Column: PBA to kick off second half-century with new programs

The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) will kick off its second half-century in August with another wave of new programs, beginning with the all-new PBA World Series of Bowling and featuring a 14-city journey that will result in 23 Sunday afternoon television shows on ESPN, according to a news release.

The PBA World Series of Bowling gets the season started with an all-new festival of competition featuring five solid weeks of PBA Tour, PBA Women’s Series and PBA Senior Tour competition -- all in the Metro Detroit area -- capped by two days of TV finals on Sept. 5 and 6. The Lumber Liquidation PBA Tour then hits the road for the second half of its season, traveling to popular bowling markets from coast to coast.

Following are the dates of the finals of each tournament during the second half of the season.

* Jan. 10, Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles, Medford, Ore.; Jan. 17, Earl Anthony Memorial and PBA Women’s Series, Dublin, Calif.; Jan. 24, PBA Tournament of Champions, Las Vegas, Nev.; Jan. 31, Dick Weber Open, Fountain Valley, Calif.

* Feb. 14, USBC Masters, Reno, Nev.; Feb. 21, Omaha Classic, Omaha, Neb.; Feb. 28, 67th Lumber Liquidators US Open, Indianapolis.

* March 7, PBA Don Johnson Eliminator, Columbus, Ohio; March 21, PBA Match Play Championship, Norwich, Conn.; March 28, Mark Roth Classic Ball Championship, Babylon, N.Y.

* April 4, PBA Marathon Open, Baltimore, Md.; April 8 (tentative), PBA Experience Showdown, Arlington, Texas; April 8 (tentative), PBA Women’s Series Showdown, Arlington, Texas.

It would be wise to check your local TV listings each week for the times of the finals each Sunday on ESPN.

The Louisiana State USBC Bowling Association 64th Annual Championship Tournament is history and following are the bowlers from New Iberia who placed in the final standings.

Singles handicap: Sean Rose, 723; Eddie Chretien, 705; Jody Hebert, 687; Lance Guillotte, 685; Jared Romero, 676; Bill Russell, 672.

Doubles handicap: Sean Rose and Bill Russell, 1374; Lance Guillotte and Earl Thibodeaux, 1320.

All-events handicap: Keith Dauterive, 2114; Sean Rose, 2096; Lance Guillotte, 2077; Elwood Louviere, 1997.

Team Handicap: Tabasco, 3438; Sugar Cane, 3412.

All-events scratch: Keith Dauterive, 1946.

The 2009 tournament was held in the Shreveport/Bossier City area and the 2010 event will be in Houma.

Bowlers and non-bowlers alike can help bowling’s charitable efforts and receive a tax deduction by donating their used car or other vehicles to The Bowling Foundation, according to a news release.

The process is hassle free with pick up or towing available at no charge anywhere in the U.S. All vehicles will be accepted whether they are running are not, including cars, trucks, boats, recreation vehicles, motorcycles, jet skis, snowmobiles and even airplanes.

Vehicle donation will help the Bowling Foundation support its many charities and projects, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Foundation, Bowlers Veterans Link, Special Olympics, Big Brothers/Big Sisters.

To donate your vehicle, visit www.donationline.com or call 1-(877) 227-7487 ext. 2439. Be sure to have your title with you.

Two upcoming tournaments for the lady bowlers will be the 2009 Louisiana State USBC WBA Senior Tournament to be held Oct. 24-25 at Lafayette Lanes and the 2010 state tournament to be held at Don Carter All Star Lanes in Baton Rouge.

I will have more information on these tournaments in an upcoming column.

DICKIE BROUSSARD is the bowling writer for The Daily Iberian.