State bowling tournament taking place in Cape, Jackson

More than 2,500 women will enter the city limits of Cape Girardeau and Jackson over the next eight weekends for a bowling tournament that dates back to the 1940s.

Despite its long history, the Missouri State Women's Championship Bowling Tournament is being held in Cape Girardeau County for the first time.

West Park Lanes in Cape Girardeau was never before able to host the tournament, because it requires there be two bowling centers with a minimum of 20 lanes each. The requirement was met when Main Street Lanes in Jackson opened a few years ago.

"This is a chance for women all over the state, of any [bowling] average, to compete in a state tournament environment," said tournament director Glenda Fry. "We have divisions; they can compete against people of their own caliber."

Organizers and competitors gathered Friday at the tournament's opening ceremony, where Cape Girardeau VFW Post 3838 posted the flag and bowlers sang the national anthem. They also honored those who've battled cancer with a moment of silence, because this year's tournament is "Celebrating Life, Striking Out Cancer."

Nancy Wood, front, of the team Up Your Alley from Buckhorn, Mo., lines up her shot as Lisa Dickerson of Moberly, Mo., takes her turn Sunday at West Park Lanes. The ladies are competing in the Missouri State Women's Championship Bowling Tournament, which runs through May 9. This is the first year the championship has come to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson bowling alleys. (LAURA SIMON)

"It doesn't make a difference who you are, cancer has touched every one of our lives one way or another," said Sheila Allen, Cape Girardeau Women's Bowling Association president.

The tournament, which will end with five winners, one for each division, is special to the association.

"It's a big boost to the community," she said. "We just work exceedingly hard. It takes over a year to plan in order for everything to come together."

Most of the women, Allen said, enjoy traveling and being paired up with other bowlers whose scores mirror their own.

A number of women have been participating in the tournament for more than 40 years and simply enjoy the competition.

"I enjoy the people more than anything, you get to meet women from all over the state," Fry said.

"I just really support the sport of bowling and always have."

To learn about the tournament and the Missouri Bowling Association, visit www.mousbc.org.

ehevern@semissourian.com

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