Rick Stiebel/News Gazette staff
Langford Lanes set ‘em up and knocked ‘em down in fine fashion during its inaugural hosting of the B.C. Seniors’ Tenpin Bowling Championships.
Vancouver Island bowlers dominated the tournament, with 10 Island bowlers earning 10 of 12 places on the B.C. team slated to compete at the National Seniors’ Bowling Championships in Reno, Nevada next summer.
Hazel McLeary, a member of the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and a long-time local tenpin supporter, rolled out the ceremonial opening ball for the tournament, which took place on Oct. 28.
Victorians Keith McDougall, Francis Kremler, Paul Taylor and Clay White will join Karen Smith, Dolly Rafferty and Bob Orchin from Duncan Lanes on the B.C. team.
Dorothy Orr from Nanaimo, Shirley Focht and Mary Berkenstock from Campbell River, and Vancouverites Christine Westerberg and Miles Nerona will round out the team headed to Reno.
White took first place in the singles event, followed by Orchin and Kremler. Paul Simpson, George Jenson, Mike Barber, Jack Walker and Taylor all placed in the top 11 on the money list.
Taylor and Westerberg captured the doubles title, with Grant Thompson and Orr placing second. Jim Birtwistle and Simpson, White and Les Hume and John Radleja and Keith Ranger rounded out the top five.
Taylor, assistant manager for the tournament, said Barker did a terrific job of putting the event together. “We had a great turnout of bowlers from the Island and mainland,” Taylor said. “The staff and management at Langford Lanes were co-operative and helpful, and it’s a nice venue as well.”
The 12 spots on the B.C. team include six each for men and women in the categories of age 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, and 75 and older.
Team members must pay their own expenses to Reno this summer. If any of the dozen selected choose not to go, the opportunity is given to whoever is next in the standings.