ROCKFORD, ILL. - The Professional Women's Bowling Association returns to the Motor City for the "St. Clair Shores Classic" May 12-16 at Shore Lanes in St. Clair Shores.
Australia's Cara Honeychurch of Australia is set to defend last year's Detroit area title (the Sport Bowling Challenge). Honeychurch picked up her second title of 2001 and fifth in her career by defeating Brenda Norman, Indianapolis, 206-189, last July at Shore Lanes. Also expected to compete are 2001 "Player of the Year" Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and "Rookie of the Year" Kelly Kulick, and PWBA stars Wendy Macpherson, Leanne Barrette, Tish Johnson. Local favorites include 31-time titlest Aleta Sill (Dearborn), Lisa Bishop (Belleville), Cheryl Daniels (West Bloomfield) and Michelle Mullen (Dearborn).
According to Shore Lanes proprietor David Roth, "It's an honor to have these great women players back in the Detroit area. Last year, the response was outstanding, and with all the new touches this year, this should be one fantastic event."
One of the new touches will be a special "Mother's Day" Pro-Am on Sunday, May 12, where each squad will have a special theme. The "Viviano's Flower Squad" will be at 12 noon, the Kilwin's of Birmingham "Candy Squad" follows at 2:30 p.m., a special "Celebrity Squad" is set for 5 p.m., and a "Galactic Bowling Squad" will be at 7:30 p.m. All squads feature the chance to team with the stars of the PWBA, and all bowlers will receive special prizes. According Roth, "Instead of the usual Mother's Day brunch, give your mom a real treat. Sign her up to bowl with a pro."
PWBA competition begins Monday, May 13 with two six-game blocks of qualifying set for 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. A final block of six games at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 14, wraps up qualifying, at which time the field will be trimmed to the top 24.
The 24 survivors begin match play Tuesday night with an eight-game block starting at 6:30 p.m. Match play continues Wednesday, May 15, at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. The top five at the conclusion of match play advance to the TV stepladder finals set for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 16. The finals will be televised on ESPN2.
Spectator ticket prices are $2 (Pro-Am), $6 (Qualifying), $9 (Match Play) and $17 (TV Finals). Admission to the TV Finals includes an Ebonite "Tailgate Party." Shore Lanes is also offering a special Gold Pass (admission to all events) for $54 and a Silver Pass (admission to all events except the TV Finals) for just $37.
The Professional Women's Bowling Association, founded in 1981 as the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour, provides a professional tournament program for the most skilled women bowlers in the world. The PWBA has a web site featuring schedules, news and results at www.pwba.com.
