Henderson County bowling tournament raises over $12K for childhood cancer

Barbara Ritchey
·3 min read

On May 23 St. Baldrick’s of Western North Carolina, led by Barbara Ritchey, held their eighth annual Strikeout Childhood Cancer bowling tournament at Tarheel Lanes. To say this was a blow-it-out-of-the-water evening is an understatement. Past bowling tournaments raised an average of $5,000 each of the past seven years; this year, the event raised over $12,000 — over twice the average money raised over the past seven years.

The following organizations participated: Henderson County Sheriff’s Office (three teams); Pisgah Pest Control, Meredith Baldridge State Farm; Papa L.E.W., Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office; Water Oak Dental Group; New PECO; Charlie’s Tire Center; Headwaters Outfitters; Alex Ritchey; Hunter Auto Group; Ecusta Brewing; Rotary of Brevard; McNeely’s Tool and Rental, BluAxis Realty; Holmes Team; the Cobb Family.

Bowlers who have shown up for all eight years: Charlie’s Tires, New PECO, Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office and Water Oak Dental Group.

The Above Average Joes from Henderson County Sheriff's Office, led by Scott Galloway, won the Team Spirit Award.
The Above Average Joes from Henderson County Sheriff's Office, led by Scott Galloway, won the Team Spirit Award.

Tarheel Lanes staff served pizza, drinks and salad to a hungry and fun crowd, and they are already planning for next year. Teams had special T-shirts, vying for the Team Spirit Award plaque made and donated by Hanes Hoffman. DJ Sandy McCosh “the Sandman” and his wife Alison served up jams and tunes and microphones for announcements and karaoke; Chandelle Ropp took more photos than her camera memory card could hold.

People sang, danced and showed true spirit. Four honored families attended the event, and stories and photos of seven honored kids were showcased around the bowling alley:

Gage Guffey (2014, age 9, brain tumor), great-grandson of Roger and Suzy Guffey;

Olivia Martin (survivor, now 12, eye tumor), daughter of Noel and Tiffany Martin of Flat Rock;

Ritchey’s daughter, Rebecca Morrow, celebrating 25 years since she finished chemo;

Liam McNeely, (survivor, age 20, acute myelogenous leukemia), who after bowling with us in 2022, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. He also gave his testimony of faith and spoke about being a survivor;

Bethany Cobb (2014, age 11, metastatic melanoma), daughter of Steve and Kelly Cobb;

Jax Warren, (2021, age 4, spinal cord tumor) son of Lt. Jordan and Bailee Warren;

Holmes Desmelik (survivor, age 15, inoperable brain tumor), son of Clare and Dave Desmelik.

The gathering sang Happy Birthday to Bethany Cobb, who would have been 22 on May 23. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

Awards and trophies:

  • Highest team average: Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office (400).

  • Newly knighted Squires of the Legendary League of Heroes: Ursula Wynn, Alexandria Wynn, Portia Jackson, Arianne Young, Theresa Wynn (all from Papa L.E.W.), Meredith Baldridge, Tanya McCoy.

  • Organization with the most teams: Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.

  • Top Fundraiser Medallion: Jessica Whitmire and Headwaters Outfitters Taproom — she raised $773 in her first year sponsoring a bowling team.

  • Top Team for raising the most money: bluAxis Realty, also in their inaugural year.

  • Team Spirit Award: the Above Average Joes from HCSO, led by Scott Galloway.

  • The second-place bowling trophy is awarded to Papa L.E.W.

  • First-place bowling trophy: The Incredibowls led by Stephanie Cantwell (HCSO).

The Incredibowls, led by Stephanie Cantwell, earned a first-place bowling trophy. Shown here are The Incredibowls, The Above Average Joes and the Groovy Gutter Gang.
The Incredibowls, led by Stephanie Cantwell, earned a first-place bowling trophy. Shown here are The Incredibowls, The Above Average Joes and the Groovy Gutter Gang.

Sponsors this year: HCSO/SROs, French Broad River Cattle Company; Papa L.E.W., Charlie’s Tire Center, Ecusta Brewing, New PECO; McNeely Tool and Rental companies; Pisgah Pest Control; Hunter Auto Group; bluAxis Realty; Anita Pace Southern Roots Realty; Meredith Baldridge State Farm; Water Oak Dental; The Hub and Pisgah Tavern; and PRP Wine International. Raffle Prize donors: 12bones BBQ, Bark Box, Blue Ridge Bakery, Bobbee O’s BBQ, Carowinds, Chipotle, Cognitive Brewhouse, Connestee Golf, Cummings Cove Golf Course, DD Bullwinkels, Delle Elaine Photography, DJ Sandman, Earthshine Lodge, Fit Inn, Grammy’s, Green Go Cleaning, Greystone Inn, K-1 Speed, Kilwin’s Brevard, Let’s Roam, Nantahala Outdoor Center, OP Taylors, Starbucks, Sycamore Cycles, Texas Roadhouse, Tidal Wave, Trader Joe’s and Walmart of Pisgah Forest.

Ritchey is already planning for next year to be even bigger and is looking for volunteers and participants for 2025. She can be reached at barbararitcheyusaf@gmail.com or (803) 464-1951.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Henderson County bowling tournament raises $12K for childhood cancer