We had a decent turnout, with some no-shows, and 19 participants took to the lanes to have fun and show their skills while being supported by energetic onlookers. While I thought I had all the bases covered, and felt confident that I had prepared and organized as thoroughly as possible, I had challenges getting the event started as early as expected, and we finally got the lanes turned on for warm-ups shortly before 7:00. I apologize to all for the delays. Big thank you to Bill Zurn for helping me out with the ticket sales and such!!!
Each participant was given a raffle ticket, a strip of three 50/50 tickets, and house shoes as needed. We did a blind draw for lane assignments, and everyone was given 5 frames to warm up. We offered a card game with a $5 buy-in, which was based on "marks" (strikes and spares). For each mark they were entitled to draw a card and build a poker hand. Each winning hand earned $20, while the second-highest hand earned $13.
Once warm-ups were complete, play commenced and the participants bowled two games. While the main games were being bowled, one of my best friends (and a great bowling in his own right) Ron Zurn was kind enough to come help out with the aid of Bill. He selected random participants, brought them down to our spare pair of lanes, and had them perform various "challenge" shots to earn the right to dig into the goodie bag filled with an array of baits and such.
Once the final shots were made, the second card game winners declared and paid, it was time to conduct the drawings. First up was the 50/50 drawing... there were miscellaneous items such as buzzbaits (donated by Rae El), jig heads (donated by Jim Tuch), a cool lizard bait (donated by John Younce), and a Team Dead Money shirt (donated by Pete, Guy and company) and supplemented with cash from the drawing ticket sales. Each winner was allowed to select the prize bundle of their choice.
I'm also remiss in mentioning the generous offer by John Barron of a Dobyn's rod for the first 300 bowled! Unfortunately the scoring was not that high, but it certainly was a generous offer none the less - THANKS JB!!! Unfortunately, my friend Ron pointed out to me the obvious fact that I wouldn't be able to bowl along with running everything, so I was disappointed that I didn't get a chance at it.
After the 50/50 drawings were complete, we conducted the raffle drawings for the larger prizes. These included five brand new, hot off the presses, ORSO 1st-generation swimbaits in an assortment of their styles and variations (lovingly crafted and donated by Dave Roberson and Rob Cummings); two BBZ1 swimbaits, two Big Bass Zone DVDs (donated by Bill Siemental); three Big Bait Posse DVDs (donated by Shaun and Paul Bailey); a complimentary golf foursome combined with a Mission Fish (donated by Tom Lee); two two-packs of Sunline spools (donated by Ray Layerly); a pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses (donated by Mike Phua); a $50 Cabela's gift card (donated by myself); and two $25 gift certificates for Anglers Marine (donated by Rick Grover).
The Orso swimbaits sure seemed to be the hottest commodity, as they were snatched up by the first five winners. One by one, winning numbers were drawn and the lucky holders were able to select their prizes... lots of smiles were noted among the winners!
Lastly, Roboworms (Mike Brakebill and Randy Yamanouye) were extremely generous and supplied a large box of killer worms, so everyone was supplied with some bags of worms to take with them.
We wrapped up at the bowling center at about 9:00, and the majority of the participants and spectators headed over to our house for the BBQ and party. While everyone was bowling, Mona was setting up the goodies and getting everything ready, with some assistance from Grady Garrison's wife Brooke. Also, a family friend Juan Gonzales was nice enough to pick up the 20 pounds of carne asada, as well as cooking it up so it was ready for those who had worked up their appetites. Thanks for the assistance!
I hope that everyone who came enjoyed themselves as much as we did hosting them! It was a real blast. This event had humble beginnings, and ended up taking on a life of its own! What started months ago from Mike Phua wanting to get together to bowl, then Frank Rizzo and subsequently Jim Tuch making similar suggestions, it evolved into a much larger event. It was fun and rewarding - thanks to all who made it what it was!
ONE SPECIAL NOTE - originally all of the monies collected from the raffle and 50/50 ticket sales was going to be put back into the 50/50 prize pool. Ray Layerly, then Pete Marino, approached me to suggest that half the money be donated to the Kyle Clement Memorial Fund. The suggestion was put to the group, and all were in agreement. We collected $296 in sales, and $156 was earmarked for the memorial fund and $140 was paid back in prize money. GREAT JOB TO ALL for your generosity!
I'd like to thank the following people for helping make this the wonderful event it became:
- My wife Mona, for her hard work and understanding
Ron and Bill Zurn for their great assistance
Chris Oliver and Dave Rinnaman for being my "ringers" and helping out on the lanes, demonstrating skills, and providing some mentoring to willing ears
Juan Gonzales and Brooke Garrison, as previously noted
Jon Diso, Mickey Harper, and the staff of Brunswick Classic Lanes for hosting the event and providing discounted rates
All the participants and supporters who came out
- ORSO SWIMBAITS
BILL SIEMENTAL
SHAUN and PAUL BAILEY
TOM LEE
RAY LAYERLY
BRIAN DAY
MIKE PHUA
RICK GROVER
MIKE BRAKEBILL and RANDY YAMANOUYE
JIM TUCH and his lovely wife
JOHN BARRON
MONA NELSON
Click the first image to start an automatic slideshow, or browse through at your own leisure... enjoy!
May have to consider doing this again next year (God willing).
Best regards to all!
Roger
and fer feedin' me the Carne Asada tacos befo the drive home last night 
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