BOWLING : Shirley, Gibson record 800 series as league opponents
Posted on Sunday, May 4, 2008
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/adg/Sports/224730/
Doubles partners Michael Shirley of North Little Rock and Dirk Gibson of Little Rock, bowling on opposing teams in the Thursday Men’s League at Enterprise Lanes, each shot an 800 series.
“I hit games of 300, 269 and 259 for an 828 series, my 21 st 300 game and my 13 th 800 series. All the shots the 300 game were solid, and this was my first 800 since March 8, 2006,” said Shirley, a customer relations representative for Cingular Wireless. “I left two stone 9-pins the 10 th frame of the last two games, and finished with 30 of a possible 34 strikes and took the ring for the 800. I used a Hammer No Mercy Beat’n ball for the 800.
“ Before the 828, I shot my 20 th 300 game between a pair of 205 games for a 710 series in the same league. It was a good game, good hits overall, and I used a Hammer Raw Anger ball.”
Shirley, 28, started bowling at 8 at Pike Lanes in North Little Rock, and averages 229, 238 and 240. He has an 852 high, seven 299 games, one 298, and seven 11 strikes-in-a-row awards, including two 297 s and one 295.
Gibson 35, started his series with his ninth 11-strikes-in-a-row award, a 290 game, then closed with games of 268 and 279 for his 22 nd 800 series, an 837.
“I left the 10-pin to start the 290 game, and the second game I left the 10-, 4- and 8-pins, the 8-pin my fill ball. The 279 game I left the 9-pin the fifth frame,” said Gibson, employed by GWL Advertising Inc. “I finished with 31 of a possible 36 strikes.
“ There was a little friendly trash talk going on and we had a great time. Michael drilled an Ebonite Gamebreaker ball that I used. Prior to the 837, I shot my 52 nd 300 game to start the Millennium First League at Millennium Bowl, and followed with games of 214 and 221 for a 735 series.”
Gibson started bowling 4 at Park Plaza Lanes, has an 857 high, seven 299 games, one 298, a 296 and averages 235.
He holds the state 9-game record with 2, 420, currently second-high in the nation, holds the state doubles record of 1, 663 with Shirley, currently secondhigh in the nation, and they are tied for the national high doubles game record with 600. Gibson also holds the state 5-game record of 1, 340 shot at Bowling World in Fort Smith, and was a two-time member of the national champion Wichita State University team in 1994 and 1995. BUNCH MOVES UP TO 2 ND
One change in the top five of singles after the third weekend of play at the Arkansas State USBC Women’s 60 th annual state tournament at Holiday Bowl in Texarkana, and College Bowl in Texarkana, Texas. Robin Bunch of Siloam Springs took over second place with 778 and Jennine Kitchens of Muldrow, Okla., moved into fifth place in handicap events with 2, 143. No changes in doubles. The Gutter Bugs of Pine Bluff took over second in the team event with 3, 393; and the Dangerous Dolls With Balls of Heber Springs are fifth with 3, 334. Cindy Covert of Benton tops scratch singles with 655. She is followed by Dee Dee Jeffery of Newport with 645; Lacey Schroeder of Camden with 584; Rachel Perez of Maumelle, and Debbie Uekman of Maumelle, 575 each.
WHITE, CHILDERS LEAD Enterprise Lanes kicked off the Thursday Handicap Doubles with Jonah White and Gordon Childers pacing qualifying with 1, 588. Both men received the 11-strikes-in-a-row award, White with 290—746; and Childers with 290—775.
They were joined for the finals by Brandon Brazil (633 ) and Ley McFarland (661 ) with 1, 456; Wes McFarland (269, 256—747 ) and Derek Rasburry (620 ) with 1, 454; Bruce Hester (655 ) and Bryan Robinson (551 ) with 1, 446.
Wes McFarland (243 ) and Rasburry (280 ) defeated Hester (178 ) and Robinson (195 ) 552-453. Wes McFarland (213 ) and Rasburry (226 ) knocked off Brazil (182 ) and Ley Mc-Farland (205 ) 468-441. White (243 ) and Childers (246 ) won the title match 518-477 over Wes McFarland (279 ) and Rasburry (© ).
SCHOLES WINS SHOOTOUT Fiesta Bowl drew 34 seniors for their Senior Shootout with Tim Scholes of White Hall knocking off top seed Ralph Bloemker of Hot Springs Village, 232-210 for the $ 500 first prize. Ralph Pridmore of Jacksonville opened the finals by defeating Dale Erickson of Little Rock, 216-212. Pridmore then knocked off Jerry Schrimsher of Heber Springs, 223-180; and Jack Weston of Russellville, 215-162. Scholes came on to send Pridmore packing, taking a 233-225 victory. Bloemker earned $ 350; Pridmore $ 200; Weston $ 140; Schrimsher $ 120; and Erickson $ 100.
TWO ROLL 300 S AT FIESTA When the Arkansas Scratch Bowlers Tour was at Fiesta in April, two men rolled 300 games — Jim Wolcott of Hendersville, Tenn., and Chris Owens of Gravette. Wolcott, 38, who won the event, shot games of 203, 238 and 300 for 741 and took the plaque. It was the 64 th 300 game for Wolcott, who has 26 800 series with 862 high, four 299 s and two 298 s.
He started bowling at 5 at Laurel Lanes, used a Storm Rapid Fire Ball, and averages 238, 242 and 243.
Owens, 38, who works for Eclipse Tinting Co., shot his 12 th 300 game. He also has 12 800 series with 864 high.
“It was great bowling in this fantastic center and about time I bowled 300 outside my center, Bentonville Bowl where I started bowling at 7,” said Owens.
He used an Ebonite NVS ball and averages 225, 240 and 245. MCFARLAND ROLLS 1 ST 300
Ley McFarland, 20, of Benton, posted his first 300 game to start play in the Big 10 League at Enterprise Lanes. He closed with games of 269 and 202 for a 771 series.
“They were all solid shots the 300 and I took the ring,” McFarland said. “I used a Track Freak Out ball and average 221 and 226,”
McFarland has an 824 high, one 298 game and two 11-strikesin-a-row awards. He started bowling in the junior program at 15 at Enterprise. Tournaments NBA on May 18 at Millennium Bowl in North Little Rock with a qualifying squad at 1 p. m. Second squad may be added if entries warrant. There is a $ 40 entry and re-entry fee. WIN-A-SPOT for Greater Jonesboro Southwest / Midwest Regional PBA Open on June 1 at 1 p. m. at the Jonesboro Bowling Center in Jonesboro. There is a $ 45 entry fee. Call (870 ) 972-5270 for more information.
WEEKLY HIGHS TIMBER LODGE Vera Alexander 631; Jamie Harper 278—724 in the Tuesday Mixed. CENTRAL Andy Black rolled 279—736; Jerry Hagle 267, 241—729 and Dave Newcomer 257—704 In the Hot Springs Classic MILLENNIUM Stinky Rowe shot 279—702 and Louis Moore 269—716 in the Roosevelt Mixed.