Camp overcomes struggles to win first Masters
PRINCETON — It was an up-and-down ride on the lanes and emotionally for Melinda Camp in the 2019 Princeton Women’s Masters Bowling Tournament.
She started on top the first day, and after slipping into second place after the next two rounds, she made it back to the top to claim her very first Masters championship Saturday at PinSplitter Lanes.
Camp overcame Sherry Allen, who was leading after the first three rounds, by the narrowest of margins with 88.06-87.49 in Peterson Points.
“We always say we bowl for fun, and winning or bowling well is a bonus,” Camp said. “I woke up that morning and said, I’m gonna bowl to my best ability and win. I stayed positive and did what I had to do.
“I have always thought there was a chance I would win, but this year, I have been struggling with my average. I’m almost down 10 pins average-wise and wasn’t confident going into this tournament at all.”
It was a tough final day for both bowlers, as both struggled to find their game.
“Going into the final match and only being up seven pins was very exciting. I knew Sherry was going to give me a run for my money, but our last game was sure something else,” Camp said. “Neither one of us could get anything going. I would open and leave the door open for her to jump ahead and she would open. It was just crazy.”
“Sherry bowled so well the whole tournament that I knew the last day I really had to win all of my games and hope to catch up the 100 pins I was down going into the final day.”
Camp said she couldn’t have done it without the support of her friends and family.
“I had amazing support, especially my husband and children that were there to pick me back up when I got down on myself, and believe me, that happened a lot during the tournament,” she said. “It really just took determination and confidence in myself that I could do it.”
Melissa Armstrong (87.19) took third, former champ Cari Hanson (84.42) fourth and Holly Tuft (83.46) fifth.
Past champs Carol Towne (83.42), Anna Flaig (80.10) and Chastidy Rotramel (77.28) head up the next 10 followed by Nicole Walker (77.16) and Danielle Hoops (77.11)
High games of 225 were bowled by Cari Hanson and Sherry Allen. Other high games on the day were rolled by Anna Flaig (213) and Carol Towne (206).
This year’s Darlene Shepard Sportsmanship Award went to one of her granddaughters, Sara Sloan. Two of Shepard’s grandsons, one granddaughter, one great-granddaughter and a great-great-granddaughter were there to present the award to Sloan.
2019 Princeton Women’s Masters
1. Melinda Camp 84.28
2. Sherry Allen 84.21
3. Melissa Armstrong 87.19
4. Cari Hanson (84.42
5. Holly Tuft 83.46
6. Carol Towne 83.42
7. Anna Flaig 80.10
8. Chastidy Rotramel 77.28
9. Nicole Walker 77.16
10. Danielle Hoops 77.11
11. Amber Poff 74.49
12. Lynette McFadden 71.44
13. Laura Allen 71.24
14. Deb Basile 70.25
15. Brenda Adams 69.21
16. Brenda Brokaw 68.42
17. Julie Jilderda 67.24
18. Kayla Hand 67.17
19. Sara Sloan 66.09
20. Gretta Frazier 62.29
Melinda Camp (center) captured her first Princeton Women's Master's championship Saturday at PinSplitter Lanes. Also pictured are fourth-place Cari Hanson, runner-up Sherry Allen, third-place Melissa Armstrong and fifth place Holly Tuft.
Melinda Camp captured her first Princeton Women's Master's championship Saturday at PinSplitter Lanes.
Sara Sloan received this year's Darlene Shepard Sportsmanship Award. She is Shepard's granddaughter.