ElCorDel's 9-Pin No-Tap Tourney

The annual 9 Pin No-Tap Tournament at ElCorDel Lanes is one of the most anticipated bowling tournaments of the year and did not disappoint. Balls were rolling, pins were flying, drinks were flowing and laughter was pealing.

Typically, the evening is a chance for bowlers from all leagues to get together for friendly competition. The structure of the tournament is changed from regular scoring so that a hit of 9 pins counts as a strike. It is not unusual to see a “300 game” or more. Names are drawn for teams of two, usually with one man and one woman per team, though a higher number of male participants means that several teams are composed of two men. Scores for seasoned and less-experienced bowlers tend to be much higher as they don’t need to pick up as many spares to boost their score. Add in handicap, and this is a night for those of us who struggle with bowling to stand our own against those whose averages are usually scores of pins higher.

Though over half of the $25 entry fee goes to prize money, very few bowlers act as if money is on the line. Rather, you’ll find a lot of good-natured teasing and genuine advice dispensed to anyone who needs or wants it. “Competitors” cheer each other on, high-fiving over a well thrown ball and groaning in empathy over a split.

Every team bowled 5 games, one for each pair of lanes, before the final four were announced and the roll-offs began. Brandon Bigelbach and Brookelynn Feiock (a first-time participant) in fourth place faced off against third place Larry Vetch and Diane Peterson. Feiock and Bigelbach moved on from the first round to face Terry White and Karen Bergtoll, the second-place team at the end of the first five games. Again, Bigelbach and Feiock got more pins on the score sheet.

The two moved on to challenge Kelsey Borgen and Chaz Hopstad for the title. The competition was tight. In fact, the first game ended in a tie. A second game had to be played to declare the winners. This time, Borgen and Zimdars managed to put about 15 pins more on the scoreboard and walked away this year’s victors.