RENO, Nevada ¿ Every year, five teams of bowlers from Bermuda leave their sub-tropical homes that are surrounded by pink-sand beaches and head to the United States Bowling Congress Women's Championships.

This year, the trip to Reno's National Bowling Stadium was 10 hours by plane plus stopovers, but the bowlers don't mind the time or the distance because the excitement of the USBC Women's Championships is well worth the effort.

"I just love the game," said group –organiser Marjorie –McGregor Correia.

"I think I have bowling pins running in my bloodstream.

"Bowling is also the only sport that has no age limitations. As long as you are physically able to, you can do it."

A third-generation Bermudian, Correia has been involved in bowling and tournament trip planning for more than 30 years.

She also was instrumental in getting this British overseas territory, as well as a few other countries beyond the continental US, admitted into the Women's International Bowling Congress in the early 1960s, which led to inclusion in the Women's Championships.

As one of Bermuda's chief cheerleaders, Correia will celebrate 25 years with the Women's Championships in 2010.

Her first tournament was in 1967 in Rochester, New York, but it is the 2004 event in Wichita, Kansas, that stands out for her.

"Wichita felt very welcoming for all the bowlers with the way the hotels were decorated and all the attention to detail, including the nice people," Correia said.

It's quite a feat to get five teams prepared each year for international travel, but Correia has it down pat, and also credits her team captains for their help. Starting each September, she books flights and hotels, coordinating all arrivals for the same day, while allowing for differing departure dates.

She also uses her own credit card and fax machine to complete the job.

"I check back periodically with each captain to see how we are progressing before the actual trip, but of course, sometimes there are last-minute problems," Correia said.

"This year, we had to allow for two missing bowlers due to an unexpected surgery and other issues, but things usually just roll along well. The only requirement I make is that all bowlers must dress alike."

Correia's Division 2 team, the Bermuda Onions, had a 2,117 total, led by Cathee Tumbridge (528), who was followed by Marilyn Simmons (430), Ann Mitchell (403), Correira (394) and Betty Lespere (362).