California bowler competes in 55th WC
May 14, 2010
EL PASO, Texas - Shirley Schmardel of San Diego joined an elite club at the 2010 USBC Women's Championships as she made her 55th tournament appearance at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center on Wednesday.
The 90-year-old right-hander started her Women's Championships career at the 1952 event in St. Louis. During her career, Schmardel has competed in 40 cities and 26 states.
Schmardel, who was inducted in the San Diego USBC Association Hall of Fame in 1970, received her 55-year plaque, a pendant and flowers to commemorate her accomplishment on the tournament lanes. She accepted those awards while wearing the necklace and pendant she received for her 50th tournament appearance in Tulsa, Okla., in 2005.
"I can't believe the flowers," said Schmardel, who also is a member of the Southern California Bowling Writers Hall of Fame. "I don't think I've taken off the necklace I received for 50 years, which is special because it was the last year of the WIBC (Women's International Bowling Congress). I'll have to find a way to get them both on and show them off."
Schmardel recalls her first tournament experience and finds it hard to believe how far she has come over the years.
"Another gal and I drove to St. Louis," said Schmardel, who bowls at Kearny Mesa Bowl in San Diego. "I had heard about the national tournament and just knew I wanted to bowl. I jumped at any chance I had to bowl, but I never thought this day would come. It's been such a fantastic journey."
She has been a director for the San Diego USBC Association for nearly as long as she has competed at the Women's Championships. She was appointed in 1956, and worked alongside a historian to help maintain the record books. She also has spent time as a bowling coach.
Between her years of service to the bowling community and her dedication on the lanes, Schmardel has developed a bond with every bowler she meets. She enjoys the camaraderie and generosity they exhibit.
"I was at the hotel by myself for one of the tournaments, and a group of bowlers just asked me to go out and eat with them," Schmardel said. "When the tournament came around the next year, I ended up bowling with them. The people I've met in bowling have been amazing."
On the tournament lanes in 2010, Schmardel rolled a 400 series in singles, 399 in team and 395 in doubles for an all-events total of 1,194. All scores include handicap.
Schmardel entered the tournament with an average of 138, so she was placed into the Sapphire Division. The Sapphire Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 149 and below, with handicap based on 100 percent of 150.
Even at the age of the 90, she still knows what she needs to do to produce on the lanes, and is looking to show off those skills at the 2011 Women's Championships in Syracuse, N.Y.
"When my timing is right, I can bowl pretty well," Schmardel said. "My first shot of team was a beautiful strike. But I'm looking forward to Syracuse. Anything that has to do with bowling, I'll be there."
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships are Nationwide Insurance; Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; US Steltronic, official scoring system; Brunswick; Storm Bowling Products Inc.; and the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The 90-year-old right-hander started her Women's Championships career at the 1952 event in St. Louis. During her career, Schmardel has competed in 40 cities and 26 states.
Schmardel, who was inducted in the San Diego USBC Association Hall of Fame in 1970, received her 55-year plaque, a pendant and flowers to commemorate her accomplishment on the tournament lanes. She accepted those awards while wearing the necklace and pendant she received for her 50th tournament appearance in Tulsa, Okla., in 2005.
"I can't believe the flowers," said Schmardel, who also is a member of the Southern California Bowling Writers Hall of Fame. "I don't think I've taken off the necklace I received for 50 years, which is special because it was the last year of the WIBC (Women's International Bowling Congress). I'll have to find a way to get them both on and show them off."
Schmardel recalls her first tournament experience and finds it hard to believe how far she has come over the years.
"Another gal and I drove to St. Louis," said Schmardel, who bowls at Kearny Mesa Bowl in San Diego. "I had heard about the national tournament and just knew I wanted to bowl. I jumped at any chance I had to bowl, but I never thought this day would come. It's been such a fantastic journey."
She has been a director for the San Diego USBC Association for nearly as long as she has competed at the Women's Championships. She was appointed in 1956, and worked alongside a historian to help maintain the record books. She also has spent time as a bowling coach.
Between her years of service to the bowling community and her dedication on the lanes, Schmardel has developed a bond with every bowler she meets. She enjoys the camaraderie and generosity they exhibit.
"I was at the hotel by myself for one of the tournaments, and a group of bowlers just asked me to go out and eat with them," Schmardel said. "When the tournament came around the next year, I ended up bowling with them. The people I've met in bowling have been amazing."
On the tournament lanes in 2010, Schmardel rolled a 400 series in singles, 399 in team and 395 in doubles for an all-events total of 1,194. All scores include handicap.
Schmardel entered the tournament with an average of 138, so she was placed into the Sapphire Division. The Sapphire Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 149 and below, with handicap based on 100 percent of 150.
Even at the age of the 90, she still knows what she needs to do to produce on the lanes, and is looking to show off those skills at the 2011 Women's Championships in Syracuse, N.Y.
"When my timing is right, I can bowl pretty well," Schmardel said. "My first shot of team was a beautiful strike. But I'm looking forward to Syracuse. Anything that has to do with bowling, I'll be there."
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships are Nationwide Insurance; Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; US Steltronic, official scoring system; Brunswick; Storm Bowling Products Inc.; and the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.