Six area bowlers named to USBC Association Hall of Fame

From left, Dick Oak, David "Duffy" Hammarlund, Tom Huggins and John Bitrick stand with their plaques after receiving the news that they were named as part of the 2008 Elmore County USBC Association, Inc. Bowling Hall of Fame class. (Photo by Brian Stives)

Five men and one woman were named March 12 as the newest members of the Elmore County USBC Association, Inc. Bowling Hall of Fame .

The selection committee named John Bitrick, James Felty Jr., David "Duffy" Hammarlund, Tom Huggins, Dick Oak and Kendra Wilcox as the newest members of the Hall of Fame, which was established in 1973.

The inductees' names will be permanently enshrined on the new "Wall of Fame" plaques along the concourse at Freedom Lanes in Mountain Home and Keglers Korner on Mountain Home Air Force Base.

The four were honored at the annual awards banquet March 12 at the American Legion Hall.

"I didn't expect this at all," said Oak, who has been bowling for 43 years. "This is quite an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame."

His sentiments were felt by many of the newest Hall of Fame members, including Hammarlund, who has been bowling for 55 years.

"It feels great," said Hammarlund, who owns a 290 high game. "This is one of the highlights of my bowling career, and I have been bowling since before there were automatic pin setters."

Also honored during the annual awards banquet were the winners of the Open City Tournament, Women's City Tournament and Youth's City Tournament. The winners were:

Open City Tournament

Sunset #1, team event; Richard Conklin and Jim Terrell, doubles event: Beau Minder, singles event and all-events handicap; and Kevin Grupa, all-events scratch.

Women's City Tournament

Adrian's Club, team event; Cynthia Huggins and May LeBrecht, doubles event; Denise Brooks, singles event; Audrey Herman, all-events handicap; and Brenda Bamber, all-events scratch.