Bumming around town with Bill Bumerton
Bumerton is a retired Navy fighter pilot who had been missing in action for several years while he traversed the globe looking for greener grass. He discovered the grass is only greener here (it’s blue in Kentucky), so he returned to again take charge of his 1954 green Hudson Hornet that had been in storage, refilled his pipe, and is continuing his smokin’ ways. Here is what he recently told us at the Sports Paper.
Holy smoke, the Kitsap Scratch Bowlers Association just had its 30th annual of non-champions/champions. It was held at All Star Lanes on April 11 and was the next-to-late last regular tournament of the organization’s 42nd season. The tournament was sponsored by Don Holtz Realtor and Talbot Excavating. A total of 61 bowlers turned out to try and earn a title and have the right to bowl for the King of the Hill, and you, Big Dawg, were not one of them. Of course, you couldn’t bowl yourself out of a wet paper bag. The non-winner champion was Tom Anderson, who was the qualifying leader and took out Leo Funari in the TV Finale, 236-133, to earn his first KSBO title. Mike Hansen won the champions title, his 17th title of his career, by defeating Mike VanWinkle 226-217. Hansen is now tied with Gary Heilman for third place all-time in KSBO titles behind Lonnie Sharkey and Steve Force. The tournament was not over though. Hansen and Anderson bowled off to see who the King of the Hill was. Anderson did the unexpected by stopping Hansen, 214-2015. It was the 12th time a non-champion had won the King of the Hill battle. Next Saturday (April 25) KSBO will hold its last tournament of the season at Laurel Lanes in Port Angeles when the James& Associates Open and the Peninsula Bottling 205 and under division are held. … And before we forget it, Big Dawg, the 63rd Annual Oldtimers Basketball Banquet will be held May 6 at the Ballard Elks in Shilshole (6411 Seaview Way NW, Seattle) Happy hour starts at 5:30 p.m. with dinner slated for 6:30. This annual meeting is a chance for all the old (and new) basketball junkies to get together and tell all the stories, some of which may even be true. This is where you can meet and greet all the guys who have been or are heavily involved in basketball coaching. Marv Harshman used to attend, and his son Dave Harshman is expected to be there this year, as well as one of the top basketball junkies around, Al Gleich. The cost is $35 for active members. That includes dinner, two well drinks (sodas are free) and annual $10 dues. Guests are encouraged. They also pay $35. To register or for more information contact Jim Coshow (425-640-6305). … That about does it, Big Dawg. Oh, I forgot. Your Marinaros have certainly gotten off to fast start. They are now 3-7 after 10 games. But that’s about normal for them. Now go get me a tall latte.
