Local lanes to host state tournament

~ Play will take place on weekends in Cape Girardeau and Jackson, beginning Feb. 24 and ending May 6.

You know the moment of anticipation from the time the bowling ball is released until the time it hits the pins.

The local organizers for the state's open bowling championship have been stuck in that spot for a few months now. The anticipation finally is near an end.

The Missouri State USBC Association Open Championships will begin Feb. 24 at West Park Lanes in Cape Girardeau and Main Street Lanes in Jackson. The tournament will continue each weekend through May 6, breaking only for Easter weekend.

Anywhere between 2,500 and 4,000 bowlers are expected to compete -- and bring their families to Southeast Missouri.

"It's going to be a pretty big thing," said Darryl James, manager of West Park Lanes. "It's going to be an interesting tournament, and there will be a lot of people in town."

The tournament actually is three in one with competition for a team championship, a doubles title and a singles crown. The scoring includes handicapped, and men and women both can compete in the event.

West Park will host the singles and doubles events, while Main Street Lanes will host the team tournament. Each event consists of bowling a three-game series to score.

This will mark the first time the state tournament has been played in the area.

"We've been working in it for seven, eight years," James said. "We had to get the right combination of lanes. We almost had it before."

The state tournament can be played at a house with 40 lanes or two houses that can commit a combination of 24 and 16 lanes.

The Cape Girardeau USBC Bowling Association landed the tournament a couple of years ago and began making preparations in earnest last June. The local organizers still aren't certain how many bowlers will take part. Due to the icy weather that has swept through the state this winter, the deadline was extended to Wednesday. Any USBC member interested in playing can check out www.mousbc.org or contact tournament director Bill Hargraves at billharg@hotmail.com<I> or (816) 718-1916.

The tournament could give bowlers a chance to lock heads with some of Missouri's professional bowlers who have participated in the event in the past.

In addition, the opening weekend will include ceremonies with a color guard, national anthem, a prayer, and words from each mayor at each house. Each bowling shift -- noon and 4 p.m. on Saturdays; 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sundays -- will begin with the national anthem.

The Cape association, which likely will be represented by several teams in the tournament, also is seeking volunteers to assist in conducting the event. Those interested in serving as scorekeepers or helping at concessions can contact the association's secretary/treasurer, Bob Hardy, at 243-8012.

There is no admission charge for spectators.