Kentucky bowler makes 50th appearance at WC
April 25, 2016
LAS VEGAS - Jelemia Sanders of Richmond, Kentucky, earned the distinction of being the first bowler at the 2016 United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships to join the 50-Year Club as she made her milestone appearance Thursday at South Point Bowling Plaza.
The 77-year-old right-hander began her USBC Women's Championships career at the 1966 tournament in New Orleans and has made the annual trip to the event each year since 1974.
Sanders received a plaque, chevron and pendant to recognize the milestone and was welcomed to Las Vegas by a standing ovation from her fellow competitors.
"It's an honor I thought I'd never reach, but I really enjoyed it," said Sanders, who has traveled to 24 states and 37 cities throughout her Women's Championships career. "I was surprised, too. I've never had that happen before. That really was something special to me, and I'll remember this for the rest of my life."
Sanders, a Kentucky USBC Women's Bowling Association Hall of Famer, already earned her place in the tournament record books after her performance at the 1970 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She put together the best set of her bowling career, 654, on her way to capturing the Division 1 Singles title.
"That was the best series I bowled in my life," said Sanders, who regularly bowls at Richmond's Galaxy Bowling and Entertainment Center. "I didn't have an open frame. We bowled during the last week of April, and I had to wait until the middle of July to find out. I was on cloud nine."
Like many others, Sanders got her start at the Women's Championships by getting asked to join a team, and she quickly found the people she met helped to keep her coming back year after year.
"A team asked me to go with them to New Orleans," Sanders said. "I ended up bowling with that same team for quite a few years. I enjoyed it, and I liked meeting the people, too."
In her 50th appearance, Sanders rolled scores of 448 in team and 433 in doubles. She did not compete in singles.
Five bowlers are scheduled to join Sanders in the 50-Year Club during the 2016 event, including Alyce Hansen of Port Ludlow, Washington (May 3), Janice Denning of Wilmington, Delaware (May 10), Martha Johnson of Johnson City, Tennessee (May 19), Linda Prattini of Metairie, Louisiana (June 5) and Alicia Straka of Bridgewater, New Jersey (June 19).
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
The 77-year-old right-hander began her USBC Women's Championships career at the 1966 tournament in New Orleans and has made the annual trip to the event each year since 1974.
Sanders received a plaque, chevron and pendant to recognize the milestone and was welcomed to Las Vegas by a standing ovation from her fellow competitors.
"It's an honor I thought I'd never reach, but I really enjoyed it," said Sanders, who has traveled to 24 states and 37 cities throughout her Women's Championships career. "I was surprised, too. I've never had that happen before. That really was something special to me, and I'll remember this for the rest of my life."
Sanders, a Kentucky USBC Women's Bowling Association Hall of Famer, already earned her place in the tournament record books after her performance at the 1970 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She put together the best set of her bowling career, 654, on her way to capturing the Division 1 Singles title.
"That was the best series I bowled in my life," said Sanders, who regularly bowls at Richmond's Galaxy Bowling and Entertainment Center. "I didn't have an open frame. We bowled during the last week of April, and I had to wait until the middle of July to find out. I was on cloud nine."
Like many others, Sanders got her start at the Women's Championships by getting asked to join a team, and she quickly found the people she met helped to keep her coming back year after year.
"A team asked me to go with them to New Orleans," Sanders said. "I ended up bowling with that same team for quite a few years. I enjoyed it, and I liked meeting the people, too."
In her 50th appearance, Sanders rolled scores of 448 in team and 433 in doubles. She did not compete in singles.
Five bowlers are scheduled to join Sanders in the 50-Year Club during the 2016 event, including Alyce Hansen of Port Ludlow, Washington (May 3), Janice Denning of Wilmington, Delaware (May 10), Martha Johnson of Johnson City, Tennessee (May 19), Linda Prattini of Metairie, Louisiana (June 5) and Alicia Straka of Bridgewater, New Jersey (June 19).
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.