Every February, many people get a little crazy at Mars Lanes. That's because it's Crazy Eights tournament time!

The event is a USBC-sanctioned tournament open to all bowlers with a sanctioned average. It is a handicapped tournament, with both scratch and handicap brackets available. High-game pots also will be awarded during the eight-game event.

The tournament will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday. No walk-ins will be taken, so contact Mars Lanes soon.

Entry fee is $61, but a $20 deposit will hold your spot. The entry fee also includes lunch. Deadline for entries is 9 p.m. Friday.

For information, contact Mars Lanes at 724-625-1780.

Get well, RuthSpeaking of Mars Lanes, co-owner Ruth Geller underwent hip surgery recently. Get well soon, Ruth! All of us bowlers are thinking of you.

Trivia questionSkittles is one of my favorite candies. The term "skittles" also has a relation to bowling. What do "skittles" and bowling have in common? Answer at the end of the column.

Unknown wins MastersJohn Nolan made a big impression in his first televised match, winning the USBC Masters in Las Vegas.Nolan defeated Danny Wiseman 202-193 to claim $60,000 and a two-year PBA exemption. Wiseman knocked off Tommy Jones (257-216) and Steve Harman (223-188) to get to the championship match.The PBA heads to Colorado for the Geico Plastic Ball Championships. ESPN will televise the finals at 1 p.m. Sunday.Thanks to sponsorsBowling leagues still have a great number of teams supported by sponsors. In the heyday of bowling, every team in a league might have had a sponsor to provide financial support.I recently learned of a company that sponsors a team in the Imperial League at Sherwood Lanes, even though the company isn't located in Butler.Evercrest Polymers. Inc., a recycling business located outside Philadelphia, has supported a team for the last couple of years. One of the team members, Bryan Cress, has done business for his workplace with Evercrest.I commend Evercrest and Rob Panetta for their support of a bowling team from across the state, especially during tough economic conditions. I also thank all of the team sponsors in all of the leagues throughout the county.

Top scorers•

Tri-County Men's: J. Kerschbaumer 249 (700), K. Christie 234 (661)•

Butler City: Anthony Willison. 276 (713), Brian Marcellus 249 (708)•

Coins: Vicki Stevick 214 game; Judy Kennedy 491 series•

Kelly Auto: Ed Michael 256 game; Ken Schontz 234 (638)•

Automotive: Dave Morgan 269 (664), Gary Swidzinski 257 (672)•

Buckhorn: Mike Fair 244 (681), Mike Hilliard 257 (652)•

Armco C: Mark Monnie 289 (653), Jack Elliot 268 (681)•

Firearms: Jason Prementine 269 (713), Paul Shanor 269 (704), Kristi Erkens 186 (510)•

Armco A: Larry Wagner 229 (609), Steve Sofi 229 game.

Trivia answerSkittles is the term for an old European target sport, from which tenpin bowling and candlepin bowling are descended. The game remains a popular pub sport in England and Wales.Ron Willison is the bowling columnist for the Butler Eagle.