11/3/2011
ROANOKE, W.Va. – Four of the best Irish Road Bowlers in West Virginia and the USA will meet at
Stonewall Resort State Park Nov. 6.
Jerod Putnam,
Travis McClintic,
Stephen Wallington, and
Clifton Colebank will compete Sunday afternoon to determine the first Single’s League Champion. Free team bowling for everyone will also be featured, and the afternoon will end with the annual West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association Ladies’ Longshot Championship.
Irish Road Bowling is one of the oldest sports in the world. An iron and steel small cannonball is thrown for distance over a one to two mile road, fewest throws to the finish line wins the match. Following the competition, the public is welcome to play this very easy-to-learn sport.
This is the final event on the 2011 Wild and Wonderful West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Tour. Eight of West Virginia’s state parks hosted Irish Road Bowling events this year. At Stonewall Resort, the best players in West Virginia will meet in head-to-head competition. It is expected that spectators will see plenty of 200+ yard and perhaps 300 yard shots.
The event is sponsored by Stonewall Resort and the West Virginia Irish Road Bowling Association. For the final single’s league standings and information about this growing outdoor recreational sport, see
www.wvirishroadbowling.com.
Jerod Putnam of Ireland, W.Va., who is one of the founders of road bowling in West Virginia, played in the first match in March 1995. West Virginia State Champion in 2002 and 2006, Jerod has competed in several national tournaments and made trips to Ireland to see the world’s best players. Formerly a football player at Glenville State College, Jerod throws with plenty of speed and has returned to winning form in 2011 after drastically changing his throwing style.
Travis McClintic from Lewisburg, W.Va., was a member of the first USA team to compete in the World Championships of Bowl Playing in Dinkelland, Holland, in 2010. Travis defeated a two-time All-Ireland Champion in the national tournament in West Virginia in 2009. He throws with a hard charging sprint that puts terrific speed on the bowl. Travis was a WVU football player and currently is a professional bull rider.
Stephen Wallington from Culloden, W.Va., throws with a classic Irish run-up and throwing style which allows him to generate speed yet maintain accuracy. A former AAA high school baseball pitcher, Stephen has transferred baseball skills to road bowling and quickly has become one of the best in West Virginia.
Clifton Colebank from Morgantown, W.Va., is also new to the sport and uses only a two or three step approach. However, with center-line accuracy and a deft touch on the bowl, Clifton generates long shots that stay in the road. Clifton brought home a Runner-up trophy from the 2011 national tournament in Boston in August.
Contact Information
Sam England, Supt., Stonewall Resort State Park or David Powell, W.Va. Irish Road Bowling Association
304-269-0524 or 202-387-1680
Samuel.A.England@wv.gov or
wdp320@aol.com