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The 2nd Annual Bowl for a Buzz glow bowling tournament, in support of the Lori Craven Memorial Ball Tournament, is returning to Lloyd Lanes, but sign up soon as it’s almost filled up.
The fundraising tournament is being held at Lloyd Lanes on Saturday, May 13 at 7 p.m. and all ages and bowling abilities are welcome. Each team in the Scotch Doubles-style tourney will be made up of two players. The cost to enter is $60 per team and only 48 teams are being accepted due to lane capacity.
Bowl for a Buzz was the brainchild of local bowler and Lloyd Lanes coach, Amy Campbell, who first got involved with the Lori Craven after losing her best friend to cancer in 2017.
“The Lori Craven Memorial Ball Tournament helped out my best friend who we lost to cancer in 2017, and if you’ve ever been to the event, it’s a euphoric experience,” explained Campbell. “You just get that feeling that humans are still good and we’re all going to be OK. It gives you all the feels.”
Campbell first shaved her head at the ball tournament in 2019, but in her mind, that wasn’t enough.
“That first year I was upset because I thought I didn’t raise enough money. I wanted to go bigger and figure out how to bring in more money,” she said.
“Six weeks before last year’s Bowl for a Buzz I decided I was shaving my head (for the 2022 Lori Craven tournament) and threw this fundraiser together to raise money. It all came together in six weeks, very quickly, but luckily I had some behind-the-scenes people that were very happy to help out. The toughest part for me was getting prizes because I’m not great at that kind of stuff.”
Last year’s Bowl for a Buzz tournament brought in $2,755, but Campbell explained an additional $1,000 was raised at the ball tournament.
“Every year the Lori Craven raises money through head shavings, and they bring people up on picnic tables and do a live auction for a head shave,” she said. “Last year, an extra $1,000 was raised on site.”
As a lifelong bowler, Campbell explained she thought this was the best way to get more people involved.
“This fundraiser covers a wide selection of people that can be involved,” she said. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not the best ball player, and with bowling, anyone can do it. There’s also special equipment for bowling if you have a disability, and that can easily be set up.
“I like the fact I can involve even more people and help the Lori Craven do what they do.”
Campbell also explained Scotch Doubles is when players take turns bowling frames.
“Your partner bowls the first frame and you bowl the second,” she said. “The reason I chose that was kind of a time constraint.
“Each team is made up of two people, there’s going to be four teams to a lane, so eight people, and you bowl every other frame,” she said.
“Each bowler bowls a game and a half instead of three full games.
“I’m over halfway to being sold out right now and only have 23 spots left.”
The tournament will also include bucket draws, a 50/50, as well as cash prizes.
The registration deadline is Friday, May 5 and payment can be made using e-transfer. To register, call or text Campbell at 780-214-2549.
