Dana Miller-Mackie defeated Virginia Norton, 265-194, to win the 2010 Golden Ladies Classic, held at the Orleans Bowling Center March 8-11.

Miller-Mackie could not compete the first two years of her eligibility for the 50 and over event because it fell the same week as a high school event in the center she and her husband Steve run in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. She earned $2000 for the victory.

L-R Tournament Director Darryl Smith, Tournament Founder Jeanette Robinson, and champion Dana Miller-Mackie.

"I am so excited! It has been a while since I won a tournament. I've been practicing hard for this one because I believe you can keep improving no matter how old you get", she said. "My brother Michael gave me some good coaching, and I worked really hard, and Grace of God, I'm thrilled. This is a class tournament. Jeanette and her husband and the Orleans staff do a wonderful job, and she had a really good field. I am grateful and happy to win."

Dana's parents, former pro bowlers Dee and Gary Miller, who will celebrate their 60th anniversary this year, were on hand to watch.

Norton, who served as tournament director before she became eligible to bowl, was also happy about the event. "I am pleased with the way I bowled," she said. "I stayed focused throughout the event. Dana bowled so well. I wasn't about to give it to her, but it would have been a shame if she didn't win after leading by so much. This was a tough field; a lot of Hall of Famers, and it turned out great. Jeanette and everybody here at the Orleans treated us well and did a great job."

In the title match, Miller-Mackie started with the front eight strikes before leaving a pocket 7-10 split. "The way she bowled all week, I thought she would shoot 300," said Norton. Miller Mackie averaged 232.8 for the 33 games leading up to the stepladder finals.

In prior finals matches, Norton defeated Carole Jones, 248-245, and Paula Vidad, 221-204. In the opening match, Vidad defeated Robin Romeo, 234-227.

The GLC was founded by Jeanette Robinson at the famous Showboat Lanes in 1991, when she was 61, and she is still going strong today.

"When we started this, I never had any doubt it would keep going," said Robinson. "I thought then and now that these ladies deserve good competition. It's what keep them going, and keeps them coming; so it is no surprise to me that we are still around after 20 years. It also helps to have a great husband and a great staff, and as you know, I do".

Robinson's husband Dick Porter and Tournament Director Darryl Smith keep the event running up to Robinson's high standard.

Last year's champion, Jeanne Naccarato, withdrew in the first round of qualifying with a knee injury. The event drew a record field of 80 players.

 

20th Annual International Golden Ladies Classic Tournament

The Orleans Hotel, Casino, and Bowling Center Las Vegas, NV - March 8-11, 2010

50-59 Division - Stepladder finals
1. Dana Miller-Mackie, Rio Rancho, N.M., 265 (1 game), $2,000
2. Virginia Norton, Cypress, Calif., 663 (3 games), $1,150
3. Carole Jones, Englewood, Colo., 245 (1 game), $700
4. Paula Vidad, Crestline, Calif., 439 (2 games), $500
5. Robin Romeo, Newhall, Calif., 227 (1 game), $450

Match Play finalists (33 games)
6. Char Hammel, Las Vegas, Nev., $375
7. Lilia Johnson, Lawton, Okla., $360
8. Karen Miller, Las Vegas, Nev., $350
9. Pam Lawrence, Pflugerville, Texas, $345
10. Rose Smith, Las Vegas, Nev. (ss), $340
11. Lisa Vint, East Troy, Wis., $335
12. Sandy Postma, Lansing, Ill., $330
13. Pam Buckner, Reno, Nev., $325
14. Karen Smith, San Marcos, Calif., $320
15. Kathy Allen, Moreno Valley, Calif., $315
16. Connie Palmer, El Cajon, Calif., $310
17. Dora Nettleman, Eaton Rapids, Mich. ( ss), $305
18. Teresa Lauer, Sherman Oaks, Calif., $300

 

Past Champions

1991 Donna Zuniga
1992 Marilyn Kreg
1993 Dee Price
1994 Nancy Ennis
1995 Mary Mohacsi
1996 Dortha Britton
1997 Nancy Ennis
1998 Shirley Hintz (Levens)
1999 Dee Price
2000 Linda Kelly
2001 Rose Smith
2002 Sandy Postma
2003 Dee Price
2004 Shirley Levens
2005 Shirley Levens
2006 Char Hammel
2007 Joan Reilly
2008 Karen Smith
2009 Jeanne Naccarato

 

Are the Golden Ladies Athletes? By Jim Goodwin

What could be better than watching great athletes competing in an elite tournament environment?

Even for those of us who have been fortunate and privileged to watch most of the greatest bowlers in the world for decades, it is still a thrill to witness superior performance under the pressure of tournament competition.

And it is not just the scores we notice; it is the nuances that make a champion. We feel the intensity; the satisfaction of executing a near-perfect shot being rewarded with a booming strike. We also feel the frustration that a tap or stubborn corner pin brings, and we imagine the self-talk going on inside the heads of the players.

We see the expressions on their faces, the body language and arm gestures; some seem to be saying to themselves, "It's OK. You made a good shot. It just didn't carry. We will get the next one."

Other times, the whispers (or screams) inside the heads are probably saying "How could that shot not carry?! Why is this happening to me?" or "Oh God, not now!"

But the true champions, these Golden Ladies, don't let these moments of self-doubt get them down. In an instant, they are back to positive thoughts, likely because they have learned from years of experience; not just about bowling, but also about life.

Are they athletes? We notice the breathing; the interaction with the audience and each other; their attention to their equipment- shoes, balls, wrist supports, tape, knee braces, etc, etc.

We must also confess to a nostalgic tear watching an early match between Hall of Fame Champions Robin Romeo and Virginia Norton; both on their game; both intense and wanting to win; yet with a relaxed confidence.

Both on a mission not just to bowl well, but also to win the match and the tournament. This one ended in Robin's favor 258-246, but the score didn't tell the story. The story was watching these two great players enjoying their sport and entertaining the fans.

Are the Golden Ladies athletes? Without any shadow of a doubt, you betcha!

 

Dee Price captures fourth Crown

Dee Price (pictured right), Stockton California, is the only bowler who has competed in all 20 GLC events, and she made this one memorable by winning her fourth title. She won the 50-59 division three times, and now she has a super-senior title one month shy of her 70th birthday.

Price defeated last year's SS champ Andi Whitlock in the final game, 195-180, to seal the victory and earn the $1,000 top prize.

"This is too much for me," Price declared after the win. "It is really exciting. It is the 20th year, and my 20th, so it is very special. I really enjoyed this one."

Super Seniors (60-69) after 27 games
1. Dee Price, Stockton, Calif., $1,000
2. Andi Whitlock, Middletown, Del., $710
3. Marianne Morton, Palm Coast, Fla., $450
4. Bennie Gemello, Tucson, Ariz., $400
5. Sue Mivelaz, Tujunga, Calif., $375
6. Mary Jackson, Spruce, Mich., $350
7. Olivia Rice, Baltimore, Md., $275
8. Nadine Fulton, University Place, Wash., $255
9. Janet Romig, Osprey, Fla., $245
10. Alberta Wambold, Rochester, NY, $235
11. Rose Williams, Yorba Linda, Calif., $225
12. Fran Deken, Coweta, Okla., $215

 

Second Chance goes to Nanci Johnson

In the second chance, for players who did not make the cut to match play, Tulsa's Nanci Johnson prevailed with a 1085 for the five game event. Marci Williams, Wichita Kansas finished second with 1070.

Second Chance Event after 5 games
1. Nanci Johnson, Tulsa, Okla., 1085, $300
2. Marci Williams, Wichita, Kan., 1070, $265
3. Bessie Walker, Rocky Mount, N.C., 1062, $200
4. Lela Larkin, Medford, Ore., 1058, $157.50
5. Erin Wilson, Las Vegas, Nev., 1058, $157.50
6. Melany Rane, Tempe, Ariz., 1051, $110