By Tina Martin, California Bowling Writers
The final weekend of the 2017 Youth State Championships was held July 15-16 at Country Club Bowl, San Rafael. The Center was filled with youth bowlers, parents, coaches and other volunteers that were there to support the youth bowlers. All the youth were ready to bowl some awesome scores. Youth bowling 50+ pins over their entering average receive an onsite award. It was another warm weekend for bowling as temperatures outside were at least 95-104 degrees.Those scores and all the results may be found on the California website online at www.calusbc.com. The youth were competing for scholarships as in 2016, $25,000 was awarded.
Traveling from Santa Clarita with a group of 40 bowlers (8 teams) and families was Coach Margie Ray. Margie has been coaching for over 32 years and has brought her Santa Clarita group to State each year. They started from Santa Clarita via their group bus that she and CoachGiac Betri had organized. After bowling on Saturday, the group hosted a Dinner and pool party at the hotel. They were back at Country Club early Sunday morning to bowl Team event before heading home.
Oak Tree Lanes coach Annette Andersen was all smiles watching her bowlers from Diamond Bar and Ontario. Bowling at age 16 level, Lamaki Welch came in with a 205 average and rolled games of 245, 246, 244 for a super 735 series in doubles and came back with a 269, 234,181 for a 684 in singles. Lamaki said he did not bowl well for team, but maybe all events.
Ardani Rodas of Winnetka Bowl has only bowled in leagues for a little over a year. The 14 year old bowler is “hooked on bowling” as he practices several days a week. He started the Doubles competition with a 288 game that was 101 pins over his entering average. Jason Gee from AMF Cerritos came in with a 152 average and rolled games of 250, 172, 225 for a 647 series. Nicholas Cordero from PV Bowl entered with a 127 average and had games of 190, 151, 189 for a 530 series.
Keystone Bowl coach Brent Haynes was not only there with his bowlers, but for he and his group to see Country Club Bowl’s new General Manager Tahnee Martin who came from Keystone Bowl, Norwalk and Del Rio Lanes, Downey.
“We had a great turnout this year especially with all the SoCal centers traveling up North and to E&O Lanes and Harbor Lanes for always traveling down South! We will also have a great scholarship payout for this event due to the state dues increase that was passed last year. I have to personally thank Tom Leigh for always working this event with me and to Chris Arvanitis, our tournament photographer for his outstanding support every year. The tournament would not be a success without them. To the coaches that all submitted teams… you guys are the best! Your support to California youth bowling is exceptional and I am so proud to be a part of this with you. Thanks so much to the staff at Country Club Bowl – everyone was so helpful and supportive. And lastly, special thanks to Jeff Carr from Bowler’s Depot pro shop for donating items to our tournament for us to raffle off raising even more scholarship dollars for this year’s scholarship fund. We look forward to next year’s event at Keystone Lanes in SoCal.” stated Lynn Matsubara, CUSBC Youth Tournament Director.
From all the staff and bowlers at Country Club Bowl and the Marin County USBC we thank all those that attended both the Adult Open and Women’s Championships as well as the Youth Championships held at Country Club Bowl, San Rafael from April 7 through July 16. You are all awesome and we had fun hosting your Championship tournament! Sign up now for 2018 at Keystone Lanes, Norwalk!