As you can see ... it's been a minute ... so let's start bringing you up to date with what's happening with the Greater Austin Area Bowling Senate of TNBA ... where do I begin??

Columbus Day Tournament 2009

It's back! The GAATNBA Senate held it's signature tournament, The Columbus Day (2010). The tournament was held on October 10, 2009 at Dart Bowl (it's good to have it back). The format was handicapped doubles. Thanks to all who participated and the tournament workers (Mike, Kent, Betty, JoAnn, Willie and Vicki). Pictured are JoAnn and Vicki working the tournament desk. Look for our next tournament around May.

New Officers for 2009-2011

The Greater Austin Senate elected its officers in September for the 2009-11 biennium. Pictured on the front row (l-r) are JoAnn Cass (Treasurer) and Betty Williams (Secretary); back row (l-r) Willie Wright (Sgt. at Arms), Mike Littleton (1st Vice President) and Vicki Houston (President).

The TNBA Nationals Experience

Reno or bust ... we came by plane, car and bus (I don't think anyone will be doing the bus in the future ... ask C.C. smile), to participate in the "Sportsmanship, Friendship, and Fellowship" that's a part of bowling with folk from across the country. It was a wonderful experience for us seeing all the other bowlers from across the country "en masse" at the National Bowling Stadium! Our first event was Mixed Teams at midnight (yes - midnight!) on May 30th. It didn't seem like midnight as practically all of the 70+ lanes were full. We had 2 mixed teams. Next we bowled Mens and Womens Teams at 8pm on the evening of May 31st, followed by Doubles/Singles on the morning of June 1st. Somewhere in between all of this some of us even managed to get over to Coconut Bowl in Sparks, NV (about 7 miles down the road) and bowl in the Mixed Doubles tournament. I believe we all had a lot of fun bowling and taking in the sites and sounds of being at the TNBA National event. Pictured are both of our Mixed Teams (a. Mary Pete, Kent Dance, Pat Nomura, Ann Keyes and 'S.D.' (from Georgia, who subbed for us) and b. Melody Perry, Carolyn Johnson, Clarence 'C.C.' Clark, Tony Houston and Ivy Jefferson). The extra picture is of Mary who "bowled right out of her shoes!"; you really had to be there. We all had a good laugh, but I think Mary had the last laugh, as she and Ann bowled well enough in Doubles to pick up a little change (per the recently published tournament standings). Be sure to ask Mary how she "lost her soul (or sole as the case may be)" in Reno. We all said goodbye to Reno at different times, as some of us turned it into a mini-vacation. Many of us are looking forward to next May and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and the possibilities it will bring.

TNBA Nationals Bound

About a dozen members of the Austin Senate will be headed to the National TNBA Tournament in Reno, NV (being bowled at the USBC National Bowling Stadium) next weekend. They will be bowling May 30th - June 1st, at the close of the tournament & Annual TNBA Convention. Here's wishing them all good luck and high scores!!

GAA Spring 2008 Tournament is history!

The Greater Austin Area TNBA recently hosted its Spring 2008 Tournament (Mixed Team/Doubles Handicap) at two houses: Interstate Lanes in Round Rock, TX (April 26) & Dart Bowl in Austin, TX (May 4th). It was a successful tournament with guaranteed prizes of $600 to 1st place Teams and $400 to 1st place doubles. When all was said and done 1st place Teams (S. White, J. Cass, M. Littleton, M. Smith) had a score of 2,813 and received $750 (four team places were paid). 1st place Doubles (C. Johnson, C. Levise) had a score of 1,472 and received $500 (five doubles places were paid). The big hit of the tournament was the “Crossover Doubles”; this side pot event looks like it will be a part of our future tournaments for a long time to come. Congratulations to all winners and participants. Special thanks to the tournament staff for putting all of this together and the two host facilities.

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Last article submitted by the Senate to the TNBA Bowler Magazine (for March/April 2008):

Greater Austin Senate is aglow with Star Power

The Stars … are BIG and BRIGHT, deep in the heart of Texas! Or so goes the words to one of the songs of the Lone Star state. In the Greater Austin Area Senate we have two bowlers who could be termed Super Novas. First, let me introduce you to Anita Manns. Anita’s star began ascending in 2001 when she was awarded the Alberta E. Crow Star of Tomorrow (this award goes to the top high school female bowler in the United States). Of course, the seeds to her success were planted much earlier. She entered Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas and her star continued to rise as she racked up numerous awards during her years there. The following are only some of her accomplishments: Academic All American 2002-2005 (athletes with GPA of 3.5 or better); 1st Team All American in College Bowling 2003-2005; Team USA – Junior and Adult member; represented the United States at World Ten Pin Games in Malaysia, placing 2nd in Trio’s (Silver Medal in 2003); Member of 1st Girls Junior Team USA to win the Gold Medal at World Youth Championships in Guam (2004); 2nd Place High Sport League Average in the Nation with a 200.3 (2004); MVP of College Bowling in U.S. (female in 2005); 1st Intercollegiate Bowling Congress (IBC) All Tournament Team (2005). Additionally, she served as an associate coach at the university in 2003.

After graduating from Wichita State in 2007 with a degree in Nursing, Anita still finds time to continue her winning ways while employed as a Pediatric Nurse at Dell’s Childrens Hospital in Austin. She has six (6) – 300 games to her credit, 3 of which are in the current season! The first 11/17/07, a second one on 12/16/07 and the third on 1/20/08. I think she might feel another one coming on just after mid-February. No pressure. With this top notch bowling it’s no small wonder that her repertoire contains some 800 series, as well. This caliber of bowling is what enabled Anita to become the 2007 TNBA Southern Regional All Events Champion (female). By the way, the 300 game on 11/17/07 - occurred during her bowling efforts in the TNBA Southern Regional Tournament in San Antonio, Texas. Anita is just 24 years old and has accomplished all of this in less than a third of her life. What’s next? In the words of Buzz Light Year – “To infinity and beyond!” Anita is the daughter of Norma Manns, an accomplished bowler in her own right and a USA Bowling Silver Level Certified Coach.

Next, we’d like for you to meet LaToya Williams, who in her senior year of high school (2001) was named Miss Texas Youth Bowler of the Year and the Texas 500 Club Bowler of the Year. She is a 2005 graduate of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas with a BA in Mass Communications. She too made waves as a collegiate bowler, her team placed 1st two times at the St. Louis Match Games. Additionally, her team placed 2nd at the National Collegiate Championships in 2005. LaToya was also named to the National Collegiate Second Team. She is employed as a Human Resource Specialist at CEVA (formerly Eagle Global Logistic) and she too still finds time to hone her bowling skills.

LaToya has been (2006) and is still (2007) the Women’s City Champion bowler with back-to-back wins, representing Austin at the Bluebonnet Queens Tournament. LaToya rolled a 300 game during the recent Women’s City tournament (December 2007). Could a “three-peat” be in her future in 2008? In 2006 LaToya was the #2 female bowler in Texas with a 223 average. She is the first female bowler in Austin, Texas to bowl back-to-back 800 series in league competition with a 826 and a 804 (the guys in league were glad there were no brackets the first week she bowled her 800 series, the second week she won all her brackets). LaToya has bowled several 750 to 797 series and several 279 to 289 games. LaToya is the daughter of Clarence and Betty Williams.

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On MLK Day 2008, the Greater Austin Senate conducted a fundraiser which culminated on MLK Day with the giveaway of a 27” TV/DVD Player/VCR Combo. Conducting the giveaway were Senate President Richard Claude, Senate Secretary Betty Williams, and Tournament Director Mike Littleton. The prize was won by Nicole Harris and donated by Austin Senate member Willie Wright.

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