By By Mike Carson/The Meridian Star
Dec. 18, 2001
The past weekend was a busy one in the bowling community as two separate tournaments were conducted at Dixie Bowl Saturday and Sunday. The 2001-2002 YABA City Tournament was held for area youth each day with some sixty bowlers ages 7-19 competed for championships in Prep and Major-Senior divisions. Also on Sunday was the semi-annual visit of Stan's Classic Tournaments. This 8 game sweeper included not only local bowlers, but also bowlers from around the state and the southeast competing in Handicap and Scratch divisions. We will have results of both of these events in next weeks column.
Other upcoming tournaments of interest to local bowlers include the Red Carpet Lanes Annual Doubles Tournament in Vicksburg each weekend in January. The entry fee for this tournament is $30 per bowler. Participants will be aiming at an estimated $5000 1st Place award. Also on tap is the 2002 Double Diamond Invitational Tournament at Spanish Trail Lanes in Gautier. This tournament will run 15 weekends beginning February 8, 2002. Last years prize exceeded $85,000. Reserved times must be postmarked by January 15, 2002. You may submit entries up to January 31. Entry forms for both of these tournaments are now available at Dixie Bowl.
In local action area bowlers continue to put up big numbers in league action. Don Waldron led all bowlers with a 10-in-a-row 287 game in the Hucklebuck league while Chuck Gray took the high series with a 751 during action in the Queen City League. A total of eleven 700 series were recorded last week. Bowlers contributing to that figure were Chuck Gray, Robert Brown (2), Mike Cothern (2), Don Waldron, Ken Miller, Tyrone McAlpine, Johnnie Blackmon, Barry Woods and Ronnie Thomas.
Christine McNeil punched out a career high 276 game and a 637 series to pace the ladies. It was Christine's first career 600 series. Nita Fike took the high series with a 257/648 in the Dixie Belle league. Marlene Stokes also reached the "6" plateau with a 604. Other ladies making their mark were Sheila Dearman, Janice Kasper, June Thomas, and Matar McClinton.
Many leagues will be concluding first half action this week. Other leagues will finish up their second round after the holiday break. All leagues will resume bowling January 2, 2002. We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our bowlers a very happy and safe holiday season.