Formerly the California State Bowling Association (CSBA), California Women's Bowling Association (CWBA) 
and the California Young American Youth Bowling Alliance (CSYABA)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     

Bowling Links

Help USBC Reach their Goal by the End of February
 www.bowl.com

Breast cancer will strike 1 in every 8 women in the course of her lifetime, taking the lives of more than 11 million women over the next 20 years. With your help, we can find a cure for this horrible disease.

This year, USBC and Susan G. Komen for the Cure have set a goal to raise $1 million by Feb. 29 to support the fight against breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure's promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures...and they need YOUR help. USBC maintains a partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to jointly sponsor Bowl for the Cure®, a year-round fundraising and breast cancer awareness initiative.

Show your support for the fight against breast cancer by purchasing your Bowl for the Cure® gift pack at USBCSportStore.com for just $30. USBC will donate 25% of all Bowl for the Cure® merchandise sales to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The Bowl for the Cure gift pack includes:

  • Stylish Bowl for the Cure® pink 100% cotton t-shirt
  • Comfortable brushed-cotton twill USBC hat
  • Bowl for the Cure® member rubber wristband
  • Your personal donation to the fight against breast cancer

In addition to the gift pack, we have more great Bowl for the Cure® items available at USBCSportStore.com.

In the last 11 years, Bowl for the Cure® has raised more than $9 million for Susan G. Komen for the Cure! We know that with your help, we can make the twelfth year our strongest yet by providing a strike against breast cancer.

For more information on the Bowl for the Cure® program, including how to get involved through Bowl for the Cure® events, please visit bowlforthecure.com or email bftc@bowl.com.

For more information on Susan G. Komen for the Cure, write to 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75224 or visit www.komen.org.

Thank you for your support in the fight against breast cancer.

 
 
 

California Bowling Writer's Writing Contest

The 2012 Marijane Viat Writing Award is Sponsored by the El Dorado Hotel and Casino, Reno, NV. The theme of this year's contest is “For the Love of Bowling”, and rightfully so, as the contest honors the first CBW president, Marijane Viat, who indeed had a “love for bowling”.

All CBW members are invited to support the writing contest. Write a story of an experience that exemplifies the love of bowling. The winner will be announced at the 2012 CBW Annual Media and Publicity Luncheon in June at the Double Tree Hotel in Sacramento.

Following are the guidelines:

  • Story must be written by a member of the California Bowling Writers.

  • Theme of the contest is anything that exemplifies “For the love of bowling.”

  • Length of the article should be not less than 500 and not more than 1500 words.

  • News, Editorial, Event Coverage, Profile or Feature Stories will all be judged in the same category.

  • Entries are limited to two articles per member.

  • Submissions must have been published between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012.

  • Entries must be original clippings, photocopies or printouts from materials published in a
    newspaper, newsletter or on an Internet website. Upon review, applicants will be asked to submit an electronic copy (Word doc or .PDF) of the article, excluding a byline, to submit for judging.

  • Send your entries by USPS to: Phyl Knoll, Contest Chairman, 5161 W 136 St., Hawthorne 90250-5637 or by E-mail to: phylbowls@sbcglobal.net.

  • All entries received will be acknowledged by the Chairman to the USPS or E-mail address provided with your entry.

  • Applications, including supporting documents, must be postmarked to the chairman no later than Monday, April 2, 2012.

  • Download Application Form at www.calbowlingwriters.org
Five elected to USBC Hall of Fame

11/9/11
By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications - www.bowl.com

ARLINGTON, Texas - The United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame Committee has elected five new members to the USBC Hall of Fame - two in Outstanding USBC Performance, two in Meritorious Service and one Pioneer.

Wheelchair bowler Al Uttecht of Anaheim, Calif., was elected in the Pioneer category, multiple-time USBC Open Championships winners Lennie Boresch Jr. of Kenosha, Wis., and Gary Daroszewski of Franklin, Wis., were selected in the Outstanding USBC Performance category and Joan Feinblum of Santa Rosa, Calif., and the late Kerm Helmer of Utica, N.Y., were honored for Meritorious Service.

The induction ceremony will take place April 26 at the USBC Convention in Arlington and will include those elected from the national Superior Performance ballots. On the men's ballot are Tom Baker, King, N.C.; Steve Cook, Granite Bay, Calif.; Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla.; David Husted, Milwaukie, Ore.; Amleto Monacelli, Barquisimeto, Venezuela; and David Ozio, Beaumont, Texas. The women's ballot has one name - Dede Davidson, Buellton, Calif.

Uttecht, the first person chosen in the Pioneer category since 2008, blazed a trail for wheelchair bowlers everywhere and is regarded as the most accomplished such bowler in the sport's history. He was confined to a wheelchair after sustaining injuries in Vietnam in 1970 and began bowling later that same year.

He has won the American Wheelchair Bowling Association Tournament of Champions 13 times, is a 12-time AWBA National Scratch champion and a seven-time AWBA National All-Events champion.

"I am totally blown away at this honor, and I have no words to describe how I feel," said Uttecht, who was inducted into the AWBA Hall of Fame in 1985. "This is from someone who when I was first asked to join a bowling league, I said you cannot bowl from a wheelchair."

A three-time winner at the USBC Open Championships - all of which came with fellow electee Daroszewski - Boresch also has won dozens of local and state titles in Wisconsin. He won the 2000 Team All-Events title and the Team and Team All-Events titles in 2009 at the Open Championships.

"I'm very honored, but it took me by surprise a little bit," said Boresch, who currently ranks fifth on the lifetime average list at the Open Championships with 215.43. "I thought I might have a chance to get into the Hall of Fame one day, but you never think it will happen. It's quite an honor, especially with my teammate Gary going in as well."

In addition to the three Open Championships titles with Boresch, Daroszewski also won Open titles three other times. He won the 1982 Team All-Events, 1983 Team All-Events and 1989 Regular Doubles with Gus Yannaras. He is a member of the Wisconsin Bowling Association Hall of Fame and has been a bowling center proprietor since 1982.

"I don't think any bowler ever steps foot in their first tournament with the thought of making it into the Hall of Fame, so this is an unbelievably, outstanding thing to have happen to me," said Daroszewski, who has bowled in the Open Championships with Boresch since 1992. "It's really overwhelming. It hasn't kicked in yet how big an accomplishment this is."

Feinblum has devoted nearly five decades of service to bowling at the national, state and local levels, including four years of work on the committees and task forces that helped develop USBC. She also served on the Women's International Bowling Congress Board of Directors for more than a decade and most recently served as the chairperson of the USBC Nominating Committee and the USBC Hall of Fame Committee.

"I was shocked, and I thought maybe I was dreaming because I had just gotten out of bed when I got the phone call with the news I had been selected," said Feinblum, who was recently featured in a segment on The Learning Channel focusing on how her bowling family helped her in her battle with breast cancer. "I just feel very humbled because having been on the USBC Hall of Fame Committee, I know how difficult it is to make it because of all the worthy candidates."

A physical education teacher for more than 35 years, Helmer dedicated his life to the growth and development of youth and collegiate bowling until his passing in 2002.

He initiated the men's and women's bowling programs at Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y., and led the Kats to 16 National Junior College Athletic Association men's titles and 21 women's titles. His men's and women's teams each claimed a pair of national titles as well.

Helmer was active in the bowling industry, serving on the Board of Directors for the American Bowling Congress and the Young American Bowling Alliance. He served as YABA President from 1999-2001.

For more information on the USBC Hall of Fame, visit BOWL.com/hof.

Shirley Schmardel
February 15, 1920 – January 9, 2012

Shirley passed away January 9th at a San Diego Hospice Center. She would have celebrated her 92nd birthday in February. Shirley was a well-known Certified Parliamentarian and faithfully kept herself up to date by attending CP meetings. In turn, she passed her knowledge on to the bowling community by answering the call of many, many organizations to serve as their Parliamentarian at their Annual Meetings, one of which of course, included the CUSBC. (Photo: 2010 USBC Women's Championships - El Paso, 55 Tournament participations.)

Notes of Care can be sent to:
The Family of Shirley O. Schmardel
4218 Wightman
San Diego, CA  92105

Services were held Tuesday, January 17 at the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in San Diego.

___________
 

Shirley O. Schmardel

Shirley was born in St. Cloud, MN., she was one of seven children having four sisters and two brothers.

Shirley began to bowl at the wee age of five (5) with her father who loved to bowl. Now we know where her passion for bowling began. In her younger days Shirley then known as S.O.S. was one terrific bowler, back when the conditions were tough and a hard rubber ball was the ball of choice. Bowling was Shirley’s life and she was very, very good at it.

Then one day she had an accident fell and broke her ankle, she was devastated, but knowing Shirley she was determined to get back to the lanes and it wasn’t long before she was back with renewed enthusiasm.

Shirley bowled in fifty (50) WIBC Championship Tournaments, five (5) USBC Championship Tournaments and thirty (30) plus State Tournaments. If there was a tournament being held you could be sure Shirley would be there to participate. She was a National member of the 700 club and a National, State and local 600 clubs member.

She served on the California Women’s Bowling State Association as a director and the local San Diego Women’s Bowling Association & USBC Association as a director. She was honored by the San Diego Women’s Bowling Association and was inducted into the Hall of Fame. She received the Connie Bechtel Award and the Southern California Hall of Fame Award. She was a permanent member of the WIBC & USBC Associations.

Shirley loved rules, bylaws and legislation, that got her interested in parliamentary law, she studied and studied, took the Parliamentary Law test and became a certified Parliamentarian. She served many organizations with her expertise as a parliamentarian.

Shirley had three three children - two daughters and one son. She had six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Her younger daughter Reen was the best bowler of the siblings, but she had to give up bowling due to a knee injury. Reen always remarked her mother would pass away with a bowling ball in her hands.

Shirley will be missed by many, and when you see the color purple think of Shirley. Her love of the game will live on forever.

BVL Representatives Participate in National Veterans Day Activities

For numerologists, 11-11-11 marks an historical date. However, for the thousands joining in the National Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington Cemetery, it was much more.

November 11, 2011, Veterans Day, was an opportunity to pause and remember the sacrifice of those who have served our country. In a ceremony replete with pomp and tradition - from the 21 gun salute to the wreath laying to the parade of colors -- the day is filled with patriotic symbolism and deep reflection.

As the wind whipped the flags aligning the Amphitheatre at Arlington Cemetery, the crowd turned to watch the specially-appointed Presidential Color Guard to initial the start of the observance. These designees marched in step, carrying the flags of the Veterans Service Organizations of the Veterans Day National Committee.

Representing the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) as a member of that committee, was HN Sean Ryan Bridges (USN), currently serving at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Bridges carried the American flag in honor of the California USBC BVL, as he is the grandson of the long-time co-chair of the California BVL campaign, Rosie Parker. For decades, the California USBC has been the frontrunner in fund-raising to support the BVL cause. Joining Bridges to carry the BVL flag was Steve Faunce, of the Thunderbird Lanes chain of bowling centers in the Philadelphia area. Thunderbird Lanes has helped to lead the bowling center effort in the support of BVL.

Following remarks by VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and President Obama at the observance, BVL representatives convened to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. This contingent included BVL Board Chair Darlene Baker, BVL Board Member Wally Hall, and two special guests of BVL, Stu Upson, Executive Director of the United States Bowling Congress, and Steve Johnson, Executive Director of the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America.

Earlier that morning, Upson and Johnson were invited by BVL to represent the charity at a special White House breakfast hosted by President and Mrs. Obama. There, they had the opportunity to speak with the President about BVL and the organization's commitment to support our nation's active duty and veteran service men and women.

From the Cemetery, the BVL Board Members and special guests joined VA Secretary Eric Shinseki for a private meeting which featured the presentation of a facsimile check of $761,660.26; the amount raised by BVL during the 2010-2011 season. At the meeting, BVL Chair Darlene Baker also outlined several initiatives being planned by BVL to further support the VA.

"It was an honor to represent BVL at these activities," noted Upson. "It brings the importance of BVL activities into focus. Both the President and Secretary Shinseki acknowledged the great support that America's bowling family provides to our veterans. They know the difference BVL programs make for our active duty and veterans service men and women."

Founded in 1942 by the sport of bowling, the Bowlers to Veterans Link is guided by representatives of the United States Bowling Congress and Bowling Proprietors' Association of America. To date, BVL has raised almost $30 million for recreational and therapeutic programs and services to boost morale and brighten the spirits of those who have served our country. For more information and photos of the event, visit http://www.BowlforVeterans.org.

Joan Feinblum Makes TV
By Mary Lynly

What do you do when you know something isn’t right with your body? Ignore it? Most wouldn’t but it took Joan Feinblum a couple of falls and failing eyesight to decide to go to an Ophthalmologist. When he looked at her eyes he immediately sent her to an oncologist and this jolted Joan. She had cancerous tumors behind both eyes and a PET scan confirmed it was in other places.

With numerous bowling friends accompaning her, Joan went to the oncologist, Dr Keiser who discussed treatment. Joan had decided if this was what God had in mind for her she would accept it. It was daunting and it took awhile to be at one with the radiation and chemo medication. She felt the usual fatigue and all those things that go along with this kind of treatment but one thing never changed – her attitude. There’s a reason why her email is “Jolly Joan” as she kept a cheery countenance through months of a variety of treatments including a mastectomy – Dr. Keiser at her side the whole time.

She missed her bowling and had to put some trips on hold but she soon got back into the swing. It was keeping in touch with people that kept her going.

She is currently on her third oral chemo pill and amazingly, she seems to tolerate all of this quite well and Dr. Keiser is pleased with the positive effects of the treatment and most of all Joan’s attitude.

Recently, Dr. Keiser was asked to appear of the Learning Channel. He was to select one patient to showcase treating patients in his treatment room and then in their home. He had developed an affinity for Joan and he asked her if she would like to be a part of this. She wanted to do it but she said, “Rather than my home I would like to have the other portion of this part of the documentary at my bowling center. My bowling friends are the ones who have been there for me through all of this and they have taken me places I needed to go and helped keep my spirits up.” Dr. Keiser and the filming crew thought this was fine.

When Joan and the film crew arrived at Double Decker Lanes in Rohnert Park her friends who have been her teammates for national and state tournaments and league play over the last 31 years were all there. The association manager, bowling center owner and more were also there cheering her on and lending support. The camera man even threw a game of bowling!

The segment will be shown on November 29th on the Learning Channel at 8:30 A.M. Eastern – which means 5:30 A.M. west coast time. Since most will tape it, Joan suggests they tape the whole hour because she will appear periodically throughout the segment.

Feinblum’s in the limelight once again.

PJ HAGGERTY WINS SECOND GLOVER MASTERS TITLE

PRESS RELEASE --For Immediate Release-- Mon., Oct. 3, 2011
By: Bette Addington Bakersfield, CA – PJ Haggerty has always been special to the Don Glover Masters Scratch Tournament as he was the event’s inaugural champion in 2007. Since that year, Haggerty has returned every year to compete hoping to again claim a win but not until this year was he able to do so. Without a win in quite some time, Haggerty was hungry to again dominate. Qualifying in the “A” squad on Saturday, October 1 at AMF Southwest Lanes, Haggerty made the cut with -34, averaging 194 for 6 games on the Glover pattern. This landed him in 4th place for that squad’s top ten that was led by Dave Wodka at +74. Returning to bowl later that day with the Top 20, Haggerty averaged 196 for 6 more games which gave him a score of -55, which put him in 9th position to just make the Top 10 Finals for Sunday. Haggerty earned third seed after bowling in Sunday morning’s ten games of Match Play with +293. The Step-Ladder Finals showcased some excellent bowlers who earned the right to compete. Fifth seed Wayne Garber, Modesto (+95) took on fourth seed Bill Nichols, Roseville (+180) where Nichols won 213-169. Then Nichols came up against third seed Haggerty, also of Roseville and after a tough match that went down to the tenth frame, Haggerty emerged 171-166. Next up Haggerty took on second seed, Bakersfield’s Zack Newman (+359), and Haggerty again dominated 222-166. Then came the final match-up with Haggerty against number one seed, Dave Wodka, Henderson, NV (+431). Wodka, who hot off just winning his back-to-back CUSBC (California United States Bowling Congress) Scratch Classic title, was the force all weekend to be reckoned with. Again, a close match with Wodka getting two splits and Haggerty with an open. Everything changed in the seventh frame as Haggerty started striking and took the match 223-167. PJ Haggerty, 26, exemplifies what this event stands for. He started bowling at the age of 2 and was brought up with a family of bowlers. His talents did not go unnoticed as he was recognized as the CWBA (California Women’s Bowling Association) Star of Tomorrow in 2003. He then was recognized nationally the years of 2005, 2006 and 2007 for Collegiate Most Valuable Player, Player of the Year and 1st team All-American as he attended Fresno State. Right after he graduated from Fresno in 2007, he turned pro. He currently carries a 242 book average. Haggerty, who also has two third-place finishes in the Glover Masters (2009 & 2010), stated, “Thanks so much for putting on such a great event. Definitely first class and a hard one to beat! Thanks to the Glover Committee for making tournaments like these possible and to Vise Inserts for their products.” The 5th annual Don Glover Masters had a total of 51 bowlers compete. Thirteen places were paid. Results were as follows: 1st/Champion – PJ Haggerty, Roseville ($2,500); 2nd place – Dave Wodka, Henderson, NV ($1,250); 3rd place – Zack Newman, Bakersfield ($800); 4th place – Bill Nichols, Roseville ($600); 5th place – Wayne Garber, Modesto ($500); 6th place – Ivan Miyasato, Clovis ($400); 7th place – Mason Sherman, Moorpark ($350); 8th place – Aris Anadilla, Bakersfield ($325); 9th place – Tony Knuth, Oceanside ($300); 10th place – Scott Hansel, Stockton ($275); 11th place – Chris Pitts, Fresno ($225); 12th place – Lyndon “Bubba” Harrison, Citrus Heights ($225); and 13th place – Lee Patterson, Antioch ($180). Special thanks to our 2011 Glover Masters Scratch Tournament Sponsors: Hi-Standard Manufacturing, GASSCO, Golden Empire USBC, The Bowler’s Edge Pro Shop, Arriaga’s Mexican Restaurant, Robb’s Pro Shop, AP Architects, California Bowlers Tour, Fabrications by Addington, and Phantom Radio.

Junior Gold program undergoes changes for 2011-12
www.bowl.com

As a Junior Gold member, you will see some exciting changes in the Junior Gold program taking effect for the 2011-12 season.

One of the biggest changes was the creation of the $250,000 North Pointe Junior Gold Championships presented by Brunswick. The tournament was formed by merging the USBC Junior Gold Championships and the North Pointe High School Singles Championships.

The North Pointe Junior Gold Championships will have two age divisions - 20 and under, 15 and under - for both boys and girls. Youth bowlers still will have to qualify throughout the season at Junior Gold events.

More details about the tournament format for the $250,000 North Pointe Junior Gold Championships presented by Brunswick in December.

Also this season is a change in Junior Gold membership. Youth bowlers no longer will be required to have a minimum average to become Junior Gold members; any USBC standard youth member can purchase a Junior Gold membership so tell your fellow youth bowlers to join the Junior Gold program.

Click here to read the announcement about the changes to Junior Gold.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) concerning Junior Gold Tournaments. Click here for FAQ about Junior Gold Leagues.

Renew your Junior Gold membership before qualifying
By now, you should have received a notice to renew your Junior Gold membership for the 2011-12 season.

Remember, you must pay your renewal dues before you bowl in a qualifying event. Should you qualify and have not paid your Junior Gold dues prior to the event, you could face disqualification.

Click here for a Junior Gold membership form and go to BOWL.com/juniorgold for information about the Junior Gold program.


Faulkner, Jimenez take home Junior Gold titles

Congratulations to Gary Faulkner and Natalie Jimenez on their winning performances at the 2011 USBC Junior Gold Championships presented by Brunswick.

Congratulations also to the youth bowlers who made Junior Team USA 2012 based on their performances at the tournament.

Faulkner, Andrew Koff, Zack Hattori and Marshall Kent qualified for the boys' team based on their finish with A.J. Chapman and Tyler Vostry selected to the team by the National Selection Committee.

Joining Jimenez on the girls' team are Elise Bolton, Amanda Greene and Jessica Earnest, along with committee selections Holly Harris and Addileen Pointer.

The final roster for Junior Team USA 2012 will be determined at the 2012 USBC Team USA Trials in January, where spots for four girls and four boys will be up for grabs.

Click here for final coverage of the Junior Gold Championships and go to BOWL.com/juniorgold for complete results of the 2011 USBC Junior Gold Championships along with results for the Bowling This Month Survivor and Adult/Youth tournaments.


On February 23 at Cloverleaf Bowl in Fremont, Brittany Hillman shot her first ever 300 game.  In the same game, her brother Chris, bowling on the same team also shot 300.  Another sibling and team mate Brandon shot 268 that game and the fourth team member, their cousin Mandy Cagle shot 233 for a mixed team game of 1101. We are awaiting to hear if this is the first for a brother sister to shoot 300 at the same time. We do know that a father son team from Sacramento shot 300s at the same time. Congrats!

Paula Vidad wins 2011 USBC Senior Queens
 4/27/11-By Matt Cannizzaro, USBC Communications

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Paula Vidad of Sun City, Calif., claimed the 2011 USBC Senior Queens title in record fashion as she defeated defending champion Char Hammel of Las Vegas at the Oncenter Convention Center on Wednesday.

Vidad put together games of 225, 221 and 269 for a 715 series, the highest championship-match score in Senior Queens history, while Hammel finished with 211, 225 and 202 for a 638 set. Hammel previously held the record with 705, which she shot on the way to the crown in El Paso, Texas, last year.

Only 10 pins separated Vidad and Hammel after the second game of their three-game title bout, but Vidad started the finale with a spare and five strikes to pull away. Hammel spared in frames four through six and never recovered.

"This is the most prestigious event there is for us, and I'm so excited right now," said Vidad, a 51-year-old right-hander, who qualified fifth and then averaged 215.8 on the way to a 6-0 match-play record. "I've always wanted to win a USBC title in my career, and this is amazing. You can win at the city and state level, but to do it on a national level is what you dream of doing."

Because the Senior Queens uses a true double-elimination format, Hammel needed to defeat Vidad twice to become the first bowler in the event's 11-year history to claim back-to-back titles. Last year, she beat defending champion Janine Primrose of Gardnerville, Nev., to win the event.

"For not having what I felt was the best look, I had a very good week," said Hammel, who qualified 26th and then averaged 211 on the way to a 5-2 match-play record. "There's definitely a fair amount of pressure as the defending champion and knowing that you have to beat someone twice to win again. I knew going in how great Paula was throwing the ball and how comfortable she was, and I knew it would take a lot to get by her. But it was a great week overall, and I'm extremely happy."

The victory earned Vidad a check for $3,500, a tiara, pendant and trophy, while Hammel earned $1,800 for second place. This year's Senior Queens featured 76 of the world's best female bowlers age 50 and older.

Missy Parkin wins 2011 USBC Queens
4/27/11-By Matt Cannizzaro, USBC Communications

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - After a heart-breaking finish at last year's USBC Queens, there was no way Missy Parkin of Lake Forest, Calif., was going to let the coveted title get away again.

The 29-year-old right-hander headed into the 2011 Queens more determined than ever and defeated top-seed Elysia Current of Ephrata, Pa., 214-189, to claim her first major championship at the Oncenter Convention Center on Wednesday.

The championship round aired live on ESPN2 and marked the first time a women's bowling event was broadcast in high definition.

"I've made TV shows before, but I've never won, and words can't describe how I'm feeling right now," said Parkin, who took home the Queens tiara and $20,000 first-place check for the win. "I was raised in a pro shop and a bowling center, and this is something I've always dreamed about. To finally get it is an amazing feeling."

Parkin made a run at the Queens title last year in El Paso, Texas, but her efforts were derailed by a 7-10 split that haunted her for months after. She stepped up needing a mark to defeat eventual champion Kelly Kulick in the second match of the night, but the untimely split left her with a fourth-place finish.

"After last year's show, I was pretty devastated, and for a while after that, every time I left the 7-10, I got angrier and angrier," said Parkin, whose only loss this week was against Current in the match to determine the No. 1 seed for the TV show. "But today, I definitely had a different mindset. I told myself I needed to throw 10 good shots every game, and that's all I could do. That was my plan all week, and it worked out well."

Current started the championship match with three consecutive strikes before being slowed by a split and three straight spares in frames five through seven. A missed washout in the ninth frame ended her bid for her first win on bowling's biggest stage, but she intends to learn from the experience.

"I didn't catch a couple of the shots like I should have, and the end result wasn't good," said Current, who was the 2003-04 Collegiate Player and Rookie of the Year at Fairleigh Dickinson and then went on to help Wichita State to a televised national championship in 2007. "I'm definitely going to take what I learned here and use it to help me achieve bigger and better things."

Current, a 26-year-old right-hander, earned $10,000 for the runner-up finish.

In reaching the title match, Parkin downed USBC Hall of Famer and 2002 Queens champion Kim Terrell-Kearney of Grand Prairie, Texas, 235-172. Terrell-Kearney received $7,000 for the third-place effort.

To open the championship round, one-time Professional Women's Bowling Association titlist Cathy Dorin-Lizzi of Sandusky, Ohio, defeated USBC Hall of Famer and three-time Queens champion Wendy Macpherson, 180-168.

Dorin-Lizzi was the only bowler in the 206-player field guaranteed to make the show, since she was slated to be the sideline reporter for the telecast, but she chose a different route, which included a match-play win over her hall-of-fame sister, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard. Dorin-Lizzi's run came to an end in the second match of the night as she fell to Terrell-Kearney, 223-206. She took home $5,000 for the fourth-place finish.

The 2011 Queens featured 206 of the top female bowlers in the world competing for a total prize fund of $120,000.

HELP THE BOWLERS OF JAPAN

Many people have asked how they can help with the Japan Earthquake and Tsunami victims during this incredibly difficult time as they begin to put their lives back together.  The usual charities deduct administration and fund raising costs from your donation and send the rest to the location in need.  We have a way to send 100% of each donation directly to an organization in Japan who will distribute ALL of the money to those people they know are in desperate need.

Our contact person in the United States, who is with the Bowling Proprietors Association of Japan is Marge Miyoda. 
Marge will deposit all donations received in a special account and wire the funds directly to the Bowling Proprietors Association of Japan. The BPAJ will distribute the funds to BOWLING customers they KNOW who are in need.

Any amount will help and you will receive a receipt from Marge for your donation. Please make your checks payable to: MARGE MIYODA

Mail to:
Marge Miyoda
2002 E. Hillman Circle
Orange, CA 92867

Thank you for your support in this tragic time of need.

CALIFORNIA YOUTH EARNS SPOT ON YOUTH AND MEN'S TEAM USA

Youth bowler, SCOTT BOYLE from Salida, California won the USBC Team Trials this past January in Las Vegas. He earned a spot on the Men's Team USA as well as a spot on Junior Team USA. Scott averaged 227 for 36 games over a 4 days of competition, beating out Walter Ray Williams, Jr. to win the event. He is also going to bowl Junior Gold in Las Vegas this upcoming July in hopes of securing a place on Junior Team USA for 2012 before turning adult. Congratulations Scott!

 

 

 

SHARPSTEEN SETS NEW NLAC RECORD
888 HIGH SERIES AT MISSION HILLS BOWL

Bowling on lanes 19-20 in the Tuesday night Men's Classic League at Mission Hills Bowl, ANTHONY SHARPSTEEN put together games of 289-299-300 for an incredible 888 series.  A packed 9-pin and two solid 7-pins kept Anthony from that elusive 900 series we all shoot for. This is a new high series mark for the North Los Angeles County USBC. Unfortunately his team lost all three games that night. From the management and staff at Mission Hill Bowl and the NLAC Association, we congratulate Anthony on his outstanding record performance.

Bowling league turning 100 years old

11/03/10
By Gianmarc Manzione, USBC Communications

www.bowl.com/news/xmlburner.jsp?xa=./webapps/ROOT/news/main/data/110310TelcoLeague.xml

www.nlacbowling.com

When Bill Couch joined the Los Angeles Metro Telco Bowling League in 1957, he pulled in a salary of $52 a week working for the local telephone company. The average yearly wage was $4,550, you could buy a new car for less than $3,000, and gas set you back to the tune of 24 cents per gallon.

Yet these prices, too, might have seemed grossly inflated to anyone who bowled the Telco league in the year of its inception: 1911.

“Yep, we’re 100 years old,” says longtime Telco league member Ron Stearns, who joined the league in 1964 and also serves as its treasurer.

The Telco league that W.W. Bunton began as league president in 1911 was open only to employees of the local phone company, and only to men. Women were not yet able to vote in all 50 states, and the telephone itself was still so new that inventor Alexander Graham Bell’s patent was only 35 years old.

But the Telco league of today is one in which each team is required to have at least one woman, and bowlers no longer have to be employed by the phone company to shoe up and bowl.

“We had our first female president in 2003,” Couch says.

That may seem like a lot of change since Mr. Bunton’s day, but for many Telco league bowlers, a lot of things remain the same.

Bowlers like Richard Thorson, for example, who bought his first bowling ball the year he joined the league in 1964 and threw that same ball for the next 40 years.

“I had never thrown a fingertip ball until I got my new one about five years ago,” Thorson says.

Many of the league’s more senior members retired from the phone company years ago, but that doesn’t mean they’re taking it easy.

“We’re all retired from the phone company now, but I am still a phone man and so is Bill, and even though we’re old farts we still do jobs together,” Stearns says.

They may be retired from the telephone business, but they have no plans of retiring from the lanes anytime soon.

“I think I’m going to be buried on one of the lanes,” says Syd Byford, a Telco league bowler since 1974. “When we bowl there will be a bump about two thirds of the way down the lane, and that will be me kicking people’s bowling balls into the gutter.”


Above: Pickwick Bowl in Burbank, Calif. has hosted the Telco league for the past 35 years

Many years have gone by since the days when a quarter bought you a tank of gas, and the Telco league has called many different bowling centers home since the day Bill Couch showed up at Hollywood Star Lanes in Hollywood to bowl his first three games of league with buddies from the phone company. But one constant remains after all the years and the changes that came with them: Come Tuesday night, the only place you can find Bill Couch is out on the lanes.

“Tuesday night I drive to the bowling alley and I bowl three games and go home,” Couch says. “There’s not much more that can be said.”

Couch and the rest of the Telco crew have followed their league to just about every corner of L.A. County over the years, from Hollywood Lanes to Grand Central Lanes in Burbank to Canoga Bowl in Canoga Park, Reseda Bowl in Reseda and most recently to Pickwick Bowl back in Burbank, the center that the Telco league has called home for the past 35 years.

And if Couch and his buddies from the old days have their way, they’ll call it home for another 35 years.

“I just like to bowl. That’s what I keep telling my back surgeon,” Ron Stearns jokes. “I tell him that as long as I can bowl I am not going to have another back surgery. I’ve had two back surgeries and I had surgery on my bowling hand last Wednesday. So I am out for a couple of weeks – but I’ll be back in two weeks!”

“That’s just the way we were brought up by Mother Bell,” Syd Byford says, “and that’s the way we continued to do things. We do it once a week and goof around once a week – and some of us goof around more than once a week. We all grew up together in the phone company so it was like our own family. When you were part of the phone company it didn’t matter if you knew the other bowlers because they all made you feel welcome when you showed up.”

It is a family that remembers days when they held their end-of-season banquet at the Los Angeles Police Academy before heading off to the Dodgers game, younger days when the night had only just gotten started after the last game of league.

“We were a little younger then and there was a little partying going on afterwards,”  Richard Thorson says. “You know, the usual stuff when you’re young and wild.”

But if you’re hoping to hear some of Thorson’s party stories, you may be waiting a while.

“Yeah, I’ve got some good party stories, but I can’t tell you any of them,” he laughs.

Most of the Telco bowlers may be a little older these days, and those end-of-season excursions to Dodgers Stadium may have given way to a trip to the Viva Fresh Mexican Restaurant across the street from Pickwick Bowl where they recount another season gone by over a modest meal. But they do still head out to Vegas each year for an annual tournament called the West Coast Telco Bowling Tournament, which attracts up to 200 teams each year.

“I’m a hot rodder; I have a race car in my garage and I am 70 years old but I am still young at heart,” says Ron Stearns, who built a Fiat A/A coupe in 1958 and raced it to victory for the next several years with his Ratican-Jackson-Stearns drag racing team.


Above: Ron Stearns revs up the old Ratican-Jackson-Stearns Hot Rod

“Last weekend we had a big reunion for all of us old-timers,” he says. “We push-started the cars down the strip and made a lot of noise.”

And as soon as that bowling hand heals in a couple of weeks, Bill, Syd, Richard and the rest of the boys can bet that Mr. Stearns will make some noise on the lanes again too.
 

California State Queens & Masters Events Come to an End

Everyone has witnessed the decline of bowling nationwide, with every association, league and tournament being affected, some more than others. California USBC Association events have been a victim to this decline in all of the events we host. The events hit the hardest were the singles scratch events; the Queens, Masters and Youth State Scratch. Because these events are targeted to higher average bowlers, we are already limiting the potential entrants.

The Masters event began in 1961 and the Queens event started in 1966. In September 2009, in a last ditch effort to keep the events alive, the California USBC Association (CUSBC) board voted to back the two events and guarantee funds totaling $47,000 ($30,000 for the Masters and $17,000 for the Queens). The turnout was still not acceptable, with a variety of reasons given for not attending (economy, family and work obligations, etc.).

It was great to see many past Masters and Queens Bowlers attend, who have not attended in recent years. They provided some great input into the format and had some great ideas, but unfortunately, it’s just not enough.

The CUSBC cannot financially back these two events as we just did and the events currently are not self sufficient enough to stand on their own. The current participation field does not offer enough of a prize fund for many to be interested. The Board decided to put these two events on hold for now – with high hopes to bring them back very soon.

“And the Beat Goes On”… We are going to start a new scratch event, open to men, women and youth, called the “California Scratch Classic” in an effort to interest all of the available high average bowlers in one tournament. The tournament will offer local qualifying on one weekend, two locations – north and south – and the finals will be held the following weekend, in the central part of the state. We will roll this new tournament out next fall, September 10-11, 2011 for Qualifying and September 17-18, 2011 for the Finals. You will have four opportunities to qualify in six game blocks and we are hoping to have enough participation to award $40,000 in prize money to all 48 places that qualify to the finals. We will have more information on this event in January, please check with online for additional information.

We want to thank all of the bowlers that participated in the Queens and Masters events over the years, we are extremely hopeful that the events can come back.

Hall of Famer Helen Duval Passes Away at Age 94

Helen Duval, a United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer, passed away Thursday, July 29, 2010. She was 94.

“Helen was a very talented bowler and she touched so many people’s lives through her work with the Bowlers to Veterans Link and her years of coaching youth bowlers in California,” said USBC President Darlene Baker, who also chairs the BVL board. “She was a tremendous ambassador for the sport and will be greatly missed.”

A lifetime resident of Berkeley, Calif., Duval started bowling in 1938 and joined her first league a year later. She had taken a job after graduating high school and after work each day she had to wait for the bus to go home. She passed the time watching people bowl at the nearby Cal-Rec Center.

“Somebody asked me if I’d like to try bowling,” Duval recalled in a 2006 article for the Contra Costa Times. “I had never tried it before. I was a natural.”

She would go on to become one of the pioneers of women’s bowling, and was a founding member of the women’s professional bowling movement in 1959. She won two professional titles during her career and in 1961 captured the Nationals Doubles tournament with Nobu Asami.

In 1969, Duval won both the Women’s International Bowling Congress (now USBC) Championships team event and all-event titles. She was selected to the All-American Bowling team three times and held a high average of 200 in 1967.

Duval also proved to be a great teacher of the sport. She started teaching bowling clinics in the 1950s when the American Junior Bowling Congress requested she help bring the sport to California’s youth. After impressing people in the states, Duval traveled to Asia where she conducted more bowling clinics and seminars.

She said in a 1992 Bowlers Journal article that her son, Richard, was her motivation. Richard was diagnosed with polio at age 5 and was hospitalized for almost a year. But Duval helped her son to bowl – he started in a wheelchair and later was able to stand at the foul line – and Richard eventually became accomplished enough to have a short stint on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour. The experience of working with her son helped her develop techniques for teaching disabled individuals.

She did extensive work with the BVL, the nonprofit group that provides programs to veteran and active duty service men and women. For more than 20 years she went to veterans hospitals across the country to teach the sport. The BVL named her honorary co-chair in 1985 and in 2000 she received the Secretary’s Award, the highest award given by the Department of Veterans Affairs, for her unwavering commitment to America’s veterans.

Duval was honored as a “bowling legend” at the National Bowling Hall of Fame and Museum’s Salute to Champions Gala in 1993. Two years later she received the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America V.A. Wapensky award. She was selected as the BPAA’s Dick Weber Bowling Ambassador Award winner in 2007.

Duval, who owned an eight-lane bowling center in Oakland, Calif., along with her husband, Rosy, was one of the first women to become a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness. She served for five years, following her appointment during the Kennedy administration.

She was inducted into WIBC (now USBC) Hall of Fame for Superior Performance in 1970, and was inducted into the Ladies Professional Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1995. In 1996 she was inducted into the Senior Athletes Hall of Fame.  

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Helen Duval’s name can be sent to the Bowlers to Veterans Link, 11350 Random Hill Rd., Suite 800, Fairfax, VA 22030.

DO NOT LET FEAR AFFECT YOUR GAME OF BOWLING
By: Stan Popovich

Sometimes, fear and anxiety can get the best of us in bowling. The key is to know how to manage that fear and anxiety. As a result, here is a brief list of techniques that a bowler can use to help manage their fears and every day anxieties.

Occasionally, you may become stressed when you have to bowl in an important event. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task in your mind. For instance, you have to bowl in the championship game in front of a large group of people in the next few days. Before the big day comes, imagine yourself bowling. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and stress of a coming situation.

Sometimes we get stressed out when everything happens all at once. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get their mind off of the problem. A person could read the newspaper, listen to some music or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things.

Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that you can carry around with you. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you. Whenever you feel stressed, open up your small notebook and read those statements. This will help to manage your negative thinking.

In every anxiety-related situation you experience, begin to learn what works, what doesn’t work, and what you need to improve on in managing your fears and anxieties. For instance, you have a lot of anxiety and you decide to take a small walk before your bowling event to help you feel better. The next time you feel anxious you can remind yourself that you got through it the last time by taking a walk. This will give you the confidence to manage your anxiety the next time around.

Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future. Remember that it never hurts to ask for help.

Remember that patience, persistence, and education will go a long way in preventing fear from becoming a factor in the sport of bowling.

BIOGRAPHY: Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” – an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to http://www.managingfear.com.

Youth Membership Processing for Northern California

There are three options for processing youth membership for Northern California centers. Please remember that all youth MUST be current USBC certified bowlers in order to participate in the Pepsi Championships, State Championships (North San Diego) and State Scratch (Visalia).

Option: 1
Certify your USBC membership ($17) through Norcal, now known as Youth Bowling Association (YBA). You do not have to purchase their $10 YBA membership in order to get the standard USBC membership.

Option: 2
The bowling center can process the membership directly. If this option is selected, the center must contact USBC, Youth Department to receive a user name and password in order to process their membership online.

Option: 3
The youth league can process their membership through the local USBC association that currently processes the adult membership. If this option is selected, the center must contact USBC, Youth Department and let them know that they will be transferring local associations.

USBC Contact information:
Michael Larsen, USBC Association Development (mike.larsen@bowl.com)
1-800-514-BOWL ext. 8242 or email: usbcyouth@bowl.com
 

Bowling Links

                                  

California Bowling Writers Organization

www.calbowlingwriters.org

Tracking the Bowling News

www.trackingthebowlingnews.net

California Women's 600 Bowling Club

www.cawomen600club.com

Rotogrip Apparel

www.rotogear.com

San Diego Bowling News

http://community.webtv.net/GALO/NORTHSANDIEGOCOUNTY

Stockton USBC Women’s Bowling Association

www.StocktonUSBCwba.com

Off The Sheet Pro Shop (San Jose)

www.offthesheetproshop.com

Local USBC Association Websites

  

Youth Scholarship Events...

The Junior Bowlers Tour (JBT) began in 1996 as an offshoot of the 34 year-old east coast based JBT.  In our twelve seasons since, we have conducted over 500 tournaments, and awarded over $1,300,000 in scholarships to youth bowlers of all ages and averages.  Over 3,000 members have attended our tournaments. In 2007-08 we plan on conducting over 89 tournaments in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Nevada, California, Washington, and Oregon!  JBT events are unlike anything else you've ever bowled in... we offer a lot!

ARE YOU GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE JBT? YES! Any youth bowler with any average can do well in the JBT- that's what the handicap division is for.  Bowlers with averages under 100 regularly enter and succeed in our events.  Any age youth bowler may compete - we have 8 year olds, for example, that love playing against the big boys and girls.  Don't miss out on the JBT because of a misconception that you're not good enough - YOU ARE!!!

We're always keeping things lively with new formats, so be ready! We also have a few events each year with still more different  formats, such as our Doubles Classic, Pro-Ams, our Invitationals, the TPC and more.  These formats are always explained on separate entry blanks. Each event also offers our included and optional scholarship programs. Check our website for the upcoming schedule of events http://www.juniorbowlerstour.com. If you have any questions, feel free to contact  us at jbtsouthwest@aol.com.

Become a Youth Leader!
www.bowl.com

Who are USBC Youth Leaders? These young bowlers, age 12 and up, are the sparks that add excitement and a sense of ownership to USBC Youth activities. The Youth Leaders Program gives youth the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance local bowling opportunities through promotion, education and involvement. Youth Leaders are young bowlers who love the game. They attract others to bowling and make it a better sport.

USBC Youth Leaders can make life-long friends; enjoy fun tournaments and events; enhance leadership skills; build resumes; introduce new people to the sport; and have a positive impact.

Youth Leaders are the energy that fuel all of our youth bowling efforts. They are the future of the sport and their growth is an essential part of making bowling successful and expanding the USBC Youth membership. The Youth Leaders Program give youth the opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills and enhance the sport of bowling through promotion, education and involvement.

The best Youth Leaders aspire to win the Youth Leader of the Year Award and the $1,500 scholarship that goes with it. Only two are handed out each year - one to a female and one to a male. One of these two winners, selected in an interview process, will really have a say in what goes on in bowling as he or she sits on the USBC Youth Committee and has voting rights for two years. Each local association with an operating Youth Leaders Program should select a male and female each year and enter them into the Youth Leader of the Year competition.

Youth Leaders Programs offer enthusiastic, energetic, young bowlers an opportunity to take a leadership role in promoting and expanding bowling while having fun. Youth learn important life skills as they take on future leadership roles. Youth will have a dynamic role in lots of activities at the decision-making level of bowling, including:

  • - setting goals

  • - building teamwork

  • - coordinating and leading meetings

  • - promoting and recruiting youth bowling programs

  • - holding fund-raisers

  • - planning tournaments

  • - coaching in USBC Youth leagues

  • - training and mentoring other youth bowlers

  • - awarding scholarships

If you are interested in starting a Youth Leaders Program, contact the CUSBC Association Office at (415) 492-8880.

The California Bowling Writers (CBW), formed in 1998, is open to all California bowling journalists, promoters and supporters of the sport of bowling. The purpose of the organization is to encourage and educate both members and non-members in communication through print, promotion and use of electronic media.  At the same time, CBW will recognize and reward those who create media awareness by providing outstanding bowling photography and journalistic excellence. For more information, visit: http://www.calbowlingwriters.org.

 

Rule 400 revised for Youth Bowling Awards

The United States Bowling Congress Board of Directors has approved the modification of Youth Membership Eligibility Rule 400, effective immediately, to expand the awards deemed acceptable under the terms of USBC Youth membership. In addition to previously allowed symbolic awards, USBC Youth members are now eligible to be awarded bowling equipment, gift certificates, apparel and other merchandise prizes with a total value not greater than $500 in any one event, excluding scholarships.

The modifications also allow for USBC Youth members to compete in singles competition where cash and/or bonds are awarded, as well as merchandise prizes exceeding $500 in total in any one event, but must waive rights to these awards by signing and completing the USBC Prize Waiver form prior to their participation in that competition.

Acceptance of awards of cash or bonds of any amount or any merchandise prizes with a total value higher than $500 per event remain prohibited for youth members under USBC's revised Rule 400. Violations of the terms of Rule 400 could result in the loss or suspension of youth membership.

There also remains no limit on the value of scholarships that can be awarded in youth competition. The scholarship funds from USBC certified events and leagues will continue to be required to be deposited with USBC's SMART program. USBC Youth members may be awarded scholarships from singles competition in which cash and/or bonds are awarded.

“The USBC Board determined that the former Rule 400 placed unnecessary restrictions on everyone associated with USBC Youth membership and concluded the best course of action to alleviate this issue was to modify Rule 400 effective immediately,” USBC President Michael Carroll said.

The previous version of Rule 400 intended to protect the current and future interscholastic sports eligibility of USBC Youth members through the most restrictive interpretations and limitations. The USBC Board concluded that placing these restrictions on all USBC Youth members was unnecessary due to the lack of uniform eligibility standards for interscholastic sports nationally.

“The new structure of USBC allows for addressing of significant issues to be handled in an expedited manner,” said USBC Chief Executive Officer Roger Dalkin. “The previous version of Rule 400 placed undue and unintended restrictions on USBC Youth members, league and association coordinators and proprietors. The USBC Board modified Rule 400 to address these restrictions and expand acceptable awards that promote and enhance the participation in youth bowling.”

The USBC Board concluded that compliance with local/state interscholastic eligibility rules and policies is the responsibility of the individual member and his/her legal guardian. However, USBC will continue to educate USBC Youth members and their legal guardians that competing in USBC certified competitions and acceptance of some awards now acceptable under Rule 400 could jeopardize individual member’s interscholastic sports amateur eligibility.

These changes do not affect the USBC Youth High Score Awards program.

“USBC’s Youth membership program, certified tournaments and leagues, as well as USBC’s dedication to the growth of high school and collegiate bowling, offer youth of all ages many choices to be active in the sport of bowling,” said Mitch Mitchell, chairman of the USBC Youth Committee.

For help with interpretation of the USBC youth eligibility Rule 400, contact USBC's Rules department at (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3155 or visit bowl.com.
 

Rule 400
A. Except as provided in Item B, a youth may not bowl or substitute in any bowling activity which offers any of the following as prizes:
1. Cash or bonds.
2. Merchandise exceeding $500 in value.

B. Youth may bowl in singles competitions (including side competitions/brackets) offering such prizes, provided, prior to bowling:
1. The competition agrees to award the youth’s prize in the form of a scholarship; or
2. The youth signs a form waiving his/her rights to any prize in violation of this rule.

Buying or selling of earned prizes is prohibited.

Any youth bowler deemed in violation of this rule is subject to disciplinary action including the potential loss of youth membership.

NOTE: There are no limits on scholarship amounts or entry fees (must be paid directly to the tournament director/manager) and reimbursement of actual travel expenses into the next higher level of competition or any tournament or event. (Receipts must be provided upon request.)

The prizes authorized by a state high school athletic association or a collegiate athletic association recognized by USBC and USBC Collegiate are not subject to the limitations of this rule.

 

 

 
©2006 California USBC Association. All Rights Reserved.