The strange, the scary and the wonderful 2020-21 season

This season has been all of the above with a dash of frustration and then toss in a heaping tablespoon of what-will-wedo next season to get our bowlers back in the leagues!

Obviously, the continuing pandemic is mostly the strange and the scary, but then there are the wonderful aspects of which I speak...such as:

• Our season-long youth program almost maintained membership numbers from the previous season, (44 vs. 36) despite the continued stance by the MHSAA that hurts local youth programs all across Michigan. Bowling is not football, not basketball, not volleyball, and not a sport that has to limit weekly participation. Any potential scheduling conflicts can be handled easily with the make-up policies that most youth leagues already have in place.

• The six-week, twice-a-week High School Prep fall league returned 11 youth bowlers; had 15 bowlers last season.

• Our total membership took a noticeable dip from 458 to only 302 this season with two of our senior leagues wisely opting not to bowl, a 15-team men’s league returned only seven teams and most other leagues were down considerably.

• All others, except the Tuesday evening AJ’S Tax Trio Draft league! This league, because of its individual commitment, has thrived, reaching 14, 15 and 16 trio teams each session where 14 teams was the previous high!

• Even our eight-team scratch MID-MI Travel league maintained its eight teams, but had to pick up two new bowling centers! Hillcrest Lanes(belding) replaced Greenville and The Gate (Big Rapids) replaced our Lakeview center.

• In addition to a total of six 300 games, (compared to four last season), three of those were really “wonderful” moments that I was able to personally witness. (Multiple career 300 games: Jay Mulhollen, Curt Utterback and Dan Phenix) first 300 game to three of our young and most talented bowlers. First, on Feb. 28 in our scratch Travel League in Ionia, Hannah Post recorded her first 300 game, then, March 11, during our

City Tournament Week, Jordan Wohlscheid, threw his first-ever 300 game, and, most recently, on March 23 in our AJ’S Tax Trio Draft league, our newest MP USBC Board of Director, Jacob Darnell, was able to reach his first 300 game milestone too! Well done everyone, well done indeed!

REMINDER: City Tournament checks will be distributed at our MP USBC Association Membership meeting April

9 at 7 p.m., Riverwood Lanes Villa Room. Stop by, pick up your check, and, for any first place finishers, plan to get your picture taken for the 2021 MP USBC Yearbook!

Remember, there was $500 added directly to the CT Prize List from USBC National Headquarters! (part of a nation-wide effort to help.)

Continue checking out stories from Bowlers Journal Cyber Report

• Tim Foy Jr. Leads PTQ, 43 Qualify for 2021 U.S. Open

• Denmark’s Thomas Larsen Wins 2021 USBC Masters

• Faulkner Leads Qualifying at 2021 USBC Masters

• Why Jason Belmonte Will Not Bowl the 2021 PBA Playoffs Even if He Qualifies

Also, continue checking out headline stories from USBC’S website:

• Sweden’s Jesper Svensson earns No. 1 seed for TV finals at 2021 USBC Masters

• Junior Team USA’S Spencer Robarge among 16 undefeated players at 2021 USBC Masters

• New York coach selected to receive 2021 David Dahms Coach of the Year Award

• Sectional assignments announced for 2021 Intercollegiate

Team Championships

Your women’s, open, and youth state tournament destinations (Various entry blanks are still on your bowling center counter. Always call ahead for date confirmations!)

• 94th Annual MS USBC Women’s State Tournament, Bay City, weekends until May 2 (unless extended). At this point, it would be best to contact the MS USBC office directly at 616-6352032.

• 118th Annual MS USBC Open State Tournament, Battle Creek (Bowlero & M-66), weekends until May 2. At this point, it would be best to contact the MS USBC office directly at 616-6352032.

• Annual MS USBC Youth State Tournament, Westland (Westland Bowl), March 13 through April 25 (unless extended). At this point, it would be best to contact the MS USBC office directly at 616-635-2032.

• Annual Northern Michigan Open Championship, Traverse City, April 10 — May 23, D&S — Saturday, team — Sunday. Contact Pam, 231947-2610 ext. 306 at Lucky Jack’s. MP USBC reserved w/e: May 8-9.

Still have some team and individual openings to join our squad on May 8-9. Contact Dave Lewis — 989-560-8009.

See you “on the lanes”, OR, maybe at the MP USBC Membership meeting Friday night at Riverwood!

Stay Safe, Stay

Healthy. Mid-michigan finds all their bowling needs at Riverwood, Gateway, & Pins!