By By Mike Carson / bowling columnist
March 2, 2004
The Mens and Ladies City Championship Tournaments have come to a close with champions being crowned in team, doubles, singles and all-events in both divisions. Since this column is actually written prior to the weekend, I don't have a list of all the winners, but by now they know who they are anyway. In case you don't know, first weekend action was highlighted by the 300 game rolled by Tim Van Doren. It was his sixth career perfect game. A complete list of winners in both tournaments will remain posted at Dixie Bowl through the rest of this week. If my memory serves me correctly, the turnover for both tournaments exceeded those from last year. Congratulations to all the winners and to Cindy Rutledge and Jane Gibson, directors for the ladies tournament, and to Jason Pierce, Gene Derusha and Kenneth Miller, directors for the men's tournament, on jobs well done.
It's time now for local bowlers to turn their attention to their respective State Tournaments coming up later in the year. The deadline for entry in the Ladies State is only days away. All entries must be postmarked by midnight, March 10. Remember, ladies, your tournament does not allow late entries so be sure and have yours in on time. The tournament begins April 17 and runs through May 30. The deadline for the Mens' State at Park Ten Lanes in Diamondhead is April 1. Late entries are accepted on a lanes available basis only.
Tournament action in Meridian continues this weekend as Dixie Bowl Lanes welcomes the Mississippi Knights of Columbus State Tournament Saturday and Sunday. This is the first time Meridian has hosted this particular event and I am sure you will join with me in welcoming those bowlers from across the state to our house.
Action in local leagues was hot and heavy on both sides of the fence this past week as third round action begins to wind down. The ladies were really on fire with six 600 Series including the 637 fired by Judy Bounds to take the high series for the week. Judy also used a nice 233 game to help her take the cake. Jane Gibson bombed strikes for a big 263 game while on her way to a 635. Rhonda Covington and Mona McGrane each cranked out 618s and Sue Kirkpatrick used a 235 game to help her blast out a 617. Nita Fike rounded out the 600 Board with a 607. Matar McClinton splintered pins with a 235, Shelia Dearman pounded out a 234 and Paula Wooten chalked up a 225. Carol Workman and Pat James both strung strikes to record games of 220.
Only two guys were able to break the 700 mark this week. Leon Fike used a 268 to make his way to a 717 and Steve Eastman cranked out a 714. Robert Brown recorded the high game of the week with a 279. John Lott was close behind with a 276 while Don Sabella and Jim Fisher each fired games of 268. Sam Morrison put his name in lights with a 266. Ron Coleman, Ken Miller, Jason Pierce, Brian Mattox, Henry Forsythe, Barry Woods and Robby Relinski found the range for games of 250 or better.
As I mentioned earlier, third round action is beginning to come to a close as teams vie for the chance to qualify for the season-ending roll-offs. The Hucklebuck league held their position round last week with the Wrangler Furniture team taking the top spot and earning a berth in that league's finals. Other leagues will hold position rounds over the next two weeks.
That's all for this week. Until next week, good luck and good bowling.