The opportunity for area senior bowlers to land on a national stage lies in their own backyard.
That chance begins with the Empire State Senior Games, which will be June 3 to 8 in Cortland. Bowlers at least 50 years old may compete in singles, doubles and mixed doubles events at Cort Lanes.
Participants are split into age groups of 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and continuing in five-year increments beyond that. If they earn gold, silver or bronze medals, they are eligible for the Summer National Senior Games, set for Aug. 1-15, 2009, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The program gives regional qualifiers on even-numbered years an option to participate in the nationals the following year.
Now, that may be just a bit much to comprehend for most, and finalists are not obligated to advance. So, it's OK to simply enjoy the Senior Games at the state level.
There are 28 sports in the amateur competition, including golf, horseshoes and softball. Team entry forms must be postmarked by April 25, while individual forms are due May 2. A $25 registration fee is required with the application, while each bowling event costs an additional $6.50.
Applications can be downloaded from the Web site (empirestategames.org). For more information, call the Empire Stare Games office at 492-9654.
Auburn's Bob Butera has championed participation in the Games, acting as an ambassador of sorts for the past several years. He golfs and bowls in the event, and has long enjoyed the camaraderie and social atmosphere.
“I really enjoy meeting new people, and the competition is great,” he said while recruiting last year. “I think there are a lot of people in this area that would have a fantastic time if they went.”
Indeed, there is plenty of entertainment lined up at SUNY Cortland. A torch-lighting ceremony opens the competition on June 5, while dinner buffets and live bands follow the next two nights.
There hasn't been a shortage of good bowling on the local front. Greg Walczyk and Steve Crozier earned a bronze medal in doubles in 2006. They went on to the Summer National Senior Games in Louisville, Ky., last year, finishing fifth overall in a two-day competition.
Other area bowlers to earn medals in past years are Tom Charles, a two-time The Citizen Masters champion, Wayne Bibbens, Jack Calkins, Vernon Blumer, Al Rizzo, Ronald Roberts, Harold Stonecipher, Nick Pingryn and Butera.
Walczyk plans to bowl in Cortland this summer, and with his game in top form, it would be a good idea. Last week he rolled four 700 series in league play.
“I would definitely go to the nationals again,” Walczyk said. “We had a good time in Louisville.”
Walczyk quickly added that a long trip to San Francisco next summer might not be within his realm. However, he would savor a chance to return to Houston, where he lived two decades ago. The National Games will be there in 2011. And perhaps better yet, Cleveland, a drive of less than five hours, was recently chosen as the host site in 2013.
Participants are split into age groups of 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and continuing in five-year increments beyond that. If they earn gold, silver or bronze medals, they are eligible for the Summer National Senior Games, set for Aug. 1-15, 2009, in the San Francisco Bay Area. The program gives regional qualifiers on even-numbered years an option to participate in the nationals the following year.
Now, that may be just a bit much to comprehend for most, and finalists are not obligated to advance. So, it's OK to simply enjoy the Senior Games at the state level.
There are 28 sports in the amateur competition, including golf, horseshoes and softball. Team entry forms must be postmarked by April 25, while individual forms are due May 2. A $25 registration fee is required with the application, while each bowling event costs an additional $6.50.
Applications can be downloaded from the Web site (empirestategames.org). For more information, call the Empire Stare Games office at 492-9654.
Auburn's Bob Butera has championed participation in the Games, acting as an ambassador of sorts for the past several years. He golfs and bowls in the event, and has long enjoyed the camaraderie and social atmosphere.
“I really enjoy meeting new people, and the competition is great,” he said while recruiting last year. “I think there are a lot of people in this area that would have a fantastic time if they went.”
Indeed, there is plenty of entertainment lined up at SUNY Cortland. A torch-lighting ceremony opens the competition on June 5, while dinner buffets and live bands follow the next two nights.
There hasn't been a shortage of good bowling on the local front. Greg Walczyk and Steve Crozier earned a bronze medal in doubles in 2006. They went on to the Summer National Senior Games in Louisville, Ky., last year, finishing fifth overall in a two-day competition.
Other area bowlers to earn medals in past years are Tom Charles, a two-time The Citizen Masters champion, Wayne Bibbens, Jack Calkins, Vernon Blumer, Al Rizzo, Ronald Roberts, Harold Stonecipher, Nick Pingryn and Butera.
Walczyk plans to bowl in Cortland this summer, and with his game in top form, it would be a good idea. Last week he rolled four 700 series in league play.
“I would definitely go to the nationals again,” Walczyk said. “We had a good time in Louisville.”
Walczyk quickly added that a long trip to San Francisco next summer might not be within his realm. However, he would savor a chance to return to Houston, where he lived two decades ago. The National Games will be there in 2011. And perhaps better yet, Cleveland, a drive of less than five hours, was recently chosen as the host site in 2013.
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