By By Mike Carson/Bowling Columnist
Jan. 1, 2002
We hope each of you have had a wonderful holiday season. However, time continues it inexorable march forward, and that means bowling's brief respite comes to a close. All leagues will be back in session beginning Wednesday, January 2, 2002. Roll off spots will be decided in the Queen City and Hucklebuck leagues, while other leagues begin 3rd quarter action. So don't despair, if your team didn't fare too well the first half, you still have 18 weeks to make up for it!
If that's not enough for you there is plenty of tournament action to be found locally in 2002. Meridian has already hosted the State "Magic Age" tournament and the Men's Senior State Champions. But, folks . . . . you ain't seen nothing yet! Looking ahead, both the men and women will be holding their respective City Championship tournaments in the month of February. Entry forms are already available for the ladies while the men's entries will be available in the coming weeks. Both events will include Teams, Doubles and Singles, so get your entries in soon to insure your spots.
Later in the year, Meridian will play host to the Mississippi State Bowling Associations annual State Championship Tournament. For six weekends in May and June, bowlers from across the state will be competing for the coveted First Place trophies (and of course, don't forget the cash that goes along with them!). Meridian already holds the record for attendance in this event. When last held here in 1994 240 teams took part. This year we are hoping to extend that record to 300 teams, so begin making your plans to participate.
Following that event will be the State Games of Mississippi and then three weekends of more championship action when the Mississippi Y.A.B.A. comes to town to hold their annual State Championships for our youth bowlers.
Later in the year, following the start of the 2002-2003 season in August, we will also be hosting the State Mixed Team tournament as well as another stop of the S.A.S.B.A tour and at least two editions of Stan's Classic Tournaments.
It looks like we have a lot of action to look forward to, so get your bowling act together and hit the lanes so you will be ready. Happy New Year to all. We'll see you at the lanes.