Surdich on Bowling: Barcellos has big success in short time

It looks like Neill Barcellos is having the time of his life in his young bowling career.

Bowling for only about three years, he’s starting to peak in the Friday Night Handicap league while bowling for Club Merced. He rolled games of 247, 300 and 267 for a sanctioned 814 series, which is the top series in the Merced County USBC Association this year.

This was his fourth perfect game this season. He has rolled 300 games in the Monday Merchants, in the Guys & Dolls on Tuesday night, and the Commercial Classic on Wednesday night.

Barcellos’ average is a composite of 219 for four leagues. His ball speed is set at around 22. I think he might be ready to take on the big boys at Yosemite Lanes in their monthly scratch 6-gamer.

Ken Romer has the series record for the association. He set it in 1975 with a 855.

Ladies night out

The lanes were on fire last week for the ladies. Peggy Docherty shot a 237/648, Ashley Danel a 245/609, Dawn Fernandez 239/592, Courtney Dahlin 234/630, Dana Lee 204/560, Caren Thompson 200/558, Kim Barcellos 226/578, Julie Flowers 225/543, Rikki Cascia 192/535, and Stephanie Kasimallis 234/601.

Another 300 denied

Our association director, Dave Egleston, rolled his first 300 game in Watsonville in 1981. The only thing is that it was denied by the American Bowling Congress. He told me that the lane measurements showed that the lane had a deep block. His argument was it did not matter because he did not recognize the block and he threw a “Brooklyn” in his third frame. He said, “What is a block?” At that time he averaged 165. Better luck next time, Dave.

Delta 500 club tourney

The Stockton Delta 500 Club is hosting its 42nd annual No-tap Singles Invitational tournament on Jan. 25. The day starts off with a buffet lunch at 11:30 a.m. and the squad time is 1 p.m. Participants roll three games of 9-pin no-tap with a handicap of 90 percent of 220 (198). The invitational has four divisions starting with “A” (170 and above), “B” (156 to 169), “C” (141 to 155), and “D” (140 and below). You use your 2013-14 book average. Entry fee is $25 and includes buffet lunch. Guest lunch is $7. Entries close on Jan. 21 and entry forms are available at Bellevue Bowl.

McHenry Senior no-tap

A full house of seniors was rolling in McHenry Bowl’s monthly senior handicap no-tap tournament on Friday. Locals taking a few bucks were Kim Heller with a 294 for second place in the first game. Yours truly placed in the high game pot and also series with a 303 and a 832. Up next for the Modesto center is its New Year’s Eve in Paris senior no-tap handicap tournament. There is a group of 30 from Bellevue Bowl that will be ringing in the New Year.

New Year’s at Bellevue

There is still time to sign up for Bellevue Bowl’s New Year’s Eve party packages. Everything gets going on Dec. 31 with a Family Moonlight from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m with free shoe rentals, hats, noise makers, two pieces of pizza and a soft drink. Pre-paid registration is required. Adults are $15 and children 4 to 12 are $12. Children 3 and under are free.

The adult party runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. featuring door prizes, shoe rentals, party hats, horns and spare lounge bar specials. A champagne toast will be at midnight, with a buffet after midnight of biscuits and gravy, sausage, fried potatoes and fresh fruit.

Pre-paid registration is required of $20 per person. To reserve a lane or two, contact the staff at Bellevue at (209) 358-6466.

A very Merry Christmas to all the Sun-Star readers and my bowling column. Don.

This story was originally published December 23, 2014 at 4:55 PM with the headline "Surdich on Bowling: Barcellos has big success in short time."