Born in Florence, SC, Melonie, the daughter of Charles and Melba Efird and Thomas J. Seay, comes from a family of bowlers. Although she was unable to participate in a youth bowling program, her parents would let her “roll a ball or two” after their league at Park Lanes, in West Columbia.
Melonie has twin daughters, Erin and Amanda Fisher of Lexington, both of whom have been bowling since 4 years of age and have their share of YABA local and state honors. Her mother Melba and stepfather Ferris Smith continue to bowl in local leagues around Columbia. Her sister, Tempy DeMarco, her ever faithful doubles partner, accompanies Melonie to local and national tournaments.
Melonie’s first league experience was in 1978 at Park Lanes in Columbia, SC but she didn’t begin to bowl seriously until 1980 when she moved to Kansas. She was an overachiever on the softball field having played for 30 years. In South Carolina they bowl until softball starts but in Kansas they play softball until bowling starts. Melonie was hooked after that. She also bowled in sanctioned leagues in Missouri (where she won an NABI title), in North Carolina and Virginia.
She has been a member of the SCWBA for 16 years and holds a high game scratch of 276, tournament award for 1996, and a scratch SCWBA Team title in 1997. As a member of the Columbia WBA (CWBA) for 16 years, she has won numerous high averages awards maintaining a two year consecutive 200+ average. Melonie has been on the local All Star Team 9* consecutive years and won the Silver division of the Gold/Silver Tournament in 1995. She has had 13 games over 275 with her highest game being a 300, bowled in October 2000 and (16) 700+ series including a 752 high. In addition to participating in the local CWBA and SCWBA tournaments, Melonie participates yearly in the 225 Masters tournament, Azalea Tournament and Southeastern Tournaments. She was inducted into the CWBA Hall of Fame on June 9, 2001.
Melonie has been president of several leagues and was a YABA coach for 8 years. She has been credited with inciting interest and motivation in several of the top youth bowlers in the Columbia area.
Dedicated, competitive and driven are the adjectives that most appropriately describe Melonie and she has an unstoppable “no quit” attitude.
*Since state induction the number of All-Star selections are an unprecedented 16 consecutive years.
