Surdich on Bowling: New lanes, laser-tag center underway in Los Banos

During our recent Hall of Fame dinner, Chris Pugliese, a lifelong Los Banos resident, informed me a project is underway for an eight- to 10-lane bowling center in Los Banos. How many times have we heard this?

The center will feature laser tag and more than 100 arcade games, Pugliese said.

Bertha Faria, executive director of the Los Banos Chamber of Commerce, confirmed what Pugliese told me. She said the center will be split with lanes on one side and laser tag on the other.

Local investors Yong Ye and Frank Liao are behind the project that will be housed in the old theater at the San Luis Shopping Center. They plan on having leagues during the week and a fun house on weekends. Faria said the investors are passionate and excited for the project.

Removal of building’s seating has begun and demolition of the inclined seating area is next.

Russell G. Smith, Inc., of Fresno, is handling the project’s construction. The company is also property manager of the San Luis Shopping Center.

I’ll have more details on the project as they become available.

Pugliese bowled in the High Rollers at Castle Lanes for years and also rolled at Bellevue. He and his wife, Denise, a Hall of Famer, now roll at Valley Bowl in Madera. He must like the lanes, as he has rolled a couple of 300s and an 815. He is averaging a 229 and Denise a 200.

Friendship tournament

I received standings and prize-fund payout from our local 500 club secretary, Julie Wescott. A total of 20 doubles teams rolled at Bellevue Bowl recently in the club’s no-tap tournament. Coming in first was the team of Melanie Karle and Patty Putman with a handicap score of 1,614 to earn $76 each. In second place was Debra Taliaferro and Renee Magness with 1,554 for $64 each. Caren Thompson and Carol Almeida took third with a 1,530 for $52 each. Kim Heller and Deanna Cimmino placed fourth with a 1,523 for $45 each. High games were rolled by Karle (300), Cimmino (280) and Magness a (265). A total prize fund of $480 was paid out to the women from the valley.

League champions

With the fall season ending, league champions have started to take shape. The first league champion at Bellevue Bowl was decided in a roll-off. The Monday Night Atwater Merchants team of Dumdum & The Airhedz claimed the league championship. Team members with their averages are: Doug Laidlaw (215) Verna Rosenwinkle (139), Joe Troncoso (181) and Keith Docherty (194).

Help wanted

The New Frontier Investment Consulting & Management, LLC, of Los Banos is looking for a manager for its bowling center that is under construction. Check the classified section in the Merced Sun-Star for more information.

League highlights

The Toyotech team had it going on Wednesday in the Commercial Classic, rolling a league-high game of 977. Gene Broussard had the lead with 258/758, Neill Barcellos 277/715, Cam Clements 279/680, followed by John Lema, who had a rough night with a 524. We all know what Lema was going through; we have all been there. Also in the Classic were Mayo Goldman rolling his first 609 and Deanna Riley with a 248.

Remember when

Action at Century Bowl featured a field of 40 keglers in the Sunday Night Singles mini-tourney in the 1970s. Johnnie Evans strung together scores of 179, 154 and 188, to go with a 132-pin handicap for the winning 653 total. He collected $10 for his efforts – this was a lot of money back in the day.

Second place was captured by Joe Alkas, who posted a 648 for $6, and third went to Harold Deroos on the strength of his 626 for $4. Games of 200 or better out of the money were scored by Fred Nunes (216), Cal Penrod (210), Elton Courtney (215), Don Rooker (214), John Black (223), Sue Perry (201), Mark Gingrich (201) and Lloyd King (213).

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 5:14 PM with the headline "Surdich on Bowling: New lanes, laser-tag center underway in Los Banos."