Surdich on Bowling: Botwright and Wescott place in senior tourney

A total of 46 men and women senior bowlers were rolling at the association’s annual Senior Handicap Tournament with two divisions at Bellevue Bowl last Saturday.

In the A Division (ages 50-64), it was Bill Botwright taking first place with a handicap score of 726 for $94. Botwright edged out Rikki Cascia by two pins. Cascia took home $74. Taking third place was a newcomer in tournament play, Kim Deathriage, with a 719 for $56.

The B Division (65+) had Bruce Wescott walking away with first place with a 789 score for $93; following in second was Sharon Roper with a 724 for $82. In third was Nevora Nush with a score of 720 for $71 and in fourth place there was a tie between Lew “Bubba” Reese and Bill Helms, both rolling a 681 series for $55 each. Associated manager Keith Hunter stated that this year’s tournament was better than last year.

Inaugural tournaments

The first seven and four gamers were a huge success last weekend at Bellevue Bowl. This was the first time this format had been used at the center. Sean McCulloch of the pro shop set up this tournament.

There were 29 men and 15 gals rolling. In the men’s handicap finals, they had a one game roll-off between Brad DeHart, Paul Soria and Richard Snell. DeHart came out on top with a 292 score, Soria a 198, and Snell a 244. In the championship match, DeHart went up against the No. 1 seed, Fred Ruell. Ruell edged DeHart 268 to 253 and picked up a check for $370, DeHart $270, Alley $195, Snell $165, and Soria $135.

In the women’s four-gamer, 15 gals rolled with first-time tournament bowler in Joanne Abraham coming out on top. She shot a 251 with handicap in defeating Miranda Lewis, the top seed, with a 204 with handicap. The win for Abraham was worth $200; Lewis pocketed $150.

High games rolled during the weekend were a 300 by Snell, a 268 from Chris Pugliese and a 265 by Larry Valenti Jr. In the women’s it was Lewis with a 233 and Rae Coonce a 225.

The next McColluch-promoted tournament is a no-tap doubles on Jan. 24.

League highlights

I see that the Senior Twilights league on Thursday had some great scores as Hall of Fame member Jim Souza rolled a 257 and ended up the day with a 515. He carries a 142 league average.

Souza was followed by Barbara Mello with a 187 and Rose Galli with a 172. In the Friday Night Handicap, Joe Alexander rolled a super game of 278.

Yosemite Lanes senior no-tap

Yosemite Lanes is holding its semi-monthly senior 9-pin no-tap on Friday at 1 p.m. with sign-ups starting at 12:30 p.m. Entry fee is only $13, which includes your high game pot, which is paid out after every game for both men and women. Call (209) 524-9161 to reserve a spot.

Masters in Stockton

The Stockton USBC Bowling Association is holding its 39th annual Master Tournament this weekend at Pacific Avenue Bowl. This is an individual match game championship. Entry fee is $100. Check-in begins at noon with only one qualifying round at 1 p.m.

Brackets and side pots will be available during the day. Sixteen bowlers will qualify for the final round based on total pin during the qualifying round. This is a chance for our Bellevue Bowl scratch bowlers to shine. Forms are available at the side desk at Bellevue.

Karen Tweed’s memorial

A Celebration of Life for Karen Tweed will be from noon to 3 p.m Saturday at Club Mercedes at Ninth and M streets in Merced. Tweed served as president of the Merced Atwater Women’s Bowling Association and the Merced County United States Bowling Congress. She passed away on Jan. 2.

Lunch will be provided by the club during the afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in Karen’s name to Bristol Hospice, 374 E. Yosemite Ave., Suite 200, Merced, CA 95340.

This story was originally published January 21, 2015 at 4:19 PM with the headline "Surdich on Bowling: Botwright and Wescott place in senior tourney."