League action nears halfway point

By By Mike Carson / bowling columnist
Dec. 10, 2002
The leftover turkey is gone, the pies have disappeared and league bowlers are working off the extra Thanksgiving pounds as we barrel toward Christmas and New Years. As we close out the final days of 2002, league action nears the halfway point with tight races in many leagues. Some league will close out second round action prior to the holidays while others will finish up when we come back from the break. All leagues will bowl regular schedules through Monday, December 23 before breaking for the holidays. Action will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2003. I told you a few weeks ago that plans are in the works for a benefit no-tap tournament during the break, but as of yet, plans have not been finalized. I will let you know as soon as I receive the details.
Maybe age really is just a number. If you don't believe me, just ask Meridian's oldest lady bowler, Vic Love. In the recently completed Magic Age tournament in Jackson, Vic led a delegation of Meridian bowlers to the tournament and was the second highest finisher of all the area bowlers who participated. Only Pat James managed to place higher than Vic. So you see ladies, you still have a lot to look forward to!
Stan's Classic Tournaments will make its final tour stop of the year this weekend right here at Dixie Bowl Lanes. The 8-game Sweeper will feature both handicap and scratch divisions. The entry fee is $65 per event or $110 for both divisions. Tournament director Stan Bottorff promises some new and exciting changes in the format when the sweeper returns in 2003. Once all dates are finalized a complete schedule will be posted at Dixie Bowl.
During the holiday shortened week, Tandee Marx stood tall among the ladies with a nice seven-in-a-row 256 game and a 604 series in the Bowlerettes league. Pat James fired a 234 and Teresa Nance scattered the pins for a 225. The Bowlerette league Bowler of the Week was Denise Rutledge.
M.A. Copeland showed that old can still be gold when he connected for eleven straight strikes before finishing up with a 298 game in the Wednesday Night Mixed league. M.A. finished up the night with a 710 series, but it wasn't enough to edge out Mike Cothern who chalked up a 711 or the week high series of Brian Gressett who reeled off a nice 750 set featuring a 268 game. Keith Fike scattered wood for a 267 and Tim Van Doren reeled off a 266.
Entry forms are now available for the Meridian Women's Bowler Association City Tournament, which will be held concurrently with the Men's City Tournament February 1-2 and 8-9, 2003. Entry forms should be submitted to Lisa Willis or Cindy Rutledge prior to the January 15 closing date. Entry forms for the men's tournament should be out soon.
Finally, farewell and good luck to local bowler Greg Taylor who will be leaving us soon for the sunny Florida beaches.
That's all for this week. Until next week. . . Good luck and good bowling.