A Grande Prairie 5-pin bowling team has won a provincial championship. In order from left to right in the photo are Coach Gerald Hafner, Lori Grinde, Meghan Clarke, Timmy Sharp, and Scott Ollenberger. Photo Credit: Meghan Clarke

By Shane Clausing

5-pin bowling nationals

Grande Prairie 5-pin bowling team gears up for nationals in Winnipeg

Mar 5, 2020 | 3:59 PM

For the first time in 20 years, a team from Northern Alberta will be representing the Province of Alberta at the National 5-pin Bowling Championship.

Meghan Clarke, Scott Ollenberger, Lori Grinde, Timmy Sharp and Coach Gerald Hafner’s team from Grande Prairie won the Alberta Provincial 5-pin Championship this past January at HJ’s 5-pin bowling lanes. That clinched them a spot at the national championship.

It was the first time in the history of the provincial tournament that a team from Northern Alberta had finished in first place.

Clarke says her team is excited to represent Alberta at the national championship.

“I was told it was roughly 20 years since Northern Alberta competed in this tournament, so the fact that we came out to win it was pretty amazing,” said Clarke.

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The format for the tournament was different than your typical game of bowling.

The scoring was done using a pin-over-average scoring system. Every player had an individual average that they had to try beating in each game.

Whichever team had the higher pinfall over their average was the one that walked away with the victory.

Clarke, in particular, dominated the individual side of the provincial tournament.

Clarke took home all of the individual awards at the tournament in January. She led the way with a 249.4 average and a total of 418 pins over average over 9 games, leading in every individual category.

The team now heads to nationals in Winnipeg. Every province has two teams participating in the national tournament.

Before nationals, the club needs some help to fundraise for their trip.

“We are currently trying to set-up a number at the bottle depot We can also come and pick up bottles. We are also doing a square draw board at the bowling alley on Resources Road. It’s $20 per square, and the draw will be on April 2,” said Clarke.

The first-place prize in the square draw wins $500, second place is $300, and third prize is $200.

Clarke says her team is excited to participate in nationals and the goal is to bring home the title.

Nationals will be held in April.