Surdich on Bowling: Merced County Hall of Fame dinner April 16

The bowling event of the year for Merced County active and longtime bowlers happens April 16 at the Atwater Community Center, as we celebrate the induction of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016 and awarding of five student scholarships.

Bowlers Dana Lee and Clarence Allen will join the Hall of Fame. Allen rolled a 300 game in 2005 and an 803 series in 2006. Lee has rolled a high game of 279 and series of 687.

This event is the major fundraiser for our student scholarship fund every year. The dinner features a giant auction, raffles and special drawing for two 40-inch TVs.

Winners of the 70th annual City Championships will receive their awards. The Merced/Atwater Women’s 500 Club will present its Club Championship awards, LaDonna Stone for high scratch game (225) and Rae Coonce as new club champion.

Tickets are available at Bellevue Bowl or from any association member for $20. No tickets will be sold at the door.

McHenry Bowl seniors – Kim Heller scored big at McHenry Bowl’s senior 9-pin no-tap last Friday afternoon, by taking first in the women’s high series with an 824, good for $50. She also placed in the second high-game pot with a 280 for $4.

Jerry McMillian tried his luck for the first time at McHenry in the senior no-tap and came home with $19 for placing in the high-game pot and placing fifth in the men’s total series.

Valley Senior tournament – If you are a man age 55 or older or a woman 50 or older, you can join and roll in the Central Valley Senior Bowling Club on April 16 at West Valley Bowl in Tracy starting at 1 p.m.

The tournament fee is $40 for the event and $20 for a membership. Guests can bowl in the tourney with an additional $10 fee but must join if they cash in the event. The format consists of four games of handicap qualifying. The top three scores will climb a stepladder final round after qualifying. Check-in starts at noon.

Modesto Masters – A total of 137 bowlers hit the lanes from all parts of California, Nevada and Oregon in the 20th annual Brunswick Modesto City Masters at Yosemite Lanes. The winner came from the losers’ bracket for the fourth year in a row, as Mark Del Cerro Jr. of Hayward defeated Greg Thompson Jr. of San Jose, who advanced through the winners’ bracket. The win was worth $3,140 for Del Cerro, and Thompson earned a check for $1,603.

The tourney paid down to 34th place, and Nick Morgan of Sacramento took that honor with a check for $150. High games were the norm, as 15 300s and three 800 series were rolled. Atwater’s Randy Pitcock rolled a 300 on Saturday.

A total of $16,388 was paid out. We had two locals in the Masters with Neill Barcellos and Larry Valenti Jr. Yosemite Lanes owner Jim Gordin said next year’s tourney will be held April 1-2.

Leagues coming to a close – Winter leagues are down to team sweepers, roll-offs and position rounds to decide champions. As usual, I will recognize all league champions with team members and their averages in my column in the coming weeks.

Bellevue Bowl is now taking sign-ups for their short summer leagues. Get on board.

Remember when – The 1975 yearbook of the Western Women Professional Bowlers had all the money winners among their 93 members listed for 1974. In first was Cheryl Kominsky with $1,465, and Merced’s Betty Brown was 39th with $520.

In 1977, the Merced Bowling Association had a few members rolling 700 series, including Lonnie Dotson (782), Johnell McGauley (741), Jack Spratling (734), Ray “Rabbit” Cornejo (717), Fruman Rochester (709), Pete DeVries (727), Dave Cline (706), Jeff Diebold (706), Wes Greenawald (705), Jack Bard (738) and Tim Catching (726).

This story was originally published April 13, 2016 at 3:45 PM with the headline "Surdich on Bowling: Merced County Hall of Fame dinner April 16."