Christmas Tournament a Success

  For once, the weather did not disrupt the annual SISBA Christmas Tournament at Tough Guy Lanes in Pocatello, Idaho. There were 69 entries - the highest amount of entries in quite a while. And, hopefully everyone got their bag of Idaho's finest potatoes as a gift from the SISBA directors.

  And the bowling was great, too. Jeff Foster of West Jordan, Utah, led the pack with an awesome 1212 score after five games to be high qualifier in the first squad. Bob Garrison of Meridian, Idaho, was high qualifier in the second squad with an 1166 score.  There were 11 scores of 1100 or better and 27 scores of 1000 or better. Jeff also was gunning for the STORM 300 game pot in his last game of qualifying but came up a bit short for a 299 game. He still dipped into the pot for $50 - the second time this season. 

  But the big winner was Craig Goodwin of Idaho Falls, Idaho. He rolled an 1139 in qualifying to be seeded third in the playoffs behind Dave Sase with 1141 and Ben Fulton with 1140. Both are from Ogden, Utah. Goodwin, however, rolled a 441 score against Ed Strommen's (of Anaconda, Montana) 415 in the two game roll-off and 225 to fellow Idaho Falls resident Larry Wasson's 201 in the one-game match play to advance to the step-ladder finals as third seed.

  The step-ladders were exciting as Jay Gneiting of Aberdeen, Idaho, played against Mike Taylor of Emmett, Idaho. Gneiting took that game 236 to Taylor's 220, but was no match for Goodwin who handily eliminated Gneiting with a 268 game to 238, and then never looked back rolling 226 to beat Jeff Foster's 204 and a 208 game to beat Ben Fulton's 169 - to take his second ever championship. See tournament results.

  Besides Foster's 299 game, Mike Taylor rolled a 268 game in qualifying, again in the two-game match, and then an unprecedented third time in the one-game match. Larry Wasson was after the STORM 300 Game Pot with a 279 game, as was Junior Lopez of Pocatello, Idaho, also with a 279 game. The STORM 300 Game Pot will have $285 for the January Tournament at Skyline Lanes in Idaho Falls.

          We would like to thank the sponsors of the Annual Christmas Tournament in Pocatello, Idaho - American Electric (Vardell Tait) and Gate City Distributing for the great prizes. And to Vic Verhoff for procuring  the finest of Idaho potatoes from the Louis Thiel farm, west of Idaho Falls

  The next tournament will be at Skyline Lanes in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is being sponsored by Leo's Place (Leo O'Ryan) and Vic's Truck and Auto Repair (Vic Verhoff). Please remember, there are only 12 lanes in this bowling center so getting your reservation is crucial. Be sure to email Dean Livingstone at deano@dats.com or call at 208-237-3133. 

Welcome! Welcome!  New members Ryan Ellis of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Boyd Eckert of Blackfoot, Idaho. 

Our thanks to Pat Luras, Steve Young and the great staff at Tough Guy Lanes for hosting on a great tournament. 

SO!! Who's Winning the Pots?