by Danny Perry
Member bowlers converge on Wilkes-Barre for its Third Annual All-Association Bowling Tournament.
United Spinal Association sponsors several bowling programs throughout the year for its member groups, and each year a number of these groups compete in the Association’s bowling tournament. This year, which marks the fourth year of the tournament, it was held on March 11 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Thirty-seven members competed in the adaptive tournament, including a group from Buffalo and a group from Philadelphia, both of whom bowled at satellite locations. The tournament had several divisions, most of which used adaptive equipment, allowing bowlers to compete against other individuals with similar degrees of mobility impairment. Each participant bowled two games with their composite score determining their standing. The top three competitors in each division won trophies.
The Manual Open was the most competitive division, having 13 bowlers in all participating. In the end, Lebanon bowler Joe Dunn separated himself from the pack and captured the first place trophy with a score of 295. Buffalo bowlers Jim Dunbar and Tom Lutz had solid performances, taking home second and third place trophies
with scores of 245 and 236 respectively.
The Ramp division (60+) saw 11 bowlers competing for the first place trophy. The Castle Point group, which had 11 bowlers competing in the tournament themselves, dominated the division, taking home all three trophies. Ed Horvat had an outstanding showing and ran away from the field with a score of 426. For second place, Donald Plunkett, who scored 306, edged out Paul Smith who settled for the third place trophy after bowling a combined scored of 302.
Complete Bowling Standings
Manual Open
1- Joe Dunn (Lebanon group): score of 295
2- Jim Dunbar (Buffalo group): score of 245
3- Tom Lutz (Buffalo Group): score of 236
Ramp (60+)
1- Ed Horvat (Castle Point): score of 426
2-Donald Plunkett (Castle Point): score of 306
3- Paul Smith (Castle Point): score of 302
Handle Ball
1- Joe Russell (Buffalo): score of 219
2- Mike Wilson (Buffalo): score of 218
3- Mike Maley (Buffalo): score of 186
Manual Novice
1- David Kagels (Buffalo): score of 180
2- Bonnie Sampsell- (Independent): score of 93
Manual Quad
1- Larry Grainger (Castle Point): score of 183
2- George Zawacki (Buffalo): score of 127
Ramp
1- Mike Hicks (Castle Point): score of 329
2- Gloria Brown (Philadelphia): score of 239
3- Jimmy Lewis (Philadelphia): score of 201
Push Stick
1- Paul O’ Hora (Wilkes-Barre): score of 250
2- Parcel Wheeler (Wilkes-Barre): score of 207
Danny Perry is a Public Affairs Officer.
