USBC championship provides record-breaking competition

The 3rd Annual Dr. Tire Lowcountry USBC championship tournament concluded its greatest tournament on record with a flourish after a highly successful run the past two weekends at Ribaut Lanes and Main Street Lanes in Hilton Head. Record scores and performances were turned in by bowlers in both divisions (Classified Division for bowlers with averages below 181 and Open Division for bowlers with averages of 181 and above). New champions were crowned in every category in each division with many new faces emerging from the crowd to step forth and take their place in Beaufort bowling history. There were 458 bowlers who enjoyed competing among their peers, and the record number of entries this year reflect that fact.

In the Classified division, there were 22 team entries, 30 doubles, 53 singles and 34 all events. In the Open Division, the team entries numbered 25, with 44 entries in doubles, 81 singles and 50 in all events.

Winningthe team handicap title in the Classified Division from the field of 22 was the Whitmore Plumbing team of John Ferguson, Chuck Schorr, Don Chenoweth and Steve Borynski with a 2726 handicap total to hold a comfortable lead over Double Pinochle at 2573. Lowcountry Quail was next at 2555, followed by Gold 'N Tiger Catering at 2552 and Main Street Ladies at 2539.

In the doubles handicap event, Harry Heimrich and James Loving combined to take the title with a 1390 to best Toyne/Martin at 1357 with Lewis/Smith next at 1341, Niverson/Bailey at 1340, Polk/Culberson (1323), Kitter/Vigh (1313), Faulkner/Meyer (1310) and Goldfinch/Goldfinch (1300). Neecie Toyne's 700 edged Jim Wegmann's 698 for the singles handicap title with Rhonda McAuliffe (693), Andrew Ryan (686), Sue Anderson (686), Carl Barnwell (681), Derline Alexander (672), Gardenia White (671), Willie Thompson (669), Daniel Anderson (666), Steve Borynski (666), HF Capps (662/659), Flora Robinson (654), Robert Lewis (653) and Ethel Ladson (652) rounding out the top 15 spots.

Steve Borynski won the handicap all events title with a steady 665-660-678 performance for a 2300 handicap total to outdistance Michelle Kitter at 1989, Carl Barnwell (1980), Angela Fulkert (1943) and Andrew Ryan (1925).

The scratch team title also went to Whitmore Plumbing at 2300 with Lowcountry Quail at 2120. In the scratch doubles, Heimrich/Loving took the honors at 1161 while Lewis/Smith followed at 1128 with Kitter/Vigh at 1121, Ryan/Ryan (1093) and Polk/Culberson (1092) to wrap up the classified scratch top shooters.

The singles event scratch winner was Jim Wegmann at 599 with Steve Borynski next at 557, Sue Anderson (548) and Robert Lewis (545).

In the Open Division, Last Minute (Mike Pernell, Sa'mi Hardy, Jake Fulcher, Mike Robinson) took the handicap team title from the field of 25 teams with a 2731 total followed by Whatever at 2658, Wild Wing Cafe (2639), #2 Home Design Company (2618), Nothing Personal (2608) and Imperial Security & Wiring (2601).

In the doubles handicap, Steve Borynski & Don Chenoweth teamed up for a 1419 to take the title ahead of Martin/Sikes at 1409, Beere/Toyne (1387), Ursillo/Ursillo (1366), Duncan/Fulcher (1360), Ursillo/Ursillo (1351), Brownrigg/Mortimer (1346), #2 Brownrigg/Mortimer (1340) Beere/Fulcher (1339), Martin/Toyne (1336) and McDorman/Canaday (1333) to round out the top doubles teams among the 44 entries.

Heading up the singles handicap list was Al Brownrigg with a big 803 to best Steve Childree at 744, Bill Pringle (719), John Walton (711), Brian Wegmann and George Blake tied at (708), Nick Ursillo (704), Randy Vigh (700), Jamie Heimrich (693), Cory Sikes (688), Bill Brady (687), Jeff Toyne (686), Mike Robinson (685), Jeff Toyne (677), Dave Anderson (675) to round out the top 15 spots among the field of 81.

The handicap all events winner was Randy Vigh at 2054 with sets of 700-643-711 to edge Heavy Scott at 2053 and Jake Fulcher's 2050 from the field of 50 entries. Next came James Loving at 2042, George Blake (2014), Bill Brady (1992), Don Chenoweth (1985), Erick Mortimer (1970), Al Brownrigg (1969) and Bill Ursillo (1944) to round out the top 10 slots.

The Home Design Company IIwon the Open Division scratch team title at 2492 with Last Minute at 2455, DA Roofing (2440), Wild Wing Cafe (2399) and Whatever (2370) among the 25 entries.

The scratch double honors went to Martin/Sikes at 1334 with Gabbert/Smith at 1304, Beere/Toyne (1294), Brownrigg/Mortimer (1277) and #2 Brownrigg/Mortimer (1271) among the 44 entries.

Taking home the top honors in scratch singles was Al Brownrigg at 770 followed by Steve Childree at 738, Cory Sikes (676), Brian Wegmann (672), Justin Smith (665), John Walton (663), Jeff Toyne (662), Mike Robinson (661), Jeff Toyne (653) and Bill Brady (648) among the 81 entries.

Jeff Kitter was the big winner in the all events scratch with a 643-653-623 for 1919 total to edge Cory Sikes at 1896, Bill Brady (1875), Randy Vigh (1874), Mike Robinson (1871) and Al Brownrigg (1870) among the 50 entries.

Special tournament highlights include John Walton with a big 297 game to win the TV donated by Wal-Mart.

The tournament is especially grateful to Dr. Tire for sponsoring the tournament again this year and also to the following squad sponsors: American Legion Post 207, Beaufort Boat & Dock Fasteners, D A Roofing Co., Fidelis Coach, Huddle House Store #76, Imperial Security & Wiring, MCCS Bowling Center, MCAS Beaufort Credit Union, Papa John's Pizza, P & B Bowling Services, Republic Waste, The Recruit's Depot, Wild Wings of Bluffton. And also a big thank you to all the merchants who donated gifts for the drawings which will help raise money for the association scholarship fund.

Bowlers should thank these merchants for their support of the tournament when you visit their stores and let them know that we care about them too.

Tournament directors Bill Brady, Frank Porter and Paul Cole thank the board members who devoted their efforts to make this year's tournament the best on record. Thanks for a job well done to everyone who helped in the sales of the tournament ad book. This year's book is truly a work of art thanks to the graphic arts department and all their hard work.

The Annual meeting of the Lowcountry USBC will be held on April 5 at Lady's Island Country Club at 5 p.m. followed by the awards banquet at 7 p.m. Tickets are $14 and all award winners in each division will be treated to a special dinner in their honor.

Congratulations to all the winners. We'll see you at the banquet.

STRIKES & SPARES

The VIP Seniors wish Dick Solak a speedy recovery from his recent heart attack.

Condolences to Ike Johnson and his family on the recent death of his brother.

The deadline is fast approaching for the State USBC Open tournament to be held in conjunction with the Ladies Handicap tournament in Greenville.

Deadline for entries is April 1st, but due to the fact that both tournaments are held together in the same house, squad times are quite limited. Act fast to get your desired times/dates for the May 17 through June 8 tournament.

Entry forms are out for the 250 Masters tournament to be held in Augusta, Ga. on Apr. 26. Get them in early.

Entry forms are available now for the South East tournament to be held in Nashville in June.

The Lowcountry USBC will meet on Mar. 17 for their monthly meeting to finalize all plans for the annual meeting and awards ceremony to be held on April 5 at Lady's Island Country Club. All board members are encouraged to attend this very important meeting.

The new AMF outdoor sign at Ribaut Lanes has finally been completed.