TExas Shootout Division "A" winners. Photo by Gary Ryan
Top bowlers meet in Texas for AWBA tournament
More than 30 bowlers turned out for the First Annual Texas Shootout bowling tournament hosted by the American Wheelchair Bowlers Association (AWBA).
Kicking off the three-day tournament was the “Up and Down” event, which pairs abled-bodied bowlers with wheelchair bowler counterparts. “This event involves the general public and helps provide awareness of wheelchair bowling,” says AWBA Director Gary Ryan. “At this event the teams consisted of three able bodied bowlers and one wheelchair bowler.”
Texas Shootout Division "B" winners. Photo Gary Ryan
More than 27 Up and Down teams filled the center, and six professional bowlers from the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) were on hand adding to the experience, giving tips, and allowing participants to rub elbows with the pros.
Pro or not, the Up and Down event was extremely close with only seven pins separating first to third place.
The Doubles competition opened with 15 teams. Don Porpora and Paul Cook took the Doubles honor defeating Kevin Monroe and David Nelson. Mark Shepherd and Peter Arbollo settled for third place. The Singles competition was very competitive in all divisions.
The “B” Division saw first-time winner and brand-new AWBA member Millie Irizarry of Florida battle to an emotional finish taking first place.
In “A” Division, Wayne Webber outlasted Paul Cook to take the crown back to Florida. And in the Scratch Division, Eddy Hutchens defeated Roger Templar to take the honors to Colorado.
RESULTS
“A” Division “B” Division Scratch Division
1st Place Wayne Webber Millie Irizarry Eddy Hutchens
2nd Place Paul Cook Smiley Wallace Roger Templar
3rd Place Don Porpora Stephen Smith Mark Shepherd
4th Place JK Johnston Kevin Schaefer Mike DeLoach
5th Place Gabe DeLeon Gil Herrera Shawn Beam
DOUBLES
Paul Cook/Don Porpora
Kevin Monroe/Dave Nelson
