To say Chuck Groat has endeared himself to the bowling fans of Great Falls may be a bit of an understatement.

Because of his stellar performances in Great Falls, Groat has pretty much forced himself on our kegling conscience.

This weekend Groat will be seeking to defend his 2008 title and capture his fourth Coors Light John Willey Memorial, and odds are pretty good he will head back his Kerns, Utah  home Sunday afternoon with it or he will have come pretty close.

Groat’s record in the annual tourney is pretty remarkable.

He won it in 2004 and 2005, finished second in 2006 and was third in 2007 and came back last year and defeated Billings’ Josh Hale, 214-213, to win it for a third time.

“Great Falls has been pretty good to me,” said Groat. “I hope I have developed some fans and friends.”

Groat returns to Great Falls coming off a second-place finish in Boise this past weekend.

“Al Lopez got me in the final,” said Groat. “I led all day and it came down to that one game.”

Groat, 37, bowls a couple of nights a week in the Salt Lake area averaging over 230 and is a weekend warrior, traveling to tournaments in the region.

“I would have to say I’m in the top few percent of bowlers in Salt Lake,” he said.

Groat, originally from Massachusetts, started bowling at an early age.

“I started bowling in my mother’s womb,” he said. “My mom and dad were league bowlers and if I was good they would let me throw a game after they were finished.

“If I was good!”

Groat moved to Salt Lake at 15 and developed his talent in junior leagues eventually bowling on the Weber State team.

“I was pretty competitive at 15 and 16 bowling in scholarship tournaments and I started going to adult tournaments when I got old enough,” Groat said.

Asked if he thought about becoming a touring professional.

“If the money was like golf, I would have probably done it,” said Groat. “But I like the security of having insurance, a 401K plan and a job to go to every day.

“Plus, the tour bowlers on the tour are the best bowlers in the world and it would be pretty tough to make a living.”

There are still openings for this weekend’s tournament, which has three eight-game qualifying shifts, at 8 a.m., 1 and 7 p.m.

The top 32 bowlers advance into Sunday’s match-play portion.

Entry fee is $160 and bowlers can reserve a spot by calling Little’s at 452-4116.

Speaking of touring professionals, a former one, Steve Martin, led the scores last week.

Martin, bowling in the popular MixMasters at Little’s reeled off games of 267, 255 and 225 for a 747 set.

Martin edged out Glenn Jeffrey III, who tossed a 740 series in the Thursday 725 Classfied, on games of 266, 236 and 238.

For the women, Kristen Dehn continued with the hot hand tossing a nice 715 series in the MixMasters. Dehn’s set was powered by games of 237, 257 and 221.

At the Elks, Rod Hackett led the way with a 611 series, coming on games of 213 and 210. Karen Arps’ 213 single topped the women.

I was reminded so subtly last week that Brian Christianson was high for the week with a 728 set, and I stand corrected. In a show of consistency, Christianson followed that with a 729 this week.

Little’s Lanes

Women’s scores

Senior Citizens — Della Johnson 217, Carolyn Kimmerle 210.

Teacher's Mixed — Pat Hughes 200.

Monday Ladies Classic — Laurie Ueland 243, Vicki Bickler 188 + 53, Quincie Brown 192 + 52, Heather Kirby 194 + 68, Noelle McGillis 174 + 60, Barbi Stevens 209.

Tuesday Afternoon Trio — Betty Warehime picked up 6-7-10 split.

Casino League — Terry Tobiness picked up 6-7 split.

Wednesday A.M. Trio — Carol Gamel 195 +61, Carol Gamel 209 from 9/16.

A to Z — Sharon Bennyhoff 154 + 50.

Mix Masters — Karin Osborn 243 - 616, Kristen Dehn 237, 257, 221 - 715.

M.F.C.U. — Sheila Egged 194 +43, Heather Helmbrecht 223.

725 Classified — Jackie Graham 207, Kristen Dehn 201, 206, Tracy Arndt 221, 259 - 620.

Classic Trio — Kay Kinzinger 204, picked up 3-6-7-10 split, Renee Leveque picked up 4-5-7 split.

Alibi Mixed — Amber Brandt 189 +53.

Satellite Mixed — Jackie Graham 267, 203 - 648, Jeanette Laird 229, 225 - 623.

Men’s scores

Senior Citizens — Leonard Buls 220, Jim Pickering 202, Dale Sirucek 200, Pat Terry 214.

Teacher's Mixed — Charlie Compton 227.

Casino League — Steve Vernon 237, 264 - 720, Roger Deitz (sr) 224, Mark Schwantes 206 + 66, John Dixon 243, Monte Holtz 234, Larry DeBolt (sr) 200.

Tuesday Night Mixed — Bernie E. Dickman (sr) 202, Jesse Voss 202 +61.

Little's City — Curby Dennis (sr) 208, 204, Galen Flanagan (sr) 201, 208, Chuck Winn 226, Steve Howse 226, 227, Frank Blaney (sr) 201, Trevor Cummings 225 - 671, Ron Nelson 234.

Mix Masters — Steve Howse 234, Bob Orham (sr) 204, 223, Jerry Osborn 236, Brian Lee 241, Steve Martin 267, 255, 225 - 747, Rich Crawford 257, 243 - 707, Mike Carrethers 225, Pat Terry (sr) 200, Brian Brown 257 - 658, Mike Christensen 232, 238 - 655, Jody Bastas 235, Charlie Pepos (sr) 216, Tyler Rames 233, Marlin Cross (sr) 226, 210 - 643, Joe Levesey Jr. 226, 242 - 679, Brian Christianson 249, 234, 246 - 729, Scott Hirschi 244, 241 - 675, Joe Paranteau 265, 278 - 730, Jesse West 241 - 653, Bruce Hruska 225, Mel Willey (sr) 222, Al Fenner 257 - 651, Mike Bowles (sr) 202, Don White (sr) 204, 206 - 609, Jim Alkestad (sr) 202, 212, 206 - 620, Mike Arps 237, Paul Dehn 225, 247 - 670, Donnie Zuhoski 241, Tarl Dixon 234.

M.F.C.U. — Mick Brown (sr) 220, Dale Sirucek (sr) 213, Boomer Bruner 233, Ken Huston 213 +80, Dave Burress 201 +50, Reeves Caffyn 232.

725 Classified — Dan Schaaf 225, Mike Carrethers (sr) 244 - 602, Wes Baker (sr) 226, Al Pearsall (sr) 225, Pat Terry (sr) 246, 225 - 621, Ron Corkin 242 - 655, Duane Zeier 246 - 652, Tyler Rames 254 - 652, Glenn Jeffrey III 266, 236, 238 - 740, Fred Sadler (sr) 229, 211, 201 - 641, Doug Yates (sr) 213, Jesse West 229, Ron Underwood 232, Mike Christensen 268, Jim Kernaghan (sr) 205.

Thursday Night Mixed — Ron Nelson (sr) 253, Dan Wilkerson (sr) 209, 213 - 607, Joe Paranteau 257, 256 - 734, Fred Berry (sr) 239 - 604, Richard Lembo 224 +60, Bruce Chaney 223 + 59, 223 +59.

Straight-A-Way (PBA Experience) — Rich Crawford 230 - 1001 (5), Eric Crawford 236 - 1052 (5), Bruce Steffani 229, 230, 234 - 1090 (5), Wayne Quinby 237, Don White 244, Don Richer 259.

Alibi Mixed — Al Debortoli 225, Bill Wood 222 +64, Mike Walker 227.

Satellite Mixed — Kyle Grossman 246, Mike Sharp 235, Hank Rimkus (sr) 216, Fred Sadler (sr) 214, 212, 267 - 693, Jo Ovalle (sr) 211, 212, Bob Ramsted (sr) 203, Richie Miller 197 + 61, Leonard Peterson 232, Bernie K. Dickman 266 - 661, Kenny Volk 231, Andy Schindele 245, 227, 243 - 715.

Snowy Lanes / Lewistown

Women scores

Mon. Doubles: Jan Mane 203

Tue Skyliners:  Kelly Bracha 210

Wed. Pinetoppers: Linda Danielson 201

Men

Tue. Skyliners:  Don Bussey 230, Dave Pillar 225

Thursday Seniors:  Hank Laughlin 201

Thursday Money: Dewey Rosman 2257-658, Tim Thomas 226

Sunday Mixed:  Rex Coleman 257, Dewey Rosman 235

Glacier Lanes / Cut Bank

Thursday Commercial — Pat Anderson 223 (+80)-197 (+54)-585 (+100), Darren Arensmeyer 200 (+65), Rich DeKay 189 (+45)(sr.), J.W. Eaton 203 (sr.), Kevin Eaton 219 (+59), Ric Fauque 211 (+80)-568 (+100), John Kapp 199 (+66), Hoovey LaPlante 188 (+52), Don Sollars 203 (+56), Lynn Weaver 180 (+45)(sr.)

Wednesday Ladies — Sherry Fleming 173 (+50), June Kennedy 119 (+53)

Happy Bowlers (Seniors) — Christine Howell 177 (+64), Vern Watson 212

Sunday Night Mixed — Chris Allred 142 (+55), Mark Barrett 176 (+63), J.W. Eaton 252, Louella Sletten 152 (+51)

Black Eagle Lanes / Great Falls

Thursday Howard Ghee — Gloria Franz 173 (+52)

BECC Seniors — Don Mann 192 (+59), Cle Mann 189 (+51), Lloyd Alee 168 (+52), Ellie Bruner 204

Monday Volunteers — Scott Karaffa 232

Black Eagle Bums — Ken Huston 235, Steve Edwards 209 (+52), Tim Schnebel 194 (+69), Steve Edwards 212 (sr.)

Jack's Lanes  / Fort Benton

Thurs. Nite Men's — Stan Klimas 252-623;  Robert Olson 236;  Jack Willson 237, 232; Tom Willson 256, 238- 695.

Pro Alley Bowl / Belt

Belt Valley Mixed — Shannon Osterman  204

Elks Lanes / Great Falls

Monday Jack & Jill Mixed — Ron Miller(sr) 221(+51); Rod Hackett(sr) 212; Karen Arps 213; Tracy Rigor 207; Judie Trujillo picked up 7-9-10 split.

Tuesday Night Men — Bob Rioux 226; Lee LeVeque(sr) 216; Al Debortoli(sr) 214; Sam Lucero(sr) 192(+47).

Wednesday Bull Elks — Dave Gifford(sr) 216/202; Darwin Reeve(sr)209; Dave Shadrick(sr) 205; Jim Pickering(sr) 203.

Elks Seniors — Rod Hackett 210; Tony Degele 203; Chuck Dailey 200, Millard Ketterling 200; Joe Franchois 170(+53); Gay Thrush 161(+51).

Thursday Ladies — Kay Kinzinger 189(+58)/494(+101); Michelel Habel 199(+75); Sheila Reeve 442(+100); Vera Smereck(sr) 195.

Friday Mixed — Howie Low 220(+71).

Saturday Van’s IGA Mixed — Christy Snider 212.

Sunday Early Birds — Gary Willits(sr) 216/202; Rod Hackett(sr) 213/210/611; Ron DeBerry(sr) 213(+50); Bob Chesko(sr) 200; Dawn Vernon 214; Kay Kinzinger picked up 6-7-10.

K-Lines / Rudyard

Women’s scores — Ann Wickum 4-7-10 split; Inez Keith 3-7 split; Rita Maze 5-6-10 and 2-6-7-10 splits; Linda Foster 3-10 split; Karen Knori 4-5 split; Penny Walston 5-10 split