Greater Trail bowlers Ron Sandnes and Darren Rich rolled their way into the five-pin provincial bowling championship thanks to top finishes at the Zones in Vernon last week.
A mere three pins separated the scores of Sandnes and Rich as they averaged identical 264 scores, and finished in second and third place respectively following the 16-game competition at Lincoln Lanes.
After sitting out last season’s zone competition, Sandnes returned this year, saving his best for last as he bowled his highest scores 363 and 342 in his final two games to finish back of Stu Ryan whose 271 average topped all bowlers.
“I had pulled a muscle bowling in the trials so I had to pull out the first day, so I went back this year and gave it another try, and low and behold I had a good day,” said Sandnes.
Rich bowled the highest game of the tournament in his 11th match rolling a 373. Both Sandnes and Rich have been regular fixtures on Team B.C. in the past, but it was Rich who competed at the nationals last year where he helped the team to a fifth-place finish. He and Sandnes will compete in both the singles and team competition at the provincials in Langley, Apr. 18-20, in hopes of advancing to the nationals in Calgary in May.
In other action, Glenmerry Bowl’s Lisa Shepherd and Sid Compston won the Hawaiian Pick-a-Partner Zone Finals in Castlegar last week, advancing to the provincial championships in Surrey, Feb. 22.
The winner of the event wins a trip for two to Hawaii and a cool $1,500 cash.