Paulding Bowling Center, Dallas, GA June 16-20, 2009
Seventy-four AWBA bowlers came to Paulding County and were treated to some genuine southern hospitality, on and off the lanes. Harold & Linda Bowman did an excellent job in making everyone feel welcome and comfortable, as did the staff of Paulding Lanes. They had every detail covered throughout the week, especially managing the shift bowling that was required for the singles competition.
Given some late withdrawals, and dropping two after events had begun, 65 bowlers completed the tournament along with one novice bowler, John Powers from Hiram, GA. In all, 14 past champions attended with 40 titles represented among them. Bowlers came from 17 states, with the most entries from Virginia. The only defending champion able to attend was Bob Goddard (MO) as Judy Mosher (VA) had to drop out due to transportation issues in traveling there. Gabe Diaz de Leon (TX) had another commitment that prevented him from attending as well. Twelve bowlers were entered in their first national as well.
The County Commissioner, David Austin was on hand to welcome the AWBA as was Chamber of Commerce President Carolyn Delamont. The AWBA extends its appreciation to the Chamber of Commerce for providing breakfast and lunch to the Board of Directors and their assistance during the banquet. A job well done by all. Her husband Del sang stirring renditions of the National anthem and God Bless America.
We got things started on Monday night with the Up & Down event won by Horace Boyd (FL), Jim Coffey (FL) and their partners Susan & Stan Schalgen (FL). On Tuesday, the Welker Scratch Doubles was contested with 27 teams entered. In the end, the team of Mark Shepherd (CO), and Walt Roy (CA) took the championship besting Jim Sullivan (FL) and Don Porpora (FL). Wednesday was a busy day as the Pfister/Ramus Handicap Team event was held prior to the Tournament of Champions and the Auxiliary tournament. The event fielded 18 teams with Mike Cannizzaro (FL), Robert Kimrey (NC), and Tom Maciosek (WI) taking the handicap team honors(1900 hcp ttl). Walt Roy won the Tournament of Champions scratch portion (530), and Norm Bissell (GA) took the handicap title (660). Darlene Chauncey (FL) won the Auxiliary event with Joe Fox Jr. (CA) and Jessica Sluder (NC) close on her heels.
The congestion of bowlers eased as we entered the singles phase of the competition, our main purpose to crown three divisional champions for this year’s event. The ‘red’ squad was first to take the lanes early on Thursday and bowl all six qualifying games for that day. On Friday, the ‘blue’ squad bowled first. It all worked well and the scores remained competitive throughout the qualifying rounds. On Friday night, the Scratch match play got underway with the top 8 qualifiers bowling head to head matches, which concluded on Saturday morning while the handicap divisions wrapped up their 5th qualifying round. Top qualifiers by division were George Holscher (VA) in Scratch (3932), Wayne Webber (FL) in A (3253), and Stephen Smith (OK) in B (3362), all receiving $100 and USBC High Qualifier Plaques. The roll offs were held immediately following the announcement of the top five finishers in each division.
The “B” division roll off was made up of 4 bowlers bowling their first national along with past champion Pete Poulin (FL). Match one of the B division pitted Chuck Turek (GA) against Pete Poulin, with Poulin advancing (214-191) to face Bill Wilson (GA). They tied (195-195) in regulation and rolled a 9th & 10th extra frame match with Pete besting Bill (41-28). Robert Kimrey (246-237) sidelined him in the next match. Kimrey faced top qualifier, Stephen Smith who was successful in holding out to win the “B” championship (225-195).
The “A” division roll off showcased veteran AWBA bowlers, each having roll off experience previously. The first match saw Bob Willis (OK) fall to James Carver (VA) (232-187). Carver faced fellow Richmonder, Jim May (VA) in match two. Jim bettered James (207-178) advancing to battle Horace Boyd. In a close match, May eked out a narrow victory (226-224). In the final match both bowlers wanted to claim their first National title but Wayne Webber proved too much for Jim (224-178) to win his first National.
The first match in the “Scratch” division was contested between the defending titleholder Bob Goddard and multiple champion Al Uttecht (CA) with Al emerging (190-143) to face Mark Shepherd. Uttecht dispatched Shepherd (181-176). Walt Roy was Uttecht’s next victim (203-190) as he seemed poised to claim number 13. In the final match, George Holscher took charge (191-160) to win his first National. Thus, all three divisions had first time champions – inspiration for those still chasing the dream.
A number of other awards were presented at the awards ceremony on Saturday evening. The auxiliary honored Bill Birch (CA) with their “Outstanding Service Award” for his continued support of the auxiliary and tournaments by his generous donations of time, and handiwork for so many years (everyone covets his wind chimes). Hall of Fame chairman, Jim Sullivan took center stage to present first, Roger Templar (FL) as an inductee into the Hall of Fame for bowling achievement. Roger was most appreciative to be recognized by his peer group and cited this as the crowning accolade of his career. Mr. Sullivan then introduced Don Porpora (FL) for induction as well in the category of meritorious service for his long-standing participation in AWBA tournaments (more than 300) over the years he has been a yearly member. Similarly, Don was grateful and expressed his sentiment that he considered the AWBA as his second family. Congratulations to both inductees.
Next, we announced the National Achievement honorees for the past season. High Average awards went George Holscher and Walt Roy both posting 186. Mark Shepherd took honors for his HSS of 720 bowled at the national last year. HSG was also shared with Ron Johnson (FL) and Walt Roy scoring identical 279 games. HHS was awarded to Gary Ryan (804) and Ron Johnson posted 321 for the HHG award. Our most improved bowler over the year was Joe Wheeler (VA) improving 20 pins from 2007-08.
Other tournament awards were presented to the bowlers in various categories, beginning with the Buddy Cole ‘Most Improved’ awarded to a candidate who bowled in Fountain Valley last year. Not surprisingly, that went to Gary Ryan (TX) with his pin increase of 242 pins. (Gary has bowled every event in the past year since joining in 2008). Loretta Moon (OK) won the Alma Ladwig Memorial Award for being the women’s champion (3149). Horace Boyd had a great tournament and won the Seniors (+65) Classic championship (3159). Walt Roy won the Scratch All Events honors (3432) and Pete Poulin won the Handicap All Events title (4600). Last but not least, David Spotts (CO) was presented with the Bill Hart “Sportsmanship” Memorial plaque.
Individual honors went to scratch bowlers Mark Shepherd HSS (664), and Eddy Hutchens (CO) HSG (256). In the A division, awards went to Wayne Webber HHS (706), Larry Chauncey (FL) HHG (277), John Gould (AR) HSS (562) and J.K. Johnston (TX) HSG (213). The “B” division honors for HHS (709) resulted in a tie between Chuck Turek and Stephen Smith. Jim Coffey rolled the HHG (281), Bill Wilson (GA) the HSS (489) and Doug Bureta (WI) HSG (205).
Our heartfelt thanks go to the Bowman family for their commitment and dedication to promote the AWBA and host such a great event, to their tournament committee and the generous people of Paulding County for making our tournament a success again this year. The AWBA would also like to thank Dave and Nancy Roberts for their support and assistance of the 48th National. Dave continues to go well beyond his duties as Sec/Tres of the AWBA in an effort to insure that all in attendance enjoy their experience. We look forward to coming back in the future.
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