Women Take Spotlight in Fountain Valley : Bowling: U.S. Open, with $100,000 purse, begins Saturday at Fountain Bowl, the second time Southland has played host to the event.

At the turn of the century, bowling was mainly a game played on two, four or eight lanes in beer parlors.

According to a bowling history, “Ladies of the day risked reputations to try the game. Some ladies bowled despite objecting husbands. Others discreetly bowled behind screens set up to hide their participation.”

In 1907, Dennis J. Sweeney of St. Louis declared: “Bowling will never prosper until women become a part of it.” In his fight for equal bowling rights, he established the first league competition for women. The cause spread to other major cities.

By 1910 in Los Angeles, stories about female bowlers were appearing periodically in The Times, and a more acceptable environment was available on alleys in clubhouses of fraternal organizations.

When the men in white shirts, vests and bow ties finished play, the women took over and bowled socially in rather cumbersome attire. Rare photos from that era show affluent middle-aged or older women bowling in ankle-length dresses, dress shoes, bonnets and dangling pearl necklaces.

More than 80 years have passed since Sweeney’s prediction and millions of women throughout the world have bowled.

Saturday, the $100,000 U.S. Women’s Bowling Open will be launched on a six-day run by the Bowling Proprietors Assn. of America at Fountain Bowl.

It is the second time the Southland has played host to the event. In 1961, the tournament, then called the National All-Star, was held in San Bernardino.

Three years earlier in Chicago, the late Merle Matthews of Long Beach became the first Southern Californian to win the title.

This year’s field will include 100 amateur or league bowlers from 40 states and an international mix of 140 pros. The Open is part of the Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour.

Dana Miller-Mackie of Albuquerque, N.M., is the defending champion.

Aiming to repeat previous victories are Southern Californians Donna Adamek of Apple Valley, winner in 1978 and ‘81; Wendy Macpherson of San Diego, 1986 champion, and Robin Romeo of Van Nuys, 1989 titlist. Lisa Wagner of Palmetto, Fla., the bowler of the decade in the 1980s, is another former champion in the field.

Tish Johnson of Panorama City, 1990 co-bowler of the year with Miller-Mackie, is seeking her first Open title, as are Leanne Barrette, Dede Davidson, Cheryl Daniels, Nikki Gianulias, Carol Gianotti and Aleta Sill, among others.

U.S. Women’s Open Facts

When: Saturday through Thursday.

Where: Fountain Bowl (60 lanes), 17110 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley.

Sponsors: Bowling Proprietors Assn. of America, Ladies Pro Bowlers Tour.

Purse: $100,000, $20,000 for first place.

History: 48th annual event. Inaugurated by the BPAA in 1949 as the National All-Star Tournament. Became part of pro women’s tour in 1971 and renamed U.S. Women’s Bowling Open.

Field: 240 women, 140 tour professionals and 100 amateurs (in bowling, amateurs can win prize money). Amateurs from 39 states qualified in local and regional competition.

Format: 60 games. After 24, field cut to 60. After 32, field cut to 24. After 56, field cut to five. Five finalists compete in nationally televised (ESPN) four-game, stepladder final for championship.

Defending champion: Dana Miller-Mackie, Albuquerque, N.M.

County amateur entrants: Darlene Davis (Westminster), Judee A. Galbraith (Tustin), Michelle Garcia (Westminster), Julie Gardner (Huntington Beach), Van Grazoni (Garden Grove), Joan Harvey-Kennedy (Santa Ana), Patsy Litvak (Huntington Beach), Marvina Locke (Orange), Joan Mysliwy (Fullerton), Tammy Schmidt (Newport Beach), Lynne Tomita (Huntington Beach), Deborah Villani (Mission Viejo), Audrey Zuniga (Buena Park).

County pro entrants: Cindy Mason (Huntington Beach), Virginia Norton (Cypress), Stacy Rider (La Habra).

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

Saturday: First round, eight games. A squad at 9 a.m., B squad at 1:30 p.m., C squad at 6 p.m.

Sunday: Second round, eight games. A squad at 9 a.m., B squad at 1:30 p.m., C squad at 6 p.m.

Monday: Third round, eight games. A squad at 9 a.m., B squad at 1:30 p.m., C squad at 6 p.m. Top 60 qualify for fourth round.

Tuesday: Fourth round, eight games, 9 a.m. Top 24 qualify for semifinals. First-round semifinals, eight games, match play, 6:30 p.m. Note: At 1:30 p.m. there will be an eight-game roll-off for BPAA amateurs not qualifying for the fourth round.

Wednesday: Second-round semifinals, eight games, match play, 10 a.m. Third-round semifinals, eight games, match play, 6:30 p.m. Top five qualify for championship finals.

Thursday: Championship stepladder final, 4:30 p.m.