Surely something else had drawn so many people to Falcon Lanes Sunday afternoon. The parking lot was packed, too many cars, in fact, for just a junior bowling tournament.
But after moving past the darkened bar and into the 16-lane house, it all became very real. The scene resembled The Citizen Masters at its peak. Spectators filled seating areas, and the walkway behind them was clogged as the youngsters took up 14 lanes.
Proud parents and friends watched the 40 boys and 23 girls doing their best in the Byrn's Junior Masters. And the bowlers were inspiring. They threw from different angles with varied approaches. They tried so hard, often willing the pins down.
Mike Ryan, the reigning Men's Citizen Masters champion, came by simply to show his support.
“These kids are out there bowling, and when they turn around they see all of these people watching,” he said. “And if they throw a good game, everybody is going to know it. We get that in the Men's Masters.”
As Auburn's association manager, Ryan knows the importance of the youth program.
“It seems like kids from age 18 to 20 don't continue on to the adult leagues,” he said. “We're working to improve our relationship with the bowling centers and these kids.”
The kids. Indeed, they were inspiring, and sometimes hilarious.
“He's whipping my butt,” 10-year-old William Burridge said of his friend, Eric Prior.
William and Eric, also 10, were first-timers in the tournament. They signed up to bowl together, root each other on and experience the fun.
William, sporting his lucky blue and black knit cap pulled down over his ears, came back to chat with his father, Tom. He also asked his dad to order some French Fries for him.
“When we got here, William looked around at some of the older kids. I think he wondered if he really belonged,” said Tom Burridge, whose son barely came up to his waist. “But I don't push him. He likes this. It gives him a chance to bowl with kids from other centers.”
Toward the end of the house Todd Wilcox kept a close eye on his 15-year-old son, Todd. Father and son normally spend Sundays at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool for a one-day junior event. Competitors roll three games, and stepladder finals determine the winner.
“He loves it,” the elder Wilcox said. “Sometimes they put out a league shot, and other times they have a tougher Sport condition.”
Last Sunday, however, they were in Auburn, and the preparation paid off. Todd Jr. fired a 618 to advance to match play in the Byrn's Junior Masters.
Wilcox looks forward to the day when he and his son can compete in an adult league together. But there's no rush.
“I want him to stay a junior until he's really ready,” he said. “But the kids here today are definitely the future of the game.”
And considering the electricity Sunday at Falcon Lanes, that future has a real chance.
King Ferry Team No-Tap starts in March
The ninth annual King Ferry Lanes No-Tap Team Handicap Tournament begins on March 7 and will run every Tuesday and Sunday throughout the month. Five-person teams may have any combination of men and women, and there is a maximum average of 1,050.
The event costs $150 per team, and first prize is $1,000. Handicap is 80 percent of 200. Squads on Tuesdays are 7 and 9 p.m., while Sunday squads are 10 a.m. and noon. The top six qualifying teams will roll off March 25 at 7 p.m. Flyers are available at all area bowling centers. Teams should reserve a spot by calling Bill Dockstader at 364-8009.
Men's, women's tournaments to begin
Men and women bowlers may now sign up for the upcoming association tournaments.
The 73rd annual men's event, which features team, singles and doubles categories, runs Feb. 23-March 9. The team competition at Rainbow Lanes rolls Feb. 23-25 and Feb. 27-29. Cedar House Lanes hosts the singles and doubles March 7-9. The team event costs $100 while singles and doubles costs $80.
The women's tournament, in its second year, bowls on Feb. 23-24 at Starlite Lanes for the four-person team event ($64). The singles and doubles event ($32) rolls March 1-2 at Falcon Lanes.
Visit the Auburn USBC Web site to download applications or contact Mike Ryan (730-2901) or Ann Fenton (923-2180) for more information.
Proud parents and friends watched the 40 boys and 23 girls doing their best in the Byrn's Junior Masters. And the bowlers were inspiring. They threw from different angles with varied approaches. They tried so hard, often willing the pins down.
Mike Ryan, the reigning Men's Citizen Masters champion, came by simply to show his support.
“These kids are out there bowling, and when they turn around they see all of these people watching,” he said. “And if they throw a good game, everybody is going to know it. We get that in the Men's Masters.”
As Auburn's association manager, Ryan knows the importance of the youth program.
“It seems like kids from age 18 to 20 don't continue on to the adult leagues,” he said. “We're working to improve our relationship with the bowling centers and these kids.”
The kids. Indeed, they were inspiring, and sometimes hilarious.
“He's whipping my butt,” 10-year-old William Burridge said of his friend, Eric Prior.
William and Eric, also 10, were first-timers in the tournament. They signed up to bowl together, root each other on and experience the fun.
William, sporting his lucky blue and black knit cap pulled down over his ears, came back to chat with his father, Tom. He also asked his dad to order some French Fries for him.
“When we got here, William looked around at some of the older kids. I think he wondered if he really belonged,” said Tom Burridge, whose son barely came up to his waist. “But I don't push him. He likes this. It gives him a chance to bowl with kids from other centers.”
Toward the end of the house Todd Wilcox kept a close eye on his 15-year-old son, Todd. Father and son normally spend Sundays at Flamingo Bowl in Liverpool for a one-day junior event. Competitors roll three games, and stepladder finals determine the winner.
“He loves it,” the elder Wilcox said. “Sometimes they put out a league shot, and other times they have a tougher Sport condition.”
Last Sunday, however, they were in Auburn, and the preparation paid off. Todd Jr. fired a 618 to advance to match play in the Byrn's Junior Masters.
Wilcox looks forward to the day when he and his son can compete in an adult league together. But there's no rush.
“I want him to stay a junior until he's really ready,” he said. “But the kids here today are definitely the future of the game.”
And considering the electricity Sunday at Falcon Lanes, that future has a real chance.
King Ferry Team No-Tap starts in March
The ninth annual King Ferry Lanes No-Tap Team Handicap Tournament begins on March 7 and will run every Tuesday and Sunday throughout the month. Five-person teams may have any combination of men and women, and there is a maximum average of 1,050.
The event costs $150 per team, and first prize is $1,000. Handicap is 80 percent of 200. Squads on Tuesdays are 7 and 9 p.m., while Sunday squads are 10 a.m. and noon. The top six qualifying teams will roll off March 25 at 7 p.m. Flyers are available at all area bowling centers. Teams should reserve a spot by calling Bill Dockstader at 364-8009.
Men's, women's tournaments to begin
Men and women bowlers may now sign up for the upcoming association tournaments.
The 73rd annual men's event, which features team, singles and doubles categories, runs Feb. 23-March 9. The team competition at Rainbow Lanes rolls Feb. 23-25 and Feb. 27-29. Cedar House Lanes hosts the singles and doubles March 7-9. The team event costs $100 while singles and doubles costs $80.
The women's tournament, in its second year, bowls on Feb. 23-24 at Starlite Lanes for the four-person team event ($64). The singles and doubles event ($32) rolls March 1-2 at Falcon Lanes.
Visit the Auburn USBC Web site to download applications or contact Mike Ryan (730-2901) or Ann Fenton (923-2180) for more information.
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