Team Southeast: Bud Ricucci, Sandy Wall, Jackie Williamson, Marita Nierth,
Rick Fitzgerald, Steve Nelson (Rebecca Fitzgerald, photo)
Local Asheville bowler, Steve Nelson and his Mt. Dora FL partner, Bud Ricucci, won the national lawn bowling championships in a playoff against a team from Southwest California. Nelson and Ricucci represented the Southeast region (NC to Florida) in the tournament against seven other regional champions. The Southeast duo finished round robin play in a three-way tie at 5-2, but earned a bye directly to the gold medal game by shot differential. Nelson and Ricucci then bested the Californians 14-6 in the finals. This is the first gold medal since 1991 for the Southeast men.
This premiere event is held once each year and requires competitors to first win their regional event to qualify for the nationals. Sun City Center FL hosted the tournament Nov 27-30.