Prior to bowling we had enrolled 25 bowlers for the tournament this year but as happens we had 17 bowlers once bowling commenced for the 2016 Southern Open held this year at Stars and Strikes Lanes in Hiram, GA. Harold Bowman’s committee and the staff provided everyone who attended with the best efforts possible given so many individuals had to drop due to travel complications and personal issues. We lost JK Johnston (TX) after the first set as well due some discomfort while bowling. We hope they will return to join us next time.
Things started out on Friday morning with Keith Green (VA) and Phillip Daniel (TX) capturing the Doubles crown over John Budd (IN) and JK Johnston in the pins over average format. Friday night Wayne Webber (FL) teamed with local bowlers Chris and Jeff Sosebee to win the Up and Down team event.
Immediately after the doubles we bowled the first 3 games of singles qualifying. It was decided to forgo the scratch division and divide the bowlers into an A and B division. We agreed to award that individual who tallied the high scratch qualifying score with the Scratch Championship trophy and George (Holscher) set an early pace with a fine 609 effort. In fact he amassed a 12 game qualifying mark of 2400 on the nose to garner that honor.
The qualifying turned out to be competitive as Dave Nelson Jr. (NE) edged out Holscher for top qualifier in A by merely 25 pins. John Budd qualified 5th and climbed the ladder to the championship game defeating in order, Terry Rock (OH) 204-198, Phillip Daniel 224-203, George Holscher 268-207 before losing to Nelson 241-191. Similarly, Kenneth Mumford (TX) did the same thing in B besting Jerry Voorheese (TX) (9th & 10th frame roll off after tying 204) 51-42 in the first match. Ronald Richardson (NC) was his next victim 223-149, then Keith Green 210-172 before Ken lost to high qualifier Jim Coffee (FL) 247-209.
Handicap honors went to Budd 688 HHS and Holscher 249 HHG in A, Coffey 702 HHS and Mumford 237 HHG in B. Congratulations to all the bowlers who won prizes this year.
My thanks to all the individuals who helped in raising funds, especially, Nancy, Kim, Suzie, and Carolyn. I am grateful to Nancy and Dave for the scoring assistance as our official scorer was unable to get a flight from CA due to the Southwest shutdown. Helena did provide all the necessary information to make the scoring much more manageable which was much appreciated. Thanks to my committee for another fine job hosting too. Hope to see you all in Council Bluffs, IA for the next version of the Southern Open — up north a little.
Respectfully submitted,
Harold Bowman
Southern Open TD
Member of AWBA Hall of Fame
