LIHU‘E — When Missy Bellinder got off the plane at Lihu‘e Airport Sunday, she was no stranger to Kaua‘i, but it would be the first time she would be bowling here as she joined the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) for
LIHU‘E — When Missy Bellinder got off the plane at Lihu‘e Airport Sunday, she was no stranger to Kaua‘i, but it would be the first time she would be bowling here as she joined the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) for the PBA West Region 5th Annual Rice Shopping Center Open which started Sunday.
Finals for this tournament will take place starting Tuesday morning at the Lihu‘e Bowling Center where Darryl Izumo and the staff of the Lihu‘e bowling alley will again host the event.
Bellinder, a former Team USA and collegiate standout is the first woman PBA member, joining the organization when the rules recently changed to allow women to become members and compete in tournaments.
Bellinger, a senior at Cal State Fullerton has Kaua‘i connections, according to her mom Pat who is chaperoning the female bowler. Missy’s boyfriend has Kaua‘i relatives, so she has been to the island many times, but never to bowl, although Pat says that Missy has traveled to Hawai‘i where she bowled on O‘ahu.
Pat said Missy has two older sisters who are also accomplished bowlers so she grew up in bowling, pushing the ball off the line from when she was two years old before being enrolled in league play at six.
“She’s no stranger to men,” Pat said. “In college, she anchored the men’s team, and was voted MVP in the men’s team. She’s very relaxed.”
The field this year is extremely strong with three of the top eight PBA Tour players, #5 Patrick Allen, #7 Tommy Jones and #8 Michael Haugen Jr. entered. Add in Robert Smith and Tony Reyes and that brings five of the top 24 to Kaua‘i. Smith won twice on the PBA Tour this year and is one of the most exciting players in the PBA. His powerful ball has been clocked at 34 miles per hour as it goes down the lane.
Other notable PBA Regional players slated to compete are 2003 West Region Bowler of the Year and Lihue defending champion Dave Wodka, Marv Sargent, Dave Arnold, Ben Laughlin, Gene Bruihl, Matt Ballard, Bob Markiewicz, Tim Paul Jr., David Leverage, Ricky Corona, Jeff Hickenbottom, Doug Wilcox, Bob Laster, Curtis Woods and 2003 West Region Rookie of the Year Jon Brandon. There will be a number of PBA Hawai‘i bowlers competing including Scot Mitamura, Darryl Izumo, Daniel Miyamoto and John Gonsalves.
Qualifying for the tournament was Monday, April 26 with the professionals bowling eight games starting at 11 a.m. The top 1/3 will return on Tuesday for 5 more games before the field is trimmed for the elimination finals. First place is projected to be $2,500 for this tournament.
The PBA West Region is comprised of professional bowlers from Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Hawai‘i. The West Region conducts 22 to 24 tournaments throughout the region including two in Hawai‘i.
See page B2 for results of Monday’s qualifying rounds.
