Rivergate Bowl kicked off the fourth annual TNT Memorial Benefit Tournament on Saturday.

The bowling tournament continues today, and will resume next Saturday and conclude Sunday.

Proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Guardian Shelter for Battered Women.

Tournament manager Carl Holzhauer said he has been pleased with this year’s turnout so far.

“We have teams from all over Mississippi and Louisiana participating,” he said.

The tournament began four years ago as a Valentines Day doubles tournament, but was renamed in February 2005, to honor Tammy Nettles Tynes.

Tynes was a longtime avid bowler at Rivergate, and passed away of an aneurism in April 2004.

Holzhauer said the Guardian Shelter was chosen as the beneficiary of the tournament because Tynes spent time there while escaping and recovering from an abusive first marriage, and added that it was a place close to Tynes’ heart.

“I think battered women and abused women who want to get out of their situation need a place to get started. The Guardian shelter is a good place for them to get started,” Holzhauer said.

Pat Nettles, Tynes’ mother, said the tournament was a wonderful idea, and it is a fitting tribute to her daughter.

Besides a being a bowler, Nettles said her daughter was also an organ donor, and after her death, her kidneys were transplanted into two different people.

“Even in death she is still living,” she said.

After her death, state Congressman Sam Mims adjourned the Mississippi House of Representatives in her honor.

The Friday Night Mixed League at Rivergate named their sportsmanship award after her.

Holzhauer said the tournament has steadily grown since its inception. He said in the first year, 75 teams competed, and last year 150 teams took part. In 2005 the tournament raised $3000, and that amount increased to $4500 last year.

Holzhauer said many people and businesses have made donations, and as part of this year’s tournament, and 107.1 FM will host an alligator auction Feb. 13-14 from noon-2 p.m. to auction of the larger donated items.

“I have to thank 107.1 and Desiree Smith for their radio time and extra help with this event,” he said.

There will also be a Napa Texas Hold ‘Em tournament table raffled off on

Sunday, Feb. 18, and tickets can be purchased for $2.

Holzhauer said people interested in participating in the tournament must register by 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18.

“I think the tournament is a great idea, it is for a great cause and it keeps getting bigger each year,” Tynes’ sister Wendy N. McGraw said.

For more information about the tournament and raffle, contact Carl Holzhauer at 318-389-5047 or at 318-758-0381.