Season Opener Draws 56 Entries

   A fairly decent turnout opened the 2003-2004 season at Nampa Bowling Center in Nampa, Idaho. $750 added money by Benjamin Rural Disposal and Pepsi-Cola helped with a generous payout.

  There was some great scoring, too, as Bob Bywater of Rupert, Idaho, rolled out a 276 game in the second game of the second squad - not quite enough to crack the STORM 300 Game Pot, though, which will be $293 going into the Missoula, Montana tournament.

  Kevin Grupa of Mountain Home, Idaho, was first squad high qualifier with an 1123 score, and Don Winter of Kearns, Utah, was second squad high qualifier and overall tournament leader with 1133. Don also posted a 513 score in the two-game roll-off, while Max Shellabarger of Roy, Utah, had a 515 during the two-game roll-off.

  Bob Bywater  made his way into the step-ladder playoffs by defeating Allen Nelson of Boise, Idaho in the two-game roll-off, and John Bertolina of Henderson, Nevada, in the one-game match play. He beat out Orville Edwards of Pocatello, Idaho, and Kevin Grupa in the step-ladder games, but was bested by Max Shellabarger 202 to 187 for the championship. See Tournament Results.

  Because of the cost of lineage increasing, a proposal is being made to cut down on the amount of lines bowled as well as speed up the tournament somewhat. The suggestion is to cut the two-game match play games down to a one-game match play.   

  Example: There will be a cut to the top 16 when there are 49 to 80 entries. The two top qualifiers as well as the two top super seniors will sit out the first round. They will automatically move on to the second match play, not bowling in the first round. The remaining 12 qualifiers will match up with six moving on to the second match play after a one-game match. The six who lose will be paid the same amount of prize money.

  In the second one-game match, the high qualifiers, both senior and super senior will be matched up against the six who survived the first game match play. The first game winners will be seeded according to the game rolled in the first one game match. The  six who lose the second one game match will be paid the same amount of prize money.

  There will be a third match with the top six in a head-to-head, seeded by high game from the second game match. The final three will move on to a step ladder finals.

  We would like to put this new format into effect by the January tournament. If you have any questions, contact Dean Livingstone at deano178@cableone.net.

  Welcome to new members Mike Connelly of Boise, Idaho; George Denton, Malcolm Sinclair, and Dennis Vanoni of Nampa, Idaho; Roger Hankel of Missoula, Montana; and Dan Kaurin of Paul, Idaho. 

    We would like to thank the staff and management of the Nampa Bowling Center. They are great hosts!!!

SO!! Who's Winning the Pots?