One three-time and two first-time winners in Bowling Magazine's 50th annual Writing Competition were announced March 13 at the American Bowling Congress Press Party in Billings, Mont.

Darrin Hill wrote the top News story for the Detroit News, detailing Pete Weber's flamboyant victory over Parker Bohn III for the PBA Great Lakes Classic title. Fellow Detroiter Sandy Hansell penned the top Editorial about the misconception that the people stop bowling during the summer months, appearing in the International Bowling Industry. Steve Friedman wrote the best Feature article for his Las Vegas Life story, “A Romp Through the Vegas Bowling Scene.” That followed Feature wins in 1998 in GQ and in 1999 in Esquire.

All three winners will receive $300 first prize checks. There are 10 cash prizes in the Feature division, which annually is the most heavily entered, while seven cash prizes are paid in the News and Editorial divisions. There also are five non-cashing honorable mention awards in each category.

Debra Galant was runner-up in Features for her story of changing times at Paramus Bowling, which appeared in the New York Times. Chicago’s Lydia Rypcinski wrote a Bowling Digest feature on Weber’s desire to win, earning third prize.

Multi-winner and ABC Hall of Famer Chuck Pezzano of Clifton, N.J., won his 46th writing award by finishing second in Editorial with his syndicated column citing the fact that bowling is great for young people because everybody gets to play. Third place in Editorial went to 41-time winner Mort Luby Jr. for his Bowlers Journal International commentary that bowling’s numbers may be for the birds.

News division runner-up was Bill Snier of the Canton (Ohio) Repository for his report on Ohio High School Athletic Association’s rules which hinder high school bowling. Third place went to Larry Woody for his story about Chris Barnes capturing the Greater Nashville Open, which appeared in The Tennessean in Nashville.

NEWS DIVISION - 1, Darrin Hill, Detroit News (Weber defeats Bohn in Grand Rapids). 2, Bill Snier, Canton (Ohio) Repository (OHSAA rule hurts high school bowling). 3, Larry Woody, The Tennessean, Nashville (Barnes captures Nashville Open). 4, Keith Schildroth, St. Louis Post Dispatch (Liz Johnson wins). 5, Jerome Richard, Burlington (N.C.) Times-News (Ward wins Tar Heel Open). 6, Dick Evans, Miami Herald (Liz Johnson perfect to win). 7, Dale Bowman, Chicago Sun-Times (Beat the Champs winner). Honorable Mention - Bill Ryan, Bowling Green (Ohio) Sentinel Tribune (Shootout at Southwyck); Jerome Richard, Burlington Times-News (Bohn rolls to front of PBA pack); Bill Snier, Canton Repository (Williams wins big at PBA National); Patricia Clayton, Tacoma (Wash.) News Tribune (Roth wins); Dale Bowman, Chicago Sun-Times (Champs no kid stuff).

EDITORIAL DIVISION - 1, Sandy Hansell, International Bowling Industry (Long, slow summer). 2, Chuck Pezzano, TenPin Alley (Juniors all get to play). 3, Mort Luby Jr., Bowlers Journal International (Are bowling’s number for the birds?). 4, Tommy DeLutz, Bowlers Journal International (Stereotypes are wrong). 5, Bob Johnson, Bowlers Journal International (Legacy for Earl). 6, Tom Clark, USA Today (Bowling’s three hurdles to gain respect). 7, Fred Groh, International Bowling Industry (Whose Image? Whose Problem?) Honorable Mention - Dick Evans, Miami Herald (U.S. Open dilemma); Mike McGrath, Bowlers Journal International (PBA wants best bowlers to win); V.A. Wapensky, Dallas Bowling News (Tradition a barrier to success?); Don Gates, Bowlers Journal International (ABC Hall of Fame process needs change); Bob Nieman, Bowling Center Management (Support your friends).

FEATURE DIVISION - 1, Steve Friedman, Las Vegas Life (A romp through the Vegas bowling scene). 2, Debra Galant, New York Times (Times have changed at Paramus Bowling). 3, Lydia Rypcinski, Bowling Digest (Pete Weber: I want to beat them all). 4, John Archibald, Bowling Digest (Earl Anthony: Snapshots of a legend). 5, J.R. Schmidt, Bowlers Journal International (Joe Kristof: Style and substance). 6, M.F. Piraino, Syracuse (N.Y.) Herald-Journal (Mark Roth never listened to doubters). 7, Gary D’Amato, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (Teen switches gears due to cancer). 8, Jim Dressel, Bowlers Journal International (Earl Anthony: The passing of a legend). 9, Tom Clark, USA Today (Executives pin hopes on new, improved PBA). 10, Dennis Bergendorf, Bowlers Journal International (What drives Carolyn Dorin-Ballard). Honorable Mention - Mark Garvey, Cincinnati Magazine (Les Horstman stories); Phil Gulick, St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times (Florida seniors let good times roll); Tom Clark, USA Today (Whole different game on pro tour); Fred Groh, International Bowling Industry (The sporting life); Gary D’Amato, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (18 300 games in one season).