The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE lanes at Mario’s Bowling and Entertainment Palace will be buzzing over the next two weeks as the Bahamas Bowling Federation hosts its National Bowling Championships, starting on Monday.

According to Clayton Gardiner, the treasurer of the federation, they are anticipating a showdown to determine the overall male and female national champions.

“This is the first time, after a hiatus, that the championship is being returned to Nassau,” Gardiner said. “The last time it was held at Water World in Grand Bahama in 2010, but this is the first time that we are having it in Nassau since the closure of the Village Bowling Lanes.”

John Fox and Anya Fyne were the male and female champions in 2010.

Gardiner said having had a number of events over the last two years for local bowlers to participate in, including the recent trials for the national teams, the federation is looking forward to staging its first national championships.

“In the men’s division, we are expecting some keen competition from persons like David Slatter, who is still at the top of his game and is by far the best bowler on the local scene,” he said. “Not to be out-done is Sonith Lockhart, who was a former champion. He’s going to be tough. Then you have persons like Mario ‘Hog’ Brown, Ryan Davis, Leonardo Davis, all of whom are right there in terms of upping their games for bowling. The one who emerges as the favourite for national champion is David Slatter. He is the man to beat. He has a mark on him and everybody has to come for him.”

Brown said the women’s division should be just as exciting to watch.

“Marina McClain is a veteran. She is one of those fighters, but you have Driskell Rolle, a former junior champion, who is right up there. There’s also Janice Hoye and Joanne Powell, who are also out to make their impact. The field is smaller for the ladies, but still it will be very competitive.”

Registration for the nationals closes today, but Gardiner said they are anticipating a number of participants.

Immediately following the official opening ceremonies 7pm Monday, the first round of bowling is all set in the men’s A, B, C, D and E categories depending on the bowlers’ averages.

The women will go from A, B, C and D. Like they did in the past, the finals is expected to be carried live on television on Cable Bahamas on Sunday, April 21.

This year’s national men and women champions will go on to represent the Bahamas at the 49th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup set for November 15-24 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.