Once again, the City of Dallas, Georgia and Paulding County poured out the southern hospitality as 27 members of the AWBA came together from as far away as California to as close as Dallas, Georgia,  to participate in the 9^th Annual “Southern Open”.  Harold Bowman and his lovely, hard working wife Linda, and the staff of Paulding Lanes provided a venue that takes a second set to no other event the AWBA Hosts during the year.  For those bowlers that have bowled at Paulding Lanes in the past, the Air Conditioning is fixed, so your excuses will now fall on deaf ears since we are returning to Dallas for the 2013 AWBA Nationals.

The competition began with Doubles on Friday morning and there was some great bowling.  We started a little late as the Tournament Directors partner had a senior moment and forgot what time the event started.   In the end, Jessie Outland and Tom Maciosek out dueled Jim Coffey and George Holscher for the title.  Judy Mosher and Roger Templar took 3^rd while Al Uttecht and Gary Ryan finished a distant 4^th. 

The Up/Down was held Friday night and in Dallas, that is always a fun event filled with the favor of the individuals from the surrounding area.  And the House was full!!!!!!  There were some great scores bowled by our guests, as 2 300’s we rolled during the evening’s activity. Everyone had a wonderful time renewing friendships and making new ones with those great folks that live in the area.  We look forward to having them back next June.

Saturday morning, the singles competition began with all bowlers looking at 3 sets of 4 over the next day and a half. Lane conditions were fair for all and there were some great scores by many that reflected how fair they truly were over the two day period.  After the dust settled, Walt Roy, California, outlasted Eddy Hutchens, Colorado, 188 to 184 for the Scratch Title in a great match.  In the Handicap divisions, “A” Division was won by Paul Cook after he defeated a fellow Texan, J. K. Johnston, 193 to 190 and in the “B” Division, 2012 National Champion Tom Maciosek, Florida, defeated James Stewart, Florida, 225 to 202 for the title.  A special note, new member Jackie Jordan made her first roll off and after watching her bowl; it will be the first of many!!!!!!  Other notable awards received were Walt Roy in Scratch division winning High Qualifier and high scratch game with at 257 and Sean Beam, Mr. 300, winning High Scratch Series with an 822.  In “A” Division, J.K. Johnston won High Qualifier and High Scratch Series with a 713, Wayne Webber had High Scratch Game, 196, Gary Ryan had the High Handicap Series, 855, and Phillip Daniel had High Handicap Game with a 240.  In “B” Division, James Stewart was High Qualifier as well as having the High Scratch Series with 599, Judy Mosher was High Handicap Game, 177, Tom Maciosek had High Handicap Series, 882, and Jessie Outland won High Handicap Game with a 258.  All the awards were presented at wonderful dinner following the roll offs.  And there were no paper plates!!!!

The AWBA would like to extend their thanks to those sponsors that help in making this event possible.  If you have never had a Little Caesar’s Pizza, you need to get one tonight.  They are a great supporter of the Southern Open and their pizzas are even better.  To the great staff at Paulding Lanes, you are very special people and we thank you for your great service and hometown environment you provide.  To Country Inn and Suites for providing a great place to stay and very reasonable rates.  To Pirates Printing for doing all you do to not only support the Southern Open but a large supporter of the AWBA in all we do.  To the AWBA Ladies Auxiliary for your support and love for the sport of wheelchair bowling and the members of the AWBA.  In Georgia, Nancy Roberts and Kim Green did a wonderful job of representing you.  To the AWBA members that traveled many miles to come together for great competition and fellowship.  To Helena Roy, what in the world would we do without Linda and her side kick!!!!  And finally to our Tournament Director and giving wife, Harold and Linda Bowman.  Both of you are some of the most giving and wonderful people we have within our organization and it is truly a pleasure for the AWBA to join you once a year in your great town of Dallas.  Harold has promised to retain a speech therapist so that when we all return for the 2013 AWBA National Championships, we will all be able to understand what he says when he takes the microphone!!!!!!!!   Make plans NOW for the 2013 Nationals, June 17 thru the 22^nd with the host hotel being the Country Inn and Suites.  See ya then!!!!!

2012 SOUTHERN OPEN RESULTS