In a season of record breaking membership and attendance, 87 of the 95 eligible SISBA members made their way to the Snake River Bowl in Burley, Idaho, to compete for the $13,075.00 prize fund. Everyone received a prize check of at least $75.00. The Non-Cashers tournament prize fund was $1,400.

  The scores were outstanding as Ed Hodges of Missoula, Montana, topped the five-game qualifying with a 1209 score. There were 15 qualifiers over the 1100 mark and it took a 1097 score to make the cut. And as has happened several times this season, the last place was a tie between Kevin Grupa of Mountain Home, Idaho, and Orville Edwards of Pocatello, Idaho. It was a great match with Kevin coming out on top with a 211 game to Orville's 207.

  The match plays were just as exciting as most of the two-game totals were over 400 and John Bertolina of Henderson, Nevada, posting a 501. In the end, a newcomer to the step-ladder finals Dave Leisinger of Jackson, Wyoming, beat out Randy Ypma of Bozeman, Montana, for the top prize check of $1000.

 The SISBA Storm, Inc., 300 Game Pot was battered this season with Ed Hodges of Missoula, Montana, breaking it open just in time for Christmas for the $1388 and it was tapped again by Jeff Foster of Taylorsville, Utah, a month later. Several Made a withdrawal of the $50 prize: Vic Lorengo of Spring Creek, Nevada; Max Shellabarger of Roy, Utah; Jerry Meyers and Dave John of Pocatello, Idaho; Larry Wasson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; and Ed Hodges a couple of more times. Next season's pot will start at $240.

Membership Meeting

 Discussion was lively at the open membership meeting held at 9 a.m. at Snake River Bowl in Burley, Idaho.

1.  As was agreed upon in the 2001-2002 meeting, statistics of scoring and qualifying by age groups were kept throughout the 2002-2003 season. The percentage of bowlers in the age groups of 60+, 50-59, and 49 and under showed that they were pretty even when making the qualifying round. However, the percentage of seniors moving on to the one-game round dropped and they very seldom made the step-ladder. Suggestions were made such as there be a bye for at least one qualifier in each age group. After discussion, Howard Christensen of Kaysville, Utah, motioned that the format remain the same.

2. The lane conditions at Desert Paradise Lanes in Elko, Nevada were discussed. There were no complaints, but some members felt they would like a chance to practice on those conditions before the tournament.

3. Chuck Reinbold of Jackson, Wyoming, asked if there could be more doubles tournaments in conjunction with the SISBA tournament as most members arrive on Saturday to bowl the regular tournament on Sunday. Doubles tournaments would be great if partners for the participating SISBA members could be found, and if the host bowling center does not have other activities scheduled. Chuck suggested all the bracket money earned from the doubles tournament be put in the Super Senior out of the money prizes in the regular tournament.

4. The membership were asked if they would approve putting more than six to a pair during the Grand Finals in one squad or if they would prefer to go to the two-squad format of the regular tournaments. The single squad with as many to a pair as needed was approved. Chuck Reinbold requested that the participants skip a pair during the tournaments.

5. The tentative schedule for the 2003-2004 season was presented for discussion. Dave John motioned that the tournament directors set the schedule.

6. Dave John brought up lane courtesy and motioned that we have NO lane courtesy during the warmup, a ONE lane courtesy during the five-game qualifying, and a TWO lane courtesy during the match-play games. This was approved by the membership.

  END OF SEASON AWARDS

  With all the points added up and all the great bowling in the regular SISBA season behind us, it was time to give out the awards. This year's awards were provided by STORM, Inc. who sold the newest STORM balls at a very attractive price. 

  As only one prize per member is awarded, high series is awarded first with game and average following.

  For the Super Seniors, Howard Christensen of Kaysville, Utah, had the high game with 269, Ron Hendricks of Fort Hall, Idaho, had high series of 1156. High average was achieved, for the second year in a row, by Ed Strommen of Anaconda, Montana, who bested last year's 199.68 with a 203.4 average. The Super Senior Bowler of the Year was won by Orville Edwards of Pocatello, Idaho, with an average of 202.3 for 62 games, a high series of 1178 and a high game of 280.

  In the regular "young" Seniors, high game was a tie shared by Ed Hodges of Missoula, Montana, Dave John of Pocatello, Idaho, and Jeff Foster of Taylorsville, Utah - all achieving perfection with games of 300. Larry Wasson of Idaho Falls, Idaho, had high series with 1237. High average went to Randy Scharf of Jackson, Wyoming, 215.15. The SISBA Bowler of the Year was Max Shellabarger of Roy, Utah, who had a 216.74 average for 87 games, rolled a high series of 1174, and had a high game of 299, with two more games of 279. He was in the step-ladder roll-offs three times and won all three of the tournaments. He takes home the Wayne Siscoe Memorial Award.

  We would like to thank the staff of Snake River Bowl for their great hospitality. Wally Studer and his crew always makes us feel welcome.

SO!! Who's Winning the Pots?

Look at Grand Finals 2003 results.