Women's Series Deemed Successful

May 18, 2012


By: Mark Martin

WOMEN’S SERIES DEEMED SUCCESSFUL

The first season concluded successfully with an invitation only event at the Detroit Athletic Club for the Metro Detroit USBC Association (MDUSBC) Rip 10 Entertainment Women’s Series, presented by Blumark.

The series began after extensive surveying of prospective participants to find the right mix for competitive women’s bowling in Michigan. Surveys showed that a one-day event on Sundays that would conclude in less than five hours, for a reasonable price was the benchmark. With this information the MDUSBC/Rip 10 Women’s Series was created.

The events would include an entry fee of $35, four games of qualifying, single-game single-elimination match play to determine a winner, an advancement ratio of one in three and points awarded to each participant based on event finish for a season long “Cup” prize list.

In the inaugural season each event paid a first place prize of $500 and a minimum prize of $50 for those bowlers who advanced to match play.

Due to the support of the sponsors more money was paid out in each event than was collected in entry fees. The sponsors were Blumark, Rip 10 Entertainment, Metro Detroit USBC Association, Brunswick, Columbia 300, Track, Ebonite, Storm, Roto-Grip and Innes & Lotito.

A season ending invitation only event was held at the Detroit Athletic Club for the bowlers who placed in the top 16 in the points list.

Shelby Lanes in Utica and Van Dyke Bowl in Sterling Heights, part of the Rip 10 Entertainment company, hosted the events and will continue their hosting in the 2012-13 season.

In the seven events, including the Invitational, there were six different champions and the winner of the season-long “Cup” race didn’t win an event. The race was tight all year with the final spots coming down to the final regular event.

Champions in the first season were Julie Oczepek of Reese, two-time winner Erin Williams of Warren, Elaine Wright of Eaton Rapids, Robin Orlikowski of Grand Rapids, Michelle Ewald of Clinton Township and Michelle Keirns of Holt in the Invitational. The “Cup” champion was Lisa Bishop of Belleville, which was worth $1,000 thanks to the sponsors. Fourteen others shared in the total of $3,000 “Cup” prize list.

The 2012-13 season schedule has been released with the following dates: Oct. 14, 2012; Nov. 11, 2012; Jan. 13, 2013; March 10, 2013; April 7, 2013 and May 5, 2013.

The Metro Detroit USBC Association serves over 60,000 adult and youth bowlers in the Metropolitan Detroit market and is the largest local association of the United States Bowling Congress.

Rip 10 Entertainment is headquartered in Utica, Mich. and operates Shelby Lanes in Utica and Van Dyke Bowl in Sterling Heights.

Blumark is a financial services company headquartered in Rochester Hills, Mich.


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HONOR SCORES
300 Games
Date, Name, Hometown, Center, League
April 23, Thomas Hoelzle, Troy, Five Star Lanes, Job Shop
April 23, Gregory Gumtow, Clarkston, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Dixie All Stars
April 23, Michael Lieberman, West Bloomfield, Country Lanes, Brotherhood E-Jacobson
April 23, Claudio Lopez, Berkley, Airway Lanes, Monday Doubles
April 24, Kenneth White, Roseville, Astro Lanes, Tuesday Goodtimers
April 25, Kiel Cartwright, Farmington, Plaza Lanes, Great 8 Invitational
April 25, Eric Tulley, Southfield, Plaza Lanes, Great 8 Invitational
April 26, Kaine Parden, West Bloomfield, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Waterford Men’s
April 27, Rodney Morrow, Southfield, Hazel Park Bowl, Hamtramck Singles Classic
April 28, Dana Bray, Warren, Plum Hollow Lanes, LTB & Frenz Mixed
April 28, Veronica Tubbs, Ferndale, Plum Hollow Lanes, LTB & Frenz Mixed
April 30, John Lingenfelter, Center Line, Bowl One Lanes, Senior Singles
May 5, Kristopher Farley, Royal Oak, Five Star Lanes, Five Star Stingers
May 6, Ryan VanHecke, Sterling Hts., Hazel Park Bowl, Hamtramck Quad


800 Series
Date, Name (Score), Hometown, Center, League
April 23, Eric Light (801), Livonia, Novi Bowl, Monday Junior House
April 23, Claudio Lopez (805), Berkley, Airway Lanes, Monday Doubles
April 24, John Robertson (805), Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Invitational Shootout




Mark Martin writes a weekly bowling column for The Oakland Press and is the association manager of the Metro Detroit USBC Association. He can be reached at (248) 443-2695, faxed at (248) 443-2690 or e-mailed at mark.martin@mdusbc.com.