JOHNSTOWN – The Billy Hladik Scholarship tournament will take place March 2 at Perry Lanes.
This will be the 40th year this tournament has been held. It is the oldest continuous running tournament in Fulton County, according to a news release.
The tournament will consist of five-person teams, any combination-all men-all women-or a combination at a cost of $75 per team.
It is regular bowling with a handicap of 80 percent of 1,100 per team.
This year, there will be two shifts, one at noon and the other at 3 p.m. The first 64 teams will be accepted, but in the event both squads fill, a Friday night shift will be considered.
In celebration of the 40th year, anyone bowling a perfect game will be awarded $100 cash. Entry blanks are available at Perry Lanes and must be turned in by Feb. 25.
The scholarship Committee has awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships to local graduation high school students over the last 39 years.
Billy Hladik was an outstanding high school athlete at Johnstown High School, participating on both the baseball and bowling teams. He died in a fire on March 8, 1973. Friends of Billy organized a baseball tournament in August of that year and raised $300, which they donated to the Wm A. Wright Scholarship in memory of Hladik. The following year, Hladik’s friends started the William Hladik Scholarship Fund and in 1974, the first William Hladik Scholarship was presented to Dave Wiltey in the amount of $400.
The baseball tournament continued for 10 years. Attendance grew each year causing them to move from Glebe Street to Pleasant Avenue to Concordia and finally to Meco Ball Park in order to accommodate the many supporters of the tournament.
The first bowling tournament took place at the Johnstown Bowling Center where two shifts were held.
The tournament expanded the second year, so with the cooperation of the late Jim Lomanto, the bowling tournament was moved to Perry Lanes.
The first year at Perry, they held a scotch doubles event on Friday night, regular bowling on Saturday and a special match Sunday consisting of local city officials.
Scholarship entries are carefully read by committee members to determine the winners.
The committee looks for financial need, character and academics. Entrants need not be a member of a sports program to be considered.
Jack Callery was president of the scholarship committee until 2009 at which time he turned the reins over to members of the Hladik family.
Those who have been awarded a Wm Hladik Scholarship over the last 39 years, are encouraged to gather some friends and form a team.
The event is focused on having fun and helping a high school senior reach his or her goal. Those who are unable to bowl, are welcome to attend.
There will be prize raffles, money raffle and music provided by Dr. Kwazy Tunes.
Those who would like to sponsor a lane or donate a prize or basket to be raffled off should call Connie at 762-9305.
For more information about the tournament, call Connie or Rudy at 762-9305 or Perry Lanes at 762-8618.?
