Surdich on Bowling: It’s curtains for field as Braham, Wescott win 9-pin no-tap

A large turnout of men and women rolled in the Merced/Atwater Women’s 500 Club’s annual Behind the Curtain 9-pin no-tap tournament Sunday at Bellevue Bowl.

The two-division tournament had 33 women and 19 men competing. According to tournament director Julie Wescott, more than $1,100 was paid out in prize money. The women’s side of the Curtain paid down seven places and the men’s down four spots.

The top spot among the women went to Jennifer Braham, who rolled an 861 for $87, followed by Wescott with an 812 for $71 and Ashley Archinski with an even 800 for $63. Fourth place had Ladonna Stone ($55), followed by Marie Herrera ($47), Niki Abernathy ($39) and Bonnie Garber ($31).

High games for the women were rolled by Braham with a 300, Stone with a 280 and Garber with a 278.

On the men’s side of the Curtain, Bruce Wescott took first with an 849 for $72, edging Mickey Wallbaum’s 844 ($61). Joe Troncoso finished third with an 807 ($50), and Monte Stone was fourth with a 795 ($43).

Jim Taliaferro rolled a 300 for high game. Robert Hedrick bowled a 287, Wallbaum a 278 and Troncoso a 277.

The club’s popular 44th annual invitational, certified by the United States Bowling Congress, is coming up Oct. 23.

Voss wins PBA50 tour title – Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Fame member Brian Voss, a 25-time winner on the PBA Tour, recently won his first PBA50 title – the Dave Small’s Championship Lanes Classic in Anderson, Ind.

“I get old, but winning never gets old, as the saying goes,” Voss, 58, said in a PBA news release.

Voss defeated Lennie Boresch Jr. 222-206 for the title and $7,500. Boresch earned $4,000. Saving the day for Voss was picking up a rare 3-4-6-7-10 split in the third frame to stay in front early in the title match.

Of local interest was super senior Edward Silva of Manteca placing 30th for $1,100. Silva has been on a Midwest tour circuit and rolled in several PBA50 events. Silva is a regular in Yosemite Lanes’ monthly scratch 6-gamers.

League meeting times – This is a reminder of your league meetings next week at Bellevue Bowl: Monday Merchants at 7 p.m. Aug. 29; Bellevue Seniors at 1 p.m. Aug. 30; Guys & Dolls at 7 p.m. Aug. 30; Commercial Classic at 7 p.m. Aug. 31; Twilighters Seniors at 1 p.m. Sept. 1; and Friday Handicap at 7 p.m. Sept. 2.

League play starts the following week. Bowlers looking for a spot on a team should contact the Bellevue control desk at 209-358-6466 and have your name added to the list. Remember, your USBC card for 2016-17 is now $21 and has to be purchased by the first day of your league to start bowling.

Remember when – The Sun-Star’s Bowling News included an ad from Los Banos that had Mel Soares holding his second annual El Pacheco Singles at his Los Banos Bowl from May to June in 1963. It was sanctioned by the ABC and WIBC. He had a special invite to all Merced-area bowlers. The Bantam champs from Bellevue Bowl were Banky Pearson, Tom Johnston, Karen Gustavsen, Chris Gustavsen, Bob Perry, Bogin Seidel, Dane Doyle, Sharon Doston and David Downis. ... The Merced-Atwater Bowling News of January 1978 had Stars of the Century with Mary Jane McMurry a 582, Kathy Papal a 205, Marty Smith a 210, Bobbie Perez a 220, Ernes Brooks a 232, Marvin Fountain a 230, John McMurry a 220, Frank Gasper a 235, Jerry McMillian a 219, Mary Cardoza a 223, Ken Shone a 234, Karen Hausman a 221, Jack Daniel a 235, Kathy Giordano a 226 and Jim Boyenga a 246.

This story was originally published August 24, 2016 at 4:42 PM with the headline "Surdich on Bowling: It’s curtains for field as Braham, Wescott win 9-pin no-tap."