Colorado couple makes the most out of trip to Reno
RENO, Nev. - During the first weekend in October each year, two familiar faces at the Storm National Mixed Championships and Festival of Bowling appear in the check-in line before every squad. Those faces belong to Richard and Holly Lapin, who come to Reno once a year to bowl in the two tournaments.
The Lapins, from Chromo, Colo., and Rodeo, N.M., come to Reno every year at this time to celebrate their wedding anniversary and to bowl in the tournament, which is presented by the United States Bowling Congress.
"This year was our 25th anniversary, so I made Richard take me to Hawaii first," Holly said. "Then we came to Reno."
Drawn together by a love of horses, the Lapins now divide their time between two ranches, the Red Horse Ranch in Chromo, Colo., and IHA Farms in Rodeo, N.M., where they raise and train show horses.
After suffering a serious illness, Richard has not been able to do as much around the ranches, so the majority of the work has fallen to Holly.
"Richard is still recovering, so I have taken over most of the duties of running the ranch," Holly said. "Fortunately, we have some great people working for us, which allow us to leave the 14 dogs, eight horses and two cats to travel and bowl."
Traveling long distances to bowl is nothing new for the Lapins. The couple drives over 80 miles each way twice a week to Silver City, N.M., to bowl league and they usually make the trip again on the weekends to practice.
The Lapins began bowling when Holly's mother was widowed and Holly and Richard needed an activity to keep her busy and to stay connected with her. She had always been an avid bowler, so they decided to join her in a league. The bowling bug bit them and they have been at it ever since.
"I am very competitive," Holly said. "We have bowled in the men's and women's national tournaments as well as a few pro-ams and N.A.B.I. tournaments, and of course the National Mixed."
Last year, the Lapins came alone, bowled together and found partners to bowl in the different events. This year, they brought their friends, Ron and Norma Mohon of Silver City to bowl with them.
The Festival of Bowling has put a limit of three entries for each event this year, but the Lapins and Mohons still managed a wide array of games and events.
They all competed in the mixed team, doubles and singles events, then partnered up for open trios and open doubles events. Ron, Norma and Richard then competed in the senior events, while the not-quite-senior Holly, cheered them on. Richard averaged 179 for 27 games (nine events), and Holly averaged 152 for 18 games (six events).
WEEKEND OPENS UP FOR ENTRIES
The postponement of the Kingpin Million Dollar Challenge has allowed the National Mixed to open up an additional weekend for entries.
Bowlers can now take part in the tournament from Oct. 20-23.
The 2005 Storm National Mixed Tournament and the Festival of Bowling are being held on selected weekends now through Nov. 13, 2005. For information and entry forms, go to nationalmixed.com or call 800-304-2695.
By Diana North National Bowling Stadium
The Lapins, from Chromo, Colo., and Rodeo, N.M., come to Reno every year at this time to celebrate their wedding anniversary and to bowl in the tournament, which is presented by the United States Bowling Congress.
"This year was our 25th anniversary, so I made Richard take me to Hawaii first," Holly said. "Then we came to Reno."
Drawn together by a love of horses, the Lapins now divide their time between two ranches, the Red Horse Ranch in Chromo, Colo., and IHA Farms in Rodeo, N.M., where they raise and train show horses.
After suffering a serious illness, Richard has not been able to do as much around the ranches, so the majority of the work has fallen to Holly.
"Richard is still recovering, so I have taken over most of the duties of running the ranch," Holly said. "Fortunately, we have some great people working for us, which allow us to leave the 14 dogs, eight horses and two cats to travel and bowl."
Traveling long distances to bowl is nothing new for the Lapins. The couple drives over 80 miles each way twice a week to Silver City, N.M., to bowl league and they usually make the trip again on the weekends to practice.
The Lapins began bowling when Holly's mother was widowed and Holly and Richard needed an activity to keep her busy and to stay connected with her. She had always been an avid bowler, so they decided to join her in a league. The bowling bug bit them and they have been at it ever since.
"I am very competitive," Holly said. "We have bowled in the men's and women's national tournaments as well as a few pro-ams and N.A.B.I. tournaments, and of course the National Mixed."
Last year, the Lapins came alone, bowled together and found partners to bowl in the different events. This year, they brought their friends, Ron and Norma Mohon of Silver City to bowl with them.
The Festival of Bowling has put a limit of three entries for each event this year, but the Lapins and Mohons still managed a wide array of games and events.
They all competed in the mixed team, doubles and singles events, then partnered up for open trios and open doubles events. Ron, Norma and Richard then competed in the senior events, while the not-quite-senior Holly, cheered them on. Richard averaged 179 for 27 games (nine events), and Holly averaged 152 for 18 games (six events).
WEEKEND OPENS UP FOR ENTRIES
The postponement of the Kingpin Million Dollar Challenge has allowed the National Mixed to open up an additional weekend for entries.
Bowlers can now take part in the tournament from Oct. 20-23.
The 2005 Storm National Mixed Tournament and the Festival of Bowling are being held on selected weekends now through Nov. 13, 2005. For information and entry forms, go to nationalmixed.com or call 800-304-2695.
By Diana North National Bowling Stadium