A new President will lead the MMA membership when the 2016-17 season begins this fall.
After serving on the Board for the last 18 years, Marcia Dault, feels its time to take it easy.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor - the tenpinexpress.com. Director Mesa Metro Association
Mesa - - - There comes a time in an individuals bowling career. When it come time for her to scale her bowling activities back a bit, and begin to take it easy.
And, for outgoing Mesa Metropolitan Association (MMA) President Marcia Dault, that time has come. After serving on the MMA board the last 18 years as a director, and the last two as its president, she felt the timing was right not to seek another two-year term.
"I told me," she said, when asked what told her it was time to step down as president."Things are winding down at work. I plan on getting my knee done, and plan on doing some traveling."
Although she won't be the MMA's leader any longer, she still plans on helping out the association at its yearly tournaments. And helping her husband, Bob, by raising money for the yearly BVL fund raising drive.
"I feel my defining moment while sitting on this board, came when the men and women merged," she said, of the merger in 2005 of the old WIBC and ABC that helped create the new USBC. "For the Mesa Valley Bowling Association (the old women's association), it didn't take long for us to get used to the merger. When the men and women in Mesa merged, we were the fourth association in the country to do this,and it has worked out well."
The participation the MMA had in its tournaments this past year were as follows: The Senior Tournament at AMF McRay had: 13 teams, 24 doubles, and 48 singles entries. The Women's Tournament at Mesa East: 38 teams, 73 doubles, and 146 singles. And the Open Tournament at AMF Chandler had: 59 teams, 112 doubles, and 224 singles entries. Each year the MMA is looking for better ways to enhance its tournaments, and to make them more enjoyable for people to participate in.
"The current directors sitting on the board, have all the bases covered, and it is moving in the right direction," she said, on leaving her post in good hands. "I don't see any holes that need to be plugged. They are a very dedicated group when it comes to getting things done for bowling."
Mrs. Dault has done her job to keep the ball rolling. For the last 35 years she has been employed at Brunswick Zone Mesa. She has been: a telemarketer, assistant sales director, and sales director at the center. For the past 20 years she had been its bookeeper, but now concentrates on the league standings and scores.
"I believe we had twelve centers on the board, which included Country Club Bowl and Apache Lanes. They have both closed now," she said, of the centers in the area. "We have 11 centers now, with the new ones being added."
Fat Cats is the newest center that came on line in the MMA, within the last year.
At the USBC Convention in Las Vegas in April, legislation was voted on and passed to increase the yearly dues by $3 from $22-$25. This will take place during the 2017-18 season. And, another dues increase of $2 won't take effect until the 2023-24 season that will cap the dues increase at $5.
"Why does this need to be done?," she replied. "The dues increase is going towards technology upgrades within the USBC. Hopefully, once bowlers nationwide learn of where the extra money is going, it will smooth things over so to speak.
"If I remember correctly, 30 years ago, I think I paid around $5 a year for dues. I have been a life member for over 15 years now, and I don't have to pay dues any longer," she added, on the steady rise in sanctioned fees. "That privilege cost me $60 at the time. It was money well invested."
Marcia has participated in: 31 MMA Womens' Tournaments, 31 Arizona State Women's Tournament's, and 30 National Tournaments through the years. In recent times, she has won the Arizona State Senior All-Events title in 2015 with a 2,235. This tournament which was held at Sun City West last December, also saw her roll a high game of 285 during the event.
"The game itself has not changed much, with the exception of the pins getting heavier. Of course, the lanes and bowling equipment have been modernized, but the actual game is again, the same," she said, of her 39 years in the sport. "Many people tend to forget this is a game and a form of recreation. Not such a serious thing that leagues have fights and arguments over rules and procedures. We need to bring the fun back into the game."
In Other MMA News:
*Mike Barrett was elected the new President of the MMA, and succeeds Marcia in that capacity. Gary Roff was also re-elected to Vice-President of the board. They were both unopposed, and were elected by acclimation at the annual membership meeting at Brunswick Zone Mesa on May 14.
*The MMA raised $10,707.76 for the BVL this past season. The MMA Board voted to put in the additional $292.24 to bring the grand total to $11,000. Nice work to all of you.
*There were three 300 games rolled in MMA tournaments last year. Andy Mead got the first one in the Senior Tournament at AMF McRay. Gabriel Villegas, the second one at the MMA Junior Tournament at Brunswick Zone Mesa. And Johnny Wing Sr., the third, at the Open Tournament at AMF Chandler.
*7,466 honor score awards were awarded to bowlers last year in the MMA. With the 225 game earning the most at 1,011.
*The Youth Bowlers of The Year who earned scholarship money were as follows:
Girls 11 and Under: ($250) Kenna Robbins of the Mesa Strikers - BZM Boys 11 and Under: ($250) Joshua Vossler of Strikes&Spares-AMF Chandler.
Girls 12 and Over ($750) Emily Frerichs of Strikes&Spares-AMF Chandler. Boys 12 and Over ($750) Joshua Thompson of the Mesa Strikers from BZM.
The scholarship award was placed into a smart account.
Mesa Bowling News
June 1, 2016