Welcome Back Bowlers!

The 2021-2022 Bowling season kicks off in just another week and we would like to welcome all of the bowlers back to the lanes.

This year is going to be an exciting year for the Grand Rapids Area. Next summer the National Youth Bowling Tournament and JR Gold Competition are going to be held across Lansing, Muskegon, and Grand Rapids. This tournament will be bringing thousands of youth bowlers and their families to the area and also a plethora of volunteering opportunities that we will need everyone’s help with filling.

First up for us is the 700/800 tournament. Entries are being finalized now and will be out shortly so keep a lookout on our Facebook Page, this website, and centers near you!

Lastly, if you happen to see Mike Billet around be sure to say hi and welcome him onto the board. He is the newest board member elected to serve you.

Youth 13-19 COVID Testing Order Extended

The executive order requiring youth ages 13-19 that was set to expire on April 19th has been extended until May 24th.  Any youth city bowler bowling this weekend of the tournament will need to continue to provide a negative test for participation.

 

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/2021.02.07_Interim_Guidance_for_Contact_Sports_updated_FINAL_715541_7.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1IsT6HxIDGHe_06HDzbob0ZKXmKDxM_nixg800GU6_LuqwL7H7-Ey3AuE

2021 Annual Meeting Thursday May 13, 7:00 pm @ Westgate Bowl

The 2021 Annual meeting of the Greater Grand Rapids USBC Association will be held on Thursday, May 13, 2021, 7:00 p.m. at Westgate Bowl.

The following positions are to be filled by election for the corresponding terms:

President (3 years)
5 Directors (3 years)
1Youth Director (3 years)
Delegates to the 2022 USBC National Meeting (1 year)
Delegates to the 2022 Michigan State USBC Annual Meeting (1 year)

Interested persons must submit the enclosed candidate application postmarked by April 30th, 2021 and be in attendance at the Annual Meeting (or have a note on file requesting to be excused).
To be eligible for nomination as an officer or director, a candidate must be:
1. A USBC member in good standing of the association at the time of election and throughout their term.
2. Must not be bowling in any un-certified (sanctioned) leagues of American Ten Pin.
3. Must have a working knowledge of USBC rules and regulations.
4. Must have a working knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Parliamentary Procedures.
5. Time to serve on committees and attend 6-7 board meetings each year.
6. Candidates to be eligible for nomination as an officer shall have served at least three years as a member of GGRUSBC Board of Directors.
7. Must be willing to complete SafeSport/RVP Training and background check.

Additional eligibility requirements, if any, will be developed by the Nominating Committee.

Anyone wishing to be considered as a director or delegate must submit their qualifications to the Nominating Committee on the approved (enclosed) application. This form must be postmarked by April 30th, 2021.

Return to Nominating Committee – 2405-A Porter SW, Wyoming MI 49519

Nominations from the floor may be made, providing the candidate’s qualifications have been submitted to the Nominating Committee at least one week prior to the opening of the

Annual Meeting. These qualifications must be submitted on the approved candidate nomination form (application enclosed).

For questions or additional information and/or forms, please contact the Nominating Chair at 269/268-2873.

Thank you for your time. We look forward to seeing you on May 13th.

 

Sincerely,
Matt Jelsma
USBC Nominating Committee

MDHHS Covid Requirements & Youth City Tournament

Dear Coaches and Youth City Tournament Bowlers,
If you are scheduled to bowl the 2021 Grand Rapids Youth City Tournament April 10-11 and/or April 17-18, you must follow this mandate from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
MDHHS is requiring negative COVID tests for all 13-19 year old athletes. After many phone calls to government officials, we are asking this of you. Get a test from your school or local pharmacy early in the week and bring your test results with you. Tests will not be administered at the bowling center. If you do not have your negative test results with you, you will not be allowed to compete during this time frame (April 10-11 and/or April 17-18).
This does not apply to the 12 and younger bowlers.
If any of the bowlers or parents are hesitant to come to this event, please contact your Youth Coach or the Association Office (616-530-8195). Every effort will be made to re-schedule bowlers as needed, based on lane availability.
Stay safe.
Sincerely,
Greater Grand Rapids USBC

Mixed Double’s unofficial Results are available

The preliminary results are posted for the Mixed Double’s Tournament. We’d like to thank Westgate Bowl for hosting this year’s tournament.  Bid letters will be going out to proprietors for hosting next year’s tournament shortly. Be sure to return the letter to not miss out on hosting one of Grand Rapid’s most popular tournaments.

Congratulations to our winners!

Unofficial Results

Greater Grand Rapids USBC has a new President

 

The Board of Directors of the Greater Grand Rapids USBC has appointed Ron King to the office of President to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Patrick Cross. Ron will complete the remainder of this term which is due to end July 31, 2021.

A little history about Pat Cross. Pat was appointed a Director to the Greater Grand Rapids Bowling Association in the 1990’s. Pat served as a Director until he was elected 4th Vice President in 1998. He was elected 3rd Vice President in 1999 and remained in that position until 2002. Pat was hired by the Greater Grand Rapids Bowling Association Board of Directors to serve as Secretary/Treasurer in 2002 and remained in that position until 2006 when the Men’s, Women’s and Youth Associations merged to form the Greater Grand Rapids USBC. In 2006 Pat was elected by the Grand Rapids membership to serve as a Director on the newly created GGRUSBC Board. He held that position until 2011.

In August 2011 the Board of Greater Grand Rapids USBC elected Pat to the office of President to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Bob Dunlap.

Pat has been a steadfast and working member for Grand Rapids bowlers for many, many years. Pat’s ability to get along with bowlers of all averages, league secretaries, and the Grand Rapids Proprietors has been an invaluable asset to the Association. Has he bumped heads with a few bowlers? Absolutely.

Pat, with sincere gratitude and appreciation, thank you, thank you for your commitment to the Grand Rapids bowling community.

City Tournament Reservations

City Tournament Bowlers,
Due to the challenges of this bowling season, we were not able to get the 2021 City Tournament entries out to you in the time frame we had hoped. You are still encouraged to reserve your preferred dates and squads for this year. The entry says you must have reservations paid for by March 10, 2021. We will work with you on this. You cannot be asked to do something that is practically impossible.
This has been a challenging year for everyone — professionally and personally. If we work together we can still have a successful City Tournament.
Thanks for your understanding.

Schedule for the 2021 City Tournament

The city tournament is quickly approaching. This year’s tournament will be held at Fairlanes. The available dates are listed below. NOTE!!! Opening Day March 21, will only have 1 time available at noon.

1. Currently we are asking that the bowlers not bring spectators so as to stay within the current capacity limits.
2. Bowlers will be expected to wear their masks at all times — unless drinking and/or eating.
3. We are not able to offer any evening squads this year to allow the leagues at Fairlanes to complete their seasons.
4. Printed entries will be mailed to last year’s Team Captains as soon as we have them.

Mixed Doubles Postponed

The Mixed Doubles Tournament originally scheduled for January 16-17 and 23-24, 2021 is being postponed. We are working with Westgate Bowl to come up with alternate dates.
 
We are also working with Park Center with regards to the Seniors Tournament that was scheduled for December 2020.
 
If and when we have confirmed dates for these tournaments, as well as the Open, Women’s, and Youth City Tournaments, we will make that announcement.
 
We know that you understand how difficult it is to make plans when rules, mandates, and restrictions are ever-changing.