2010 WVIRBA Tour Events

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♣March 20, 21 Irish Spring Festival, Ireland, WV

www.angelfire.com/wv/irishspringfestival Virginia Virginia Virginia Virginia Virginia Virginia

West’s Irish road bowling “homeplace,” the heart of WV Irish road bowling.  Wildcat Road to Duffy Bridge, at 2.2 miles our longest. 

March 20 (Saturday) 2:30 p.m.  Roadbowling. 
See unique Parade at 1:00 p.m. 

March 21 (Sunday) 1:30 p.m. Roadbowling.  Family fun.

 Road Master  Denton King 304 452 8962

♣April 15-17, 2011 - Book your Pipestem reservation now for 2011.

April 24, 25, 2010 Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem, WV

www.pipestemresort.com, pipesteminfo@wvstateparks.com

1 800 CALL WVA (1 800 225 5982)

A magnificent view into the Bluestone River Gorge, Appalachian Spring colors in southern West Virginia, and one of the very best road bowling roads in West Virginia, combine for an unforgettable weekend. Pipestem- call 304 466 1800, or 1 800 CALL WVA, www.pipestemresort.com. Ask for Irish Road Bowlers Discount! For info, Pipestem Activities Director Shirley Martin is 304-466-1800. For WVIRBA Kevin Smith 304-647-8461.

Bonus event: In 2010, the West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association (WVIRBA) will host a men’s Novice 3 and Novice 4 Tournament, to recognize and encourage those bowlers who have not competed at the highest levels, as well as invite newcomers.

Saturday, April 24

9:30 a.m.: WVIRBA WOMEN’S QUALIFIER: All women are eligible to compete in the Singles Qualifier. A second qualifier will be held at the Strawberry Festival near Buckhannon, May 15, 16. Top 4 women scorers from each qualifier advance to the West Virginia IRBA Women’s Singles State Championship, July 17, 18, in Ireland, WV.

Saturday Afternoon, Team Tournament - Trophies for 4-person teams.

Sunday, April 25 - Team Bowling

Novice 3 and Novice 4 qualifying tournament -
1:00 p.m.: WVIRB NOVICE 3 AND NOVICE 4 MEN’S QUALIFIER

Novice 3: (some tournament experience) All men who have qualified to compete in the past two WVIRB State Championships are Novice 3 eligible, except those that have ever competed in a North American Finals Championship.

Novice 4: All men, except those that have competed in a North American Finals or those that are Novice 3 eligible, are eligible for the Novice 4. A second Novice 3 and Novice 4 qualifier will be held at the Strawberry Festival near Buckhannon, May 15, 16.  Top 4 men scorers from each qualifier, Pipestem and Strawberry Festival, advance to the West Virginia IRB Singles State Championship, July 17, 18, Ireland, WV. There will be an exhibition of German Lofting and Dutch Moors Bowling at Pipestem.

♣May 15, 16 Strawberry Festival, Buckhannon, WV

www.wvstrawberryfestival.com

Turkey Run Road, site of the 2006 Irish Road Bowling North American Region Championship Finals, Bol~Chumann na hEireann. Winners advanced to the All Irelands, in Ireland (the country).

Saturday May 15 

1:00 p.m. Women’s Singles Qualifier

3:00 p.m. Team Bowling

Sunday May 16

Men's Novice 3 and Novice 4 qualifying tournament -
1:00 p.m.: WVIRB NOVICE 3 AND NOVICE 4 MEN’S QUALIFIER

Novice 3: (some tournament experience) All men who have qualified to compete in the past two WVIRB State Championships are Novice 3 eligible, except those that have ever competed in a North American Finals Championship.

Novice 4: All men, except those that have competed in a North American Finals or those that are Novice 3 eligible, are eligible for the Novice 4. A second Novice 3 and Novice 4 qualifier will be held at the Strawberry Festival near Buckhannon, May 15, 16.  Top 4 men scorers from each qualifier, Pipestem and Strawberry Festival, advance to the West Virginia IRB Singles State Championship, July 17, 18, Ireland, WV.

May 13-16 World Championships of Bowling, Dinkelland, the Netherlands, www.wkklootschieten2010.nl. The West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association (WVIRBA) is proud to sponsor two competitors, Travis Craig, Ireland, WV and Travis McClintic, Morgantown, WV, in the World Championships of Bowling in Dinkelland, Netherlands, May 13 -16, 2010. West Virginia will unite with two All-Ireland Champions, New York bowlers, Adrian Lappin and Fergal Carr, as “The All American Team.”

♣June 19 Blackwater Falls State Park West Virginia Day Celebration, Davis, WV. 

www.blackwaterfalls.com, blackwater@wvdnr.gov

Saturday 1:30 p.m.

One of the closer events to Pittsburgh and Washington DC, Blackwater Falls is WV's best known landmark in a state famous for its scenery. The Washington Post described the Falls as “so perfectly set in its narrow canyon and so beautiful as to be almost surreal.”  Blackwater Falls State Park 304 259 5216.  

♣June 20  Canaan Valley State Park, Davis, WV  Sunday 1:30 p.m. www.canaanvalley.com   

In the highest-elevation valley east of the Mississippi, this open road with sweeping curves is an ideal contrast to the boulders and rhododendron thickets at nearby Blackwater Falls. Enjoy a two-day two-event road bowling weekend at Blackwater and Canaan.  Contact David Vance, 1-800-622-4121, Ext 2788 

♣July 17, 18 West Virginia Singles Finals, Ireland, WV

The top four bowlers, men and women, from each of the two qualifiers, (Pipestem Resort April 24 and 25 and Strawberry Festival May 15 and 16 (total 16 qualifiers), meet in Ireland, WV on Wildcat Road. The scores will be 1.3 mile Wildcat Road.

July 17 SATURDAY

9:00 Ladies First- Women's Championship - see the best lady bowlers in West Virginia  

11:00 David Powell, Salem v WVIRBA President Mark Wilt, Kingwood
11:30 Eric George, Buckhannon v Rich Meece, Glade Creek United

Lunch

2:00 (A) Wallington v Lewis Wayne Marrs, Doddridge County  
2:30 (B) Clifton Colebank, Kingwood  v Andy Rebollar, Alderson
3:00 (C) Nick Mick, Morgantown v Lowery
3:30 (D) Smith v Wimer

July 18 SUNDAY

10:30 Semi-final IV (A winner v B winner)
11:00 Semi-final IV (C winner v D winner)
12:30 Finals III
2:30 Finals IV

♣July 24 Morgan County Fair, Cacapon State Park, Berkeley Springs, WV

Saturday 11:00 a.m 

"Gravity is your friend"on this mostly downhill roll through the woods with rocky cliffs alongside.  This shaded course will be cool in the hot summer time and great for beginners.  Contact:  Road Master Mary Wolfe 304-258-4958 or mwolfe1@earthlink.net  

SLIRB is excited to announce that we will be hosting the 2010 North American Region Finals, in conjunction with New York Roadbowling. Teams from New York, Boston and West Virginia will be competing. Come and watch the best road bowlers in North America compete!

The Course

The course for the tournament will be Ashgrove Road, in White Creek NY. Click here to watch a video of Ashgrove Road. More information on the course will be posted in the future.

Dining and Events

Friday Night Kickoff Dinner-7PM
Bennington Station
150 Depot Street
Bennington, VT 05201
Website: www.benningtonstation.com

The kickoff event for the 2010 North American Region Finals will be held on Friday night at 7 PM at the Bennington Station restaurant in Bennington.

Saturday Night
Rattlesnake Cafe
230 North Street
Bennington, VT 05201
Website: www.rattlesnakecafe.com

On Saturday night the festivities will move to the Rattlesnake Café in Bennington. The Snake is the place to go for excellent Mexican fare, as well as the best selection of ales in the area! Join owner and fellow road bowler Sean Dunleavey in celebrating the 2010 North American Region Finals.

Sunday Afternoon Awards Ceremony
Cambridge Hotel
4 West Main Street
Cambridge, NY 12816
Website: www.cambridgehotel.com

The final awards ceremony will take place at the Cambridge Hotel in Cambridge, NY. The ceremony will immediately follow the last competition and will feature snacks and a cash bar.

The finals in Novice 2, Novice 1 and Junior C will be held on Ash Grove Road. For info, contact road master Jeff Goldstone 518 677-5330; cell phone 802 558-1201, jgoldstone1@gmail.com.

♣August 14 Doddridge County Fair, West Union, WV

 www.doddridgecountyfair.com

Saturday 1:30 p.m.

Big mountain, wide road, long shots. Union and Confederate soldiers marched down this road during the Civil War. Road Master  Richard McMillan 304 873 1353

♣August 28 Barbour County Fair, historic Philippi, WV www.barbourcountyfair.com

Saturday 1:30 p.m.

First land battle of the Civil War, largest covered bridge in WV, Point Pleasant Road starts high on the ridge-top, great views, then a long downhill curve to the fairgrounds. Road Master  Bob Wilkins 304 457 1295

♣Announcing:

Come with us to the Emerald Isle

You are cordially invited to join David Powell on a private group journey to Ireland, September 2010, that will include the annual "All Ireland Road Bowls Finals.” It's as authentic as Ireland gets.

 Participation is very limited...it is currently open to 10 participants to book!  We have an absolute maximum of 12, but only 10 spaces are now available. This is not your average coach tour of Ireland...ours is a small, exclusive journey that takes you where coaches cannot venture. We have so much planned...Cork, Kerry, Beara Peninsula, Iveragh Peninsula (known as the famous Ring of Kerry), Dingle Peninsula, River Shannon, County Clare with the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and the wild Connemara region...to name just some of the magical, mystical places we will explore. 

David will introduce us to one of the oldest, yet least known, sports anywhere, and we meet the real Irish!  We mingle with Irish experts who will share their love of this unique sport with us, and give you the chance to try your hand at it. 

 We stay in small charming hotels away from the usual tourist haunts; mix breath-catching scenery and local culture with outdoor activities; unwind in relaxing pubs; and make new Irish friends. Don't miss this opportunity to join us as part of a very select group as we explore the best of Ireland and learn the history, "legends and lore" of Irish Road Bowling.   

 Please hurry and get in touch so we can send you more information before it is too late. For details, David can be reached by e-mail: wdp320@aol.com or by telephone: (202) 387-1680.  

♣September 4 Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass WV

Saturday 2:30 p.m.

www.cassrailroad.com; cassrailroad@wvdnr.gov www.pocohontascountywv.com

The highest mountains in West Virginia, the Wild Wild East with nearby Civil War battlefields, breathtaking scenery, seven rivers begin here. After bowling, ride the steam-driven logging train up the mountain. Superintendent Dave Caplinger 304 456 4300, x106. 

 ♣September 18 Inaugural Pack Horse Ford Cannonball Run, Shepherdstown, WV

http://www.battleofshepherdstown.org

Saturday 1:30 p.m. 

The inaugural PACK HORSE FORD CANNONBALL RUN Irish Road Bowling competition will be held in Shepherdstown, WV on Saturday, September 18^th, beginning at 1:30 PM.

Come join the fun of this inaugural competition on Saturday, September 18^th, for a weekend rich in history and plenty of entertainment all situated amidst the enchanting natural surroundings of Shepherdstown, WV. To be a part of history contact Road Master Mary Wolfe, phone 304-258-4958, e-mail mwolfe1@earthlink.net.

September 18, 2010   Wheeling Hibernians Irish Road Bowling Tournament, Wheeling, WV  

http://aohwheeling.shutterfly.com

Saturday 1:00 p.m. 

**NEW EVENT  The inaugural Wheeling Hibernians IRB Tournament will be the northern-most event on the WVIRBA Tour circuit. With a central location in the Ohio River Valley, this tournament will be an easy drive from Pittsburgh or Columbus.  Boggs Hill Road. For info contact Craig O'Leary 304 242 6196, oleary@redp.org.     

 ♣October 2 Mountain State Forest Festival, Elkins,WV

www.forestfestival.com

Saturday 1:30 p.m.

One of West Virginia’s oldest and biggest festivals. Beautiful views from scenic Georgetown Road. Shannon Gear, 304 452 9688 

♣October 3 Preston County Buckwheat Festival, Kingwood, WV   www.buckwheatfest.com

Sunday 1:00 p.m.

The WVIRB Association “Northern Wing” sponsors a terrific tournament with the best prize anywhere, a Buckwheat Pancake Breakfast for the winners. Loft a corner on one of the best WVIRBA  roads in WV.  Road Master Mark Wilt 304 329 2065 

October 9 Holly River State Park Fall Challenge (& Pig Roast), Hacker Valley, WV www.hollyriver.com

 Saturday 1:30 p.m.  

In a deep valley, one of the tour’s most beautiful roads, October colors, a trout stream, rhododendron thickets, a bridge to loft over, a massive stone pavilion for the medieval feast afterward. Superintendent Ken McClintic 304 493 6353

October 31 Stonewall Resort Yankee Skedaddle, Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park, Roanoke, WV

www.stonewallresort.com

1 888 278 8150, 304 269 8820

Stonewall Jackson “We see him now the old slouched hat/ Cocked O’er his eye askew/ The shrewd dry smile, his speech so pat/ So calm, so blunt, so true.” 

Great Balls of Fire! Cannonballs will fly within spittin’ distance of the childhood home of Gen’ral Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. We Skedaddle Yankees down the 1.3 mile Resort Road.

Ladies Long Shot after team bowling.