TOURNAMENT PROGRAM A WORD FROM STEVE It was a sobering moment about a year ago fourteen months, came back in droves, giving when we had to announce the postponement our Center a strong few months and good of our New Mexico Open tournament due lead-in to a great fall league season - our 39th to a variety of reasons over which we had in the City of Rio Rancho's 40th anniversary. zero control. Check out and sign up for your league before The world-wide pandemic that, so far, has you leave the building as it promises to be big claimed well over four million souls, still and exciting. lurks around in many "hot spots", although in Staff levels here, a problem across the U.S., Steve Mackie our area the vaccination of more than seventy were back to normal, at 31 people, by the percent has helped get us re-opened now a few months middle of July, for which we are grateful. Add in the after being closed almost a full year. 30 year experience of Paul Yoder, now running the With thanks for two PPP federal loans, both fully Pro-Shop and the dedication of all the employees and forgivable, and grants from the City of Rio Rancho and we consider ourselves "most blessed by God." Sandoval County, along with loyal food and beverage This NMO tournament may break it's entry record league customers when we were able to serve, we made of 214 set seven years ago. Make sure to come in and it through the business "wilderness" while remaining a watch - at no charge - or view all three day's action on safe, masked-up presence in this community. your device at Emil Williams' www.BowlStreamTV. Last season's fall leagues that started mid-to-late com live from lanes 5-10 for over 30 hours. September held out hope, along with us, that anytime Mayor Gregg Hull has sent a proclamation denoting soon, a two-week mandated closure pre-Thanksgiving Saturday August 14 as "National Bowling Day" and would be lifted. It was, five and a half months later and Monday August 16 through Sunday August 22 as "New thankfully every league continued on with modified Mexico Open Week". rules and length of season to finish through summer. Let the Games - and fun times - Begin! Open play bowlers, denied access to bowling for over BOWLSTREAMTV.COM FOR ALL THE COVERAGE For the fifth year, the tournament will enjoy live from lanes 5 through 10 from the start of each squad at streaming coverage via the internet by host broadcaster, 9 am and 2 pm August 20, 7.30 am, 12.30 pm and 6 pm www.BowlStreamTV.com, with expert commentary by August 21 and from 8 am until completion August 22. Emil Williams Jr and numerous guest color comments Comments and questions can be posted for answering from some of the professional bowlers in attendance. on-air during each broadcast, so please tell your family, There were more than 33,000 views from countries friends and work associates to tune in and see "what around the world in 2019, bolstered this year no doubt all the fuss is about". with the promise of a new $20,000 car from local dealership, Pitre Buick (opposite Cottonwood Mall) should one of the four championship round finalists bowl a perfect game of 300. Coverage, on any of your devices, will be screened 2 DEE MILLER MEMORIAL DEFENDING CHAMPION ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD Defending champion, Duane Mellinger celebrating a decisive strike. This special award is named after New Mexico pro bowling pioneer, Dee Miller, who led not only Mike and Dana in to the sport but encouraged others to try the regional and national tours. The winner is chosen by Dee’s Dee miller children, who look for folks who have shown courage and strength under adverse circumstances, either in bowling, life itself or serious health issues. It will be presented during bracket play on Sunday August 22. Previous winners include Eric Forkel 2014, Marcus Medina 2015, Stoney Burke Jr 2016, Robert Lawrence 2017, Ricky Schissler 2018 and Jeff Hemer 2019. photo courtesy of Tony Claire FOLLOW ALONG ON SOCIAL MEDIA LODGING OPTIONS FOR VISITORS No question, there'll be plenty of photos, stories and "bragging" on the various social media platforms as Local hotels include the following properties - the event unfolds between August 20-22. Quality Inn, Days Inn, Extended Stay America (2), the And on Facebook too - Tenpins & More, BowlJBT. Hilton Garden Inn and for those with an RV in tow, com and Steve Mackie pages will carry score updates, the Stagecoach Stop. cut predictions and general info. Join in by "liking" All offer full amenities and are within walking or us to stay informed. easy driving distance to multiple eateries and fast food Local news media outlets, led by The Rio Rancho restaurants. Observer’s sports writer, Gary Herron, arguably Tenpins & More's greatest supporter, area network news programs as well as national and regional bowling NMO IS CERTIFIED magazines including Dallas-based The Bowling News, Arizona's Desert Bowler and Bowler's Journal lnternational The New Mexico Open is always a USBC certified all have helped grow this tournament in to a sought- tournament which enables bowlers to receive recognition after title on anyone's resume. awards for high scores bowled during the three-days of competition. 3 2019 RUNNER RUP Clockwise from left: Runner-up in 2019, Steve Kloempken of Utah displays fine, balanced form at the line. Tournament manager, Steve Mackie, right, compliments Steve on his near win. photos courtesy of Tony Claire 4 5 PRO-AM MIGHT JUNIOR BOWLERS TOUR HERE BREAK 2019 RECORDS TWICE BEFORE CHRISTMAS The last NMO Pro-Am smashed records in 2019, The NM/Texas conference of the popular Junior with 168 entries and over $ 4,300 in prize-money paid Bowlers Tour will be bowling at Tenpins & More in out to a record number of bowlers. both September and December. Three squads are again on tap, Tuesday August On September 25 - 26, it's the Youth New Mexico 17 and Wednesday August 18 at 4.30 pm each day, Open in scratch and handicap divisions, with added followed by the full house 120-bowler squad on Friday scholarship money of $2,500 from Tenpins & More. August 20 at 7 pm. The top 40% from each of three qualifying squads Compare to 2015, with 99 entries and $1,995 and on September 25 at 9 am, 1 pm and 5 pm advance to it's obvious this side event is picking up great interest the Sunday finals from 9 am. For those who miss the amongst league bowlers from all parts of New Mexico. cut, there's also a consolation event Sunday. There are three divisions - adult, senior (50+) and The big doubles tourney will be held Saturday youth - with separate entry fees of $49, $34 and $29 December 18, in which adults can pair with a youth, respectively. or two youths can bowl together, again in scratch and Bowlers roll three games of 9-pin No-Tap scoring handicap divisions. plus handicap and add the scores of three different pro The next day of the "double-header" weekend, bowlers that play alongside, to determine their grand December 19, its singles action all day. total. Entries may still be available. Check at the front desk now before you leave. NO CHARGE TO SPECTATORS Bowling spectators get to watch all three days of the New Mexico Open for no charge. Why? Because most Bowling Centers are built for participants, not spectators; and we are somewhat restricted by the size GOOD LUCK, of the concourse. We can however accommodate over three hundred comfortably who get to enjoy picking up a few tips BOWLERS! from some of the best. Check out their timing, speed and length (or not) of footwork, ball selection skills and performance under pressure. It'll leave you inspired, guaranteed, and make you want to work on your own game more, as the new fall league and tournament season approaches. 6 MORE PICS FROM 2019 Top left,, Ramsey Basurto of Pomona, California rides a winning strike to beat Marty Bedford of Cibolo, Texas in a tie-breaker for the last spot in to match-play after they each shot 1,608/8 in qualifying. Top right: A crowd of finalists listen to tournament director, Jeff Hemer explain the bracket format. Middle right: Wednesday night Bud Trios league member, Below: More than 200 people fill Tenpins & More during the Friday Donielle Waite of Albuquerque about to release during the full night Pro-Am session. house Pro-Am squad. photos courtesy of Tony Claire 7 LEAVE NO PIN STANDING Wishing you success from all of us at PITRE BUICK GMC and KIA BUICK • GMC 9737 Eagle Ranch Road NW, Albuquerque 505-898-1333 • PitreBuickGMC.com 9640 Eagle Ranch Road NW, Albuquerque 505-899-4848 • PitreKia.com 8 Dana’S NOTES: GRATITUDE Hello and welcome everyone to stellar field and know that you will enjoy watching Tenpins & More and the City of and bowling. Rio Rancho. This tournament always has a good mix of older and First, we are so grateful that you younger players of men, women and youth in the field. came to participate in our 17th We've had a wide range of ages win this contest, Dana Miller-Mackie New Mexico Open - two years in including our oldest defending champion, Duane the making! Mellinger, at age 57. Many of our house and local Second, that New Mexico's Bowling Centers are bowlers have done well too, such as Joe Merrick (12th) fully open as a "going concern" after seventeen long and Matt Smith (3rd) in 2019.