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.