Modesto's summer bowling leagues start soon

With the winter bowling season winding down, the summer-league program is starting to heat up. Sign-ups and schedules are out for the short leagues starting the week of May 12 and running through the end of August.

NASCAR, Barbie, San Francisco Giants, Oakland A's and trip package leagues are offered, plus the regular lineup of handicap and scratch programs. Spots are open for singles, couples and teams in youth, adult and senior leagues. For McHenry Bowl, contact Pam or Dave at 571-2695 or at mchenrybowl.com, and for Yosemite Lanes contact Wayne at 524-9161 or at yosemitelanes.com.

Three league-ending tournaments are making their annual showing. At McHenry, the 29th Annual Tournament of Champions runs the week of May 6. The invitational tournament, composed of winning teams from the leagues at McHenry, guarantees $1,000 to the top team. The 15th Annual Cellar Dwellers Tournament, made up of last-place teams, is advertised as the tournament to find the Best of the Worst. It runs during the same squad times as the champs, and guarantees $600 to the winner. The Pot of Gold Tournament will be rolling at Yosemite during the same time period, and is open to leagues participating in the Pot of Gold program.

THE POODLE SKIRTS AND white T-shirts were out in force at the Rock Around the Clock No-tap just completed at McHenry. Bowling to the tunes of the '50s, Gretel Weiglein rolled her way to the top spot for the women with a 926 set. Doreen Klatt finished second at 922, and taking third was Inez Simas at 919. John Koetsier cruised his way to victory on the men's side with an 879. Bill Hensel (866) took second and Ralph Baker (850) placed third.

Sunday, the April edition of the Scratch 6-Gamer is rolling at Yosemite starting at noon. Check-in is 11 a.m. The sweeper will be rolled on the same oil pattern laid down for the USBC Open Championships in Albuquerque, N.M.

A 55 & Older No-Tap is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m. at Yosemite. Check-in is 12:30 p.m.

THE MODESTO USBC will hold its board meeting Sunday at Yosemite Lanes, followed by the monthly bowling clinic for members.

Members may observe the 9 a.m. business meeting prior to the clinic. The clinic will start about 10:30 a.m. and is open to youth, adult and senior members who want to improve their game. Cost is $5 for three games of bowling and instruction.

Entries are out for the 59th Annual Peach Classic Singles Tournament at McHenry and the 3rd Annual Save Mart Summer Doubles at Yosemite. Both events run from May 24 through July 27, with the Peach bowling on weekends only and the Summer Doubles anytime lanes are open. Last year's Peach paid nearly $37,000 in prize money to seven different prize lists. The Doubles is guaranteeing a $6,500 prize fund and also offers seven prize lists.

This year McHenry Bowl's 8th Annual Benefit Bowl is partnering with the Stanislaus Literacy Center to raise funds to make basic literacy programs available to families in need.

The date for the Benefit Bowl is set for May 31, with three squads available. Participants collect pledges or find a sponsor, then come out for a day of colored pin bowling to music, food, prizes, silent auction and much more. This is a fun event; no bowling skills are needed. Sponsors and bowlers are needed for the event. Call Pam at 571-2695 for information or to sign up.

Dallas Kadry can be reached at mchbowl@aol.com or 571-2695.

This story was originally published April 16, 2008 at 4:08 AM.