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Senior City Tournament

Week two of the Senior Association Championships is in the books and a number of new names appear on top of the leader board.

Leisure Threads, hailing from Badger Bowl, tops the team event with a 2,866 score - 106 pins over their team average. The effort was led by Dave Engelke who posted a 675 score. Doug Wolf added 598, captain Jerry Hoddinott 552, and Bob Kaul 525.

In doubles, Don Aslakson (700) and Bill Aaberg (674) of Stoughton totalled 138 pins over average to take the lead.

81 year old Emil Dahl, also of Stoughton, rolled a 587 set which is 101 pins over his average. Dahl leads Division 4 Singles (70+) with his fine score.

In Division 4 All Events (70+), Jim Weiss edges MBA Hall of Famer Larry McDowell by one pin to claim the lead. Weiss rolled an 1,846 set that is 136 pins over average.

Perhaps the story of the weekend was the effort of a spry 76 year old Richard Doll. Doll bowled his first 600 series "in about five years" in the doubles event with partner Emil Dahl. Doll entered the tournament with a 147 average yet mustered games of 215, 190, and 202. Doll has just enough games (21) in for his book average in the MARBA league at Badger Bowl. He says he would have more games in but he is busy - playing tennis.

Current Standings

News from the TCT Bowling Blog

If you don't check out The Capital Times bowling blog every day, you should. You may also contribute your bowling news story to writer, er, blogger Jeff Richgels. The link to the blog is on the right - called The 11th Frame.

This week Richgels reports the arrival of the Warhawk Open college bowling tournament to MBA centers Bowl-A-Vard Lanes and Prairie Lanes.

On Sunday starting at 9 a.m. at Prairie Lanes in Sun Prairie, the teams will bowl three games of five-person team games and then 10 games of five-person Baker competition on a 47-foot Sport compliant pattern.

In five-person Baker competition, the first bowler rolls the first and sixth frames, the second bowler the second and seventh frames, on down to the fifth bowler rolling the fifth and 10th frames.

The top three teams in both the men's and women's divisions then will be seeded for stepladder finals with each match being two games with total pins determining the winner.

The stepladder finals will be taped for future broadcast on Time Warner Cable Sports, and will take place on a 41-foot "challenge" pattern. A challenge pattern is more difficult than typical house league conditions but not as difficult as a Sport compliant pattern.

Admission is free all weekend. If you have some spare time, go check out these events. You will see some excellent bowling action - particularly the Baker format, a system used by our local High School district for competitions. It is an interesting format that truly emphasizes the team effort.

Did you know a league can be a Baker format league? Just a thought if you are looking for something different...

The 11th Frame

Adam Sharer Records First 800

Adam Sharer, bowling in the M&M Mixers league at Wildcat Lanes, recorded his first career 800 series on October 17.

The perennial high average bowler put together games if 266, 258, and 299 for an 823 series, besting his previous high of 798. The 43 year old Sharer has already authored numerous honor counts including eight 300 games and 12 299 games. His career high average is 224.

Congratulations to Adam, and thanks to M&M league secretary Bill Burns for submitting the story and picture.

Adam will join the others on the high score list once the award application is processed.

Regular City Tournament Entries Out Soon

The final details of the 2008-09 City Tournament are being ironed out, so entry forms will be appearing in area centers by November 10.

Details on new features in the works, include a "bounty" offered to the top finishing teams representing leagues in the city.

The premise is simple. Send a team from your league to the City Tournament and - in addition to qualifying for the standard prize list - they might earn a nice check made out to your league!

This season, the tournament will be held at Rude's Lanes in DeForest (team event, Masters) and Waun-A-Bowl in Waunakee (minor events).

Last Years Results

High School Bowling Logo Contest

The Wisconsin High School Bowling Club Committee and the Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin is looking for their high school bowlers to create and design a new logo each year for the State Tournament in March.

The winning entry will be awarded a $250.00 scholarship. Entries are due by December 20, 2008.

Download the contest flyer for more details.

Contest Details

Ask the Pro Shop

This month, the Pro Shop is a bit philosophical.

Dear Pro Shop,
I am thinking of dropping down to one day a week league bowling. Will it affect my scores?

Pro Shop Answer,
The quick response is yes.

The great part of bowling is that it is a sport; the bad part of bowling is that it is a sport.

Despite participating in less 'competition', any bowler can improve their scores at any time by seeking advice from a certified coach or by taking their family just to go practice some afternoon.

Still, success in bowling, like it or not, is serious business. If it never gets beyond this initial freedom it will fail. Bowling is not necessarily the absence of stress. It is an immersion into activities that may stress us to the very limits.

Bowling is not retiring from daily battle. Bowling is even more demanding than real life. It asks unremittingly for our very best. And as with health, our usual best means our physical and mental best.

After all, if it is difficult, it is also rewarding.

Incorporate bowling into your play too, and you can continue to succeed.

Have a Question? Ask the Pro Shop

League Officer Sweeper Results

This year, the League Officer Sweeper at Prairie Lanes was dominated by a determined number of MBA and MWBA directors with only one league officer was able to crack the top seven and cash in the event.

With respect to full disclosure, however, five of the other six cashers in the event hold dual roles as league officers AND MBA or MWBA officers. Thus, it is apparent there is a clear benefit to being an MBA or MWBA officer - you bowl better!

The tournament winner was first term director and MBA Hall of Fame member Mark Habich, who fired a 676 series. Habich won $50.00.

Keith Ochalla, league secretary of the Thursday Morning Thunder League at Bowl-A-Vard Lanes rolled a 692 series to place second in the tournament and earn the $40.00 second place check.

Fellow Hall of Fame members Greg Stauffacher (MBA Director and President of the Dream Lanes Major League) and Gary Zuege (MBA Director and President of two Vegas Leagues) rounded out the top four. Stauffacher had the only 700 in the tournament, a 702.

Thanks to Prairie Lanes for hosting, and to all who participated.

We Need YOUR Stories Too!

Stories may include bowling tournament, fundraiser, or other event information, human interest bowling stories, or bowling success stories or first time accomplishments.

The MBA E-News is available for use by everyone involved with bowling in our jurisdiction - proprietors, league officers, tournament directors, and members. Promote your tournament, league, or bowling fundraiser, congratulate your bowlers, recognize their accomplishments - this newsletter is for you.

Please send your completed story to the Madison USBC BA. Be sure to include important details - dates, times, game scores, links to more information, pictures, or whatever you think is important.

Next Issue - Mid November

Madison USBC BA

Madison USBC Youth Present
Family Twosome Tournament

The USBC Youth Leaders of Madison are hosting a Family Two-some tournament January 24-25 at Bowling Green Recreation center.

For more information, contact your Youth League advisor or coach, or call Nick Powers at 513-2881.