Western Women Premier Bowlers

The Western Women Premier Bowlers opened 2008 last weekend with our annual return to Harley’s Camarillo Bowl.  Scott Poddig, the always helpful host, stated “I personally love having the women every year, I always hear about how great they are and look forward to having them back each year”. 

Scott and his staff treated us to a wonderful weekend of fun and great bowling.  He reminded us that we have had a new champion every year – and 2008 was no different.  Rachel Elhard captured her first title!  The expectant mother qualified second after Saturday’s 10 games of qualifying behind Laura Lee Daniel (the 2005 Harley’s Camarillo WWPB Champion).   Hovering around the lead during Sunday’s match play finals, any one of four women could have taken home the $1000 first place prize check.  Michele Carter, Rachel, Laura Hardeman, and Laura Lee were all within 40 pins of each other with one game to go.  Hardeman shot 220 over Laura Lee in the final match play game while Michele and Rachel were battling it out.  Rachel finished with 214, Michele stepped up in the 10^th frame needing to punch out for 215.  Michele buried the first one for a strike.  Her second shot was right there – but a solid 10 pin stood giving Rachel her first WWPB title. 

Rachel wanted to be sure to thank Scott and his awesome staff at Harley’s Camarillo Bowl, as well as her mother, Melody Einstoss (who taught her how to bowl), her husband, Josh, and Steve Hamaguchi, for coaching her and laying out her equipment.  “I felt really good this weekend – I was consistent, not shooting a game under 200.”  “I was extremely nervous on Sunday as carry got a little tougher”, Rachel recalled.  She has served on the WWPB Board of Directors for three years, was the 2006 San Diego Queens Champion, and was elected to the San Diego All Star team 2003 – 2006.  Our sincerest congratulations to Rachel!  We wish her the best as this is her last event before the birth of her daughter, expected on May 25.