Women's Open & PBA By Dick Evans
08/09/07
It will be interesting to note during the U.S. Open Aug. 13-18 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno if there have been a changing of the guard from the standpoint of top women bowlers.
When the PWBA disappeared from the horizon in the summer of 2003 Michelle Feldman, Leanne Barrette, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Kendra Gaines, Wendy Macpherson, Kim Terrell, Kim Adler, Liz Johnson, Marianne DiRupo, Kelly Kulick and the always tough Tish Johnson were among those in the cat-bird seat.
But things have changed starting with age for all of them plus jobs, marriage, children, motivation and money.
In other words, some have faded from the spotlight but a few like Ballard, Macpherson, Johnson and Kulick have been making a name for themselves by taking on PBA rivals. Macpherson made headlines for herself in a USBC Open tournament and Barrette has remained a factor in USBC Women's Open tournaments.
A Californian, Missy Bellinder, also has won a PBA regional tournament plus a title on the European tour while going up against male rivals. Cathy Dorin-Lizzi has shown flashes of brilliance on the PBA tour and Ann Marie Duggan is a Hall of Fame bowler. Dede Davidson is always dangerous and remember, in previous years the National Bowling Stadium has been friendly to lefthanders in ABC Masters tournaments.
Brenda Mack can't ever be overlooked if husband Tim Mack is behind her cheering and maybe coaching between sessions. Cara Honeychurch came over from Australia to win the USBC television tournament from Las Vegas last summer. Fellow Aussie Carol Gianotti also is awesome. Lynda Barnes has produced outstanding results as both and amateur and has to be considered a threat. Tennelle Milligan is another amateur with a hot hand and a solid resume even as a pro. Diandra Asbaty has enjoyed a fantastic 2007 run with wins in the Pan-Am Games, World Ranking Masters and a second place in the USBC Queens, which she led until the championship TV game.
There are other outstanding amateurs out there who are hungry for some attention and with PBA aspirations like Stefanie Nation and Shannon Pluhowsky to name only a few. And how about Robin Romeo, a senior bowler who still has the game and desire from her youth when she was the most stead performer on the PWBA tour.
I happen to believe that there are more than a few hot college players who will hot hands. How they react to the pressure will be the telling decision. I would be surprised if a few 'unknowns' don't finish in the top 16. I hope that the top 16 finishers in the U.S. Open are prepared to pay the $750 to be eligible for the PBA experience that may never come their way again.
I wish that at least 200 bowlers would show up for this once-in-a-life bowling doubleheader but the final number is more likely will total about 125. I hope I am wrong on the low side.
No matter what you do next week, turn on your computer and go to www.bowl.com to keep up with the action and find out the names of at least 16 bowlers (there could be a few more if they don't pay the PBA entry) on nine televised shows in the upcoming weeks starting Sept. 16.
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Column
It will be interesting to note during the U.S. Open Aug. 13-18 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno if there have been a changing of the guard from the standpoint of top women bowlers.When the PWBA disappeared from the horizon in the summer of 2003 Michelle Feldman, Leanne Barrette, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Kendra Gaines, Wendy Macpherson, Kim Terrell, Kim Adler, Liz Johnson, Marianne DiRupo, Kelly Kulick and the always tough Tish Johnson were among those in the cat-bird seat.
But things have changed starting with age for all of them plus jobs, marriage, children, motivation and money.
In other words, some have faded from the spotlight but a few like Ballard, Macpherson, Johnson and Kulick have been making a name for themselves by taking on PBA rivals. Macpherson made headlines for herself in a USBC Open tournament and Barrette has remained a factor in USBC Women's Open tournaments.
A Californian, Missy Bellinder, also has won a PBA regional tournament plus a title on the European tour while going up against male rivals. Cathy Dorin-Lizzi has shown flashes of brilliance on the PBA tour and Ann Marie Duggan is a Hall of Fame bowler. Dede Davidson is always dangerous and remember, in previous years the National Bowling Stadium has been friendly to lefthanders in ABC Masters tournaments.
Brenda Mack can't ever be overlooked if husband Tim Mack is behind her cheering and maybe coaching between sessions. Cara Honeychurch came over from Australia to win the USBC television tournament from Las Vegas last summer. Fellow Aussie Carol Gianotti also is awesome. Lynda Barnes has produced outstanding results as both and amateur and has to be considered a threat. Tennelle Milligan is another amateur with a hot hand and a solid resume even as a pro. Diandra Asbaty has enjoyed a fantastic 2007 run with wins in the Pan-Am Games, World Ranking Masters and a second place in the USBC Queens, which she led until the championship TV game.
There are other outstanding amateurs out there who are hungry for some attention and with PBA aspirations like Stefanie Nation and Shannon Pluhowsky to name only a few. And how about Robin Romeo, a senior bowler who still has the game and desire from her youth when she was the most stead performer on the PWBA tour.
I happen to believe that there are more than a few hot college players who will hot hands. How they react to the pressure will be the telling decision. I would be surprised if a few 'unknowns' don't finish in the top 16. I hope that the top 16 finishers in the U.S. Open are prepared to pay the $750 to be eligible for the PBA experience that may never come their way again.
I wish that at least 200 bowlers would show up for this once-in-a-life bowling doubleheader but the final number is more likely will total about 125. I hope I am wrong on the low side.
No matter what you do next week, turn on your computer and go to www.bowl.com to keep up with the action and find out the names of at least 16 bowlers (there could be a few more if they don't pay the PBA entry) on nine televised shows in the upcoming weeks starting Sept. 16.
[email protected]