<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Travis Craig, Ireland, WV, and Travis McClintic, Lewisburg, rolled the 1.3 mile Turkey Run Road, Buckhannon, in 15 and 17 throws respectively, to take top honors in the state finals, Sunday, June 28.</span> Craig and McClintic will lead a team of eight of the best players in West Virginia, in four grades, facing clubs from New York and Boston, in the national championship, the North American Region Finals, Aug. 7, 8 and 9, also on Turkey Run Road, Buckhannon. Winners in the North American Region Finals will advance to the ultimate competition, the All Ireland Finals in the country of Ireland, in September. It is expected that several all Ireland Champions will be on hand in Buckhannon, including Adrian Lappin and Fergal Carr of New York, Florrie O’Mahoney, Con O’Callaghan, Brendan Fleming, Roger O’Riordan and Mike Fleming of Boston. These bowlers throw “savage” bowls that roll 250 - 300 yards on a narrow country road. The tournament is free and open to the public, spectators will see the best players in the USA. The West Virginia team will be Novice 1, Stephen Wallington, Huntington and Ken McClintic, Hacker Valley, Novice 2, Travis Craig and Travis McClintic, Novice 3, Eric Bee, Buckhannon and Wayne Marrs, West Union, Novice 4 Stephen Holmes, Buckhannon and Ken Baun, Buckhannon. Seven of the eight WVIRBA bowlers have experience competing in national finals, only Ken Baun in Novice 4 is a newcomer. In women’s competition, Elise McCintic rolled 23 shots for the win over Abby Layman, Marsha Jordan, and Sharon Bee. Irish Road Bowling is an ancient sport from rural Ireland older than golf. It combines the excitement of great shots rolling 200 yards or more, with the quiet ambience of a leisurely walk down a beautiful country road. It falls somewhere between bowling and golf, with a touch of the geometry of billiards thrown in (stone walls, curbs and bridge abutments). The WVIRBA hosts 19 tournaments at state parks, festivals and county fairs in all regions of West Virginia from March to November. Beginning clubs encouraged to attend, or place your organization contact info in the tournament program. To take part in a 2015 North American Region Finals sponsorship, contact David Powell wdp320@aol.com, 202-387-1680, or Jessica Hunter jessroadbowling@gmail.com.
