Believe it or not, bowling season is here. League play is under way and tournaments are scheduled.

The Butler County USBC Women's Bowling Association will kick off the season's tournaments with the annual singles event at Meridian Lanes.The tournament is scheduled for Nov. 6 and 7. Squad times are 1 p.m. Nov. 6, and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 7.The event is open to all current sanctioned members of the BCWBA. The entry fee is $25, and walk-ins will be permitted based on availability.One in five bowlers will cash, and the BCWBA is adding an additional $200 in prize money.Blast from the PastMany bowlers tell me how much they enjoy these looks into the past, so here is this week's edition:The year was 1966, and the Butler County Bowling Association held its annual tournament at Bowlaway Lanes on Hansen Avenue.Richard Elardo won the singles events with a 639 scratch, 703 with handicap. Harold Covert and Bob Morrow won the doubles event with a 1,181 scratch, 1,230 handicap.Bo Ordy won the all-events with a 1,826. The Hub team won the handicap team title with a 2,814 score. Members of the team were Nick Kraustok, Mike Vallo, Bruno Lenzi, Bill Klaus and Dick McKain.The VFW won the scratch team event by rolling a 2,559 series. Team members included Clarence Bish, Jim Bryan, Tom Bernatoski, Joe Caparosa and George Stefanko.

How many bowlers averaged 200 or better for the nine games of the 1966 Butler County Tournament? Answer at the end of the column.

Many are getting their bowling equipment out for the first time, and it's highly recommended that a practice session take place before you hit the lanes for league play.Shoes that have been jammed in a bag all summer might have some residue stuck to the soles, so take a wire brush to clean the sole of the sliding shoe.Also, there should be just some slight friction on the back of your thumb as you insert it into the thumbhole of your ball. If it's too tight, take it to the pro shop. If it is too loose, some bowlers tape could do the trick.

There is a great Website that Butler County youth bowlers and their parents can visit to get the latest tournament info: www.butleryouthbowling.org.Also, many youth bowling programs have openings for league play. Contact any county bowling center for information.

• <B>Coins League:</B> Week 1: Barbara MacDonald, 201 game and 507 series to take top honors in week one. Week 2: Stacey George 215 game and 555 set• <B>Troy-Alan League: </B>Mike Warnock. 237 game and 680 series. Dan Manning 233 (672) and Ken Schontz 255 (670) also bowled well.

Only two bowlers averaged 200: Covert and Ordy.Ron Willison is the bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.