Bowling News
COVID Scores A Spare For MSG Bowling Tournament
BY By BOBBIE GREEN
The Mesquite Senior Games (MSG) organization is making its return to live sporting competition next month. Registration is now open for the MSG Bowling Tournament to be held on Friday, August 21 at the Virgin River Lanes.
MSG has struggled in recent months because COVID-19 has shut down some of the group’s most popular sporting events in the community.
But the MSG board has now targeted sports like bowling; along with golf, softball and pickle ball; as some of the competitions that the group may still be able to organize this year.
MSG Executive Director Amy Bradshaw and Bowling Event Director Toni Gans are excited that the Bowling Tournament competition will take place next month.
“Our seniors have been locked up in their homes, they need to safely get out for their health and fitness,” Bradshaw said.
An emphasis will be placed on safety in this Bowling tournament, Bradshaw explained.
“We have cut the number of competitors in half for this tournament to achieve the right social distancing,” said Bradshaw. “Normally we would have 48 teams. But there will only be 24 this time around.”
Competitors will be assigned to every other bowling lane, Bradshaw said. And face coverings may be required, depending on the state restrictions still in place.
In addition, the bowling alley itself has its own COVID standards for cleanliness and social distancing.
Competitors in the tournament can still sign up to participate by going to www.mesquiteseniorgames.org or by calling 702-345-3347. There will be 24 teams of 2 each for the Handicap Doubles and 48 competitors in the Handicap Singles competition. There will be a three-game event for each division.
The event will begin at 9 am for doubles and 1 pm for singles. Awards will be given at the end of each competition.
The registration fee is $25 for each event. A $10 discount is offered if registering for both singles and doubles tournaments.
MSG is open to seniors age 50 and over. All competitions are divided into age groups.
The MSG Bowling Event is sponsored in part by Medicare Insurance Agent, Barbara Irwin Insurance.
“We are in the process of planning as many fall events as COVID allows” said Bradshaw. “We will plan them and wait and see what happens.”
Still in the planning stage is a KP golf competition (closest to pin) long drive, putting and a 9-hole competition in October.
Also on the schedule is a Pickle Ball competition, tentatively scheduled for October 27, at Sun City. This event will depend upon state mandates for if it will be held or not.
The Huntsman Tune-up, as it is called, is the MSG Softball competition. It is scheduled to be held just days before the Huntsman Senior Games Oct 2 – Oct 13. Find more information go to www.mesquiteseniorgames.org or call 702-345-3347.
