Judy began recreational bowling in the mid 1960’s at the bowling “alley” in Atlantic City, New Jersey. With her friend Yolanda, they went bowling “every once in a while” for fun. In the fall of 1966, Judy joined the high school “Girls Bowling League” that bowled on Monday afternoons. This was an unsanctioned league although Judy did try to sanction the league in her senior year when she was the league secretary/treasurer. Judy represented her high school on the Girls Bowling Team that competed against other high school teams in the area during her junior and senior years. Her future husband, Lee, was on the Boys team of an opposing high school.
In 1972, Lee & Judy joined a mixed league in Raleigh, North Carolina. They bowled in various leagues while living in Raleigh. She also participated in the North Carolina Women’s Bowling Association state tournament one time.
The Bailey’s moved to Columbia in 1975 and joined two leagues at the “new” bowling center, Brunswick Capitol Lanes on Broad River Road. Since then Judy has bowled in several leagues and she’s held the positions of league president, secretary & treasurer at various times.
Judy was thrilled to be elected as a director of the Columbia Women’s Bowling Association in the fall of 1980 (Judy and Mickey Addy started as directors at the same time). Judy met the members of the men’s, women’s and juniors board of directors at the fall picnic featuring “tube steaks”. It was very exciting to be a part of the association at the administrative level. She served on various committees (Ways & Means was always the “first” committee assignment for “new” directors) during her first term as a director.
In February of 1982, Judy was asked to fill the treasurers position for the remainder of that term and continued as treasurer to 1998. She has served as a house liaison and on various committees (finance & budget, audit, city tournament, nominating, yearbook).
Judy was drafted into coaching junior bowlers in the Junior Sunrisers league at Park Triangle Lanes by “Boots” Bellamah in the fall of 1981 and continued to coach for 5 years. She was a certified coach after attending the training class taught by Doug Maloch and Dave Bowers. In 1983, she filled a vacancy on the junior board of directors. Judy did committee work on the junior board and then became the director of the junior scratch traveling league for a few years.
With some experience at the local association level, Judy was elected to be the director from Columbia on the South Carolina State Young American Bowling Alliance board of directors in 1986. She got more involved with tournaments for youth bowlers at the state level that has continued to today. Judy enjoys the “behind the scenes” work that goes into having a successful tournament or event.
In 1996, Judy was contacted by Chuck Powers, NCYABA President, about starting the Interstate Youth All Stars program. Chuck came to Columbia and met with Judy, Dave Bowers and Dot Collins and the All Stars was “born”. Today the program includes youth bowlers from South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Judy and Chuck teamed up again in 2000 to launch the Youth Southeastern Tournament (similar to the men’s and women’s events). Both of these events were started to try to keep kids in the youth program until they “age out”.
Judy began bowling in the WIBC Tournament in 1982 and has visited many cities in the United States which have hosted that tournament since then. Reno, Nevada in June 2003 was her 22nd WIBC Tournament. Judy’s tournament friends meet at the WIBC Tournament each year from all over the United States (New Jersey, Wisconsin, Indiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, California). The group started with just 6 women in St. Louis, Missouri in 1982 and it now has 40 women (8 teams plus spouses and other family members) that meet each year.
Judy has also bowled in many South Carolina Women’s Bowling Association state tournaments over the 28 years she has lived in South Carolina. As a delegate to many SCWBA annual meetings, she has served on the Tellers Committee and acted as assistant Sergeant-at-Arms. Judy first worked in the tournament office of the State Tournament in Columbia in 1982 when the telescores had to be checked (frame by frame) to double check the total game score. (Thank you Laura Browne for a wonderful training experience!). Judy has participated in several Southeastern Women’s and Southern Ladies Classic tournaments also.
At present she is an active life member and Hall of Fame member of the Columbia Women’s Bowling Association, president of the Greater Columbia Association of the Young American Bowling Alliance and president of the South Carolina State Young American Bowling Alliance. Needless to say, the administrative part of bowling keeps her very busy–but she wouldn’t have it any other way.
Judy has made many friends over the years in the bowling “family” and she sincerely appreciates their thoughtfulness and caring. Bowling helped to keep her going in the bad times and she can’t thank everyone enough for that. It is definitely a large part of her life and she values those friendships.
Judy and husband, Lee, and have been married for 31 years. Judy worked in the finance department of Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company, Columbia, SC for 25 years and is currently the financial manager for Prevent Child Abuse South Carolina (a non-profit agency).
Judy’s interests outside of bowling include needlework (cross stitch, crocheting, needlepoint, sewing and quilting) having won several blue ribbons at the South Carolina State Fair over the years.
