Fall and winter seasons are the busiest for local bowling tournament enthusiasts and this past month has been no exception.

Bowler Monday, December 11, 2023 No Comment

BOWLING UPDATE From Tenpins & More Fall and winter seasons are the busiest for local bowling tournament enthusiasts and this past month has been no exception. * Former Storm stand-out Robin Prioleau, the metro area’s woman bowler-of-the-year, did well at the “Dick Tanner Memorial” event at Starlight Lanes. Prioleau in mixed doubles with Jeremiah Martin carded 246, 225, 215 (686) as the pair fired 1,367. She followed this in singles with 624 then added a stellar 232, 224, 278 (734) in teams for a 2,034 all-events output over nine games – a 226 average. * Scott Wiley, of Corrales, shot 269, 231, 258, 249 for 1,007/4 to lead qualifying in the King/Queen of the Hill number 2 at Tenpins & More. However the championship round belonged to Andy Byer who survived a close match 208-204 over Carson Opela. He’ll “defend” his crown at the next tournament scheduled Christmas Eve morning (December 24) at 9.30 am. * Two doubles marathons were decided as well. The first was won outright by Bobbie Vega and Dan Brenning with a 7-1 match-play record, followed by Joe Chacon and Aileen Linares second in a four-way play-off on 6-2, assisted by Linares’ closing 236 game. Wilson Manning of Gallup teamed with Joseph LaPointe to break a three-way tie in the second event, led by LaPointe’s dominating 233 string. LaPointe’s game has improved with greater fitness and a rigorous weight loss program. Second went to Soccoro’s Teri Paterson and Noe Baltazar, followed by fellow nurses, Lisa Montoya and Lesley Rico. Forty-four bowlers won gold, silver and bronze medals next in the 23rd annual New Mexico Games/Bowling that also paid out a record $ 4,475 in prize-money. Divisional winners included Dan Brenning, Tyler Grier, Rusty Steele and Ryan Clark, while women were led by Wendy Pase, Sue Robertson and Emily Sanchez. Senior winners were Perry and Arthana Hampel, Terry Kamm and Troian Donnachaidh, while youth victors included Xavier Provencher, Jonathan Paterson, Naomi Seiler and Lucia Griego. Finally, this weekend’s Christmas Cash 9-pin No-Tap tournament provided twenty-one people with prize-money of $ 1,674. James Delmore won men’s Open, the Hampel’s won their respective men’s A and women’s C grades, Mikey Guevarra took men’s B and new league bowler, Kenny Sandoval men’s C. Monica Redman parlayed her Sunday night sport lane condition experience to win women’s A while army veteran (retired), Gloria Gonzakowski took out the women’s B final. * Qualifying rounds continue at Tenpins & More the rest of December in the 23rd annual “Champion of Champions” tournament in separate divisions for men, women, seniors and youth. The handicap-added contest attracted a record 148 entries in 2022. With over sixty bowled thus far in early bird squads, it’s possible last year’s record $ 5,400 plus pay-out will be beaten. * Another date to be prepared for is the New Year’s Eve parties set for 2 pm, 5.30 pm and 8.30 pm on Sunday December 31. Over 270 attended a year ago, so reservations are essential.

The new “King or Queen of the Hill” bowling tournament series started last Sunday at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho has crowned it’s first champion – and that is Adrienne Hare of Rio Rancho.

Bowler Monday, November 6, 2023 No Comment

BOWLING UPDATE From Tenpins & More * The new “King or Queen of the Hill” bowling tournament series started last Sunday at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho has crowned it’s first champion – and that is Adrienne Hare of Rio Rancho. Hare dominated proceedings in the survivor format in which the top half of the field after each round moved on while others were eliminated. All this while bowling on a more difficult sport lane condition, Sunday a 37-foot long oil pattern, which seemed to favor outside boards on both right and left side of the lanes. Seven advanced after the first four games, led by Scott Wiley of Corrales, whose 245, 211, 186, 279 (921) was followed by Hare’s 215, 206, 214, 236 (871) along with Andy Byer 796, Jacob Gill 781, Paul Yoder 766, Eric Vanderlip 759 and Espanola’s Ken Friedrich 749. With previous pinfall dropped, Vanderlip fired 259 to lead three more, Gill 213, Hare 211 and Yoder 210 in to the semi-finals. Hare had the first ten strikes in a row before leaving a pocket 7-10 split for 287, and Vanderlip finished with a desperately needed four strikes in a row to claim the second available spot with 217, relegating Gill 213 and Yoder 204 to third and fourth placings. In the championship round, Vanderlip held a seven-pin lead by the sixth frame but powerful strikes in frames seven through nine gave Hare the nod 228-198. There are two more events set this year – next Sunday November 12 then Christmas Eve December 24.

Eighty bowlers have advanced in the 23rd annual New Mexico Games bowling tournament at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho.

Bowler Tuesday, October 31, 2023 No Comment

BOWLING UPDATE From Tenpins & More * Eighty bowlers have advanced in the 23rd annual New Mexico Games bowling tournament at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho. From a near-record 374 qualifying attempts and 127 finalists, the eighty won their way to a shot at gold, silver and bronze medals later this month as well as a chance to be able to represent New Mexico in the National State Games of America finals in San Diego, California next July. Part-time regional pro bowler, Brian Bledsoe included 229, 268, 245, 238, 246 in his winning the scratch Open division with 1,401/6 – a 233.5 clip. Second went to former New York City police-man, Joe LaRosa, only two pins behind with 1,399 followed another two pins back by Dan Brenning on 1,397 in one of the closest finishes in history. Tyler Grier, who recently moved back to Rio Rancho from Ohio, won Men’s A with 1,479, including handicap, ahead of Tom Thornhill 1,433 and Michael Radasa whose 1,429 included his first 700 series which featured strings of 258 and 252. Averey Marquez opened with 265 and closed with 227 to capture Men’s B on 1,516, well ahead of Seth Muller 1,404 and Andy Woolf 1,400. Jeffrey Chavez had an opportunity for a perfect game after starting with nine strikes in a row but settled for 266 as he ran off with Men’s C from Kyle Belnap and Brian Peterson. Robin Prioleau showed some of her best form with games of 215, 227, 245, 266 and 214 to take out Women’s A on 1,427 in front of Monica Redman 1,314 and Johnna Mora 1,307. Jeanne Carver finished with 234, 161, 222 for the Women’s B win on 1,458 ahead of Native American bowlers, Shannon Lastyona 1,402 and Felecia Padilla 1,379. Taking recent lessons from house pro, Paul Yoder lifted Celina Bennett to the Women’s C title with 1,431 beating Emily Sanchez 1,415 and Sandra Fride 1,393. Ken Friedrich, who drives to Rio Rancho from Espanola twice a week for leagues and tournaments threw 215, 225, 255 and 212 to win Senior Men’s A over John Mitsunaga 995-943, followed by perennial New Mexico Games stalwart Perry Hampel next with 904. Mike Creager Sr bowled all four games well above his average of 167 (228, 210, 201, 193) as did second-placed Terry Kamm for first and second in Senior Men’s B action, with Doug Wilson third, not far behind. So too did Rose Burnett in Senior Women’s. Entering on a 142 average, Burnett fired 167, 200, 173 and 160 to beat Thursday night league team-mates, Evelyn Trujillo and Marilyn Wassmann, 996-943-930. Cindy Creager won Senior Women’s B by twenty pins from Sally Kantz with Donna Fevig third a further twelve pins behind. Youth who advanced were Shane Muller, Alex Blair, Carson Belnap, Reid Ross, Alberto Medina, Xavier Provencher, Jonathan Paterson, Marcus Ross, Kylie Belnap, Kenadie Haines, Naomi Seiler, Lucia Griego, and sisters, Evelyn and Annie Alvarado. State finals will be held at Tenpins & More between November 18-26. * Calendar: Sat Nov 4: High School tournament at 8.30 amSun Nov 5: King or Queen of the Hill at 9.30 am

Bowling Buzz: Rio Rancho’s Youth NM Open Scholarships, ‘Filling Frames’ Triumph, Real Bowling Heroes, & High School Season Kickoff!

Bowler Tuesday, September 19, 2023 No Comment

BOWLING UPDATE From Tenpins & More* An unprecedented, one-time added scholarship of $ 5,000 is being awarded to bowlers coming to Rio Rancho this weekend (September 23-24) for the annual Youth New Mexico Open. Both scratch and handicap division winners this Sunday will each receive scholarships for a record$ 1,250. Boys and girls ranging in age from six to twenty will vie for the prizes and trophies. It is also the first event in the Mountain West region season of the Junior Bowlers Tour, with double points given. Entries can be processed at bowljbt.com. * Six winners were named after contesting the new “Filling Frames” tournament at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho. Scores did not count in the multi-graded event, instead one point was awarded for each strike and spare made during a four-game set (with 40 points the maximum available). Joseph Paterson and wife, Teri, drove up from Socorro to win their respective divisions. Joseph closed 35 frames in Mens A, while Teri scored 17 in Womens C. Trent Irwin, one of the Center’s most diligent practice bowlers, won Mens B with 34 while James DeGroat, who attended last month’s Coaching Clinic, won Mens C with 25 marks. Johnna Mora, who bowled the summer Scratch Doubles league with multi-Hall of Fame member, Dana Miller-Mackie, threw 31 closed frames for the Womens A win, as did Gloria Gonzakowski in winning Womens B. * Rick Dennison, who bowls the Senior Trios here on Monday afternoons, was nominated and accepted as the newest member of the Tenpins & More “Real Bowling Heroes” award board. Dennison, who bowls three leagues a week between Rio Rancho and Albuquerque Centers, has had his share of health issues these past few years but continues to thoroughly enjoy the sport he has now played for more than fifty years. * The New Mexico High School bowling season gets underway Monday October 2 at Bowling Centers around the state with practice/training sessions after school weekdays and weekends prior the opening matches Saturday November 4 and 11 at Tenpins & More. The local Center has already booked Rio Rancho, Cleveland, Volcano Vista, Sandia Prep, Cibola and Bernalillo High Schools, along with eligible eight graders to get expert coaching prior the imminent start-up. * For more than two decades now, Rio Rancho league bowlers have been the most awarded competitive bowlers in the state, evidenced again last Saturday at the New Mexico USBC banquet. Female Bowler of the Year was our Aileen Linares, while all these bowlers won their way through state- organized events, including Lucia Griego, Kira Vanderlip, Aiden Ruiz-Jimenez, Ayden Lopez, Karen Barcal, Haskell Lee, Gary Hadley, Carl Chavez, Michael Beach, Mike Avila, Brenda Hamilton, Shane Muller, Mia Medina, Alyssa Burks, Kylie Belnap, Phyllis Bustos, Kathy Leitch, Rebecca Sanchez, Adrienne Hare, Robin Prioleau, Michelle Dennison, Kelsey Kryjewski, Zach Harvey, Carson Opela, Jacob Gill, Lauren Jaramillo and Pete Sheridan. The upcoming state tournament calendar was released. Senior is at Silva Lanes November, Pepsi Youth at Artesia in January and April, Women at Farmington in March and the Open State meet at Clovis in May. Fifty members who passed during the year were honored and remembered including Tony Vigil who was a regular three-day-a-week league bowler at Tenpins & More.