Marie Sarnosky was born in Flatbush, Alberta Canada on November 1, 1927. Just before her 18th birthday she moved to Edmonton, Alberta. All of Marie’s siblings are golfers and curlers. She is the only one that decided to take up bowling. She me her husband, Stan, in the spring of 1948. They were married in July 1950, in Fairbanks, Alaska. They have one daughter, Flo; 3 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.
Marie started bowling in sanctioned leagues in 1954 at Izmir, Turkey and from there she traveled all over the world because Stan was a career man in the Air Force. So, “–wherever he goeth, she goeth–“! Fortunately for bowling, the Grand Strand and the state of South Carolina, Marie and Stan came to Myrtle Beach in 1965. They left in 1967 and returned in 1970 where they have resided together until Stan’s death in 1996.
Marie was elected to the Grand Strand WBA Board of Directors in 1973 and has served as Director, First Vice President and Second Vice President. She has been a member of the Grand Strand WBA for 30 years; participated in 24 WIBC Tournaments, where she served as a delegate many times. She has participated in 29 SCWBA Tournaments and was a delegate numerous times to the SCWBA Annual Meetings. For the SCWBA Annual Meeting Marie has served as teller, worked on the Credentials Committee and served as Assistant Sergeant at Arms.
Through the many years Marie has been on the GSWBA Board of Directors, she has worn various hats. She served as Chairman of the Awards Committee for many years; has chaired the “Granny Tournament” and has worked countless hours on the BVL Committee for our hospitalized veterans.
At the “grass roots” level, Marie has been the Secretary of one league for 16 years…a position she would have released to another bowler. But the league would not hear of it. She has received the honor of League Secretary of the Year on three occasions. In 1991 she was elected as Member Emeritus by the Grand Strand WBA. In 1995 Marie was inducted into the Grand Strand WBA Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service.
Marie also makes sure that the Grand Strand is well represented at the National, State and Southeastern Tournaments, by putting together teams, working out schedules, accommodations and transportation. She is also instrumental in organizing teams for the GSWBA Championship Tournament, always encouraging people to participate.
In every way Marie represents the best of the bowling scene. Not only is she an avid bowler, but, she is the epitome of good sportsmanship — the type of person who is indeed someone you can always look-up to — always a lady, on and off the lanes — always ready and willing to do whatever she can to make bowling more interesting and enjoyable. Marie’s highest average is 171. Her highest game is 259 and her highest series is 626.
We thank Canada for giving Marie to us. She has truly been an asset to the Grand Strand and South Carolina. Marie is a true pioneer and we thank her for her many unselfish contributions to the game of ten pins.
