Record scores, a prep string broken and a notable death in the bowling family marked 2003 as a bittersweet year for the local bowling community.
Shaun Goucher's 278-289- 300-867 scratch series is the highest for a Pinellas County youth and second highest in the state. Erica Goyette's 300 game is a first for the Greater Pinellas YABA.
Bob Williard and Joe Minarik roll consecutive 300 games. Lisa Beck rolls an 802 series and Cheryl Mourer an 805.
Players from the 32-year-old Pinellas County High School League miss the state tournament for the first time, unsanctioned by the Pinellas County School Board and the Florida High School Athletic Association. The Boca Ciega boys and Largo girls win handicap titles, Northeast the girls and boys scratch titles and Pinellas Park the junior varsity crown.
Mr. Harry Beierlein, 77, dies on New Year's Day 2003, ending a 40-year career dedicated to bowling and bowlers.
Bill and Cheryl Bedford move their successful BC Junior Gold program to Tampa's Regal Lanes.
The ABCb.line World Team Challenge visits Seminole Lanes twice, with the father-son duo of Tony and Lenny Biondi winning once.
Bill Boje, former owner of Tropicana Lanes and Crossroads Bowl in St. Petersburg, earns the Bowling Proprietors Association of America's highest award, the Victor Lerner Memorial Medal for meritorious service.
The Assassins II take the Division I team title, and Jacqueline Schotter grabs the Division I singles in the Clearwater Women's Association City Tournament.
Travis Reichert is the A Division singles winner in the Greater Pinellas YABA City Tournament. Harley Trevino and Cathy Fleming win the Bantam Division in the YouthAdult tournament.
Zach Noren and Timothy Deasy, both 12, win the handicap doubles title in the Florida State YABA tournament. Shawn Ryan wins the Division I scratch all-events.
Palm Harbor's Josh Guinand is the scratch division winner at the Florida State Pepsi-Cola Youth Championship.
Mary Laird retires after 24 years at secretary-treasurer of the Greater Pinellas YABA.
Jerry Ehlman and Steve Zwerling restart the NABI Clubs in Florida.
Rainbow Lanes becomes Hall of Fame Lanes with pro player Mark Roth on board then changes back to Rainbow when Roth leaves.
The PBA's Norm Duke and Stoney Baker swap 300 games as Duke wins the Southern Regional at Sunrise Lanes.
Local centers weather the smoking ban with little economic impact.
Community Entertainment Centers of Madison, Wis., buys Liberty Lanes. Socia Enterprises of Lakeland purchases Tarpon Lanes, and Shawn Johnson is buying Southland Lanes.
Team Dempsey and Dave Juric win the St. Petersburg Association City Tournament.
Drew Beierlein grabs the Florida Senior All-Star Match-Play Championship.
Bobby Stealy, owner of Twedt's and Ten Pin lanes, retires after 40 years in the business.
Charlie Mario is inducted into the Suncoast Association Hall of Fame.
Darin Baginski takes the Florida Men's All-Star Match-Play Championship.
The Assassins and Jason Leone are winners in the Suncoast Association City Tournament.
Kelly Fecke's squad takes the A Division team handicap title in the Upper Pinellas Junior Bowling Association city tournament.
Clearwater's Russell Mazda wins the team event in the St. Petersburg Women's Classic.
Bill Zuben's leadoff 300 game lifts Pulling Together to the title in the St. Petersburg Association Senior tournament.
HOLIDAY WINNER: Pam Ragsdale won the St. Petersburg 500 Club's Christmas tournament at Sunshine Bowl. Becky Fielder finished third.
AROUND THE LANES: High scorers - Mike Pittman, 279-805, and Steve Kenyon, 269-803, at Seminole; Scott Baird, 819, and Tim Quick, 814, at Rainbow; Mark Foster, 290-728, at Sunshine; and Tony Russo, 814, at AMF Kenneth City. ... Ashly Galante won the upper division of the Santa Claus Tournament at AMF Clearwater and heads to Las Vegas to compete for a Team USA berth. ... Team Bartley won the Almost Midnight Tournament at Liberty. ... Southland will have a Margaret Gossett memorial tournament at 2 p.m. Sunday.
