Published: January 03, 2009 11:22 pm      

Bill Kyle’s 778/278 holiday high

ilson’s Bill Kyle bowled 778/278 in the Monday Men’s League during a holiday week in which several league matches were cancelled.

Kyle’s score was the area’s highest for the week. Bob Greene was next high at Wilson’s, also with a big score of 773/279.

At White Oak Lanes, Mike Hall was on top of the scoring list at 738/278. A.J. Bishop followed rolling 707/257.

Ron Fatkin’s 671/230 was highest for the week at The Bowler. Travis Walters was next scoring 663/247.

In the PBA Experience League at White Oaks, J.M. Sites was highest rolling 710/258. Mike Brobst and Derek Yates were next , rolling 674/241 and 661/251, respectively.

Kim Hannas was the area’s top lady bowler rolling 587/211 at Wilson Lanes.

Michele Hitchens and Samantha King were the top ladies at White Oak Lanes. Hitchens bowled 582/204 and King rolled 580/217.

At The Bowler, Suzie Lotz bowled 516/180.

Joe Wolfe in the Antique Seniors League at The Bowler rolled 620/225 and was the top senior. Brad Deter bowled 593/224 at White Oak Lanes.

Andrew Folmer was the top youth bowler for the week rolling 591/213 at The Bowler. Youth Tony Weems scored 562/223 at White Oak Lanes.

Last week saw reduced activity at most bowling centers. Weather, shopping and other holiday chores seemed to have priority. Bowling is still the number-one participation sport and it appears to be gaining popularity.

The jury is still out on the progress of the USBC organization and I would guess that it might take a couple of years to gain credibility. Most bowlers are not interested in the management of the USBC as long as their local center offers reasonably priced bowling for both league and open bowling.

The local area is fortunate in having a very active high school bowling program with most schools participating. The final event in their program is the Showcase Tournament that will be held at White Oak Lanes on Saturday, Feb. 21. The current high school program is not recognized by the USBC so making the transition to a national program under USBC may be a problem.

Effective youth programs are certainly critical to a positive future of our sport and we must take the challenge seriously. Parents of high school bowlers need to get involved with the USBC and help influence the transition.

Another popular youth program that has local interest is the High Average Tournament for high school seniors. Amanda Greene from Wilson Lanes took first place in the Girls Scratch as well as Handicap Divisions and will receive a $1,000 scholarship for her win. Greene bowls on the Hampshire County High School team.

Andrew Folmer took first place in the Boys Handicap Division and will also receive a $1,000 scholarship prize. Folmer bowls in The Bowler’s Junior Fireballs League. The format for this tourney is bowling six games on six different lane pairs. Greene’s scratch average for those six games was 222. Folmer’s scratch average was 211.

Happy New Year to all! Good luck bowling and have fun striking out!

Howard “Pete” Peterson is the Cumberland Times-News bowling columnist. He can be reached at petesbowling@atlanticbb.net.