Major renovations are coming to Reno's National Bowling Stadium, as a new agreement has been struck between the United States Bowling Congress, the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority and the City of Reno. A dedicated surcharge on hotel rooms in Reno has furnished the funding for a project that will cost around $15 million.
USBC will continue to bring the USBC Open and Women's Championships to the NBS in a regular rotation through the year 2030. The upgrades planned for 2012 will be a new scoreboards and video displays. Renovations through 2018 will include: squad room renovation and expansion, stadium seating to create additional space of exhibits and vendors, a new restaurant, replacement of the current 78 lanes and approaches, and exterior renovations.
More on this next week.
Bellevue Bowl
The leagues at Bellevue Bowl were up and rolling with some terrific scoring for the first week.
In Seniors, Manuel Salazar recorded a 237, Tom McBride a 217, and Pete DeVries a 221.
In Guys & Dolls, Eric Hickman set the pace with a 700 set, Tom Bass a 701, and Jeremy Hurd a 632. Manuel Frade rolled a 205 game.
In Classic, Don Sweet tallied a 221, Dennis Williams a 244, and Mike Robins a 226. The Going Postal team had it together as they rolled a fine 956; Joe Powers led the way with a career-high 279, Phil Chernoff 232, Jerry Hill 222, and John Nunes 223.
The Niese also had some great scores with Mike Callaway turning in a 687, Jim Mullings a 652, and Rikki Cascia a 191. Travis Mason was on fire in the Friday night handicap with a 279 and super 745. Mike Gomes had a 234, while Ron Gonzales notched a 244.
Betty Brown still the Queen
She's back. Yep, the Queen of Merced area bowling, Betty Brown, is giving it another shot.
A couple of years back Brown hurt her right arm, losing all strength. Her doctor told that she would never bowl again.
Well, the 91-year-old is winging it in Bellevue Bowl's senior league every Tuesday afternoon. At one time, Brown was a member of the women's West Coast pro-tour. She rolled in the WIBC Queens several times.
I'll let you know how she does.
Remembering Roberta Valenti
In memory of Roberta Valenti, 57, an association member who passed away suddenly last Sunday in a Modesto area hospital. A longtime resident of Merced, Roberta was born and raised in the Hopeton area. She moved to Merced when she was 14, and bowled a number of different leagues at Century Bowl, Bellevue Bowl, and Castle Lanes. She competed in local, state and national tournaments in her career.
She is survived by her husband and Merced County Bowling Hall of Fame member Larry Valenti Sr. and children.
My favorite memory is when she and Mike Coe were rolling the no-tap doubles at Bellevue Bowl on a Saturday night and she was mowing down strikes like crazy. She was so excited. The kicker was that she always said the approaches at Bellevue Bowl were tacky. They weren't that night, as she and Coe pocketed some cash for their accomplishments.
Services were held on Monday and she was laid to rest at the Calvary Cemetery with a large bowling pin and ball made of flowers.
Don Surdich can be reached at (209) 777-1111 or via e-mail at desurdich@aol.com
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