County bowlers grabbed headlines in 2010

It’s never a dull year on the York County bowling lanes. Area bowlers kept the tradition alive as they racked up some impressive achievements during the past year. Here are the Top 10 bowling stories of 2010.

Area bowlers--Adam Baer, Terry Miller and Jimmy Plessinger—won an unprecedented three PBA East Region titles. Baer defeated Terry Decker of Philadelphia, 238-210, to capture the PBA event at Turnersville, N.J. Miller earned his second PBA East Region crown at Lebanon when he stopped Ken Yokobosky of Fredon, N.J., 227-188. Plessinger downed Tommy Gollick of Oberlin, Pa., 265-200, in Lancaster to earn his PBA East Region crown.

Dave Zelger, 50, of Red Lion rolled games of 300, 277 and 300 for an 877 series at Lion Bowl. He fell one pin shy of tying the county record of 878 set by Marvin Goldberg in 2000 at Lion Bowl.

Jimmy Plessinger, 29, of York blistered the lanes at Suburban Bowlerama during the 2009-10 season to post a 245.9 average for 90 games. His average is the second highest in York County history. Mark Crawford holds the record with a 246.6 average for 99 games at East Lincoln for the 1995-96 season.

Lindy Decker, 39, and Dave Zelger, 50, were named Bowlers of the Decade by the York County Bowling Proprietors Association. Decker has distinguished herself at all levels of the sport. Her 236 average for the 2008-09 season is a record for York County women. Zelger made his mark by being one of the most consistent, competitive and versatile bowlers. He posted high average among county bowlers on three occasions, including a personal high of 239 for the 2005-06 season.

Tim Mixter, a 27-year-old Special Olympian from Hanover, flirted with a perfect game. He rolled the first 10 strikes in a row before finishing with a spare and a 289 game at Hanover Bowling Centre. Mixter carries a 172 average.

Bowling lost a great ambassador, dedicated volunteer and long-time competitor when Bob DeGroft, 81, of Hanover died. He had been involved with bowling for more than 60 years. His many accomplishments included becoming only the second York Countian to be named president of the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association in 1989. DeGroft was a member of the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association Hall of Fame and the York County Bowling Hall of Fame.

Ed Hombach, 43, of Mt. Wolf rolled 34 of 36 possible strikes for an 857 series at Colony Park East. It erased Chuck Geesey’s mark of 847, which had stood since 2001.

Julie Carson, 28, of York rolled games of 279, 299 and 265 for an 843 series at East Lincoln Lanes. It is the third highest series ever rolled by a York County female bowler.

Chuck Tillman, 49, notched back-to-back 300 games at Suburban Bowlerama. Tillman began the seventh bowler to accomplish the feat on York County lanes.

Ken Dixon, 63, of York and Nolan Barshinger, 26, of Dover teamed up to win the handicap doubles title in the Pennsylvania State Bowling Tournament which was held in York. The pair tallied 1,564 pins (including 202 pins handicap) to top nearly 4,000 doubles teams.

Slenker and Barshinger shine in state seniors tournament

Dane Slenker didn’t plan on competing in the Pennsylvania State Seniors Tournament this year, even though it was the first year the 55-year-old was eligible.

Slenker, a lefty from York, didn’t have a team to bowl with, and he didn’t want to travel to western Pennsylvania by himself. The singles and doubles events were held in Beaver Falls and the team event was held in Aliquippa.

Less than a week before the tournament, however, his friend, Charlie Earnst of Spring Grove, invited him to fill a vacancy on his team created by an illness. Slenker happily accepted and competed in singles, doubles and the team event.

Slenker made the most of the invitation as he garnered third-place finishes in Class 5 (ages 55-59) scratch all-events for six games and nine games and fourth in scratch singles. He teamed with Earnst to place 13^th in scratch doubles.

“There’s a lot of competition in the youngest age division,” said Slenker. “I was very pleased with the way I bowled. It was a great experience. I’m glad I had a chance to go to the tournament.”

Dave Barshinger of York fared well in the Class 4 (ages 60-64). The 62-year-old right-hander finished fourth in handicapped singles and handicapped all-events for six games and nine games.

“I’ve been struggling on the lanes a bit because of a knee injury,” offered Barshinger. “So, I’ve very happy with the way I bowled. Actually, I had to slow my approach down due to the knee injury, and I think that helped me be more accurate.”

Barshinger was competing in his sixth Pennsylvania State Seniors Tournament.

“I try to bowl in all the state tournaments,” said Barshinger, who is past president of the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association. “I look forward to them because I know so many bowlers from across the state. I really enjoy the people aspect of the tournaments.”

Other area bowlers who fared well in the state seniors tournament include Greg Stiles and Bill Myers, who teamed to finish 38^th in scratch doubles and Clifford Chapman, who finished fifth in Class 1 handicapped singles.

For a complete list of bowlers who cashed in the tournament, go to www.psbabowling.com.

Jerpy Reinhart: Bowler of the Week

Bowler: Jerpy Reinhart, 28, of Gettyburg.

Latest bowling accomplishment: Rolled a 300 game and an 824 series at Hanover Bowling Centre.

I started bowling: At Hanover Bowling Centre when I was 18.

Bowlers I have learned the most from: Bob Hollingshead, Don Smith, Steve Carbaugh and my teammates.

PBA bowler I enjoy watching: Walter Ray Williams Jr.

My most memorable bowling moment: Rolling by first 300 in 2006.

Part of my game I’m working on improving: Being more consistent.

Bowling appeals to be because: It’s different every night.

Advice I would give someone just starting to bowl: Don’t lose your cool.

Non-bowlers don’t realize that: Not all the lanes are the same and how different bowling balls react.

Future goal: Help my fiance Kelsey Dixon become a better bowler.

Note: Colony Park Lanes North hosts a 700 Club Member/Guest Tournament, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 9. Teams bowl three games of doubles in two divisions, scratch and handicap. Cost is $25 per person. For more information, call 848-6262.

Bowler of the Week is submitted by the York County Bowling Proprietors Association. To nominate a bowler, send email to bowleroftheweek@gmail.com.

Brian Kauffman: Bowler of the Week

Bowler: Brian Kauffman, 43, of Lancaster.

Latest bowling accomplishment: Rolled an 802 series at Colony Park East. It was his first career 800 series.

I started bowling: At Garden Spot Lanes when I was 18.

Bowlers I have learned the most from: Eric Montgomery and Neil Stemplinger.

PBA bowlers I enjoy watching: Bill O’Neill and Norm Duke.

Most memorable bowling moments: My first 300, first 800 and bowling against Earl Anthony in a pro-am.

Best bowling advice I ever received: Don’t take the game too seriously. You’ll bowl better if you have fun.

Part of my game I’m working on improving: My mental game.

Bowling appeals to me because: I love the challenge.

The toughest part about bowling is: Staying up with the newest equipment.

Future goal: Compete in some PBA regional tournaments.

Note: Colony Park Lanes North hosts a King of the Hill Extravaganza, 1 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 2. The format features single-elimination main bracket with a consolation bracket. First place is expected to pay $500, based on 128 entries. Entry fee is $30. For more information, call 848-6262.

Bowler of the Week is submitted by the York County Bowling Proprietors Association. To nominate a bowler, send email to bowleroftheweek@gmail.com.

Corey Stevenson: Bowler of the Week

Bowler: Corey Stevenson, 37, of York.

Latest bowling accomplishment: Rolled series of 824 and 805 in one week at East Lincoln Lanes.

Bowlers I have learned the most from: Terry Small, Daryl Dietz and Dave All.

Best bowling advice I ever received: Be consistent, make your spares and develop your mental game.

PBA bowlers I enjoy watching: Walter Ray Williams Jr., Pete Weber and Parker Bohn III.

Most memorable bowling moments: My first 300 game and my first 800 series.

Part of my game I’m working on improving: Adjusting to the lane conditions quicker.

Advice I would give someone just starting to bowl: Develop a consistent approach; do everything the same way, every time.

Non-bowlers don’t realize that: You have to learn to read lane conditions if you’re going to be a good bowler.

Bowling appeals to me because: I love a challenge.

Future goal: Average 230.

Note: Colony Park Lanes East hosts a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier, 10 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 6. The format features eight games of qualifying with the top four bowlers advancing to step ladder finals. The winner will receive an entry for the U.S. Women’s Open, which will be held June 30 in Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Entry fee is $40. For more information, call 755-2946.

Bowler of the Week is submitted by the York County Bowling Proprietors Association. To nominate a bowler, send email to bowleroftheweek@gmail.com.

Ben Blaylock: Bowler of the Week

Bowler: Ben Blaylock, 15, of Hanover.

Latest bowling accomplishment: Rolled his personal high series of 616 at Hanover Bowling Centre.

I started bowling: At South Hanover Lanes two years ago.

Bowler I have learned the most from: Bill Myers.

Best bowling advice I ever received: Don’t worry about the past; focus on your next frame like it’s your first one.

PBA bowlers I enjoy watching: Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Chris Barnes.

Most memorable bowling tournament: Winning a York-Adams junior tournament.

Part of my game I’m working on improving: Being more accurate.

Advice I would give someone just starting to bowl: Try to keep the ball in the middle of the lanes and change if you’re doing something wrong.

The toughest part about bowling is: Staying consistent and making your spares.

Future goals: Earn some scholarships for bowling and qualifying for the Junior Gold Tournament.

Note: Lincolnway Bowling Center hosts the 700 Club’s Doubles Tournament at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12. Entry fee is $25. For more information, call 792-0113.

Bowler of the Week is submitted by the York County Bowling Proprietors Association. To nominate a bowler, send email to bowleroftheweek@gmail.com.