Colorado bowler competes in 50th USBC Women's Championships
May 23, 2010
EL PASO, Texas - Dorothy Williams of Lakewood, Colo., reached a coveted milestone as she made her 50th appearance at the USBC Women's Championships on Friday afternoon.
The 85-year-old right-hander began her tournament career at the 1960 Women's Championships in Denver and has made every tournament since, except for the 1967 event in Rochester, N.Y. During her journey, Williams has bowled in 39 different cities in 27 states.
Williams made her ceremonial march down Center Aisle at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center alongside Women's Championships Tournament Manager Eric Pierson.
To commemorate her accomplishment, she was presented with a plaque and bouquet of flowers by her longtime friend, Women's Championships Manager on Duty Lori Micelli, and USBC Managing Director of Tournaments Brian Lewis, respectively.
"If you're a bowler, you dream of something like this your entire life," said Williams, who was inducted into both the Colorado State USBC and Greater Denver USBC Halls of Fame in 1991. "And having Lori present my plaque was one of the highlights of my life, since we've been friends for so long. Everybody was very gracious, especially the bowlers."
Williams signed up for her first USBC membership card during the 1943-44 season, and her dedication to bowling's behind-the-scenes efforts dates back to 1955 when she got involved with the American Junior Bowling Congress. Williams also has served on her local board for the past 47 years and spent 30 years on the state board.
Williams continues to help youth bowling in any way she can.
"I really support junior bowling," said Williams, who bowls league at Brunswick Zone Green Mountain in Lakewood. "They are the future of the sport. The best part about helping them is that you never forget them, and they never forget you."
Like many Women's Championships competitors, Williams found herself returning to the tournament year after year to see familiar faces and hopefully meet a few new friends.
"The tournament is great because I get to see people I haven't seen all year," Williams said. "Plus, I love to meet new people. I think I've attended just as many conventions. I'm glad I can come to these events every year."
One of the people she was glad to share the experience with was USBC Hall of Famer Sylvia Broyles of Spring Branch, Texas. Broyles, a past vice president of USBC and former president of the Women's International Bowling Congress, bowled on the same squad and was acknowledged for making her 45th Women's Championships appearance Friday.
"I'm glad I got to share this honor with Sylvia," Williams said. "She's been a friend for a long time as well, and she's done so much for the sport."
Williams looks forward to many more years of bowling and continuing her tournament career next year at the 2011 Women's Championships in Syracuse, N.Y.
"I support USBC, which is who we are now," Williams said. "I'm always glad when I get to bowl. I can't wait until Syracuse."
Williams entered the 2010 tournament with a 113 average, which placed her in the Sapphire Division. She received an additional 37 pins of handicap a game and finished with a 398 series in team, 367 in doubles and 365 in singles for a 1,130 all-events total. All scores include handicap.
The Sapphire Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 149 and below, with handicap based on 100 percent of 150.
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 85-year-old right-hander began her tournament career at the 1960 Women's Championships in Denver and has made every tournament since, except for the 1967 event in Rochester, N.Y. During her journey, Williams has bowled in 39 different cities in 27 states.
Williams made her ceremonial march down Center Aisle at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center alongside Women's Championships Tournament Manager Eric Pierson.
To commemorate her accomplishment, she was presented with a plaque and bouquet of flowers by her longtime friend, Women's Championships Manager on Duty Lori Micelli, and USBC Managing Director of Tournaments Brian Lewis, respectively.
"If you're a bowler, you dream of something like this your entire life," said Williams, who was inducted into both the Colorado State USBC and Greater Denver USBC Halls of Fame in 1991. "And having Lori present my plaque was one of the highlights of my life, since we've been friends for so long. Everybody was very gracious, especially the bowlers."
Williams signed up for her first USBC membership card during the 1943-44 season, and her dedication to bowling's behind-the-scenes efforts dates back to 1955 when she got involved with the American Junior Bowling Congress. Williams also has served on her local board for the past 47 years and spent 30 years on the state board.
Williams continues to help youth bowling in any way she can.
"I really support junior bowling," said Williams, who bowls league at Brunswick Zone Green Mountain in Lakewood. "They are the future of the sport. The best part about helping them is that you never forget them, and they never forget you."
Like many Women's Championships competitors, Williams found herself returning to the tournament year after year to see familiar faces and hopefully meet a few new friends.
"The tournament is great because I get to see people I haven't seen all year," Williams said. "Plus, I love to meet new people. I think I've attended just as many conventions. I'm glad I can come to these events every year."
One of the people she was glad to share the experience with was USBC Hall of Famer Sylvia Broyles of Spring Branch, Texas. Broyles, a past vice president of USBC and former president of the Women's International Bowling Congress, bowled on the same squad and was acknowledged for making her 45th Women's Championships appearance Friday.
"I'm glad I got to share this honor with Sylvia," Williams said. "She's been a friend for a long time as well, and she's done so much for the sport."
Williams looks forward to many more years of bowling and continuing her tournament career next year at the 2011 Women's Championships in Syracuse, N.Y.
"I support USBC, which is who we are now," Williams said. "I'm always glad when I get to bowl. I can't wait until Syracuse."
Williams entered the 2010 tournament with a 113 average, which placed her in the Sapphire Division. She received an additional 37 pins of handicap a game and finished with a 398 series in team, 367 in doubles and 365 in singles for a 1,130 all-events total. All scores include handicap.
The Sapphire Division is made up of bowlers with averages of 149 and below, with handicap based on 100 percent of 150.
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.