EL PASO, Texas - As mothers across the world enjoyed their special day, a select few hit the tournament lanes at the 2010 USBC Women's Championships and celebrated by rolling strikes and spares with their daughters.

With Mother's Day falling on the second Sunday of May each year, a few tandems were surprised to find their dates matched the holiday. Although it was a different way to celebrate, it certainly didn't stop them from having fun on the lanes at the El Paso Convention and Performing Arts Center on Sunday.

Jeannie Tessmer of Hutchinson, Minn., and her daughter Tiffany of Richfield, Minn., have been bowling together at the Women's Championships since 2000 and generally use the trip as a chance to reunite with family members. The group typically bowls the week before Mother's Day, but a change in schedule moved back.

"Some people may see it as a negative, but I surely don't," said Jeannie, bowls regularly at Medina Lanes in Hamel, Minn. "This is great, and I don't mind it a bit. I love getting to share this with my daughter."

Since Tiffany has moved, the two don't get to see each other as often as they would like, but they are able to use the tournament as a chance to get away and spend time together. Both are looking forward to competing at the 2011 event in Syracuse, N.Y., and beyond.

"I'm not sure if we'll be here for Mother's Day every year, but we'll be coming back to bowl," said Jeannie, who made her 10th Women's Championships appearance with Tiffany. "We will definitely be going to New York."

The Tessmers entered the 2010 event with a combined average of 304, placing them in Ruby Doubles. Jeannie rolled a 523 scratch series, while Tiffany added 408 to give them a scratch total of 931. With their additional 56 pins of handicap per game, they finished with a final total of 1,099.

Rose Lumb and her daughter Gina Altobelli, both of St. Paul, Minn., also found themselves on the tournament lanes on Mother's Day for the first time and cherished the chance to compete on their day.

"It's been a blast," said Lumb, who bowled in her 14th Women's Championships. "Plus it's a perk to bowl on Mother's Day. This is a brand-new experience, and it's been fun."

Altobelli also enjoyed the unique opportunity, but admittedly had her thoughts on being someplace else by the end of her competition.

"My sister is watching my son right now, so I'm looking forward to spending the rest of the day with him," Altobelli said. "But it was very nice to celebrate with my mom on the lanes."

Lumb and Altobelli entered the 2010 event at the very top of Ruby Doubles, coming in at a 359 combined average. Altobelli lead the way with a 492 scratch series, and Lumb added 468 for a scratch total of 960. They received an additional pin of handicap per game, leaving their final total at 963.

The Ruby Division is made up of bowlers with averages between 150 and 179, with handicap based on 100 percent of 180. Ruby Doubles features bowlers with combined averages between 300 and 359, with handicap based on 100 percent of 360.

Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships are Nationwide Insurance; Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; US Steltronic, official scoring system; Brunswick; Storm Bowling Products Inc.; and the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.