Great Scoring at Snake River Bowl - as Usual

  Finally, the entries were up to normal - thanks to the reputation for super scores at Snake River Bowl. In the third divisional tournament of the season, there were 77 entries - 18 in A division, 36 in B division and 19 in C division. Just enough in each division to be able to run the divisional format as outlined in the rules.

  As stated, there was some super bowling going on during the tournament, and even in the Saturday sweepers as Justin Studer of Burley, Idaho, rolled out a 300 game.  On Sunday, Terry Sargent came up from Layton, Utah to try his skills and promptly rolled a 279 game to win the high game pot for the A division. And there was a race for the STORM 300 Game Pot again as three regular members vied for the $100. Bob Bywater of Rupert, Idaho shot a 280 game, and John Sagez of Garland, Utah, had a 288, but it was Don Winter of Kearns, Utah, who finally dipped into the pot for $50 by posting a 297 game.

  There were lots of 700 series (from the first three of the five qualifying games), too, as B division bowlers Bob Bywater posted 236-280-258-774, John Sagez had 288-268-214-770, and Max Shellabarger, of Roy, Utah, had 258-223-234 for a 715. In the C division, Wynn Mortensen of Corrine, Utah, had 256-257-206-719, while Howard Christensen shot 243-203-257-703. The sole A Division 700 series was shot by Justin Studer with 256-217-243 for 716.

  For the 77 entries in Burley, Idaho, there was two bowlers over 1200: John Sagez with 1213, and Ben Fulton of Ogden, Utah, 1208 (both in B division); 17 scores over 1100 and 37 participants had scores of 1000 to 1099. 

  And as has happened so often in the past, it was a Super Senior who walked away with the bonus $500. Howard Christensen, of Kaysville, Utah,  showed how tough the "older" guys were by outbowling the young ones and the regulars through 10 games. See tournament results.

  This was the fourth divisional tournament we have conducted and, again, it was rather disappointing. Even though the overall entries were up, it still didn't convince many that it could work. To make a comparison, take the first divisional tournament held in Idaho Falls in November 2004. There were 24 entries in the A division, 48 entries in the B and C division (this year we combined these divisions) and 45 entries in the D division. At the tournament in Burley, there were 18 in the A division (two of the entries were eligible to bowl in the B division), 36 in the B division and 19 in the C division.

  These numbers were up from the September and October tournament. Most of the A division bowlers are local bowlers and that leads us to believe maybe the cost of the tournament and travel will not encourage them to enter in out-of-area tournaments. The next tournament is in Pocatello at Tough Guy Lanes and is not a scheduled divisional tournament. We will get input from the regular members and make a decision on whether or not to cancel the rest of the scheduled divisional tournaments.

  There is a tournament which is held the first weekend of each month at Tough Guy Lanes in Pocatello which is open to all bowlers. For more information, contact Tough Guy Lanes at 208-233-2930. 

  The winners of the High Rollers entry was Bob Bywater however, he declined the entry so it passed to Max Shellabarger He was next in line for the 50 years of age and over participants. To be eligible for the High Rollers entry, the bowler must be at least 50 years old.  Winners of the STORM Bowling Ball raffle were all from the Burley area: Ila Despain, and Bob Banner.

  SISBA would like to thank the Burley Best Western Inn for their generous contribution to our prize fund, and George K's Restaurant for giving our bowlers a discount on their meals.

  We would like to welcome new members Kevin Broderick of Harrisville, Utah, Larry Buffington and Wayne Manwill of Boise, Idaho, and Walter Martin of Salt Lake City, Utah. 

A special thanks goes out to Wally Studer and all his staff for hosting a superb tournament again. 

SO!! Who's Winning the Pots?

The OLD GEEZER says whether you can make the Grand Finals or not - you need to come to the tournament at Tough Guy Lanes in Pocatello April 6th