Luci Doubles, after the practice....

Just finished bowling the practice session for the Luci Bonneau Mixed Doubles.  The lanes were pretty playable, with the slow wheel being he preferred method of hitting the pocket.  I couldn't find anything off the gutter, though some claim they had a good shot on the edge.  Doubt they will be this good tomorrow with probably more OB on the edge and less hold in the middle.

Shana and I went for $250 in the calcutta portion of the tournament.  Bidding starts at $50.  Last year we went splash into the pool, but this year had a couple people bidding on us, not sure why, oh well, if we win, $250 would be a bargain.

Very many world class players here at this tournament.  I will try to name some off the top of my head.  80 full teams including:  Parker Bohn, Mike Fagan, Dino Castillo, Sean Rash, Mike Scroggins, David Haynes, Steve Smith, Tommy Jones, DJ Archer, Liz Johnson, Robin Romeo, Paula Vidad, Carol Norman, Anita Manns, Mehgan Riley, Clara Guerrero, Robert Lawrence, Chris Barnes, Lynda Barnes, Wes Malott, Carolyn Dorin Ballard, and many others.  Some of these players have come from Arizona, California, New York, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Nevada to bowl this tournament.  Not to mention the huge number of great Texas bowlers that are participating.  The winning couple will receive over $11,000 in prize money and that doesn't count anything they earn in brackets and side pots.

Good luck to all the players!!

In Houston for Luci Bonneau Mixed Doubles

You Houston area bowlers should come out to Palace Lanes this weekend to see some of the best bowlers, pro and amatuer from around the country.  The "Luci Doubles" is one awesome mixed doubles tournament, with a number of super high quality teams.  Former and present touring players, National and Regional Pro Champions, Team USA members, Collegiate studs, to some good local Texas players.  This tournament has it all.  Scores should be medium as the oil pattern will be put out by Carey Mogard, the lane man for the SW Region PBA.  By request of the tournament organisers and players, Carey usually puts out a "Sport" compliant condition that rewards good shot making and usually penalizes the "spray and pray" bowlers.  Spare making is also at a premium with the amount of top notch bowlers that will be participating, giving away pins just can't be done if a team expects to cash in the event.

The tournament is bowled in the memory of Houston's Luci Bonneau.  Luci was a Houston and Texas Hall of Fame member, and one of the finest people that a person could ever hope to meet.  I am so honored to have been one of her friends.  The tournament benefits the Stehlin Foundation, which is a breast cancer research organization, which is what Luci succumbed to in 2000.   Luci's dear friend and my buddy Donna Conners organizes this tournament every year, and it has grown to be a stellar event. 

Having known Luci, and with my younger sister being a breast cancer survivor, this event is important to me.   I have made the finals with 3 different partners and have been lucky to have great partners every year that I have bowled.  Hopefully this year will bring a better result for Shana Ray and myself.  Shana is an excellent player from Corpus Christi, having bowled on the Ladies Pro Tour for a few years.

MikeA