Jeanne Naccarato proves leader of the "Band of Bowling Sisters" during Golden Ladies Classic By Dick Evans
03/17/09
Famous historical writer Stephen Ambrose made famous the E Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne in his "Band of Brothers" book about its many battles from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest during World War II.
I won't make them famous, but I want to write about a "Band of Bowling Sisters" who competed in the 19th National Golden Ladies Classic at the Orleans Hotel/Casino's bowling center March 9-12.
This particular "Band of Bowling Sisters" consisted of 71 bowlers, ranging in age from 50 into their 70s.
They were there to do battle because they all love bowling and what it has meant in their lives.
Many were friends from days on tour or from bowling in Jeanette Robinson's Golden Ladies Classic for years.
Most came realizing that their bodies were not ready to bowl 10 games the first day, 11 games the second if they made the cut and another 11 games the third day.
And then there were the stepladder finals for the top five on the fourth day.
To say that these were bowling warriors was an understatement. Most had practiced little outside of their three league games a week back home.
What made things even tougher was the fact that strikes were tough to string and that meant a bunch of two-shot frames in every game.
Maybe Vesma Grinfelds, a Hall of Fame tour bowler in her younger years, said it best when she said:
"I was personally happy to have made the finals and am grateful that Pam Lawrence let me use her 'Bandit' to hold my forearm together. I guess that is what makes part of this tournament so neat: most everyone helps everyone else knowing the difficulties of enduring the number of games when most of us only bowl 3 or 6 games a week. Boy, will I sleep well tonight."
They all should have slept well because they fought a good fight and they all finished the course with the help of rivals who acted like sisters and shared pain ointment, aspirins and some arm/ hand/ leg devices.
If they didn't have the right remedy in their bowling bags, they would drive the rival down to Walgreens.
Oh yes, a few even got some TLC and a few quick rubdowns between games from their hubbies.
In my opinion, there were no losers in this 'Band of Bowling Sisters' epic but there were winners.
The championship match came down to old tour roommates and former doubles champions together – Jeanne Naccarato and Robin Romeo.
Jeanne beat her fellow Hall of Fame rival by a 206-175 score. Sandy Postma finished third, Char Hammel fourth and Lil Johnson fifth.
Andi Whitlock won the Seniors Division title and Virginia Norton captured the second-chance event.
The cashers split the $13,600 prize fund that included added money from Storm and The Orleans.
All the bowlers donated to buy a 80th birthday cake and necklace for Jeanette Robinson. The charm, inscribed "Jeanette" on one side and "Golden Ladies Founder" on the other, was given to Jeanette during the traditional Tuesday night cocktail party.
"I was extremely happy with the tournament, mainly because of the comments of the participants. I am wearing my nice award around my neck right now," Jeanette said.
It also must be stated that many in the 'Band of Bowling Sisters' found the strike zone in the casino during the four-day event and did their share of cashing. After all, one of the attractions of the tournament is The Orleans' casino.
The 20th Golden Ladies Classic will be held March 8-11 in 2010.
Email address: Evans121@aol.com
United States
Famous historical writer Stephen Ambrose made famous the E Company, 506th Regiment of the 101st Airborne in his "Band of Brothers" book about its many battles from Normandy to Hitler's Eagle's Nest during World War II.I won't make them famous, but I want to write about a "Band of Bowling Sisters" who competed in the 19th National Golden Ladies Classic at the Orleans Hotel/Casino's bowling center March 9-12.
This particular "Band of Bowling Sisters" consisted of 71 bowlers, ranging in age from 50 into their 70s.
They were there to do battle because they all love bowling and what it has meant in their lives.
Many were friends from days on tour or from bowling in Jeanette Robinson's Golden Ladies Classic for years.
Most came realizing that their bodies were not ready to bowl 10 games the first day, 11 games the second if they made the cut and another 11 games the third day.
And then there were the stepladder finals for the top five on the fourth day.
To say that these were bowling warriors was an understatement. Most had practiced little outside of their three league games a week back home.
What made things even tougher was the fact that strikes were tough to string and that meant a bunch of two-shot frames in every game.
Maybe Vesma Grinfelds, a Hall of Fame tour bowler in her younger years, said it best when she said:
"I was personally happy to have made the finals and am grateful that Pam Lawrence let me use her 'Bandit' to hold my forearm together. I guess that is what makes part of this tournament so neat: most everyone helps everyone else knowing the difficulties of enduring the number of games when most of us only bowl 3 or 6 games a week. Boy, will I sleep well tonight."
They all should have slept well because they fought a good fight and they all finished the course with the help of rivals who acted like sisters and shared pain ointment, aspirins and some arm/ hand/ leg devices.
If they didn't have the right remedy in their bowling bags, they would drive the rival down to Walgreens.
Oh yes, a few even got some TLC and a few quick rubdowns between games from their hubbies.
In my opinion, there were no losers in this 'Band of Bowling Sisters' epic but there were winners.
The championship match came down to old tour roommates and former doubles champions together – Jeanne Naccarato and Robin Romeo.
Jeanne beat her fellow Hall of Fame rival by a 206-175 score. Sandy Postma finished third, Char Hammel fourth and Lil Johnson fifth.
Andi Whitlock won the Seniors Division title and Virginia Norton captured the second-chance event.
The cashers split the $13,600 prize fund that included added money from Storm and The Orleans.
All the bowlers donated to buy a 80th birthday cake and necklace for Jeanette Robinson. The charm, inscribed "Jeanette" on one side and "Golden Ladies Founder" on the other, was given to Jeanette during the traditional Tuesday night cocktail party.
"I was extremely happy with the tournament, mainly because of the comments of the participants. I am wearing my nice award around my neck right now," Jeanette said.
It also must be stated that many in the 'Band of Bowling Sisters' found the strike zone in the casino during the four-day event and did their share of cashing. After all, one of the attractions of the tournament is The Orleans' casino.
The 20th Golden Ladies Classic will be held March 8-11 in 2010.
Email address: Evans121@aol.com