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Youth News

At its annual meeting the Portage County USBC YOUTH held elections.  The new President is Bill Flachbart, Sergeant at Arms is Paul Jarosz, Twin Star rep is Amanda Kiss, Sky Lanes rep is Ken Brigham.  Jennifer Flachbart remains Manager and Laura Dillon is still Treasurer.

Annual Meeting News

The 2010 Annual Meeting of the Portage County USBC BA was held at Kent Lanes, the site of the County Tournament.  The meeting was preceded by a buffet dinner for the Board members and local association members who attended the meeting.  In the meeting the Board elected a new Director, set annual dues, and passed a resolution to investigate a merger among the Men's association, the Women's association, and the Youth association.  A representative from the Ohio State USBC BA was also in attendance to provide news about State issues and to answer questions.

Kody Ornouski was presented to the Board by Matt Tennant for consideration as a new Director.  At the age of nineteen, Kody shows leadership skills and a strong desire to help in any way he can.  The membership in attendance elected Kody unanimously.  He was elected to a one year term that fills a vacant spot on the Board.

The membership in attendance also set local dues for the 2010-2011 season at $5.00.  This is an increase from last year of $1.00 but still well below most other locals in the area.  Treasurer, Keith Lang explained that the local Association still has a surplus of funds, but that we are nearing our goal of reducing our surplus to the USBC's recommended level of one year's operating expenses.  Several years ago when the board found that it had a balance of about $40,000 decided to lower the dues for the membership until the balance was at a more reasonable level.  Eventually the dues will need to be set at a level that maintains a one year surplus.

Total dues for next year then will be $15, $5 for the Local and $10 for the National.  This could change if the national dues are raised.  Incidentally, the Ohio State USBC BA does not charge annual dues through the locals although the WBA does.

There was much discussion about merging with the other two local associations, WBA and Youth.  Several years ago the ABC, WIBC, and YABA merged to form USBC.  When this happened, local associations were given the option of merging as well, or remaining separate entities.  However, each year at the national convention there have been proposals put forth to force associations to merge on the state and local levels.  When this writer attended the convention two years ago about 60% voted in favor of merging, but it required a 2/3 majority to pass, so as more locals decide to merge on their own, it appears inevitable that such a proposal will pass.

At our local meeting a proposal was passed to seek a merger with the Portage County USBC WBA and the Portage County USBC Youth associations if either or both wish to do so.  All three associations are encouraged to investigate advantages and disadvantages to unifying.

After the meeting County Tournament Champions were awarded checks, trophies and jackets.  Here are pictures of the champions.

Above is the Kent Lanes team of Brett Shoop, Ric Blevins, Pat Geul, Frank Diehl, and Dennis Stillman. Above right is Joey Ault who partnered with Shawn Stevens to win Doubles and also won Scratch All-Events as well as Handicap All-Events. Right is Dennis Stillman displaying the plaque he won in the Singles event.

Payouts Determined for the County Tournament

The prize list for the Portage County Tournament follows.  Checks, plaques, and jackets will be distributed at the annual meeting on April 18 at 6:00 in the 11th Frame Lounge in Kent Lanes.  There will be a buffet dinner for all who attend.

TEAM

DOUBLES

SINGLES

HANDICAP ALL-EVENTS

SCRATCH ALL-EVENTS

Hamilton Wins Senior Memorial

Echerle, Dutka, Hamilton, Berry, Schwalbch

Twenty-Seven senior bowlers trekked to West's Mogadore Country Club Lanes on a day that attracted many golfers to the golf/bowling complex.  Herb Hamilton, who is a regular fixture at Sky Lanes, prevailed over four other finalists to take home the $300 first place prize. Herb had already changed out of his bowling shoes and looked ready to leave when he was notified that he had indeed qualified for the finals.

In this tournament one bowler qualifies for the finals from each of the four age divisions:  (A) 70 and above, (B) 65-69, (C) 60-64, and (D) 55-59.  Hamilton represented division A, Howard Esterle qualified from division B, Larry Schwalbach qualified from the C division, and Pete Dutka made the finals from division D.  Shelby Berry also qualified as the highest scorer from the rest of the field.

Berry and Schwalbach duked it out on the same pairs of lanes in the qualifying round of three games and had the highest actual scores in the tournament.  Berry shot 255-241-193 for a handicap total of 767, while Schwalbach tossed 234-231-246 for a total of 789.

In the finals Hamilton outscored Schwalbach by one pin scratch and 5 pins handicap to take top honors.  In addition to the prize money, all division winners earned a free entry into the State Senior Tournament next November

Here is the prize list:

County Tournament Concludes

At the 3:00 squad on Sunday the team composed of Dennis Stillman, Brett Shoop, Frank Diehl, Pat Geul, and Ric Blevins set a tournament record score of 3636 to win the $1000 first place prize.  The team was led by Blevin's 741 and Stillman's 713 followed by Geul's 667, Diehl's 670 and Shoop's 546.

In the same squad the team of Joey Ault and Shawn Stevens came close to setting another record with their 1541 total in doubles to win that event.  Ault shot 279-279-257-815 and Stevens added 726.  Ault also won both scratch and handicap All-Events.

Here are all the scores: