BOWLING : Arkansas team finishes surprising 5th in USBC event
Posted on Sunday, June 29, 2008
Five Arkansas bowlers piled into a car and traveled 880 miles to compete in the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships at the Albuquerque Convention Center in Albuquerque N. M., but never discussed the possibility of scoring high enough to land near the top of the standings.
The bowlers surprised themselves by posting games of 915, 893 and 979 to move into fifth place in the classified team event with a 2, 787 total. Cardinal Lanes of Hoisington, Kan., leads with 2, 804.
“We didn’t talk about winning at all,” said D&H Glass captain Ryan Summitt of Harrison. “It didn’t even enter our minds because we just don’t bowl that well. With all the fun we had on the trip here with five guys packed into one car plus all of our equipment, we never even thought about playing this good.” Kenny DeYoung, a two-time Arkansas State tournament champion, led the way for D&H Glass with a 606 series. He was followed by Kenny Halsted (603 ), Summitt (546 ), Don Young (545 ) and first-time participant Larry Patrick (487 ).
“No one was more surprised than us,” Summit said. “We were on our way out of the convention center when someone told us we placed fifth, and we thought it was a joke or a mistake. We never thought we would do this. Wow, what a bonus to the trip.” Four members of D&H Glass made their only other USBC Open Championships appearances at the 2005 event in Baton Rouge, but they almost didn’t make it back to the tournament lanes.
“We have bowled together for a long time, but a couple of years ago, we lost our bowling buddy, Curtis Kirkland, who died in 2006,” Summit said. “We still miss him, but we needed one more bowler for the team and feel lucky to have Patrick join us. We could not have done this without him.” While Patrick struggled in his debut, he has quickly filled the void on the team. He added 562 in singles and 487 in doubles for a 1, 536 all-events effort.
“I feel like I let my team down with my 487 series, but maybe they will let me join them next year anyway,” Patrick said. “It feels really good to be part of such a great team, and even though I have to sit in the back of the car with the equipment on the way home, I feel much more like a part of the group, and we’re all looking forward to Las Vegas next year.” In addition to the team’s success, DeYoung (Valley Springs ) and Halsted also cracked the top 10 in classified all events, moving into seventh and eighth place, respectively. DeYoung added 613 in singles and 586 in doubles for a 1, 805 total, while Halsted had 618 in singles and 581 in doubles for 1, 802. Daniel Dabkowski of Columbia, S. C., leads with 1, 857.
HILTON WINS Another Harrison bowler, Jim Hilton, won the 5-Game Scratch Sweeper at Indian Hills Bowl in Ash Flat and $ 620 in defeating Little Rock’s Mike Mowrey, 202-192. Mowrey was the top seed with 1, 230. He started out with 256, 254, and 300 for an 810 series, before closing with 237 and 183. Hilton qualified second with 1, 126; Darren Breedlove of Harrison third with 1, 094; Steve Swain of Kennett, Mo., fourth with 1, 089; and Jack Armstrong of McRae, fifth with 1, 055. Swain kicked off the finals by defeating Armstrong 258-198; and Breedlove in a close match 201-194. Hilton then defeated Swain 237-203; to set up the title match. Mowrey and Hillton both struggled in the match, with Hilton striking the first ball the 10 th frame to give him a tie by sparing the next ball. He came back with another strike allowing him the luxury of needing only one pin his last ball to win. He again struck. For Mowrey, 45, who earned $ 380; it was his 23 rd 800 series with 848 high, and his 24 th 300 game. He has four 299 games, one 298 and six 11-strikes-ina-row awards including a 296. He started bowling at 12 at Sportsworld in Russellville. Swain received $ 184. 50; Breedlove $ 110; and Armstrong $ 85.
DIS ’N’ DATA Little Rock’s Dirk Gibson finished 32 nd in the PBA Southwest / Midwest Region Budwieser Wichita Open at Thunderbird lanes in Wichita, Kan., and received $ 400. Johnie Rowe with 743; Jeannie Hill with 716; Jan Foarde with 767; Billy Hunt with 752; Dennis Drzewiecki and Stan Cash with 748 each were the May winners of the Hanging Judge Fort Smith Buzzard Club monthly meeting at Midland Bowl. Merle Melton (11 ) and Richard Bandy (8 ) shared split honors. Weekly highs TOURNAMENTS ARKANSAS SCRATCH BOWLING TOUR on July 13 at Central Lanes in Hot Springs. A 5-game qualifier, cut to top 16 for double elimination. One for 5 payoff ratio. There is an $ 85 entry fee if paid four days prior or $ 125 on site. There is a one-time joining fee of $ 25. Call Greg O’Neal at (501 ) 351-7485 for more information. Also the first Senior event, 50 years and older, on June 29 at Millennium Bowl in North Little Rock. LABOR DAY ELIMINATOR on Aug. 31 at Millennium Bowl in North Little Rock. There is a $ 175 entry fee. Call Greg O’Neal at (501 ) 351-7485 for more information. 4 TH OF JULY SWEEPER at Allfam Bowling Center in Cabot. There is a $ 25 entry fee for handicap and additional $ 5 for scratch. Contact david 72023 ebonite@yahoo. com for more information. 12 TH ANNUAL GREATER JONESBORO PBA OPEN PRO AM on Friday July 25 th at he Jonesboro Bowling Center in Jonesboro. A 9-pin No Tap event, there are three divisions, youth with a $ 30 entry fee at 6 p. m., seniors with a $ 35 fee at 6 p. m., and open with a $ 45 fee at 8: 30 p. m., if paid by July 21. Add $ 20 for each division after July 21. WEEKLY HIGHS CENTRAL Janet Chandler shot 232—609 in the Thursday Mixed; Anthony Scheri 247—716; Robert Hobson 246—714; Fred Maycock 278 in the Jr. / Adult where youth bowlers Ricky Holzer shot 257, 227—700; Cody Orrell 221, 247—677 and 269—669; Matt Morrison 602 and 257.
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