Bowlers Journal International - March 2008 - (Page 58)

MILITARY CHAMPIONSHIPS A SALUTE TO THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST Yes, champions were crowned. But the competition wasn't as important as the camaraderie. CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE MILItary inevitably lead to discussions — sometimes heated — about politics. But not during the Military Bowling Championships, where America’s best and brightest gather for a few days of non-political competition and camaCenter for a run of more than 30 years (including a few under the Castaways sign). And since that 106-lane tenpin mecca went under the wrecking ball, the off-The-Strip Gold Coast has been the host. There have been name and format COURTESY HIGH ROLLER today, retired soldiers outnumbered active military at this year’s tournament. Still, the mix created magic, as the elders lent encouragement to the youngsters, and the young soldiers offered thanks to the veterans. When the generations stood shoulder to shoulder (at attention, of course) during the singing of the national anthem (by the Faith Lutheran High School choir), goosebumps were unavoidable. On hand to deliver the first ball and the welcome speech was Brigadier General Everett H. Thomas, who has been stationed at Nellis AFB since April of 2006. He didn’t roll a strike, but he did receive a one-of-a-kind Storm bowling ball from ESPN commentator Randy Pedersen so he can step up his game for the 2009 tournament, which has been scheduled for January 18-22. The tournament attracts some very accomplished bowlers — check out the four-game totals of the winners in the accompanying box — but this is one event in which all of the participants deserve a salute. Brigadier General Everett Thomas rolls the ceremonial first ball as ESPN's Randy Pedersen looks on. > THE CHAMPIONS < ACTIVE DIVISION — Team: Coast to Coast (Jeff Norton, Paul Lewis, John Dougherty, Garry Holman, Terry Little, Tom Maupin), 5352, $1,950. Team All-Events: Who Needs Spares (Don Lytle, Chris Kidd, Harry Tilbury, Robert Collins, Chuck Buchert, Jeff Hardin), 15,683, $1,950. Singles: Scott McIntire, 1048, $400. Doubles: Don Lytle-Robert Collins, 1884, $800. All-Events: Robert Collins, 2834, $375. RETIRED DIVISION — Team: Roto Grip/BSS (Tony Szeluga, Bob Freehauf, Lance Lonsdale, Bernie Iwasczyszyn, Jim Ramge, Rex Jenkins), 5323, $3,300. Team All-Events: Roto-Grip/BSS, 16,025, $3,300. Singles: Reggie Stenhouse, 1028, $850. Doubles: Kevin Anglin-Danny Castellano, 1912, $1,700. AllEvents: Mike Guthrie, 2832, $800. SENIOR RETIRED DIVISION — Team: Alamo City Bad Boys (Jose Diaz, Dennis Swanson, Robert Moore, Richard Batista, Arturo Luna, Thurman Brown Jr.), 5064, $2,250. Team All-Events: Team Roto Grip (Joe Mrenak, Sam Allen, Larry Barker, Ed Fenstermacher, Dick Watts, Norb Treutel), 15,107, $2,250. Singles:: (tie) Edgar Dameron and John Cook, 947, $525 each. Doubles: John Cook-John Donovan, 1765, $1,200. AllEvents: John Donovan, 2749, $500. raderie. Mostly camaraderie. The only enemies are the pins 60 feet downlane. The 43rd edition of this unique event took place in January at the Gold Coast Bowling Center in Las Vegas. Organized and conducted by the High Roller organization, it attracted 175 teams, each unit six bowlers strong. The tournament has moved around the Las Vegas area over the years. The early editions were staged at the bowling center installation on the Nellis Air Force Base. Then it moved to the world-famous Showboat Bowling 58 bowlers journal international changes, too, but the heart of the tournament — the opportunity it provides for both active and retired military personnel to socialize — has maintained an ever steady beat. The special relationship between bowling and the military dates back well before the tournament was introduced. During World War II, some 4,500 lane beds were constructed on military bases around the globe, providing a much needed recreational respite from the gut-wrenching realities of fox holes and tanks and bombs. Since America is at war once again MARCH 2008

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Bowlers Journal International - March 2008 Contents Leading Off Letters Bowlitically Incorrect Par Bowling The Coach Calendar Inside Line Tournaments The Truth Be Bowled Pro Bowling Back On Track Weber Tales Spares Do Matter Cover Story Up Close USBC Women's Time Capsule Flashback Strategy Session Guest Column Regional Roundup Team USA Trials Military Salute Global Guide No Holes Barred Marketplace Bowling Summit Museum Update Hall Marks Advertisers' Index Rememberance Classified Advertising Intelligencer Business Calendar Business People Strikes Me

Bowlers Journal International - March 2008

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