The Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) will be in town today and tomorrow to determine the best high school bowlers in the region. The AHSAA Regional Bowling Championships are slated to take place January 18 – 19 at the Gulf Bowl and Captain’s Choice Seafood Restaurant in Foley.
While the weather has put some kinks in the original schedule, 16 boys teams from around the area will compete starting at 5 p.m. tonight, January 18 with the first rounds of the girls’ competition to immediately follow. The event will likely run until the late hours this evening, with competitors returning Friday at 8 a.m. for the final rounds.
The hours of the event may have changed, but what’s on the line has not- a trip to the State Bowling Championships in Pelham next week. While 32 teams compete in Foley, another 32 are competing in Tuscaloosa. The top eight boys teams and the top eight girls teams from each region will advance to the State Championship January 25 – 26.
The event is open to the public, with a $5 charge for parking and an $8 charge for entry. Assistant Director of the AHSAA, Marvin Chou said he hopes there will be some supporters out despite the weather.
“We excited that we are able to have this sport,” Chou said. “Please come out and support those kids they’d be really excited.”
There are plenty of local teams worth checking out, including the Foley boys team and the Gulf Shores girls team.
Foley Director of Recreation and Sports Tourism David Thompson said this tournament is an opportunity to see local teams benefitting from the sports tourism model.
“We are really lucky to have this tournament in Foley,” Thompson said. “It gives us the opportunity to bring the best in our area to our doorstep. It also affords us the opportunity to cheer on our hometown teams as they look for a chance to move on to the State Championships.”
For more information on this or any Foley Sports Tourism event, check out our events page.
