Amazing!

Over 50 youngsters and 40 parents showed for the start of the winter junior bowling season two Sundays ago.

Last year there were 10-15 kids and few parents.

What a wonderful change.

Junior bowling is alive and well at Ocean Lanes.

Thank you, parents and adults. Thank you kids. And thank you volunteer coaches and staff of Ocean Lanes.

League play started last Sunday and will continue for the next several months. Stay tuned!

Kings & Queens League

So far, six teams make up the winter season of royalty having fun on Monday nights.

There is room for more teams.

See John Harney, the general manager, and he will point you in the right direction.

The opening night King was Antony Overton with a mighty 234/580 set. Runnerup was Dan Turocy shooting a nifty 180/527. Donning the Queen/s robe was Belinda Thomas after smashing a 212/503 series. Clarissa Watson was the Queen/s handywoman with a 171/478 set.

The Brodie All Star Classic League

The first night of the winter season produced a multitude of wonderful surprises 7 the donation of ,1,000 by Jim and Kathy Brodie to the league prize fund, the return of Robert Thompson after a year/s absence, the welcoming of new members Antony Overton, Tom Reigle, Ken and Justin Bailey, arrival of beautiful damsels Belinda Thomas, Ngaire Kemp, and Lerma Buenaventura, and Doug Fennell bowling less than a 200 average for his four games of play. He shot a … cough, cough… 782 set.

Also somewhat noteworthy was your aging correspondent shooting a 206/801 series on the opening night. Ken Bailey was the scoring champ for the first night with a 236/826 series.

Art Doherty chipped in with a 227/820, Tom Reigle shot a huge 236/819, and Bob Stokes picked up a ten pin on his last ball of the match to score a respectable 266/800 series.

Hits & Mrs. League

Wow!

Sixteen teams of lively, happy chatting young ladies, ready and eager to bowl, chomping at the bit to blow the pins out of the building. While they didn/t do that, they did hit some decent scores.

Liz Schmidt was the Queen Bee with her 203/536 series. Judy Jenkins stroked a mighty 178/517, Debbie Peterson hit a sizzling 178/511, and Clarissa Watson almost hit a five, shooting 170/496. Joanne Signorelli started the new season with a sparkling 172/494. Mary Hall was well above her average with a splendid 185/461, and Jill Perry anchored the first honors list with a respectable 171/455.

Grey Panthers League

The old timers arrived full of Centrum Silver and Geritol, well-rested after a long summer, ready to knock down pins, and knock they did.

Paul Ortiz cranked up his plutonium special and sizzled to a league-leading 235/627 series.

Your aging correspondent managed a heart-pumping 220/610 and Bowler of the Month Joe Vasques smashed a terrific 220/581. Dan Turocy stroked a splendid 203/552 and Jack Barros threw an awesome 202/539, proving that practice helps improve the scoring.

One half of the McClatchey family (Lee) blasted a booming 195/526 while the other half (Melva) shot a delightful 186/507. Harold Couch continued to amaze the audience throwing a thrilling 179/517 while Todd Hollister hit a wonderful 188/511.

Liz Schmidt continued her great scoring with a 171/509 and the league watched Omer Joly complete his victory lap around the concourse after he shot a terrific 206/502.

Fun Bunch League

Doug Fennell smiled all the way to the side pot payoff window after shooting a marvelous 244/688 set.

Justin Bailey stroked a couple of mild deuces and then blasted a tremendous 265 game to finish with a sensational 676 series.

Chris Moseby got lined up and dazzled the audience with a fine 242/659. Ken Bailey shot three deuces good for a 633 series, while Chino Vasquez used a 237 game to reach a 622 total.

Super sub Brian Soucy threw a decent 211/620 while George Matzie swept to a 254/618 series. Belinda Thomas continued to excel, this time stroking a sensational 220 game and wonderful 606 series.

Kenny Wilson also hit a 606 while the pride and joy of the Flores family, John Sr., used a 235 game to reach a decent 569 total. Judy Jenkins was pleased with her 204/539, as was Julia Ortiz with her delightful 202/527.

Juan Mendez threw a tuff 206/523 and Pat Turpin (trumpets please) broke a five shooting a terrific 187/522. Ron Morrison and Steve Mendez stroked twin 508 series while Vanessa Sessler and Chris Ward anchored the honors list with 202/489 and 177/480 series respectively.

Elks Mixed League

The herd ambled into the bowling center after its summer vacation freshly cleaned, full of barley, and with neat haircuts ready for an exciting winter season.

The excitement started with Lee McClatchey blasting a sensational 242/653 series.

Not too far behind was Ed Shoemaker with a fantastic 225/648. Fred Hierholzer butted down a delightful 221/608 while Jake Buenaventura stroked a respectable 215/585. Loretta Loveall was in total command of her game finishing with a splendid 185/526.

Marcy Hyde fired a terrific 183/505 and led the herd back into the corral where they could eat, drink, rest and prepare for Week Two.

Important Information

Ocean Lanes is hosting a 10-game scratch marathon on Saturday, October 22. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., bowling starts at 10. Entry fee: ,50. First place is guaranteed ,500. Entry forms are at all central coast bowling centers. General manager John Harney has tournament details. Call him at 736-451.

Karl Corser can be reached at 733-1171 or corserkc@aol.com

September 21, 2005