Bowling: Sacramentan rallies for title at Yosemite

Noel Vasquez, bowling out of Sacramento, came back from nearly missing the cut to take the championship title in the Yosemite Scratch 6-Gamer Tournament of Champions.

Coming into the final game of qualifying, Vasquez was sitting at 31-under, not in line to take one of the 12 cash spots and a distance from qualifying for one of the five stepladder finals rungs. He took advantage of the Cheetah oil pattern, and rolled a 298 game, moving him from out of the money to the top-seeded qualifier at 61-plus.

No one moved up or down on the stepladder, with each contender losing his advancing match. Vasquez won the championship match 267-225 against PBA national champion Dave Arnold from Dublin. Locals on the stepladder were Wayne Garber (third) and Freddy Irvin (fourth), and on the money list were Scott Bartlow (seventh), Ed Silva (11th) and Jason Dewar (12th).

THE NEW YEAR'S EVE in Paris Tournament at McHenry ended the tournament year with a full house. The nearly 250 participants were divided into four divisions -- men and women in two average categories.

Norman Williams topped the men's 160 and higher prize list with his 926 set. Joe Auria finished second at 924. Scoring 887 and in third was Larry Barker.

Rolling in the men's 159 and below, Paul Cantaloube won the title spot with his 869 set. Mike Sargent posted an 842 to finish in second place, and Rich Salazar, at 837, finished third.

On the women's side in the 140 and over division, Joyce Goblirsch earned the first place spot with her 862 series. Finishing second was Lillian Hall with an 845. Rose Baker finished third after rolling an 829. Shirley Laurenz was the winner in the 139-and-under division, posting an 835 score. Terri Fortunato's 827 set put her in second, followed by Pat Neuman in third with an 809.

THIS SUNDAY STARTS the 2008 round of the Scratch 6-gamers at Yosemite. The sweeper rolls at noon, with check-in at 11 a.m. The event will run on the PBA Viper pattern. In a change this year, the optional 3-game brackets will run in sets of three, one starting in each of games 2-3-4.

• Entries are open for the BVL Friendship Doubles Tournament set for Jan. 25 at Yosemite. The no-tap mixed doubles tournament is a fund-raiser for the Bowler-to-Veteran Link Program, which benefits district veteran hospitals.

The event starts at 1 p.m., with check-in at 12:15. The first two games will be 8-pin no-tap, and the third will be 9-pin no-tap. Regular entries close Jan. 24, but late entries will be accepted up until the tournament start with an added fee. Sign up now and support a good cause.

YOUTH LEAGUES are starting new sessions next week and are geared for the beginner to advanced bowlers. Spots are available for children, ages 4 and up, through college-aged youth. Bumper leagues are offered for children. Leagues are offered after school and on weekends. Family leagues also are available. Call Kim or June at 571-2695 for programs at McHenry, and Cyndi at 524-9161 for programs at Yosemite.

APPLICATIONS FOR the Association Manager for the Modesto USBC are due by Friday. The Board will vote on the Nominating Committee's recommendation at its Jan. 20 meeting, and the new manager will assume the position Feb. 1. Pam Marksman is serving as interim manager until then.

• Modesto Hall of Fame nomination forms and Pioneer Award forms are available at the bowl desks. Applications are due Feb. 1.

For more information, contact Dallas Kadry at 571-2695 or mchbowl@aol.com.