Hello, are you there?  Yes, but you are not - where are you?  If you look around at the various leagues that have started this season you have noticed the "V" on the monitors - this means there is a vacancy on that team, which equates to a missing bowler.  Many leagues are missing bowlers from teams or whole teams are missing and being replaced by those hard to beat bowlers called "BYE." 

Many factors are contributing to the decline in the number of bowlers:  price of gas, cost of bowling, cost of food at the bowling center and a general lack of enthusiasm for the game of bowling.  USBC is also contributing to the decline by taking away awards and recognition that the local bowler used to look forward to receiving as their reward for a job well done (good scores).  On top of paying a fee to be a "certified" bowler you now have to pay for rings for certain accomplishments.   Where will it end?  Not sure but there are changes taking place at USBC and after their summit on September 29-30 they have advised they will post the highlights and I will in turn pass them on to you.

Congratulations to youth bowler Vito Sisto for his "300" game the first day of competition completing his series with a 200 and a 268 for a 768.  Vito has been toying with that elusive 300 game for a little over a year.  During the summer youth/adult league Vito had several near misses and many 760+ series.  It was only a matter of time before all the pieces came together.  Vito also participates in Junior Gold tournaments and other scholarship tournaments around the state.  All local youths are eligible to participate in scholarship tournaments in order to begin building that college fund.  For more information regarding scholarship tournaments or the SMART Program contact Robin Sisto, the Association Manager for the Youth Association at 732-2788. 

The Ocala USBC Women's Bowling Association held their 3rd 9 Pin No Tap Mixed Scotch Doubles tournament on Sunday, September 9, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at AMF Ocala.  31 sets of doubles participated and from all accounts a good time was had by all those in attendance.  The winners are:  1st place Crystal/Justin Blanton with an even 1000; 2nd place Darrian and Darren Dukes with a 928; Janice Raines and Stew Irwin with a 908; 4th place Julie Dove and David Harden with an 893; 5th place Jodi/Scott Ryder with an 975 and 6th place Beth Jones/JJ Jones (mother and son) with an 854.  The next tournament will be on Sunday, December 16, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at AMF Ocala.  The format may  change to either a baker style or a regular doubles or ?? - your input is appreciated as to what type of format you would like to see.  Changing the format from time to time will hopefully keep the bowlers interested in participating.  Suggestions can be submitted to any of the co-chairpersons Jodi Ryder; Pam Williams; Tammy Lolley or Julie Dove. 

The Florida State Championship Tournament is finally FINAL.  All appeals have run their course and checks are in the mail.  The web site has only the top 10 places at this time but should have the top 25 posted shortly.  As soon as a complete list is available the information will be passed along in the blog.  From all accounts Ocala did quite well as far as being in the winners circle.  More information later on all that.  The 2008 Florida State Championship Tournament will be held in the Boynton Beach/Jupiter, Florida, area commencing on May 3 and ending on 29.  Since the bowling centers can accommodate more bowlers at a time in that area there will be only 2 squads a day and the tournament will only last 9 weekends.  Ocala hosted this event in 2007 and it lasted 11 weekends and had 3 squads on Saturdays.  KUDOS to the board members and volunteers that assisted in making all the bowlers and guests feel welcome.  Thank you to the Women's Association members/volunteers for their assistance as well as to those Youth bowlers who gave of their time.  The tournament was a success due to the hard work of all of you.  THANKS!!

The Ocala Women's 600 Club held their annual meeting, election of officers and club tournament on Saturday, September 1, 2007, at noon at AMF Ocala.  The officers stayed the same:  Del Nicholson, President; Barbara Cook Vice-President; Julie Dove Sgt.-At-Arms and Debbie Whitten Secretary/Treasurer.  The turnout was low but enough to have a quorum.  Again membership is not what it was even 5 years ago and no one really seems to know why.  The winners of the club tournament were Jodi Ryder 1st place and Julie Dove 2nd place.  A good time was had by those that attended. 

REMINDER:  Marion County USBC Youth Association re-organization meeting to be held on Saturday, September 29, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. at AMF East.  We will be re-organizing as an Affiliate Association.  There will be election of officers, confirmation of the By-Laws, discussion on the future of youth bowling, discussion of the Registered Volunteer Program and any other issues that may need to be addressed.  Make plans to attend.  All youth are welcome and encouraged to attend. 

Top scores for the past week:

Women's High Game	Women's High Series
Cathy Brazeau 247	Cathy Brazeau 708
Charlotte Scruggs 236	Freida Gates 615
Stavey Ceravnio 232	Stacey Ceravino 599
Sherry Lopes 230	Julie Dove 595
Tammy Lolley 225	Kathy Paquette 586
Paula Deutsch 225	Carlye Chalkley 571
Debra Burckhardt 224	Debbie Whitten 570
Sabrina McFarland 218	Roberta Burns 567
Julie Dove 217	Debra Burckhardt 567
Cindy Thompson 212	Marianne Chase 554

 

Men's High Game	Men's High Series
Tyson Kurth 300	Tyson Kurth 788
Roger Bowker 268	Roger Bowker 730
Jeff Greve 268	Billy Bakos 725
Billy Bakos 267	Jim Hood 699
Lucas Sparrow 267	Bill Stewart 692
Lance Roberts 267	Lance Roberts 691
John Wittensellner 267	Chris Young 685
Chas Williams 256	Alan Hill 683
Lloyd Sparrow 255	Brian Brazeau 681
Allen Ekleberry 254	Walt Krumm 669

Senior High Games	Senior High Series
Burt Waite 261	Jim Kerry 672
Lloyd Ballard 259	Burt Waite 671
Herb Sherrill 256	Rich Gibson 659
John Brignall 247	Ken Dengler 658
Truman Richardson 247	Lloyd Ballard 657
Rich Gibson 246	John Brignall 638
Stew Irwin 246	Stew Irwin 644
Jim Kerry 245	Herb Sherrill 625
Ken Dengler 243	Lee Rigby 624
Cliff Osborner 235	Truman Richardson 621
Shelda Hines 220	Shelda HInes 558
Jean Russell 206	Shirley Ekleberry 554
Janice Raines 202	Dot Bachota 530
	Doris Garland 528
	Sandy Rigby 513

 

Youth High Game	Youth High Series
Vito Sisto 300	Vito Sisto 768
Justin Yurcak 236	Jules Bridges 583
Alex Tuggerson 214	Kim Reynolds 521
Jules Bridges 212	Lodan Rodgers 515
Logan Rodgers 203	Justin Yurcak 513
Kaylin Rodgers 97	Kaylin Rodgers 264
Ashlynn Smart 93	Ashlynn Smart 224
Jennifer Tripp 95	Jennifer Tripp 214
Cole Place 73	Cole Place 206

The Bowler Of The Year Roll Off was held on Saturday, September 15, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. at AMF West.  Of 39 individual bowlers that were eligible from each of the adult associations, making a total of 78 eligible bowlers, the turn out was poor to say the least.  The Women had 12 participants and the Men had 14.  This tournament is put on for the benefit of the adult associations and it does not cost anything to participate.  All you have to do is show up and bowl.  This is a service that is provided to the adult bowlers of Marion County by the local associations, however the future of this program is in jeopardy.  If the bowlers are not going to participate then maybe this service is not needed or wanted by the bowler and the time (of the volunteers) and the money that the associations spend could be put to better use with providing something else in the form of good and services. 

The Bowler Of The Year for the Ocala USBC Women's Bowling Association is Jamie Scott.  Jamie came to the tournament with an average of 152 and bowled a 569 series making her +113 pins.  Jamie has been bowling for approximately a year after taking a hiatus of 5 years from the sport.  Maybe we should all take time off and then come back - we could come back a winner.  Congratulations to Jamie.  On behalf of the Women's Association Jamie was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a plaque. 

The Bowler Of The Year for the Marion County USBC Bowling Association is Brian Eppinger (Jr.??)  Brian ended his series today +88 pins.  Brian comes from a bowling background but his skill (and luck) made him the leader today.  Congratulations to Brian!!

Guess I have taken up enough of your time for now. 

Remember to check back for the State Championship Tournament results which should be available by next weekend.