The coveted 800 mark was also reached by Don Halbach who blasted an 801 series on games of 256, 279 and 266. In addition to Secord’s 300 game perfection was achieved by Roger Behnke who rifled two 300’s. Marv Korb and Paul Tetzlaff hammered two more outstanding 300 games. Just missing perfection were Jerry Hintz, John Klement and Jerry Riley with exciting 299 games and Robert Asencio with a 296. Other excellent high games were rolled by Joe Schroeder 289, Norb Wetzel 289, Ben Bengel 288 and Roger Jewson 287.

There were many other huge scores shot during the season in addition to the two 800’s and five 300’s. One hundred-nine 700’s were rolled including eleven by Roger Behnke (high 771); nine by Norb Wetzel (high 793); nine by Jerry Hintz (high 750); eight by Chuck Schuette (high 752); seven by Denny Schabel (high 776); seven by Roger Jewson (high 746) and seven by Don Halbach (high 730). Other bowlers who had multiple 700’s and also broke thru the 750 mark were: Dave King with 780, Larry Secord with 763 and Ralph Kleinhans with 752. Lorin Orvis, who at 80 years young, kept rolling along pounding out series of 729, 707 and 696 along with a 278 game, consistently beating up on his “youngster” competitors in the senior leagues.

The high average in the Monday Pizzaville Senior Men’s League at Ledgeview Lanes went to Chuck Schuette with a 212 followed closely by Denny Schabel, who charged in the final weeks to nearly loft himself into the lead. Jerry Binotto was also just short of taking the lead. Both Schabel and Binotto both had 212 averages but came up a few hundredths of a point short to the mathematician and bowling magician, Schuette. League champions, who cuffed and stuffed their competition were, “A Cop and the Mobsters”, composed of Roger Behnke (the cop), Joe Ciofani, Ray Gulbrand, Bill Ryan, and John Klement.

The high average in the Wednesday Personal Touch/Pizzaville Senior Men’s League was a gripping 217 achieved by Larry Secord. League champions were “Poo and the Gang” composed of Ralph Kleinhans (Poo), Doc Hanson, John Kryzanowski and Dennis Lautenschlager.

The Tuesday Boda’s Senior Mixed League at Ledgeveiw Lanes high average bowler for the men was Norb Wetzel with an impressive 223 average. The high woman bowler was Nancy Tobey who carried a 190 average. For the third year in row the league champions were the “Gabes and Wags” team composed of Leo and Frieda Goebel and Jerry and Genny Wagner.

Other senior leagues reporting included the Karl Ray Lanes Friday Senior Mixed League whose most improved female bowler was league secretary extraordinaire Judy Ciofani. Judy’s hubby, Joe, (the Italian Stallion), was the most improved bowler for the men and also was the high male bowler with an average of 199. The high woman bowler was Nancy Tobey with a 182 average. The “Gabes and Wags” team displayed endurance, versatility and perseverance as they continued to roll along to also be crowned champions of this league.

The women senior bowlers posted some excellent scores during the season as well. Nineteen 600’s were cranked out including Jackie Luedke’s women’s high series of 664 which included the high game of 269. Other women bowlers who rolled 600 series’ included: Nancy Tobey with nine (high 660 ; Marlene Perry 654, 639; Carol Wetzel 640, 610, 601; Sandy Binotto 626, 625, 612 and Sandy Hanson 604.

Have a great summer!

George S. Kulas

All bowlers in the senior leagues are equally competitive. Handicap levels the playing field and provides a vehicle for bowlers to compete both individually and as part of a team. It doesn’t matter if one has a 200 average or a 100 average handicap equalizes all averages. The United States Bowling Congress (USBC) recommends leagues give bowlers 100% handicap of the difference between their game average and that of the league’s set game average (approximately the highest average in the league). Thus if the set average is 200 a bowler with a 100 average would receive 100 pins handicap per game and if he/she shot a 100 game the net score would be 200. A 200 average bowler would receive no handicap and would have to bowl their average (200 scratch) just to tie the score.

Actually, the higher ones average the more difficult it is for a bowler to shoot because there is a lot less room for error. Many times the teams and individuals at the top of a handicap league’s leader boards are those that bowl consistently close to their average and now and then get “hot”. For example, a 100 average bowler who bowls a 201 game would have their handicap of 100 pins added to that score resulting in a 301 game a score impossible for any of the “hot shots” (scratch bowlers) to obtain. Currently one senior league’s top three individual games with handicap are 335, 310 and 304. The individual and team handicaps are also added to scores in determining end of season individual and team high games and series awards.

Recent example of bowlers using their handicaps based on a 210 set score to obliterate their opponents include: Gladys Lamers who, at 91 years young, averages 113 bowled a 150 game with 97 pins handicap resulting in an excellent 247 game. Retired Reverend Stan Hayes, age 88, averages 83 and fired a 119 for a net game with 127 handicap of 246.

Most senior bowlers participate in the leagues because they enjoy the friendly atmosphere. To them their scores, either scratch or with handicap, are not that important. Many of the bowlers have the same attitude as did Vern Wendt and Fred Baldwin two prolific yet modest Fond du Lac all-star senior bowlers who often downplayed their success by commenting, “It’s just a number” in reply to congratulations from fellow keglers on their firing a high series or game.

Still, shooting a nice scratch score or witnessing one is always an exciting experience. Marv Korb provided some of that excitement on February 8th at Ledgeview Lanes in the Pizzaville Sr. League when he laid down 12 accurate pocket hit shots resulting in a perfect 300 game and becoming only the third senior league bowler to reach that coveted milestone this season.

While the big guns continue to shoot big numbers some, who were lying in wait, finally have come out of hiding firing barrages of rockets to the pocket blasting out nice scores to include: Doc Hanson’s 740; Gerald Shady’s 729 series; Ben Bengel’s 727; Joe Ciofani’s 710; Joe Schroeder’s 707 with a 289 game; John Kryzanowski’s 706 with a 279; Elmer Hintz’s 702; Dan Wyrobeck’s 700; Roger Jewson’s 699 with a 287; Bill Ryan’s 698 with a 279; John Klement’s 279; Paul Tetzlaff’s 278; Sandy Binotto’s 255, which is the high game thus far this season for the senior women; Marlene Perry’s sparkling 639 series; Fritz Wiesner’s 583 and Sarah Wetzel’s 552.

We were very saddened with the passing of Fond du Lac’s bowling icon and pioneer Frank M. Hilbert Sr. who passed away on February 16, 2010. Our condolences go out to his entire family.

George S. Kulas

Then, on Dec. 21 at Ledgeview Lanes, “The Don,” Don Halbach, used his Storm Rapid Fire ball to blaze an outstanding 801 series on games of 256, 279 and 266.
“I’ve been bowling for 50 years, and this was my first 800,” said Halbach, a mink rancher from New Holstein. “I wasn’t nervous at all after my second game. My partners, Chuck Schuette, Elmer Deitte, Gerry Bonlander and Dennis Lautenschlager, are fun to bowl with, and we always keep each other relaxed.

“Besides, I had a lot on my mind because my 5-year-old grandson was going through his fifth chemo treatment that day for a brain tumor.”
Tearing up a bit and putting things in perspective, Don said, “I wasn’t thinking about bowling; I was thinking about my grandson. I was talking quite a bit with my partner, Elmer Deitte, about him. You know, Elmer is 86, and he’s such a pleasure to be around.

“I didn’t even count right. I ran the first eight strikes the last game and then spared a 10-pin in the ninth. I thought if I struck out in the (10th) I’d end up with a 798 series so I thought I couldn’t make 800 anyway.

“The first ball in the 10 I left the 3-9 “railroad” and picked it up. On my final shot, I left the nine pin and someone yelled 801! I couldn’t believe it.”
Three times previous to the 801, Don shot 779 including a second-place finish in the 2005 state senior tournament. He has fired two 300 games, with his last one coming in 1985.

This season Don has had some other excellent scores, blasting series of 726, 710 and 707 while averaging an admirable 208.
The day after Halbach’s gem, Ledgeview Lanes erupted again as Roger “Chief” Behnke lit up the lanes with his eighth career 300 game on the way to an outstanding 741 series.

Just six days later, Behnke returned to Ledgeview to shoot an astonishing 771 series.
Behnke, a retired city of Fond du Lac police officer, ex-Marine and senior bowling all-star, has been cuffing and stuffing his competition all season long by sharp-shooting the pins with additional series of 727, 725 702 and 698.

While Secord and Halbach have reached the coveted 800 mark, the high 700 series belongs to Dennis Schabel with his gripping 776 series.
“The King” has lofted out other fine scores this season, including series of 705 and 700 with a high game of 279.
Ralph Kleinhans, the retired UPS boss, waited until Dec. 23 before delivering his Christmas package — a sizzling 752 series along with a 279 game — and a week later he wheeled a fine 704.

Jerry Hintz, (cousin of Terry), has hammered a searing 299 game as well as games of 279, 278 and 275. Jerry blistered the lanes with amazing series of 750, 722, 715, 712, 708 and 707 this season.

Chuck Schuette, “The Coach,” has been putting on a full-court press on his competitors while blasting series of 742, 702, 699 and 690 along with a 278 game.
Norb Wetzel, “The Pro,” is again the most consistent senior league bowler with a high average of 221.

Wetzel, a Fond du Lac Bowling Association all-star and hall of famer, has shot series this season of 729, 712, 711, 708 and 705 with a pair of 279 games.
Schuette, Secord, Schabel Behnke, and Hintz are not far behind Wetzel’s average, carrying remarkable averages of 213, 213, 212, 212 and 211, respectively.
With only half the bowling season completed, the men of the senior leagues have fired some red-hot scores. The lanes now have extra extinguishers in place because at the current pace something is going to catch on fire during a senior league session.

Just past the midway point of the senior men’s bowling season there have been two 800’s, 60 700’s, 21 690’s, Behnke’s two 300’s and exciting 299’s rolled by Jerry Riley and Jerry Hintz.

Although these numbers are outstanding for any set of bowling leagues, they are particularly impressive considering the ages of the bowlers who are posting them.

The ages in the senior leagues range from 55 to 94, with the average for both men and women being 74. Still, many of the higher-aged keglers are at the top of the leaderboards.

Lorin Orvis is a prime example of an older fellow beating up on the “youngsters” in the leagues. At age 80, Lorin this season has hammered out series of 729, 707 and 696 along with a high game of 278.

Orvis, who retired in 1994 after 43½ years (he emphasizes the half year) with Wisconsin Power & Light, is averaging an outstanding 200. Mr. Smooth, Orvis makes it look easy as he delivers to the pocket accurate pin- scattering strikes.

Phil Laugenecker, age 94, didn’t start bowling until he was 68. Originally from the Theresa area, Laugenecker, who ran a farm implement business, was too busy working to take time out to bowl.

Now, Laugenecker is the grand pappy of the men’s senior leagues in Fond du Lac. Born in 1915, Phil recalls the tough years of the Great Depression when he considered himself lucky to make $3.50 a week, an amount that would now only cover half of his league’s bowling fee. Already this year Phil has rolled a 522 series and a 201 game.

The “senior” woman senior bowler is Gladys Lamers, who, at 90 years young, carries a very respectful 123 average. Gladys Birschbach at 84 is carrying a remarkable 150 average and has fired a 546 series and a 211 game this season.

Katie Groeschl, 83, has bowled like she skis — with skill and tenacity — and has slammed out an impressive 494 series while averaging 146 at Karl Ray Lanes.

At 80, Donna Klintworth is averaging 140 with a high series of 503 while at age 80 Charlene Ollerman is averaging 144 and shot a 501 series with a 208 game.

The “Queen” of the women senior bowlers is Nancy Tobey. The perennial all-star and powerful kegler, Tobey this season has fired rockets to the pocket producing series of 651, 628, 619, 611 606, 604, 599 and 594 with high games of 236, 235 232, 221 220 and 215 while averaging 190.

Carol Wetzel has also been on a roll with high series of 640, 610 along with games of 245, 241, 225, 223 and 213 while averaging 174.

Sandy Binotto has shot a terrific 625 series and has blasted a high game of 245. Sandy Hanson (wife of Doc) ripped a 604 and has high games of 238, 220 and 216.

Marlene Perry has the two highest games in the women’s senior leagues with games of 254 and 247 while rolling series of 596 and 586.

Other women senior bowlers with nice series and/or games include: Joann Vey, 593 and 580 with games of 229 and 225; Jeanette Messner, 572; Jane Thomas, 567; Shirley Abler, 566; Patti Uttendorfer, 563, 551 along with games of 227 and 222; Marion Roghair, 550 with a 220 game; Marlene Mossong with a 222 game; and Rosie Hernandez with a 215 game.

The Fond du Lac senior bowlers, like vintage wines, just keep improving with age.

— George Kulas can be reached at geokulas@charter.net.

Div 1 Winner Linda Bard

Div 2 Winner Verna Mae Immel

Div 3 Winner Michaele Nimmer

Doubles Winners Linda Bard & Lori Muentner

]]> http://www.fdlbowl.com/women%e2%80%99s-singles-scratch-tournament/feed/ 0 http://www.fdlbowl.com/secord-rolls-record-series/ http://www.fdlbowl.com/secord-rolls-record-series/#comments Sun, 29 Nov 2009 18:07:17 +0000 Braunie69 http://www.fdlbowl.com/?p=1624 By George Kulas

When Larry Secord walked into Parkway Bowling Lanes on Wednesday carrying his Ebonite “The One” bowling ball, little did he know that by the time he left he would be “The One.”

At 74 years young, Secord is now the one with the highest three-game series ever rolled by a senior league bowler in Fond du Lac.

Secord hammered out the record 859 series on games of 300, 279 and 280 in the Personal Touch/Pizzaville Senior League.

“It’s pretty hard to believe,” said Secord, a lifelong Fond du Lac resident.

“Thirty four out of 36 strikes is something you never think is going to happen, you know, in a three-game series.

“They turned the lanes on in practice for free bowling, and I had like four or five in a row.

“I said, ‘I’m not going to waste any more; that’s enough.’ I went into the first game, and they just kept coming.”

According to the USBC Fond du Lac Bowling Association 2008-09 Yearbook, there are five other bowlers ahead of Secord and one tied with him, but those were rolled in non-senior leagues.

Here are the top six scores in the FBA: Jon Gross, 888; Carey Slater and Kelly Thomas, 878; Brian Burgess, 868; Mark Marschall, 867; and Steve Kocos and Secord, 859.

Kocos was on the senior all-star team for 2008-09, but his 859 series came March 24 in the L & R Construction Business Early, a non-senior league.

Kocos was the only other senior in the top seven.

In the pocket on every shot, Secord struck 34 times out of a possible 36. Secord would have become a co-world record holder with a 900 series had those two pocket hits struck.

Not many bowlers noticed Secord’s start to his first game until around the seventh frame when word was passed down that “Secord’s got the first seven.”

After rolling his ninth strike, anticipation grew, and other bowlers’ attention turned to lanes seven and eight. His demeanor didn’t seem to change as he calmly approached the lane for each of his three shots in the 10th frame.

Secord said that Ray Serwe, a horseshoe throwing partner, calmed him down going into the 10th frame when he came over and said to him, “Think like you’re throwing horseshoes — just enjoy it.”

Secord did enjoy it as he fired solid rockets to the pocket amid cheers from other league members on his first two strikes in the 10th.

When he struck on his final shot for the perfect 300 gem, thunderous cheers and applause rang out in the building after which Larry was inundated with wholehearted handshakes from his cohorts. Larry previously bowled a high game of 299, and he was ecstatic to finally get his first 300, which according to the United States Bowling Congress the odds of shooting are 11,500 to 1.

But the day wasn’t over as Secord strung strikes in the first four frames (a hambone), and observation once again returned to his shots. After leaving and then converting the 10-pin in the fifth frame, Secord struck out to finish with a whopping 279 game.

Again, handshakes and congratulations surrounded the calm, relaxed Secord, and word spread that a 221 game would give him the coveted 800 series — a score much more difficult to achieve than a 300 game and one that the many bowlers will never attain.

While a 221 game itself is difficult to shoot for many good bowlers, it could be that much more difficult with the added pressure of knowing shooting it would result in a lifetime achievement.

It looked like Larry was going to run them out again as he started the third game with a strike. Then a stubborn seven pin in the second frame stood, and it looked like the 221 would not come easy.

But his teammates — Larry Wetzel, Joe Schroeder and Elmer Hintz — helped keep him relaxed with small talk. Secord converted the spare and then went on to strike out finishing with a dazzling 280 game, resulting in a thunderous ovation from the entire league.

“It’s still unbelievable,” said Secord, who retired in 1995 from St. Agnes Hospital after 33 years as a painter. “I went there to the bowling alley relaxed, and they just came so easy that it was unbelievable.

“It’s something I never thought I’d reach.”

He has been bowling in the senior leagues for a little more than 10 years after coming off his second rotator cuff surgery in his bowling shoulder.

Secord has now set the standard for all senior league bowlers in Fond du Lac by cranking out an 859 series to earn the title of “The One.”

Buerger has five perfect games through the first eight weeks of league play, and is on pace to roll a mind-boggling 20 perfect games this season.

While the unofficial record is believed to be nine (Brian Burgess during the 1992/93 season), the only suspense left is when is he going to break the record and how many is he going to finish with for the 2009/10 season.

Buerger has also rolled a couple of 800 series this season with a high of 837 on October 8th that included a 299 and 300 game at Dan’s Village Bowl in Brownsville.

Buerger, who is averaging an impressive 241.46 in the American Family Insurance/Rock the House Classic league on Thursday night at DVB, looks to be a lock to make his third consecutive appearance on the FBA All-Star team.

“Jason is a great teammate (although he’s not on my team) and an all around good guy”, Kelly Thomas said (fellow keggler at DVB). “A very likeable guy. He has a unique style of bowling (with all that power) that other cannot imitate. He is secretly smart about the game and doesn’t flaunt his success (everyone else does it for him). He makes the game of bowling look easy”. 

Thomas was quick to point out the reason behind Buerger fast start this season. ” Consistency”, he said. “He bowls three nights a week (that helps). He has always been a great athlete, good in all sports”.

Buerger is using a three year old Hammer No Mercy ball. His normal line is up 14-18, not much belly, but a lot of power.  His first shot of each frame has been the key to his fast start. “I’ve never seen anybody try to make his first ball of every frame, the best ball that he has ever thrown,” Thomas said.

When asked what he more impressed with, Buerger’s power game or his accuracy, Thomas replied, “His power game. When he does miss his mark (not very often), he still has a chance with all that power behind his ball.”

While there is so much talent in the FBA, Buerger has quietly ascended himself to the top of the association. While he might not being paying attention to all his success, everyone else is watching his probable run into FBA history.

Wightman got an early start to his bowling career at West Side Lanes back in the early 1950’s. “I lived near West Side Lanes and my parents bowled  there a lot,” he said. “My interest in bowling grew from being at the lanes all the time.”

Wightman’s enjoyed the sport so much he took part of his time off on weekends from school to watch some of his idols. “I grew up watching the PBA on TV in those early days,” he said. “I always wanted to bowl as good as the pros.”

Wightman has some very impressive numbers on his FBA bowling resume. He has recorded sixth 800 series, fifteen 300 games, six 299 games, and one 298 game.

Wightman rolled his first and career best 800 series on Nov. 8, 2001 at Karl Ray Lanes when he rolled games of 256, 288, and 286 for an 830 series.

Wightman made the FBA Senior All-Star team in 2008 with an impressive 225 avg. He also made three appearances on the FBA’s All-Star Second team in 2000, 2002, and 2009.

Wightman has bowled in 14 USBC Championships. He had a great year in 1995 when he recorded a career best game of 264 and 721 series in Reno, NV.  He broke the 1800 barrier in 2000 in Albuquerque, NM when he rolled an all-events total of 1,820.

Wightman didn’t waste time when asked about his three favorite moments of bowling league in the FBA. “My first 300 game in 1993 is at the top,” he said. “Then my 830 series in 2001 and rolling back-to-back perfect games last season at Parkway Lanes.”

Wightman has always put team accomplishments ahead of individual honors and he was proud last season when his Tuesday night team almost broke the association scratch series record. “We came up four pins short of breaking the record,” he said. ” It was a night I will never forget. Afterward, everybody on the team was down a little bit (for not getting the record), but I was proud of how we bowled together as a team all night. Our series was the fifth highest in the nation last season.”

Sid Silcock, Tim Lemke, Tim Zorn, and Steve Kocos were teammates of Wightman’s that night.

Wightman has been a member of the Board of Directors of the FBA since 1995 and he went out on top in 2008/09 when he was President of the association.

Wightman has been an active member in the FBA since 1960. “This season will be my 50th year in the association,” he said.”The streak is not consecutive because I took time off to serve in the military and I missed a couple of year when my children were young.”

Wightman’s wife, Sandy, along with their children, Eric and Doug (daughter-in-law Meghan), and grandchildren, Sydney and Alexis were their to support and cheer Dave on. “It was so special to have my family and friends there during the ceremony.”

Even though it was Wightman’s night, he took some good old ribbing from his two sons.  “At my ceremony, my two sons presented me for induction, he said. ”They treated it like a “ROAST” and got some good zingers in on “Dear Old Dad” that night. It was a ton of laughs.”

McDermott just got done with his warm-ups when he was summoned by teammate Chip Gilgenbach to help get his equipment out of his vehicle.

“I was playing between the seventh and eighth board with my Track Rising,” he said. “I felt OK until Chip showed up at the end of practice and needed help getting into the trunk of his car. I changed out of my bowling shoes to go outside and help. After 10 minutes, we still couldn’t get into his vehicle, so we got Frank Hilbert to sub for us.

“That definitely took my mind off of bowling.”

The delay didn’t seem to bother McDermott as he opened the first game with nine consecutive strikes.

“I caught a couple of breaks early in the game,” he said. “I started to settle into a groove late in the game. I was rolling the ball well and thought 300 was a definite possibility.”

Things got a little dicey in the final frame as McDermott battled the pressure of a perfect game.

“When the 10th frame came around I was shaking in my shoes,” he said. “I missed wide right on the 11th shot, but it came back and carried a splash hit. I thought the pressure was off. But as I regrouped for the final shot, the nerves really kicked in.”

McDermott took some extra time before delivering the final shot.

“Off my hand, I thought it was going to be a decent shot. I must have set it down short cause it hooked hard on the front part of the lane and ran high leaving the Greek Church,” McDermott said. “I told my teammates afterward that I was more nervous going for 300 this time than any of my previous six perfect games. I think I just got a little too juiced up and wanted it too bad.”

With 539 going into his last game, McDermott had his eyes set on 800.

“I guess I was looking to redeem myself for the half-count 295 game,” he said. “I knew exactly what I needed, and I was focused on getting it.”

McDermott started the last game with a turkey and then spared a 10 pin in the fourth frame. He then ran the next five to set up the all-or-nothing 10th frame.

“I thought I needed the first two strikes for 800,” he said. “All three shots were stuffed. I was pretty pumped up after the second ball in the 10th. Afterward, I realized I only needed the first strike for 800.”

McDermott credits his ability to block out the last ball of the first game as the key to his series.

“I knew I needed to get back focused immediately,” he said. “There was a lot of good-natured ribbing coming my way for leaving the half-count. Maybe that helped me to get relaxed quickly and get back focused on the task at hand.”

McDermott’s big night, though, didn’t crack his top three favorite bowling moments.

“Winning team titles with Finnagan’s and Salty’s will always be at the top of my list,” he said. “My first 300 and 800 are right behind those championships.”

McDermott rolled a career high series of 820 in the same league in 2007.