Elko Turnout Small

  The turnout in Elko was respectable - 73 entries - but not the same as past tournaments where there were close to or over 100 entries. The weather was nice, perhaps golf was more beckoning than an indoor sport.

  The lanes were challenging, as they always are, but there were five who scored over 1000, including two super seniors and Bob Bywater of Heyburn, Idaho who shot 1025 and 1008. Low in the regular qualifying to cash was 945. Two super seniors had to be advanced: Dave Johnson, first-timer from Fallon, Nevada, from the 7 p.m. squad, and Ron Hendricks of Fort Hall, Idaho for the 9 a.m. squad.

  Orville Edwards of Pocatello, Idaho, led the pack with a 1087 qualifying series and led throughout the tournament until the stepladder finals where he was seeded fourth. He went on to beat fifth seed Don Winter of Kearns, Utah,  196-177 and Bob Bywater 192-162 before Max Shellabarger of Roy, Utah defeated him 193-179. 

  In the final game, Pat Pethtel of Meridian, Idaho, posted a 195 game to best Shellabarger's 171 in a game which was much closer than the scores indicate. It was Pethtel's second championship since joining SISBA - and a very profitable one at that. Not only did he get the $1000 first place from SISBA, but because he stayed at the Stockmen's Hotel and Casino, he received the bonus $500 presented to him by Stacey Sawyer, Marketing Director for the Stockmen's. See Tournament Results.

  The Stockmen's Hotel and Casino also gave away two leather duffle bags and a leather jacket. There was one chance to win for every entry. The winner of the duffle bags were Orville Edwards and Don Plattenberger of Newport, Washington. Ric Flores of West Point, Utah took home the leather jacket - which fit him nicely.

  In the STORM bowling ball raffle, the bowling balls were won by Mike Storrier of Pocatello, Idaho and Carl Bond of Elko, Nevada. The STORM bag was won by Denny Gash, a local Elko, Nevada bowler.

  There is only one tournament left in the SISBA regular season. If you need ANY squads to qualify for the Grand Finals to be held at Tough Guy Lanes in Pocatello, Idaho on April 24, this is your last chance to get them in. There are three squads available: Saturday, April 2 at 4 p.m., Sunday, April 3 at 9 and 11:30 a.m. Go to entry form

Those needing three squads are: Bob Bailey, Jamie Bischoff, Walt Bohna, Ken Brown, George Denton, Bill Funk, Dean Hagler, Collis Hoalst, Dave Johnson, Randy Landon, Ken Larson, Chris Leary, Richard Loya, Gil Martinez, Spike McCormick, Willie McGee, Harley Rish, Craig Rolph, Rod Ross, Ron Ruiz, Brian Runz, Jeff Schow, Jim Spoklie, Garry Thomas, Chris Tisher, Greg Waldon and Robert Wood.

Those needing two squads are: Leighton Benjamin, Mike Fries, Dan Hagestad, Marvin Harrell, Tom Henry, Larry Landers, Jim McBee, Jim McIlhargey, Dwayne Mitani, Jim Ouellette, Jack Owsley, Rick Ross, Phil Santillanes, Debbie Seniw, Darrell Shay and Mark Ziegler.

Those needing one squad are: Bob Batts, John Bertolina, John Brodersen, Don Bruch, Les Comer, Jeff Foster, Ben Fulton, Mike Galloway, Bob Garrison, Roger Hankel, Lynn Larsen, Dave John, Kerry Johnson, Mike Jones, Jim Leonard, Don McKay, Bruce Randall, Rich Smith, Dan Rorris, Nick Seniw, Dennis Shaw, Terry Strong, Pat Terry, Gloria Unger.

  SISBA added several new members this tournament - please welcome: Frank Hume of Kuna, Idaho; Dave Johnson of Fallon, Nevada; Paul Sagez, Jr. of Garland, Utah, and Michael Sales Jr. of Elko, Nevada. Hope to see all of you at future tournaments.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU to those who sponsored the Elko Tournament: Stockmen's Hotel and Casino, Swire Coca-Cola, McDonald's of Elko, Elko Sanitation, Eagle Eye Embroidery and Wright Motors. We appreciate all you do for us.

And a special thank you to the management and staff of Desert Paradise Lanes, you people do a fantastic job.

SO!! Who's Winning the Pots?