Georgia bowler heats up in Ruby Singles at 2023 Women’s Championships

LAS VEGAS – With less than two weeks left at the 2023 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships, the weather isn’t the only thing heating up. Bowlers from all over still are stringing strikes to fire their way up the leaderboard.

Shirley Bailey of Warner Robins, Georgia, rolled three amazing games of 237, 225 and 268 to take over the lead in Ruby Singles on Monday at the South Point Bowling Plaza with a total of 730.

Bailey, who is retired from the military after 28 years of service, put up an impressive set as she rolled her way to the top. This performance means more to her, however, as it marked her first 700 series.

“I just did everything I knew I was supposed to do,” Bailey said. “I just went out there, relaxed and had fun.”

Coming into the final game, Bailey set herself up for success as she remained cool, calm and collected. She strung eight strikes together, starting in the third frame, to take the lead.

She was comfortable with her lane play at the Bowling Plaza, as she intended on keeping her ball in the pocket and staying clean on her makeable spares. There was one thing constant that helped her keep her vibe the same, which was the support from her teammates and the 21-team group representing the Windy City she’s part of at the USBC Women’s Championships.

“I was just with a great group of ladies out of Chicago, and we travel and bowl together,” Bailey said. “They just make me feel comfortable, and they pull out my best and encourage me. I also had my friends from Georgia with me, so it was all good.”

Bailey made her fifth overall appearance at the Women’s Championships this year in Las Vegas, and she could have never imagined a performance like this with only a couple weeks left to go in the 2023 tournament.

“Hopefully, my score stays there,” Bailey said. “I hope this motivates me to have more confidence in myself and that I just continue to bowl well.”

In addition to her 730 set in singles, Bailey also contributed sets of 618 in doubles and 504 in team to finish her tournament run with a total of 1,852, which also places her in the top five for Ruby All-Events.

Sarah Bettger of Lincoln, Nebraska, leads Ruby All-Events with 1,879.

The Ruby Division features bowlers with entering averages of 161-174.

The 2023 Women’s Championships started April 23 and will conclude July 2. The event will run for 71 consecutive days at the South Point Bowling Plaza and feature more than 4,200 four-player teams and nearly 17,000 bowlers.

Follow updates and more from the official USBC Women’s Championships Facebook page.