bwfeb2018

10 www.bowlingworld.com - February 2018 Jeanette Robinson’s Golden Ladies Classic: My Top Women's Bowling Story by Frank Weiler LAS VEGAS - From the Bowling Capital of the World I bring you my picks for the top Women's Bowling Stories of 2017. Without a doubt, my Top Women's Bowling Story of 2017 was Jeanette Robin- son's National Golden Ladies Classic celebrating it's 27th Anniversary. Who would have thought that the seed Jeanette Robinson planted nearly three dec- ades ago would blossom into a Major Bowling Tour- nament? While everyone around her probably never dreamed of how Jeanette's Classic would develop and grow, I'm sure Jeanette knew all along. You see, Jeanette Robinson is a visionary and a supreme optimist. She wanted to expand the opportunities available to female professionals as they aged and went to work to meet that need. The result is history. Liz Johnson winning a PBA National Title ranks second on my list of top female stories of last year. I know of no other major sport in which women can compete successfully against men. Johnson became the second woman (after Kelly Kulick) to win a men's national tournament. Simply put, Johnson's accomplishment is historic. That being said, I believe Liz will accomplish even more in the years to come and supplant MARION LADEWIG as the GREATEST FE- MALE BOWLER OF ALL TIME. Finally, it was shocking to witness the United States women no longer dominate at last years World Champi- onships in November. The Masters competition was especially disap- pointing when only three of our women made the cut to the final six- teen and then all lost their first finals match. While disappointing, this story has a silver lining. The world has caught up with us! Maybe the best bowlers in the world come from Asia! While it is disappointing that we didn't win many Gold Medals, these results may be a blessing in disguise. Now that the rest of the world can beat us at our own game, it proves Bowling is truly an international sport. It is good for our sport. It makes a strong argument in favor of Bowling as an Olympic Sport when the best bowlers in the world come from all parts of the world and not just from the United States. Keep your eyes open. My bowling predictions for 2018 are just around the corner. MARCH 2nd-4th West Gold Country Lanes Sutter Creek CA 9th-11th West/NW National Bowling Stadium Reno NV 23rd-25th NW/West Caveman Bowl Grants Pass OR APRIL 6th-8th West/NW E.A. Dublin BowL Dublin CA 20th-22nd West South Point Plaza Las Vegas NV May 4th-6th Northwest Daffodil Bowl Puyallup WA Northwest Daffodil Bowl PBA50 Puyallup WA 24th-27th West Yosemite Lanes Modesto CA 25th-27th West Yosemite Lanes Modesto CA June 8th-10th Northwest Tumwater Lanes Tumwater WA 22nd-24th NW/West High sierra Reno NV PBA Western Region 2018 Schedule Up To June 2018 Schedule is subject to change. For a complete schedule contact Gary: Gary Mage: gary.mage@pba.com Cell: 360-600-1229