NEIT TOURNAMENT RESULTS 

During Columbus Day weekend, Bob, Mike, Dan, & Tim went to Syracuse for the bi-annual Northeast Invitational Tournament (NEIT).  This was the first IGBO tourney for Bob, Mike, and Dan and Tim's 2nd tourney, so we were all pretty new to the game.  Our nerves must have been showing as most of us weren't up to our normal game!  Mike was the star of our foursome as he finished 9th in the average standings (88 bowlers) and finished 3rd in his handicap division as he averaged 7 pins above his entering average.  Mike also finished in 15th place overall in the Individual All Events category.  Mike, Bob, and Tim all qualified to bowl in the Scratch Masters tournament.  Scratch Masters is a one-on-one match-up versus 5 other competitors.  Bob was the star of our team in this competition as he finished the round robin portion as the leader.  His final battle went down to the wire and he lost it in the 10th frame, finishing 2nd place.  Tim finished in 5th place in the same division and Mike also finished in 5th in his division.  Bob also finished in 14th place in the Singles competition.  Bob & Mike finished in 17th in Doubles.  And our foursome finished second to last in the Team competition!  But, we did get to sit at the same table as the Team champions at the Banquet (very nice trophies!!).  Bob, Mike, & Tim all received winnings for their efforts at the tournament and collected $195 total.  We all had a wonderful time and are looking forward to the next tournament we can attend.

MORE IGBO NEWS

The Northeast Region had a meeting at Syracuse and here are some of the things we discussed.  Syracuse is bidding on hosting the 2009 IGBO Mid-Year Tournament.  They will find out next weekend in Oklahoma City (at this year's mid-year tourney) if they win their bid.  There is one other city they are competing against.  If they win the bid, they will need help from all the leagues in the region to raise the necessary funds.   So, Rob Silliman, our regional rep, wants to come up with some kind of gift basket that is representative of all the leagues in the Northeast Region.  We can then raffle off this gift basket at one of the upcoming big tourneys.  He wants each league to think of something they can donate to the gift basket.  It doesn't necessarily have to be bowling related, but it should represent the area that we live in.  If you have any suggestions, please give them to Tim or any board member.

NEW MEMBERS

Wow, I miss one week of bowling and look at the new faces!  Dan is back again as a regular bowler, so be sure and welcome him back.  Christine will not be able to finish the year with us due to a shoulder injury, but she will remain on as Website Administrator and as Secretary (until someone else can take over).  So, Up Your Alley has 2 new faces on their team.  Be sure and welcome Mike Katz & Doug Smith when you see them.  We've also added 2 more substitutes...Jayson Claudio and Enrique Acosta are available to bowl anytime.  If you know you're going to be missing a week and you can't pre-bowl, please use the substitute list and make some calls!  This saves your team from losing 30 pins on your absent average and allows others to have some fun!     

THE REST OF IT

Don't forget about our website, which is http://home.comcast.net/~MerrimackGNL/.   We're still having issues with typing in averages and handicaps into the computers each week.  Remember that if you have a member who is absent, you must type in his average score minus 10 pins AND enter his handicap as well.  Otherwise your totals will be off and you will be mis-representing your scores to the other team.  And we just have the occasional 'courtesy' issue.  Remember to back off of the alley after you roll your ball and let others bowl without a hindrance.  And always look to both sides before you step onto the alley to make sure others aren't already in their approach. 

Music, music, music.  We have a lot of musical talent in our league.  Chris Kerins plays in the Cape Cod Symphony.  Their website is www.capesymphony.org.  I'll do my best to keep you advised of their upcoming concerts.  Karen has a full lineup of shows as always.  And Tim will be singing with the NH Gay Men's Chorus in December.  Ask any of these individuals about their performances and ways to see their shows.   

DATES TO REMEMBER: