Surdich on Bowling: Decades later, bowlers still fighting cancer

Our local association board members recently approached every league member and participants in the handicap doubles tournament at Bellevue Bowl and ran a 50/50 raffle with each league to help fight cancer.

It was well worth the time and effort of the board members who went the extra mile with our association’s men and women. It seems like everyone was a winner. The leagues and doubles tournament had winners in the 50/50 raffle, and so did the battle to fight cancer. The final tally was $542. We should all be proud of those who gave bucks.

DoD members recognized – According to the California Bowling News, directors of the Department of Defense Bowling Club had a first-place finish with their team in the sixth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Bowl 4 A Cure no-tap tournament. Directors Walt Morris, Auto Wagner and members Liz Wagner and Steve Wells won the event at Keystone Lanes in Norwalk.

The event featured a 50/50 cash raffle and a special raffle for five bowling balls. The grand prize of $1,200 was won by Norma Jones. The tournament sold out all 48 lanes with 192 bowlers.

Remember when – An article from the Sun-Star bowling news on April 20, 1963, praised Merced County bowlers for participating in the Bowl Down Cancer tournament. “Early indications show that the bowlers of Merced County really turned out in force to participate,” chairman Johnny Rocha said. “Most of the lanes report a high percentage of the league members signed up for the event. This is a feather in the cap for bowling.”

Nesnidal, McBride take doubles – Our association had an outstanding turnout for the annual handicap doubles tournament Saturday at Bellevue with 31 teams of men and women. Topping the prize list was the team of Joe Nesnidal and Tom McBride with a score of 1,485 for $163. In second were Stephanie Thompson and Casey McFarlin with a 1,458 for $126. There was a tie for third with the teams of Pete Devries and Bill Botwright Jr., and Bruno Holte and Fred Ruell totaling 1,455 for $109 each.

Other teams making a few bucks were Ron Gonzales and John Lema ($88), and John Montoya and Mark Moua ($75). Scores were soaring during the day, as in the men’s division Montoya had a 279, Botwright a 278 and Larry Valenti Jr. a 264. Leading the women were Stephanie Kapsimallis with a 229, Sharon Gomes with a 222 and Nevora Nush with a 212.

League highlights – Ed Huddleston was on a roll in the Tuesday Bellevue Senior league with games of 265-222-214 for a super 701 series. Our association will honor Huddleston with a 700 plaque for his first 700 series. Dennis Gray in the Commercial Classic rolled steady with games of 288-215-213 for a 716.

New league coordinator – Jeff Hurley has been selected to replace Sandy Taylor as coordinator for Black Oak Lanes in Tuolumne. Taylor will retire this Friday during her last senior no-tap, which she’ll join on the lanes.

Hurley has been the pro shop manager for several years. He has been in training the last month to learn the system Taylor used in her many years at Black Oak. I’ve talked to Hurley, and he’s eager to get started in his new position.

Invitational on Sunday – The Merced/Atwater Women’s 500 Club is hosting its 43rd annual 9-pin no-tap tournament this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Bellevue.

There are three divisions, according to your average. Entries forms are available at Bellevue, and entries close Friday. The first 70 entries will receive a tote bag. Winners will be guaranteed $100. Entry fee is $25 per bowler, which includes a buffet lunch. The club will have raffles, 50/50 cash drawings and door prizes. It’s a great tournament and a lot of fun. Sign up now.

This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 5:04 PM with the headline "Surdich on Bowling: Decades later, bowlers still fighting cancer."