By By Mike Carson / bowling columnist
Aug. 26, 2003
The 2003-2004 Fall &Winter season is off and rolling as action officially began last week. There was plenty of action in the first three days of competition as the expectations of a new season got underway.
For whatever reasons, attendance is down in most leagues this season. A last minute pull-out on Monday night leaves a vacancy for a full five-man team in the Hucklebuck league. The same is true for the Queen City league on Thursday night. The Wednesday Night Mixed league has an opening for a 4-person team. Any combination of men and women are welcome in that league. Also, openings for individuals in order to fill out rosters are available on almost all leagues. If you are interested in helping fill these spots, or know someone who is, contact Dixie Bowl Lanes. Any of the staff will be happy to assist you. We encourage our regular bowlers to reach out to your friends and family and ask them to join us.
The 2nd annual Handicap Doubles tournament will conclude Sept. 1. Already over 300 teams have taken part in the year's event which features a guaranteed First Place payout of $4,000. If the current trend in entries continues, it is very likely that the actual payout will exceed that amount. Shifts will be held at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday and Monday shifts will be at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. with the possibility of an added shift at 4 p.m. on Sunday. If you haven't taken part yet, grab a partner or two and come out and enjoy the fun.
The Saturday Morning Junior leagues held their first of two organizational meetings this weekend. If you missed that opportunity, a second chance to join will be available this Saturday at 10 a.m. Be sure to bring you child, or children out to get them entered into our junior program. Due to the SASBA tournament scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 6-7, the first week of competition will be Sept. 13.
The Wednesday Fun Time Junior league is an attractive alternative to those who can't make it on Saturdays. This is usually a doubles league which bowls Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. The organizational meeting for that league will be tomorrow afternoon with action beginning Sept. 3. We need your children to come out and enjoy the fun.
Wayne Griffin has been hotter than hot the last few weeks. A couple of weeks ago, he chalked up his first career 700 Series while taking part in the doubles tournament. This week, he added another "first" to his resume by cranking out the new season's first 700 in league play with a 705 in the Hucklebuck league. Mike Cothern had both the high game and high series the first few nights with a 267/719 in the Wednesday Night Mixed league. Walter Capers, Ryan Relinski and Ralph James all punched out games of 255. J.R. Phillips saw a 4-pin on his last ball end his bid for a 225 triplicate. That's ok, J.R. I'll take a 225-225-224 anytime.
Shirley Gaines got the ladies off to a big start. In the Monday Nighters league, Shirley reeled off a nice 265 game while on her way to a 665 series. Cathy Jones stepped up and fired a 244, also on Monday. Wednesday saw Renee Chisolm scatter pins for a 230, Denise Rutledge rip a 223 and Lori Berrey strut her stuff with a 222.
That's all for this week. We hope you season is a good one. In order to help make this season a success, we need your help in filling the holes. We want this season to be just as much fun and just as exciting as previous years, so let's all work together and have a great 2003-2004.