Missouri bowler makes 50th appearance at USBC Women's Championships
May 30, 2017
By Scott Simon and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications
BATON ROUGE, La. - Marion Saunders of Waynesville, Missouri, epitomized her home state's "Show Me" nickname as she made her 50th United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships appearance Monday.
The 84-year-old right-hander made her tournament debut at the 1953 event in Detroit, and although she only made one USBC Women's Championships appearance in the 12 years following her first trip, Saunders has been a dedicated participant since 1966.
Saunders was somewhat overwhelmed with the achievement, while being recognized for her longevity with a plaque, chevron and necklace.
"It was a real hard thing to accomplish," Saunders said. "Along the way, I had seven children, and, eventually, they bowled with me every year on Mother's Day."
Saunders' daughter, Rebecca Bray, competed alongside her mother at the Raising Cane's River Center, and Bray noted her mother's involvement with the event before her and her siblings were old enough to join Saunders on the championship lanes.
"We never saw her on Mother's Day," said Bray, who made her 27th Women's Championships appearance. "My dad would put a Mother's Day card in her bowling bag from us and also sent flowers to wherever she was bowling that year."
Saunders' granddaughter, Pamela Lewis, also had been part of the group that usually traveled together to the tournament, helping the team span three generations, but Lewis was unable to attend this year due to recently welcoming a new addition to the family.
Saunders, who moved to Waynesville four years ago to be closer to family, originally hailed from Detroit, and she was best known in the area for her 37 years of service as the secretary of Detroit's 600 Club. The sport still is keeping Saunders active at home.
Though she bowls a lot during the season, Saunders only competed in the team event this year in Baton Rouge.
"I still bowl a lot for my age," Saunders said. "I bowl three times a week, two nights and one daytime league."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.
USBC Communications
BATON ROUGE, La. - Marion Saunders of Waynesville, Missouri, epitomized her home state's "Show Me" nickname as she made her 50th United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships appearance Monday.
The 84-year-old right-hander made her tournament debut at the 1953 event in Detroit, and although she only made one USBC Women's Championships appearance in the 12 years following her first trip, Saunders has been a dedicated participant since 1966.
Saunders was somewhat overwhelmed with the achievement, while being recognized for her longevity with a plaque, chevron and necklace.
"It was a real hard thing to accomplish," Saunders said. "Along the way, I had seven children, and, eventually, they bowled with me every year on Mother's Day."
Saunders' daughter, Rebecca Bray, competed alongside her mother at the Raising Cane's River Center, and Bray noted her mother's involvement with the event before her and her siblings were old enough to join Saunders on the championship lanes.
"We never saw her on Mother's Day," said Bray, who made her 27th Women's Championships appearance. "My dad would put a Mother's Day card in her bowling bag from us and also sent flowers to wherever she was bowling that year."
Saunders' granddaughter, Pamela Lewis, also had been part of the group that usually traveled together to the tournament, helping the team span three generations, but Lewis was unable to attend this year due to recently welcoming a new addition to the family.
Saunders, who moved to Waynesville four years ago to be closer to family, originally hailed from Detroit, and she was best known in the area for her 37 years of service as the secretary of Detroit's 600 Club. The sport still is keeping Saunders active at home.
Though she bowls a lot during the season, Saunders only competed in the team event this year in Baton Rouge.
"I still bowl a lot for my age," Saunders said. "I bowl three times a week, two nights and one daytime league."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Women's Championships page.