Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 6, 1993 TAG: 9306060100
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Kelly missed Friday's pro-am while en route from Huber Heights, Ohio, but that didn't keep her from averaging more than 208 pins over 10 games in a Ladies Professional Bowling Tour regional tournament.
Kelly, the only one of six professionals to qualify for today's final, held a 97-pin lead over Huntington, W.Va., bowler Sandy Pridemore, whose 255 Saturday morning was the high game of the day.
"No lead is ever big enough," said Kelly, the only bowler in the tournament with an LPBT national title to her credit, "but this is a little different from the regular tour, where you lose one match and you're out."
The points totals will carry over into match play today, when each of the finalists will roll 10 games in two sessions starting at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Each victory in match play carries a 30-pin bonus.
Hale, who moved to Roanoke two years ago from Galax, clinched a spot in the final when she rolled a 223 in the last game. She averaged 201 in the five-game afternoon session, with a high of 248.
"I don't bowl here; it's a totally different shot from what I'm used to," said Hale, who averaged 195 this past winter at Hilltop. "I hadn't been over here [to practice] before yesterday, but I've subbed here a couple of times."
The competitors felt that Viking Lanes required a "tight" shot, without much break. General manager Garnett Wickline said tournament director Charlie Allen discouraged her from making lane conditions too easy.
"I thought it was demanding," Kelly said. "That's fine with me. It's not a `carry' contest; it's more of a shotmaker's tournament."
Kelly missed six spares in 10 games, five resulting from splits. She was averaging 214 pins for the day before late-game splits limited her to 183 and 190 in the final two games.
The LPBT honored Kelly with its 1992 Robby Award for image and conduct, and her sportsmanship was evident when she offered suggestions to fellow pro Florence Henderson after Saturday's second session.
"I did think about staying home this week," said Kelly, coming off a U.S. Open appearance when she made up 25 spots on the last day. "It's a 7 1/2-hour drive, and normally Charlie likes us to be here for the pro-am."
Allen gave Kelly a bye for the pro-am, and she was on her way with husband Bob and 9-year-old daughter Megan.
"I think it's important to support the tour," said Kelly, who won two regionals in 1991, "but I'm also a little bit overdue."
Finalists in the Viking Lanes LPBT Regional Open and their 10-game totals from qualifying Saturday (a-amateur):
1. Linda Kelly, Huber Heights, Ohio, 2,085 pins.
2. a-Sandy Pridemore, Huntington, W.Va., 1,988.
3. a-Karen Canter, Knoxville, Tenn., 1,967.
4. a-Nellie Glandon, Columbus, Ohio, 1,941.
5. a-Vanessa Jenkins, Knoxville, Tenn., 1,925.
6. a-Su Bachinger, Youngstown, Ohio, 1,914.
7. a-Heidi Jackson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,913.
8. a-Joanne Harris, Occoquan, 1,909.
9. a-Sheila Hale, Roanoke, 1,906.
10. a-Kenda Cameron, Gambrills, Md., 1,872
(Cameron won a rolloff over Diana Hobbs, Barboursville, W.Va., 202-197.)
by CNB