First Annual Superior/Country Challenge a Success:

The wall plaque created by Republic Memorials out of black granite, which was given to Superior Lanes to commemorate their victory in the first ever Superior/Country Challenge.On two consecutive Sundays in April, ten bowlers from the area took to the lanes. A friendly competition had been organized to match five of the top bowlers from Country Lanes against five of the top bowlers from Superior Lanes in a challenge of thirty Baker games (fifteen at each center). Each bowler would rotate through the lineup so that they bowled in all five positions three times. To make things a little more difficult, lead pins were used on a regular house pattern to put an emphasis on shot making rather than on power and carry. After careful consideration, Clay Sandberg chose Glenn Ayotte, Andy Goldsworthy, Chris Loonsfoot, and Steve Windahl to join him in representing Country Lanes. Mike Musolf chose Jeff Miller, Scott Salminen, Justin Stephens, and Dave Stevenson to help him represent Superior Lanes.

On April 7, the ten bowlers started the competition by bowling the first fifteen Baker games at Country Lanes Bowling Center. Superior Lanes did a nice job of sticking with Country Lanes winning three of the first six games (206 – 233, 170 – 157, 221 – 215, 171 – 233, 182 – 212, and 202 – 188). It was at that point that Country Lanes really turned it on and used the knowledge of their lanes as an advantage. Superior Lanes was only able to win two of the next nine games (179 – 221, 182 – 210, 163 – 204, 138 – 186, 199 – 200, 224 – 161, 186 – 203, 155 – 212, and 186 – 185). With Country Lanes winning the pin total in all three of the 5-game sets and for the day, they took a commanding 40 – 10 point lead into the next Sunday at Superior Lanes.

As the same ten bowlers started the competition at Superior Lanes Bowling Center on April 14, the Superior Lanes team was determined to find a way back into the match. They slowly began to chip away at the 30 point deficit by winning the first seven games of the day (217 – 179, 206 – 162, 202 – 177, 193 – 184, 206 – 202, 214 – 204, and 183 – 172). Trying to hold onto their lead, Country Lanes tried to turn it on. Superior Lanes however were still up for the challenge, but only managed to win one of the next three games (159 – 175, 160 – 129, and 166 – 175). With only five games remaining and the score of the match at 36 – 44 in favor of Country Lanes, Superior Lanes was bound and determined to not let their comeback go to waste. They dug deep and won four of the last five games (202 – 158, 146 – 178, 212 – 192, 192 – 178, and 236 – 159). By winning the pin total in all three of the 5-game sets and the pin total for the day, Superior Lanes was able to win the first ever Superior/Country Challenge- 54 – 46. With the victory, Superior Lanes stakes claim to the newly created traveling trophy as well as bragging rights for the year. The bowlers from both teams should feel very proud however. They helped start a tradition that should go on for years and helped develop pride in their bowling centers.

Judging by the buzz about the event, the turnout of spectators to watch it, and the exciting conclusion, I would say that the first Superior/Country Challenge was a success. Maybe it will eventually develop into more of a league with other bowling centers but for now, I expect this to be an annual tradition that will continue long into the future. Congratulations to both bowling centers and to all who participated. (Picture from Republic Memorials' Facebook page)

Big Boy Battles for Four Points Against Northwest Store:

After taking seven points from Auto Armor last week, Big Boy/Fleury Singler turned their attention to the next match against Northwest Store. Northwest Store is always a tough team to beat and always seem to be near the top of the standings. This week however, they would be without one of the top bowlers- Tim McIntire. BB/FS also had some roster issues to deal with- they were missing one of their top bowlers (Keith Dickson), and Steve Whelan was dealing with an injured left leg. Whelan decided to battle through the pain, and Scott Salminen was used to sub for Dickson.

In Game One, Scott Salminen got past some early struggles to shoot 209 to go with Patrick Day’s 199. Ray Rivord (214), Bob Belmore (191), and Brian McRae (184) had enough to control the game. BB/FS lost Game One 1015 – 1146. In Game Two, Rivord (214) and Belmore (191) shot well, but BB/FS were up for the challenge. They were led by Salminen (256), Dave Stevenson (218), Day (196), and Matt Rayome (188) as they took the game 1166 – 1155. In Game Three, Belmore (191) was the only bowler from Northwest Store not to fall off. BB/FS didn’t have the same problem as they were led by Salminen (279), Stevenson (236), Rayome (222), and Day (202). Big Boy/Fleury Singler won the game 1225 – 1113, but lost the overall match by just eight pins- 3406 – 3414. With the four points, BB/FS improve their second half record to 56 – 42 and their overall record to 130 – 80.

Next week, Big Boy/Fleury Singler bowl their last regular season match of the season against Heritage Drive Apartments. Heritage Drive is a high handicap team that can lay some unbeatable scores by just bowl some good games. The following week is the roll-off to determine the second half champion. One week after that is the championship playoff, which BB/FS will get a first round BYE for winning a half. It should be interesting.

Big Boy Sweeps Auto Armor:

After taking all seven points last week against the BYE, Big Boy/Fleury Singler turned their sights to their next opponent- Auto Armor. Auto Armor had been bowling well in the second half and continue to battle for one of the five automatic playoff spots, so BB/FS were expecting a fight.

In Game One, Big Boy/Fleury Singler came out on fire. And while Chuck Ellis of Auto Armor had a 248, BB/FS had enough to match and overcome that. BB/FS were led by Matt Rayome (232), Keith Dickson (217), Dave Stevenson (203), and Steve Whelan (196) as they won Game One 1209 – 1090. Game Two saw Hope Virch step up her game with a 205, but Rayome (245) and Dickson (237) led BB/FS to another victory- 1224 – 1065. In Game Three, Scott Salminen came alive for Auto Armor with a 211 as Ellis added a 194 to put some pressure on Big Boy/Fleury Singler. Rayome (231) and Patrick Day (200) had just enough however to lead BB/FS to another victory- 1124 – 1053. BB/FS also won the overall match 3557 – 3208. With the seven points, Big Boy/Fleury Singler improved their second half record to 52 – 37.

Next week, Big Boy/Fleury Singler will have another battle on their hands against Northwest Store. Northwest Store has been one of the top teams all year and are similar to BB/FS in that they have some high handicap bowlers paired with some high average bowlers. It should be an interesting match.

Note: Congratulations to Matt Rayome for shooting another 700-series, his third of the season. With games of 232, 245, and 231, Rayome finished with a 708-series and has been a catalyst for Big Boy/Fleury Singler’s success this season. Keep up the good bowling!

Big Boy Takes Nineteen Points in Last Three Weeks as They Try to Get Back Into the Second Half Race:

After winning the first half of the season, Big Boy/Fleury Singler got off to a slow start in the second half of the season. In the last three weeks however, BB/FS really pushed to get out of their funk and the results showed.

Big Boy/Fleury Singler started their comeback three weeks ago against Marquette County CVB. In Game One, BB/FS were led by Keith Dickson (235) and Dave Stevenson (211) as they won 1089 – 1070. In Game Two, all five of the BB/FS bowlers shot above their averages- Matt Rayome (208), Steve Whelan (174), Patrick Day (214), Stevenson (225), and Dickson (202) as they easily won 1252 – 1170. In Game Three, the 204 by Bobby Crawdell of Marquette Co. CVB was enough to overcome the 241 thrown by Stevenson as BB/FS lost 1093 – 1126. Big Boy/Fleury Singler were able to hold onto the overall lead winning the match 3434 – 3366 giving them five points on the night.

Next on the docket for Big Boy/Fleury Singler was DeMarse Insurance. BB/FS came out of the gate hot as they were led by Rayome (232), Dickson (213), Stevenson (204), and Day (202) to take Game One 1226 – 1077. In Game Two, Dickson came close to another honor score after starting with a strike, sparing the next framing, and then striking out for a 280. Day added a 220 to overcome the 258 thrown by Vic Mahaffey as BB/FS won the second game 1224 – 1150. In the final game, Stevenson (224) and Day (201) led the way to win 1145 – 1080. BB/FS also won the overall match 3595 – 3407 to take seven points on the night.

This week, Big Boy/Fleury Singler found another archrival as an opponent. Mike Deering of Duquaines started out Game One with a 225, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 227 by Day, the 204 by Stevenson, and the 160 by Whelan. BB/FS took Game One 1130 – 1099. Game Two was a nail-biter that saw BB/FS make up 100 pins in the last three frames to get the victory 1176 – 1174. Duquaines were led by Mark Duquaine (222), Deering (211) and Ken Hantz (200), but BB/FS had the equalizer in Rayome (237) and Stevenson (224). Determined to take seven points for the second straight week, BB/FS pressed the gas pedal down hard in Game Three. They were led by Dickson (258), Stevenson (233), Day (223), and Rayome (210) to win 1281 – 1140. BB/FS also won the overall match 3587 – 3413 to take another seven points.

Next week, Big Boy/Fleury Singler will take on Auto Spa. Auto Spa is normally a team near the top of the league as they are full of high average bowlers. They will be a tough test as usual.

Big Boy Take Five Points and Wins First Half Against Rivals:

Big Boy/Fleury Singler entered the position round of the first half of the season a mere one point behind Holiday Inn. As the two rivals squared off to determine the champion of the first half of the season, both teams also needed to look over their shoulders. While Northwest Store were bowling Duquaine’s on the next pair of lanes, they were sitting in third place just one more point behind BB/FS and could potentially jump both Holiday Inn and BB/FS in the standings.

In Game One, Big Boy/Fleury Singler got off to a good start, but Holiday Inn stayed close. Matt Rayome led the way for BB/FS as he shot a 207, but they left the door open in the 9^th and 10^th frame. Fred Nees (218) and Holiday Inn took advantage of the opening as they took Game One 1075 – 1115. Holiday Inn found some of the same troubles finding strikes in Game Two that BB/FS had in Game One. BB/FS found the strikes a little more easily in Game Two as they were led by Keith Dickson (211), Dave Stevenson (202), Rayome (199), and Steve Whelan (170) and won Game Two 1136 – 1003. The third and deciding game was more of the same. With the exception of Matt Adams (217), Holiday Inn continued to struggle finding strikes when they needed them most. BB/FS were led by Dickson (212), Mike Kelly (204), Stevenson (203), and Whelan (180) as they took Game Three 1143 – 1044. BB/FS also won the overall match 3354 – 3162 to take five points to give them a 74 – 38 record for the first half of the season. With Northwest Store only taking 4 ½ points, Big Boy/Fleury Singler won the first half and will receive a 1^st Round bye in the playoff at the end of the year. Stevenson said of the win, “It was a great effort by every one of our bowlers. When Keith and I were struggling a little in the first game, our teammates picked us up with some big shots. When any of us were struggling a little, there was always someone else stepping up.” He went on to say, “Steve Whelan really brought it tonight. He was above his average every game as he shot a 502-series, and his split conversion might have been one of the turning points in the match.”

As the second half of the season begins the day after Christmas, BB/FS will look to keep things going against Duquaines. Duquaine’s is always a tough match as they have a nice combination of high averages and high handicaps on their team. And if opposing teams didn’t already psych themselves up when playing BB/FS, they definitely will now to beat the team that won the first half of the season.

Merry Christmas everyone! -From the Big Boy/Fleury Singler Bowling Team