr.)
Men's scores
Jack & Jill Mixed Monday Night— Barry Fields 254(+105); Dave Gifford(sr) 246/224/647; Shane Brown 256/246/685; Rod Hackett(sr) 237/225/201/663; Phil Piccono 236(+62); Daniel Rayl 235(+67); Bernie Dickman 234; Burt Tschetter(sr) 203.
Tuesday Nite Mens— Wayne Maurer (sr) 279(+94)633; Rod Hackett(sr) 247209/637; Bob Rioux(sr) 241(+55)213/643; Don White(sr) 237230/203/670; Mike Beggs(sr) 236/233/213/682; Al Ridder 236/235/200/671; Jim Dixon 236/227/222/685; Jake Jacobs 233/653; Dennis Vandenberg 231(+50); Dan Jackson 226; Jim Whetman 225; Rex Tanberg(sr) 223/607; Myrle Gollaher(sr) 221(+58); Ken Ferguson(sr) 215; Mel Wardell(sr) 215; Chuck Martin(sr) 211; Gale Swanson(sr) 210; Dave Woolsey(sr) 209; Gary Willits(sr) 204/203/200/607; Vince Geocke(sr) 203; Terry Keel(sr) 202/202.
Weds. Bull Elks— John Basta 254(+70)/233/205/692(+140); Dale Linder 249(+101)556(+112); Andy Atkinson 248(+62); Charlie Compton 246/655; Ken Ferguson(sr) 246(+54)201/636; Rich Reeve 232/226/203/661; Dave Shadrick(sr) 236(+56)/216/648(+108); Gary Jensen 225; Jim Pickering(sr) 236/226/645; Randy Guill(sr) 233/223/653; Reid Michel 235/233662; Dave Keil 235221/209/665; Dave Gifford(sr) 221/209/629; Don White 225/614; Rod Hackett(sr) 219; Paul Threlkeld(sr) 211/208; Chuck Dailey(sr) 202; John Toeynes(sr) 201; Talbert Bryan(sr) 200.
Thursday Sr League— Jim Remsh 228/227/646; Pete Peuschel 225(+72); Tony Degele 225/224/222/671(+110); Rod Hackett 223/221/215/659; Rich Ferderer 222(+54)/611(+107; Mel Wardell 217/209/620; Dave Shadrick 204; Steve Lyczewski 210; Chet Knab 203(+51); Dave Woolsey 202; Harry Schultz 201; Len Buls 201; Bob Rowe 191(+56); Joe Franchois 183(+50).
Friday Night Mixed— Chuck Bartels 278(+75)/642; Rex Tanberg(sr) 225/207; Vince Goecke(sr) 213; Zac Estes 180(+54); Josh Wuertz 209(+54).
Jack's Lanes / Fort Benton
Dust Bowlers— Patty Paulsen 208
Thurs. Nite Men's— Jack Willson 234, Robert Olson 231
Snowy Lanes / Lewistown
Women's scores
Tue. Trio— Monika Kolstad 208-549(+102)
Tue. Skyliners— Cassie Bergstrom 187(+64)
Wed. Doubles— Carol Jennings 204(+61)-542(+113)
Thursday Money— Fran Coats 227, Cherie Errecart 201
Men's scores
Mon. Commercial— Bill Baldwin 243-618(+120), Rex Coleman 234-655, Tyler Thomas 231, Ted Campbell 210(+56), Tim Errecart 212(+53)
Mon. Doubles— John Stokken 239-688, Rex Coleman 234-668, Dewey Rosman 229
Tue. Skyliners— Dave Gates 234, Tom Koski 234, Dave Pillar 225, Rick Fulbright 202
Wed. Doubles— Ernie Coppedge 234, Ollie Grindland223 (+55)
Thursday Seniors— Roger Thomas 213
Thursday Money— Rex Coleman 267-746, Don Baker 222(58)-588(+126), Scott Phelps 210(+53)
Thursday Merchant— Dean Person 232-656, Rex Coleman 235, Steve Bracha 207(+61), Jeremy Carr 194(+60)-545(+143), Doug Corry 213(+50)
Pro Alley Bowl / Belt
Belt Valley Mixed— Bruce Hoyer 225, Bob Bell 212 (+50), Gary Pimperton 214 (+50), Gena Clark 184 (+50), Duane Miller 5-8-10 split; Lita Howes 3-7-10 split; Sara Antonich 92 triplicate.
Little's Lanes
Women's scores
Senior Citizens— Maddy Anderson 211, Eileen Curdy picked up 6-7-10 split, Donna Wingard picked up 6-8-10 split, Betty Quickenden 148 + 52.
Monday Ladies Classic— Deb Geiger 200, Laurie Ueland 220, Debbie Petrini 198 + 61, Connie Pruys 163 + 56.
Casino League— Terry Tobiness 211, Jackie Undem 205, 216 - 609.
Tuesday Night Mixed— Lisa Voss 208, Roxie Arps 246, 210 - 640.
Wednesday A.M. Trio— Donna Wingard picked up 4-7-10 split, Pauline Phillips picked up 5-7 split.
A to Z— Connie Thompson 183 + 57.
Mix Masters— Doris Kimmerle 233, 237, 234 - 704, Kristen Dehn 256, 234 - 687, Karin Osborn 231, Guyla Streit 246, 213, 213 - 672, Barb Lankford 225, 210 - 6
725 Classified— Kristen Dehn 246, 279 - 722, Jackie Graham 216, Doris Kimmerle 204.
Thursday Night Mixed— Mary Shampo 237.
Short Short Season Trio— Courtney Moody 172 + 60, Dawn Peterson 170 + 61.
Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience) — Doris Kimmerle 209, 214, Guyla Streit 202.
Satellite Mixed— Cathy Grey 166 + 62, Janice Zigan 201, Connie Dickman 207, 201, Michele Woods 211, Jackie Graham 256.
Men's scores
Senior Citizens— Pat Terry 208, Dave Shadrick 245 - 604, Boyd Wolverton 202, 235, Wes Martin 256, 209 - 640, Chuck Dailey 216, Darwin Reeve 247, Al Decker 203, Dale Sirucek 226 - 604, Bill Claassen 247, Dennis Smrdel 258 - 647, Jim Pickering 203, 202 - 603.
Casino League— Rod Schwantes 243, Gary Forsman 234, Mark Pettis 231, 231, Ken Price (sr) 211, Roger Deitz (sr) 221.
Little's City— Mike Picking 229, Ron Fleming (sr) 223, 247 - 655, Curby Dennis (sr) 214, Karl Koontz 245, Dan Barrett 207 + 79, Frank Blaney (sr) 202.
Mix Masters — Sean Howard 259 - 674, Mike Brown 229, Dan Jackson 238, Jim Aklestad (sr) 224, Don White (sr) 238, 214 - 642, Bruce Hruska 236 - 670, Al Fenner 237, Mike Arps 245, 227 - 677, Paul Dehn 289, 238 - 744, Mike Bowles (sr) 224, Steve Martin 267, 239 - 729, Tarl Dixon 279, Lucas Cyr 227, 276 - 716, Pat Terry 230 - 654, Mike Carethers 279, 268 - 753, Jody Bastas 235, 259 - 675, Mike Christensen 243, 237 672, Tyler Rames 247, 232 - 676, Jim Esther (sr) 235 - 621, Kyle Wheatley 246, 279 - 715, Joe Levesey Jr. 246, 257 - 708, Steve Volk 225, 278 - 683, Steve Howse 235, 242 - 699, Bob Orham 235 - 656, Ken Curry 249, 300 - 746.
725 Classified— Glenn Jeffrey III 255, 274, 234 - 763, Tony Gribble 231, Jesse West 229, Doug Yates 232, 258 - 699, Fred Sadler 258, 239 - 700, Ron Corkin 237, Mearl Christianson (sr) 211, Carl Conte 226, Dan Schaaf 265, 239 - 709, Mike Carrethers 249, 235 - 655, Wes Baker 268, Willie McGee 247, 232 - 671, Pat Terry 256 - 662, Paul Dehn 239, Mike Christensen 233, 235 - 682, Duane Zeier - 225, Jim Kernaghan 235, 237 - 654.
Thursday Night Mixed— Bruce Chaney 235, Mike Moore 193 + 52, Dan Wilkerson 234, Joe Paranteau 245.
Short Short Season Trio— Brian Waranakas 234, Keny Volk 226, Jamey Galbraith 255, Mike Christensen 259 - 658, Tyler Rames 246, 259 - 665, Duane Seier 252, 236, 249 - 737, Ryan Moody 239.
Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience) — Brad Harthun 267 - 1000 (5), Jim Pickering (sr) 235, 201, 207, Jeff Dennen 232, Wayne Quinby (sr) 205, 257 - 608, Lucas Cyr 246, 225, 268 - 670 - 1150 (5), Rich Crawford 243, 249 - 671 - 1114 (5) Eric Crawford 236, Willie McGee 243, Ross Rambo 234, 252, Mike Judd 232, Mike Carrethers (sr) 219, Pa Terry (sr) 209, 203, 211, Bob Orham (sr) 215.
Satellite Mixed— Chuck Stein (sr) 201, Kyle Grossman 248, Ron Blaquiere (sr) 231 - 607, Bernie K. Dickman 232, 258, 264 - 754, Roy Hensley 213 + 63, Norm Miller (sr) 211, Joe Bourne 219 + 62, Jo Ovalle 227, Rico Cordes 212 + 67, Lucas Cyr 226, 256, 232 - 714, Tyler Sidor 226, Ryan Moody 229-289, Mike Arps 227, Marty Graham 222 + 67, Hank Rimkus (sr) 212, 205 - 613.
Aces High / Malmstrom AFB
MSC — Jim Johnston 203 (sr.), Eva Slugga 214
Wednesday Intramurals— Don Sears 245, Mark Boser 276, Terren Yost 206 (+73)
Thursday Mixed— Rock Rayl 231, Jeannette Laird 203
Pin & Cue / Great Falls
Women's scores
Sunday Mixed— Debbie Skinner 202
Monday 535— Chris Dittus 215, Terri Nall 247-203, Nobi Sirucek 207-204, Linda Michel 208
Ladies Nite Out— Denise Bury 211
Morning Glories— Barb Nelson 205, Barb Bessler 202, Amanda Counts 3-10 split
Wednesday Mixed— Sheila Egged 204-200, Nobi Suricek 216, Holly Vukasin 245-215-611, Trudy Schilling 205
MFCU— Linda Huddleston 215, Collette Caffyn 222, Lindy Crocker 211, Jacqueline Undem 242
Friday Mixed— Chris Pepos 203, Denise Curtis 216
Men's scores
Sunday Mixed— Dewey Sutphin 214 (sr.), Leonard Peterson 224 (sr.), Jerry Ferderer 234-614 (sr.)
Monday 535— Arnie Judd 245, Joe Smith 243-230, Bob Orham 258, Rock Rayl 235-236-256-727-1,005 (4), Dan Woodcock 204-211 (sr.), John Krammarich 245-222 (sr.), Kenneth Huston 247, Don White 208-242-278-728 (sr.), Steve Edwards 213-279-203-695-941 (4) (sr.), Randy Guill 257-202-223-682 (sr.), Chuck Lull 215 (sr.), Steve Quinby 236-247-688, Mike Bowles 218-232-223-673 (sr.), Dustin Curtis 234-279-726, Reid Michel 233
Wednesday Mixed— Joe Smith 255-690, Mick Brown 226-201-638 (sr.), J.D. Dennen 241-236-700, Steven Bankhead 209-203 (sr.), Jim Vukasin 236, Sam Hagen 225, Ducky Faler 4-7-9-10 split
MFCU — Lance Darby 226, Damon Alexander 236-616 (first-ever 600), Dale Alexander 224-213-629 (sr.), Steve Edwards 202-211-603 (sr.)
Friday Mixed— Charlie Pepos 229-227-628 (sr.), Bill Bury 200 (sr.), Adam Thoroughman 244, Chad Konesky 244, Bill Sybrant 226, Leonard McNee 200 (sr.)
Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls
BECC Seniors— Ed VanVleet 202, Mary Reuter 184
Black Eagle Bums— Dave Huffman 224 (+52), Rich Marten 221 (+61)
Monday Volunteers— Scott Karaffa 217 (+58), Diane Olson 156 (+80)-361 (+133)
Golden Seniors— Teri Knott 151 (+51)
Wicked Wednesday— Cindy Caffrey 185 (+52), Deb English 153 (+50)
Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank
Thursday Commercial— Paul Augare 223 (+68), Jack Connolly 235-558 (+138), Ron Dumontier 570 (+123), J.W. Eaton 226, Allen LaPlante Jr. 220 (+67)-573 (+114), Jimmy Littrell 180 (+55)-481 (+106), Maynard Nygaard 213 (+73), Neal Roush 212 (+66), Aaron Vandenberg 213 (+63)