2012 APRIL - EBPA - European Bowling Proprietors Association
Transcription
2012 APRIL - EBPA - European Bowling Proprietors Association
JULY 2016 Volume Twenty Six Number 7 www.starsandstrikesbowling.com member AMERICAS BOWLING NEWSMAGAZINE WEBER TAKES THE FIFTH Senior U.S. Open and Masters Makes Record Five Wins This Season PBA50 Champions: PWBA Champions: Monacelli & Vasquez Johnson, Tan, O’Keefe Len Nicholson’s Tribute to Ted Hoffman 2 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 B.WL . P<N<ON by Jim Goodwin Any editorial opinions expressed here are offered to provoke thought on important and sometimes controversial issues. Agree or disagree, wed like to hear from you: starsandstrikes@sbcglobal.net What I Should Have Said Recently, yours truly was inducted into the International Bowling Media Association Hall of Fame. After 33 years in the bowling media biz, it was my honor to receive the prestigious IBMA Luby Award and join giants like Chuck Pezzano, Jim Dressel, Mort Luby, and many other great writers in the hall that never really gets the attention that it deserves; but thanks to the BPAA, the induction ceremony now has a wonderful venue as part of the annual International Bowl Expo Industry Awards Luncheon. No legitimate journalist enjoys tooting their own horn, so please forgive the indulgence associated with this column. I will try to make it about the event itself as much as it is about how proud I am to now be recognized as one of bowlings best journalists. And for the record, it was no easy path. Only one person is chosen each year, and there are many deserving individuals, not just writers, but other types of journalists as well. For example, The past two inductees were from Japan and Germany. When the organization transitioned from the Bowling Writers Association of America to IBMA in 2012, it was decided that some emphasis be directed toward recognizing good people from beyond our American shores; thus, the induction of photo journalist Hero Noda and Bowlingdigital.com website guru Herbert Bickel in 2014 and 2015. As president of BWAA in 2012, I played a significant role in bringing the IBMA to the industry, so I am especially proud that my friends Herbert and Hero are also in the hall. I was on the ballot for this honor for several years, and while others told me that it was a sure thing, there was that doubt that my name could be lost in the shuffle after a while. And when it did happen, I was a little surprised. It was nice getting that phone call from my good friend Fran Deken, who is also in the hall and serves as chairman of the awards committee. Now to address the headline what I should have said . . . anyone reading this who has ever had the opportunity to speak in public in front of a couple of thousand people would probably say that they didnt really say all of Prices include First Class U.S. Postage the things they should have when they could have. I now join that group. I was told by several people that my two minute acceptance speech was pretty good. I dont really recall what I said because I was told that no speech would be allowed because of the tight schedule created to accommodate several BPAA and IBMA awards in a short time. To make a long story short, I guess the agenda was moving along smoothly, and 30 seconds before I was introduced by IBMA President Keith Hamilton, he told me I would be allowed to say a few words. OMG! What could I come up with on such short notice? The only thing I could think to do was to speak in generalities and to be sure to thank my wife. I learned that lesson the hard way a few years back when I thanked a bunch of staff members and sponsors after a PWBA event and forgot the person who helped me the most. I recall rattling off something about no one ever getting into a hall of fame without a lot of help along the way, and I think I thanked all of the publications that I have written for over the years, but in hindsight I should have named a few of them, like Stars & Strikes, International Bowling Industry Magazine, and Bowlers Journal. I wrote for Bowlers Journal for more than a decade when my great friend Jim Dressel was editor, and I am currently enjoying a run with IBI; in fact, three of my IBI colleagues were sitting at my table during the ceremony Publisher Scott Frager, Editor David Garber, and fellow writer Robert Sax. I should have recognized all of them by name. I think I did mention Dressel because I have been thinking of him almost every day in recent months and praying for him to get past some very serious health issues. I know he would have been there if he were able. Our friends Dick Porter and Jeanette Robinson did make it to the luncheon in spite of Jeanettes struggle with a health problem of her own. CJ and I consider Mr. and Mrs. Porter our family and they graced us with their attendance. We are so lucky to have them in our lives. When it came time to thank CJ, I got a little choked up. I am not a very emotional guy, but I am wise enough to know that without her, none of the things I have accomplished would have been possible, and it was very nice having the opportunity to let the folks I admire so much know how much she means to me. A few friends and a few total strangers shared that they got a tear in their eye as well when I couldnt speak for a few seconds, probably because they also feel the same way about their loved ones. For the audience, it was probably better that I did not have time to prepare a speech everybody loves brevity at events like this, but for my friends and family, I wish I could have said more. I should have mentioned our children Christa, Heather and Jonathan. I should have mentioned their spouses Jeremy, Mike and Lori; and time was short so I could not have named our 15 grandchildren and first great grandchild, but it would have been nice to say we love them all very much. And finally. It would have been great to thank many of our BPAA friends, not only for providing such a wonderful venue for the event, but for their friendship over many years. Without people like John Sommer, Frank and Cathy DeSocio, Jeff Boje, John LaSpina, Pat and Lisa Ciniello, Jamie and Peggy Brooks, and many more, CJ and I would not have enjoyed Bowl Expo near as much. Most of them and may others have also been kind enough to sit for interviews over the years, and I thoroughly enjoyed telling some of their stories. Just in the past two months, I have had the honor of writing the cover stories for IBI about BPAA Presidents Tom Martino and Nancy Shenk, along with her dad Howard Baum, who is a member of the BPAA Hall of Fame. Who knows? maybe someday I will get another opportunity to publicly acknowledge the people that CJ and I have called our friends for so many years. Next time I will be prepared . . . but it might take a little longer than two minutes; and by the time this is published, I will think of more that I should have said. 777 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! by U.S. Mail or Email Email subscriptions now available Cut out and mail with check or money order (no cash) to: Stars & Strikes 2850 Red Valley Run, Rockwall, TX 75087 Delivered to your home: International subscribers: Delivered to your email Inbox: 1 Year (12 Issues) $20.00 1 Year $40.00 1 Year (12 issues) $12.00 2 Years (24 Issues) $36.00 2 Years $75.00 2 Year (24 issues) $24.00 3 Years (36 Issues) $52.00 3 Years $110.00 3 Year (36 issues) $36.00 Stars & Strikes Americas Bowling Newsmagazine 2850 Red Valley Run Rockwall, TX 75087 Voice or Fax (972) 722-8885 Email: starsandstrikes@sbcglobal.net website: starsandstrikesbowling.com God Bless the USA Publishers & Founders Jim Goodwin C.J. Goodwin Photographer Randy Gulley Cartoonists Walt Steinsiek 1927-2010 Moe LaRochelle Stars & Strikes is published monthly. Advertising deadline is the 15th of each month for publication on the 1st. Ad rates are available upon request. Postage paid in Rockwall, Texas. Subscription rates are $20.00 per year paid in advance. First Class Postage included Emailed $12 yearly Published by Pin Point Promotions 2850 Red Valley Run, Rockwall, Texas 75087 International money orders in U.S. funds Name:______________________________________________________ email:__________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________________ State: ____________________________ Zip: ___________________ Phone ( )_________________________________ Occupation: __________________________________________________ visit our website: starsandstrikesbowling.com charter member STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 BOWL A WHERE YOU’RE NAME NOT JUST A NUMBER Service the way you remember in Vegas SOUTH POINT BOWLING CENTER MEETING ROOM FACILITIES AVAILABLE SNACK BAR • LANEVIEW LOUNGE FULL-SERVICE PRO SHOP Everything you need for the perfect sweeper RESERVE YOUR SWEEPER DATES NOW CALL 1-866-796-7111 ANGIE BONIFAZI EXT. 77172 • MIKE MONYAK EXT. 77177 ASK ABOUT OUR MID-WEEK SWEEPER PACKAGE 9777 Las Vegas Blvd at Silverado Ranch • Las Vegas, NV 89183 • SouthPointCasino.com PRO SHOP MERCHANDISE DISCOUNTED FOR SWEEPER BOWLERS 3 4 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 CONTENTS Volume 26 Number 7 JULY 2016 www.starsandstrikesbowling.com 2 Bowl O Pinion by Jim Goodwin 4 Dexter USBC All-American Team 7 Tribute to Ted Hoffman PBA Senior Masters Results 8 Ask Bob 5 PBA 50 Results 6 PBA Senior US Open Results PWBA Results 10 Funny Page 11 Calendar of Events 12 PWBA Results Photos: PBA, USBC, BPAA. Randy Gulley DEXTER-USBC ALL-AMERICAN TEAM NAMED FOR 2015-2016 SEASON The 2015-2016 Dexter/United States Bowling Congress All-American Team includes a national award winner, a national youth champion and a returning member of the team. Dexter Bowling, in consultation with the International Bowling Campus Youth Development staff, annually selects five boys and five girls for the Dexter/USBC High School AllAmerican team. The 2015-2016 team marks the 11th year a team has been selected. Youth bowling grows stronger each year, and while it makes the process of selecting this team more difficult, it is great to see the accomplishments and dedication of these high school bowlers on the lanes and in the classroom, Bud Clapsaddle, Vice President of Dexter Bowling, said. We appreciate the opportunity to recognize these outstanding young men and women with their selection to the Dexter/USBC High School All-American Team. This years team includes 2016 USBC Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow winner Jack Cook of Denville, New Jersey, 2014 Junior Gold Championships U15 winner Ashley Channell of Morris Chapel, Tennessee, and Jerod Hromek of Towanda, Kansas, who makes his second appearance on the team. Student-athletes, nominated by their coach or athletic director, must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade-point average (on a 4.0 scale) and must submit their high school bowling accomplishments, a letter of recommendation and a 500-word essay to be considered for selection. Each student-athlete receives a $1,000 scholarship and will be recognized at this years Junior Gold Championships in July. Dexter Bowling continues to be a tremendous supporter of high school bowling, and making the Dexter/USBC All-American Team is an incredible honor for a high school bowler, USBC Executive Director Chad Murphy said. We congratulate those selected and appreciate the coaches, volunteers and school officials who provide these student-athletes with the opportunity to compete in high school bowling. The five female student-athletes named to the team: Ashley Channell (Morris Chapel, Tennessee) Channell won the Tennessee individual state title three consecutive years (2014-2016) and led Hardin County High to three Ashley Channell School consecutive state team titles. She won the U15 title at the 2014 Junior Gold Championships and was runner-up in 2013. She has a 3.95 grade-point average through her junior year, and is a member of the English Honorarium and Future Teachers of America. She has volunteered at a local nursing home and for an organizations bowling event for special needs children. Natalie Koprowitz (Girard, Illinois) She finished her junior year as the top-ranked student at North Mac Natalie Koprowitz High School, where she is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Key Club and Science Club. She also has been taken part in World Youth Science and Engineering (WYSE) competitions. On the lanes, Koprowitz was a top-four performer in the Illinois High School Association regionals and sectionals the last two seasons, including a regional title in 2014-2015. 9 PBA Results Kristen Machacek (Lincoln, Nebraska) At Pius X High School, she was district champion in 2015 and 2016, and has been selected as a first-team all-state member the last four years. She is a four-time All-City Kristen Machacek selection, including being named honorary captain for the 2014-2015 season. She was ranked No. 1 in her senior class and has accepted an academic scholarship to Newman University. She has been a peer tutor in chemistry and Spanish, and is a youth ambassador for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Britaney Myers (Mechanicville, New York) Myers just Britaney Myers completed her junior year and has been a first-team all-star in the Adirondack League the last three seasons for Stillwater Central High School. She won the New York State Section 2 Class C title in 2015 and 2016. She also competes in track and volleyball, and is a member of the chorus and school band. Her volunteer work includes the Breast Cancer Relay for Life, Annual Hospice Walk and the Red Cross Blood Drive. Shelby Vincke (Chesaning, Michigan) In her senior year, Vincke led New Lothrop High School to a runner-up finish in Division 4 at the Michigan state tournament. Individually, she won the Division 4 regional. She was named to the Michigan High School Intercollegiate Bowling Coaches Shelby Vincke Association all-state third team and all-academic team. She also was a member of the cross country and softball teams. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, and ranked fourth in her class. The five male student-athletes named to the team: Jack Cook (Denville, New Jersey) He finished his Morris Knolls High School career by making the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association first team Jack Cook All-Conference Team for the fourth consecutive year. His team won the conference title in 2013-2014 and was runnerup his other three seasons. He won the Bowling.com Youth Open doubles title in 2014, and was named Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow in 2016. Jerod Hromek (Towanda, Kansas) A repeat selection to the Dexter team, Hromek won the Kansas High School Activities Association individual state title in 2014 and Jerod Hromek 2015, and led Circle High School to the I-5A team title in 2016. He has been selected to the All-Kansas High School Team the last three seasons. He volunteers through his church youth group and delivered meals to needy families. He will attend Wichita State in the fall. Jacob Kersten (Clarkston, Michigan) Kersten led Clarkston High School to three regional titles in four years and won an individual regional title his junior year. He was a first-team all-state selection his sophomore Jacob Kersten year and named to the second team his senior year. He was vice president of the Spanish Club and had 400 hours with Creativity, Action, Service (CAS), a national honors program. He received the Morrison Merit Scholarship from Wichita State University, where he will attend this fall. Max Oertling (Slidell, Louisiana) He led Brother Martin High School to the Louisiana High School State Athletic Association team title the last two season. He won the state individual title in 2016 after finishing third in 2015. He is a National Honor Society member, and won the Marching Max Oertling Band Service Award in 2016. He has more than 200 hours of service at Greenbriar Community Care Center, a senior center. He will attend Louisiana State University in the fall. John Nicholas Sommer (Roscoe, Illinois) He was on the Hononegah Community High School state champion team as a freshman and followed it this past season with a state runner-up finish. The sophomore finished the 2016 season with a 252.11 average in 27 games, including two John N. Sommer 800 series, to lead the team to an undefeated season in the Northern Illinois Conference-10. He is taking Honors and Advance Placement classes, and volunteers with Bowln 4 Kids, the Bowlers to Veterans Link, and the Help Keep Northern Illinois Beautiful Foundation. 2015-2016 DEXTER/USBC HIGH SCHOOL ALL-AMERICA TEAM Girls Team Ashley Channell, Junior, Hardin County High School, Morris Chapel, Tennessee Natalie Koprowitz, Junior, North Mac High School, Girard, Illinois Kristen Machacek, Senior, Pius X High School, Lincoln, Nebraska Britaney Myers, Junior, Stillwater Central High School, Mechanicville, New York Shelby Vincke, Senior, New Lothrop High School, Chesaning, Michigan Boys Team Jack Cook, Senior, Morris Knolls High School, Denville, New Jersey Jerod Hromek, Senior, Circle High School, Towanda, Kansas Jacob Kersten, Senior, Clarkston High School, Clarkston, Michigan Max Oertling, Senior, Brother Martin High School, Slidell, Louisiana John Nicholas Sommer, Sophomore, Hononegah Community High School, Roscoe, Illinois HAVE YOU HEARD? Spread the Word! Phantom Radio Is ON 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, Phantom Radio brings you the best bowling interviews on the air Phantom Radio is on your computer NOW. Its easy! - just log onto phantomradioshow.blogspot.com/ or click on the scary icon or link on dozens of bowling websites, including www.starsandstrikesbowling.com and www.bowlersjournal.com 2016 is Phantoms 15th year! UPCOMING GUESTS Bowl Expo Report Joan Taylor (2nd Quarter Review) Ron Mohr Brad Edelman 5 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 Monacelli Wins PBA50 Fountain Valley Open For Sixth Career PBA50 Tour Title Vazquez Wins PBA50 Northern California Classic for First PBA50 Tour title BRENTWOOD, Calif. Noel Vazquez of title Id retire but Im rethinking that right FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. Professional hall of famer Walter Ray Williams Jr., of Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Amleto Oxford, Fla., trying for his 11th career PBA50 Sacramento, Calif., won the PBA50 Northern now. Vazquezs previous best PBA50 Tour finish Monacelli of Venezuela won four consecutive Tour title and second of the season, 249-245. California Classic presented by MOTIV for Fountain Valley Bowl proprietor Gary Forman (L) & Rusty Hannah (R) congratulate champion Amleto Monacelli matches in the stepladder finals to win the PBA50 Fountain Valley Open presented by Track at Fountain Bowl. Monacelli, who qualified fourth for the finals, beat top qualifier hall of famer Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J., 266-247, in the title match to win his first PBA50 Tour title of the season and the sixth of his career. Monacelli benefited from a bad break for Bohn, who was trying for his fourth career PBA50 Tour title, when Bohn left a pocket 7-10 split in the second frame. All the matches were very close, said the 54-year-old Monacelli. It was important to stay focused and low key, not get too excited if Im leading or too low if Im losing. If I stay calm Ill have a clear mind to make the adjustments and the good shots that I need to make. In the semifinal match, Monacelli defeated Monacelli needed two strikes and a seven count in the 10th frame but threw three strikes to win the match. That was an example of a good test for my mental game, Monacelli said. I basically needed to have three strikes in the 10th to win and if I wasnt calm so that I could make good shots I would have lost the match. Monacelli opened the stepladder finals by beating PBA50 Tour veteran Sammy Ventura of Syracuse, N.Y., who was trying for his first title, 256-248, before advancing to the second match where he beat six-time PBA Tour winner Chris Warren of Grants Pass, Ore., 225-218, to advance to the semifinal against Williams. Monacellis previous best finish this season was fourth in last weeks Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open presented by 900 Global. PBA50 FOUNTAIN VALLEY OPEN PRESENTED BY TRACK Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, Calif., June 8, 2016 Final Standings 1, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, $7,500. 2, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., $4,000. 3, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., $2,500. 4, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore., $2,000. 5, Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., $1,750. Stepladder Results Match One Monacelli def. Ventura, 256-248. Match Two Monacelli def. Warren, 225-218. Semifinal Match Monacelli def. Williams, 249-245. Championship Monacelli def. Bohn, 266-247. Modified Match Play Round 2 Cashers ($1500 each) Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3-3, 1,434; ss-Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, 4-2, 1,430; Mike Dias, Lafayette, Colo., 4-2, 1,392; Brian Voss, Centennial, Colo., 2-4, 1,378; Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 3-3, 1,370; Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 2-4, 1,367; ss-Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3-3, 1,353; Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 2-4, 1,335; Robert Brown, Cody, Wyo., 3-3, 1,330; Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 1-5, 1,293; Jerry Brunette Jr., Rochester, N.Y., 0-6, 1,247. Modified Match Play Round 1 Cashers ($1,150 each) Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 2-3, 1,210; Brian LeClair, Delmar, N.Y., 2-2-1, 1,187; Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 1-3-1, 1,149; Andrew Frawley, Australia, 3-2, 1,135; Christopher Keane, Cape Coral, Fla., 2-3, 1,129; ss-Lee Brosius, Ashburn, Va., 0-5, 1,123;Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 1-4, 1,121; ss-Warren Nelson, Middleburg, Fla., 0-5, 940. Other Cashers ($1050 each) (tie) ss-John Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., and Dave Arnold, Elk Grove, Calif., 1,055; ss-Ray Cobb, Highland, Calif., 1,049; ss-n-Steve Kiss, Clackamas, Ore., 1,048; ss-James Knoblauch, Waukesha, Wis., 1,028; Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 1,023; ss-Jim Starks, San Bernardino, Calif., 1,017; ss-Jim Lesiuk, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., 1,013; ss-Dale Eagle, Laguna Niguel, Calif., 979; Tracy Teeters, Eugene, Ore., 972; ss-Jim Murtishaw, Menifee, Calif., 971; ss-John Dudak, Orland Park, Ill., 958; ss-Darryl Bower, Middletown, Pa., 950. Lets Go Bowling Harvest Park Bowl manager Sherry Mackenzie and proprietor Jim Wangaman congratulate champion Noel Vazquez his first career PBA50 Tour title and in the process ended Pete Webers record run of consecutive PBA50 Tour titles at four. Vazquez, who has won two PBA regional and six PBA50 regional titles, defeated Weber 255-224 in the title match at Harvest Park Bowl. Im shocked and at a loss for words, said the 56-year-old Vazquez. To bowl against the greatest bowlers in the game is unbelievable and something you only dream about. Vazquez, who qualified third for the finals, took an 11-pin lead in the fifth frame and then threw five consecutive strikes which were too much for Weber, who was the finals top qualifier, to overcome. I just had to keep thinking to stay within myself and make the shots Im capable of, Vazquez said. You bring your A game and win or lose you can take satisfaction that you did your best. Im pretty goal oriented, Vazquez added. Thats what helped me win my regional titles and it helped me get this win. Ive always kidded my friends that if I won a national was 11th in the 2015 Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open. Weber, a 37-time winner on the PBA Tour, which includes a record-tying 10 majors, was trying for his ninth career PBA50 Tour win. His streak of four wins started with the UnitedHealthcare Sun Bowl In The Villages in April which was followed by wins in the Mooresville Ford Open, Johnny Petraglia BVL Open and his second consecutive Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open win. My hat is off to Noel, said Weber, who is the defending PBA50 Player of the Year. He broke the streak by bowling great and deserved to win. Vazquez reached the title match by beating Ty Dawson of Sunnyvale, Calif., who was also making his first finals appearance, 213-195, in the semifinal. In the opening stepladder match two-time PBA50 Player of the Year and eight-time PBA50 Tour winner Ron Mohr of Las Vegas defeated Brian LeClair of Delmar, N.Y, 256238, who was trying for his second title. In the second match, Dawson defeated Mohr 279-235 to advance to the semifinal. PBA50 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA CLASSIC PRESENTED BY MOTIV Harvest Park Bowl, Brentwood, Calif., June 15, 2016 Final Standings 1, Noel Vazquez, Sacramento, Calif., $8,000. 2, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., $4,500. 3, Ty Dawson, Sunnyvale, Calif., $2,700. 4, Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, $2,200. 5, Brian LeClair, Delmar, N.Y., $1,800. Stepladder Results Match One Mohr def. LeClair, 256-238. Match Two Dawson def. Mohr, 279-235. Semifinal Match Vazquez def. Dawson, 213-195. Championship Vazquez def. Weber, 255-224. Modified Match Play Round 2 Cashers ($1500 each) Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 3-3, 1,502; Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3-3, 1,467; Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 2-4, 1,413. ($1,350 each) Robert Brown, Cody, Wyo., 3-3, 1,409; Warren Nelson, Middleburg, Fla., 3-3, 1,389; Craig Miller, Tracy, Calif., 2-4, 1,379; Chuck Richardson, The Villages, Fla., 2-4, 1,369; Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 2-4, 1,357; Brian Cooper, Henderson, Nev., 2-4, 1,345; Sam Maccarone, Blackwood, N.J., 2-4, 1,335; Mark McCreary, Livermore, Calif., 2-4, 1,302. Modified Match Play Round 1 Cashers ($1200 each) John Burkett, Southlake, Texas, 2-3, 1,258; Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 4-1, 1,255; Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 3-2, 1,224; Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3-2, 1,223; Christopher Keane, Cape Coral, Fla., 3-2, 1,202; Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 2-3, 1,200; Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3-2, 1,197; John Dudak, Orland Park, Ill., 3-2, 1,186 ($1100 each) Skip Pavone, San Jose, Calif., 3-2, 1,160; Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 1-4, 1,156; Sammy Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 1-4, 1,141; Joe Goldstein, San Bruno, Calif., 1-4, 1,132; Dave Arnold, Elk Grove, Calif., 0-5, 1,109; Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1-4, 1,076; Jim Horan, Mountain View, Calif., 1-4, 1,015; Johnny Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 0-5, 977. Other Cashers ($1,000 each) ss-n-Sam Carter, Ben Lomond, Calif., 1,104; ss-n-Terry Leong, Las Vegas, 1,085; ss-Lee Brosius, Ashburn, Va., 1,043; James Hansen, Anchorage, Alaska, 1,039; ss-Don Blatchford, Santa Monica, Calif., 1,031; ss-n-Dennis Jones, Fremont, Calif., 1,030; Peter Knopp, Germany, 1,025; Wayne Webb, Columbus, Ohio, 989; Bill Hewlett, Las Vegas, Nev., 988; Bill Nichols, Bella Vista, Calif., 958; Galen Keas, Alda, Neb., 954; Dale Eagle, New Port Beach, Calif., 944. 6 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 Weber Successfully Defends Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open Title Weber wins eighth career PBA50 Tour title and a Record Fourth Consecutive PBA50 Tour Win LAS VEGAS Professional Bowlers Leading Sullins by eight pins in the six frame, has been my entire career. Like Ive said many Association Hall of Famer Pete Weber of St. Ann, Weber threw four consecutive strikes to clinch times, winning never gets old. Mo., successfully defended his Suncoast PBA the match and his eighth career PBA50 Tour title. Weber began the 2016 season with a fourthSenior U.S. Open presented by 900 Global title It was his third PBA50 Tour major title having place finish in the Pasco County Florida Open and then won the UnitedHealthcare Sun Bowl In The Villages, PBA50 Mooresville Ford Open and Johnny Petraglia BVL Open prior to winning the Senior U.S. Open. In the semi-final match, Sullins, who was recently inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame, defeated Brian Kretzer of Dayton, Ohio, making his PBA50 Tour debut, 193-164 to advance to the final match. Sullins was trying for his fourth PBA50 Tour win and second major having won the 2009 PBA Senior World Championship. In the opening match, Sullins defeated PBA Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli of Venezuela, 212-207, to advance to the semifinal. Monacelli, who won the Senior U.S. Open in 2012 and 2013, was trying to become the tournaments first three-time winner. Weber joined Monacelli, Baker and Wayne Webb as a two-time Senior U.S. Open winner, all of whom have won in successive years. Baker won his back to back in 2005 and 2006, and Webb in 2008 and 2009. SUNCOAST PBA SENIOR U.S. OPEN PRESENTED BY 900 GLOBAL Suncoast Bowling Center, Las Vegas, NV June 3, 2016 Final Standings: 1, Pete Weber, St. Ann., Mo., $10,000. 2, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., $6,000. 3, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, $5,000. 4, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, $4,000. Playoff Results: Match One Sullins def. Monacelli, 212-207. Semifinal Sullins def. Kretzer, 193-164. Championship match Weber def. Sullins, 223-184. Suncoast Bowling Center GM Mike Kaufman congratulates champion Pete Weber for a record fourth consecutive PBA50 Tour title. Weber, who was the top qualifier for the stepladder finals, defeated Harry Sullins of Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 223-184, in the title match at the Suncoast Bowling Center to set the new mark. He had shared the previous record of three consecutive titles with fellow Hall of Famer Tom Baker who achieved the feat in 2006. It ranks way up there as far as my career accomplishments, said Weber, who has won a record five U.S. Open titles on the PBA Tour. I think this is the best Ive ever felt or thrown the ball for five consecutive weeks in my whole career. also won the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Senior Masters. I could see it was tough for Harry to get anything going and when he didnt strike in the ninth I knew I had the match, Weber said. For Weber, who ranks fifth on the all-time PBA Tour titles list with 37 wins and has won a recordtying 10 PBA Tour majors, he ranked his win among his top accomplishments in a professional career that spans more than three decades. Its way up there as far as anything Ive done in my career, said the 53-year-old Weber. I just do whatever I can do to win and thats the way it SEVENTH ROUND CASHERS (after 42-games) 5, n-Mike Klosin, Windham, N.H., 16-8, 9,781, $3,500; 6, Andrew Frawley, Australia, 15-9, 9,734, $3,000; 7, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 16-8- 9,693, $2,800; 8, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 15-9, 9,686, $2,600; 9, Eric Forkel, Henderson, Nev., 12-12, 9,680, $2,400; 10, Ron Mohr, Las Vegas, 14-10, 9,671, $2,200; 11, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 9-15, 9,591, $2,100; 12, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 11-13, 9,566, $2,000; 13, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., 13-11, 9,535, $1,900; 14, Brian Voss, Centennial, Colo., 11-12-1, 9,527, $1,800; 15, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 10-14, 9,506, $1,750; 16, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 12-11-1, 9,386, $1,700; 17, Dave Arnold, Elk Grove, Calif., 13-11, 9,363, $1,650; 18, John Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 11-13, 9,262, $1,600; 19, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 9-15, 9,261, $1,550; 20, n-Mike Taylor, Las Vegas, 8-16, 9,052, $1,500. Other Cashers 21, David Williams Jr., Omaha, Neb., 6-6, 6,583, $1,400; 22, Christer Petersson, Gothenburg, Sweden, 5-7, 6,579, $1,375; 23, Robert Brown, Cody, Wyo., 6-6, 6,578, $1,350; 24, Don Blatchford, Santa Monica, Calif., 75, 6,558, $1,325; 25, Jim Murtishaw, Menifee, Calif., 6-6, 6,534, $1,300; 26, n-Andrew Neuer, Lewisburg, Penn., 7-5, 6,532, $1,280; 27, n-Bill Oakes, Lawton, Okla, 6-6, 6,488, $1,260; 28, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 6-6, 6,485, $1,240; 29, Jerry Brunette Jr., Rochester, N.Y., 8-4, 6,480, $1,220; 30, Brian LeClair, Delmar, N.Y., 5-7, 6,474, $1,200; 31, Bob Learn Jr., Erie, Pa., 5-7, 6,466, $1,190; 32, Hugh Miller, Mercer Island, Wash., 6-6, 6,450, $1,180; 33, n-Paul Renteria, Henderson, Nev., 4-8, 6,449, $1,170; 34, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 5-7, 6,436, $1,160; 35, n-Warren Eales, Chandler, Ariz., 4-8, 6,420, $1,150; 36, Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 2-10, 6,415, $1,140; 37, n-Alvin Lou, El Cajon, Calif., 5-7, 6,337, $1,130; 38, John Dudak, Orland Park, Ill., 5-7, 6,324, $1,120; 39, Mike Kanada, Camarillo, Calif., 6-6, 6,270, $1,110; 40, John Burkett, Southlake, Texas, 2-10, 6,176, $1,100. Super Senior Cashers ($1000 each) (tie)Joe Goldstein Sr., San Bruno, Calif., and Stoney Baker, Canton, Ga., 3,801; Kent Wagner, Bradenton, Fla., 3,789; Steven Jansson, Barnes, Wis., 3,761; Kerry Painter, Henderson, Nev., 3,753; (tie) Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas,and Ron Winger, Las Vegas, 3,746; (tie) James Knoblauch, Waukesha, Wis., $1,000, and Kevin Croucher, Grants Pass, Ore., 3,729; Jeff Jamison, Boulder City, Nev., 3,723; Sal Bongiorno, Las Vegas, 3,706; -Gregory Waldon, Sun City West, Ariz., 3,677 JAPAN'S YAJIMA WINS 2016 ITRC SUPER SENIOR CLASSIC LAS VEGAS - Junichi Yajima of Japan earned new life in a dramatic semifinal match at the 2016 International Training and Research Center Super Senior Classic and rode that momentum to a win over top seed Ron Mohr of North Las Vegas, Nevada, to become the first international player to win the event. Yajima and Mohr matched each other nearly shot for shot through the first eight frames of the championship match Sunday at Sam's Town Bowling Center, but a pair of 10 pins from Mohr in the final frames gave Yajima the opportunity to take the title and $6,500 top prize in a 248218 victory. The 70-year-old right-hander, who has made annual trips to compete against the top players in the United States for more than five decades, sealed the victory with a strike on his first shot in the 10th frame. The 2016 ITRC Super Senior Classic was the fourth edition of the premier event for United States Bowling Congress members age 60 and older. "I first came to the United States to bowl in 1966," said Yajima, the owner of 41 Japan Professional Bowlers Association titles and one Professional Bowlers Association regional title. "I've been coming here every year trying to to find his way to the winner's circle this year. win tournaments. I won a regional but had The 60-year-old right-hander earned $4,500 for the runner-up performance. In the high-scoring semifinal, Yajima was ready to take off his bowling shoes and remove his equipment from the ball return after missing a 10 pin in the final frame against USBC and PBA Hall of Famer John Petraglia of Jackson, New Jersey. Petraglia stepped up in the final frame with a max score of 279 and a chance to lock up the win with nine pins on his first offering. The left-hander threw his first errant shot of the match, knocking down just four pins. He left the 2-4-6-7-8-10 combination and was unable to convert, ultimately falling 245-239 and giving Yajima a shot at the trophy. Petraglia took home $3,500 for the third-place effort. "I expected him to get the strike and win," said Yajima, who learned to compete with the best in the world under the watchful eye of USBC and PBA Hall of Famer Dick Weber. "I was Junichi Yajima never won a big one. This is a dream." Mohr has had one of the hottest hands on the PBA50 Tour as of late but has been unable shocked." On the way to the meeting with Petraglia, Yajima stayed clean and rolled four consecutive strikes in the fifth through eighth frames to hold off Ronald Holt of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, 236-199. Holt's undoing proved to be the left lane, which yielded a pair of open frames against Yajima. Holt finished fourth, earning $3,000. The left lane also was a challenge for fourth seed Sam Carter of Ben Lomond, California, who was unable to gain any momentum in the opening match against Holt. Holt struck on five of his first six shots and cruised to a 226-185 win. Carter earned $2,500 for the fifth-place finish. All competitors this week bowled 16 games of qualifying over two days, before the field was cut to the top 25 percent (32 players) for the fourgame cashers' round. All pinfall carried over, and the top five players advanced to the stepladder finals based on their 20-game totals. International Training and Research Center Super Senior Classic Sam's Town Bowling Center, Las Vegas Final standings 1, Junichi Yajima, Japan, 729 (three games), $6,500 2, Ron Mohr, North Las Vegas, Nev., 218 (one game), $4,500 3, John Petraglia, Jackson, N.J., 239 (one game), $3,500 4, Ronald Holt, Upper Marlboro, Md., 425 (two games), $3,000 5, Sam Carter, Ben Lomond, Calif., 185 (one game), $2,500 Stepladder results Match One - Holt def. Carter, 226-185 Match Two - Yajima def. Holt, 236-199 Semifinal - Yajima def. Petraglia, 245-239 Championship - Yajima def. Mohr, 248-218 Other Cashers 6, Donald Blatchford, Santa Monica, Calif., 4,313, $2,300. 7, Dave Washburn (a), Las Vegas, 4,303, $2,100. 8, Darryl Bower, Middletown, Pa., 4,291, $2,000. 9, Jack Nelson (a), Bismarck, N.D., 4,277, $1,900. 10, Pete McCordic (a), Katy, Texas, 4,267, $1,800. 11, Ron Winger, Las Vegas, 4,247, $1,700. 12, Tony Maresca (a), Mesa, Ariz., 4,235, $1,600. 13, Sam Maccarone, Blackwood, N.J., 4,218, $1,500. 14, Ted Staikoff, Black Hawk, S.D., 4,183, $1,400. 15, Harry Mickelson (a), Yakima, Wash., 4,166, $1,300. 16, William Nichols, Bella Vista, Ark., 4,153, $1,200. 17, Terry Leong (a), Henderson, Nev., 4,151, $1,100. 18(tie), Dick Baker (a), Henderson, Nev., Ed Silva, Manteca, Calif., and Rick Minier, Houston, 4,143, $900. 21, Kerry Painter, Henderson, Nev., 4,108, $750. 22, Paul McCordic, Sugar Land, Texas, 4,106, $700. 23, Donald Robinson (a), Houston, 4,096, $670. 24, Steve Stein, Staten Island, N.Y., 4,092, $640. 25, Steve Kiss (a), Clackamas, Ore., 4,063, $610. 26, Michael Lucente, Warren, Mich., 4,037, $580. 27, Warren Nelson, Hemet, Calif., 4,032, $560. 28, Phil Prieto (a), El Paso, Texas, 4,023, $540. 29, Bill Hewlett, Eagle, Idaho, 4,017, $520. 30, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 4,015, $500. 31, Robert Reed (a), Weed, Calif., 3,981, $480. 32, Gary Johnson (a), Las Vegas, 3,956, $460. 7 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 WEBER MAKES MORE HISTORY IN WINNING THE 2016 USBC SENIOR MASTERS LAS VEGAS - Pete Weber of St. Ann, Missouri, made history at Sam's Town Bowling Center by winning the 2016 United States Bowling Congress Senior Masters to become the first player with five Professional Bowlers Association50 Tour titles in a season. The 53-year-old reigning PBA50 Player of the Year achieved the feat in dramatic fashion with a 266-263 win against left-hander Paul McCordic of Sugar Land, Texas, who stepped up in the final frame with a chance to win but left the 1-3-6-9 combination on his second offering to fall short. After Weber doubled in the 10th frame, something he'd been unable to do in three previous attempts with the USBC Senior Masters title on the line, McCordic needed a strike and at least nine pins on his next shot to have the opportunity to make the spare for his first PBA50 Tour title. Weber, who also won in 2013, is the sixth two-time winner at the Senior Masters. He earned $16,000 for the victory, while McCordic took home $9,000 for the runner-up effort. "Once Paul threw the strike, I thought I was done," Weber said. "To win is nice, but to see a guy throw a shot like that, I feel for him. I've done it. He bowled great all week and put by Lenny Nicholson together two of his best games against me. Paul is a great champion." McCordic defeated Weber 248-224 to start the championship match, but as the top seed, Weber needed to be beaten twice to be denied his second Senior Masters title. In the first game, Weber controlled his own destiny and could've thrown three strikes in the 10th frame to lock out McCordic. Instead, he left the 4-7-10 split and sent his mind rushing back to 2015 when he was in the same position as the No. 1 seed and left two final-frame splits to lose twice to Amleto Monacelli of Venezuela. "When I let the ball go, I thought it was a great shot," said Weber, a USBC and PBA Hall of Famer who owns 37 PBA Tour titles and nine victories on the PBA50 Tour. "I thought it was pretty pure, so I didn't know what I did. Maybe it was slow or over hit, but it felt really good off my hand. I did wonder if I was going to do this again, open twice in the 10th to lose again, but I stepped up in the 10th in the second match and threw the double to make him strike." Additionally, the first title of Weber's PBA Tour career came in a similar must-strike situation against McCordic's twin brother, Pete. Weber registered two strikes and a sevencount in his final frame to force McCordic to double for the win. McCordic knocked down nine pins on his first shot and Weber won the 1982 Greater Hartford Open, 210-199. On the way to the championship match, Paul McCordic posted two clean games in wins over eight-time PBA50 Tour winner Ron Mohr of nearby North Las Vegas, Nevada, and PBA50 rookie Dave Arnold of Elk Grove, California. In his semifinal win against Arnold, McCordic found himself down 17 pins after four frames but closed the gap with a double in the fifth and sixth. He struck on four of his last five shots for a 235-198 win. Arnold finished third, worth $7,000. McCordic entered the stepladder as the No. 3 seed and was able to capitalize on a seventhframe Mohr miscue to earn a 225-212 win. Mohr, who downed the stepladder's other left-hander, Andy Neuer of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, 212181, in the day's opening match, finished fourth and took home $5,000. Neuer, also a rookie this season, finished fifth, earning $4,000. Weber's victory Sunday marked his fifth in six events. His streak of four consecutive wins came to an end last week at the hands of firsttime PBA50 winner Noel Vazquez of Sacramento, California, in the title match of the PBA50 Northern California Classic presented by MOTIV. With five events remaining on the 2016 PBA50 schedule, there's still plenty of time for Weber add to his legacy and bid for a second consecutive player-of-the-year nod, but in the back of his mind also is the idea of becoming the first three-time Senior Masters winner. "I didn't expect this, but it's an unexpected pleasure," Weber said. "It's a great honor to win. To win five tournaments in a season is an awesome deal for me, and I'm not done yet. I still have a bunch of tournaments left. I plan on winning a couple more. As far as the Senior Masters, I'm going to make it three next year, so they better watch out." The other two-time winners at the Senior Masters are Dave Davis (1995, 1996), Gary Dickinson (1997, 2004), Pete Couture (1998, 2002), Tom Baker (2006, 2007) and Dale Traber (2009, 2011). All 263 competitors at the 2016 Senior Masters, open to USBC members age 50 and older, rolled 15 qualifying games over three days before the field was cut to the top 63, who joined Monacelli in match play. 2016 USBC SENIOR MASTERS Sam's Town Bowling Center, Las Vegas Final standings 1, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Missouri, 490 (two games), $16,000 2, Paul McCordic, Sugar Land, Texas, 971 (four games), $9,000 3, Dave Arnold, Elk Grove, Calif., 198 (one game), $7,000 4, Ron Mohr, North Las Vegas, Nev., 424 (two games), $5,000 5, Andy Neuer, Lewisburg, Pa., 181 (one game), $4,000 Stepladder results Match One - Mohr def. Neuer, 212-181 Match Two - McCordic def. Mohr, 225-212 Semifinal - McCordic def. Arnold, 235-198 Championship - McCordic def. Weber, 248-224 (second match needed). Weber def. McCordic, 266-263 MATCH PLAY - Double elimination, three-game matches decided by total pinfall ROUND 2 - ELIMINATION BRACKET - (Losers earn $1,000) Sargent def. Kretzer, 650-582; Miller def. Greiner, 594-564; Wolfe def. Peters, 713-598; Edwards def. Learn, 703-641; Nelson def. Lischka, 613-575; Vashaw def. Sullins, 655-607; W.R. Williams def. Kossert, 780-672; Ventura def. Hanken, 621-486; Steelsmith def. Herrington, 665-561; Langford def. M. Williams, 613-585; Traber def. Knopp 642-620; Boroff def. Meinke, 626613; Boresch def. Renteria, 704-563; Lantto def. Anderson, 667-591; Brunette def. Karch, 738-660; Croucher def. Vazquez, 586-561 ROUND 3 - ELIMINATION BRACKET - (Losers earn $1,100) Maccarone def. Sargent, 676-603; Petrovich def. Miller, 629-527; Wolfe def. Brown, 571-541; Graham def. Edwards, 733670; Yajima def. Nelson, 720-652; Martin def. Vashaw, 607-599; W.R. Williams def. Cleveland, 707-672; Ventura def. Rohrer, 629-620; Steelsmith def. Cirigliano, 737-621; Langford def. Brinkman, 661-661 (10-9); Bohn def. Traber, 783-629; Baker def. Boroff, 703-636; Boresch def. LeClair, 667-660; Lantto def. Goebel, 647-634; Brunette def. Donovan, 667-649; Duke def. Croucher, 659-622 ROUND 4 - ELIMINATION BRACKET (Losers earn $1,350) (54) Joseph Petrovich, Tracy, Calif., def. (19) Sam Maccarone, Blackwood, N.J., 627-514; (38) Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, def. (49) Skip Wolfe, Dixon, Ill., 617-608; (23) Junichi Yajima, Japan, def. (50) Tommy Martin, Millington, Tenn., 670-586; (53) Walter Ray Williams Jr., Oxford, Fla., def. (52) Sam Ventura, Syracuse, N.Y., 782-661; (3) Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., def. (27) Billy Langford, Lone Grove, Okla., 749-688; (1) Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., def. (25) Stoney Baker, Canton, Ga., 653-618; (7) Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., def. (31) Sam Lantto, Eden Prairie, Minn., 674-637; (29) Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. (42) Jerry Brunette Jr., Rochester, N.Y., 812-678 ROUND 5 - ELIMINATION BRACKET (Losers earn $1,500) Voss def. Petrovich, 711-617Petraglia def. Graham, 685-577; Forkel def. Yajima, 717-609; Williams def. Lucente, 742-648; Steelsmith def. Lou, 753-703; Bohn def. Scroggins, 752-592; Mohr def. Boresch, 748-659; Warren def. Duke, 695-626 ROUND 6 - ELIMINATION BRACKET (Losers earn $2,000) Voss def. Petraglia, 763-664; Williams def. Forkel, 752-548; Steelsmith def. Bohn, 745-686; Mohr def. Warren, 679-674 ROUND 7 - ELIMINATION BRACKET (Losers earn $2,500) Voss def. Shipley, 785-674; Goldstein def. Williams, 676-644; Steelsmith def. Jurek, 635-622; Mohr def. Monacelli, 693-565 ROUND 8 - ELIMINATION BRACKET (Losers earn $3,000) Goldstein def. Voss, 715-582; Mohr def. Steelsmith, 709-598 ROUND 9 - ELIMINATION BRACKET (Three highest scores advance to BowlTV finals, high score is No. 3 seed, second high is No. 4, third high is No. 5, lowest score is eliminated, earns $3,500). McCordic 738, Neuer 664, Mohr 633, Goldstein 554 Other cashers ($900): Hugh Miller, Mercer Island, Wash.; John West, Milwaukie, Ore. TED HOFFMAN . . . THE BEST In the early 80s, Ted hired me to this time that I really got to know I met Ted Hoffman in 1969 when I thoughtful, kind and that he was a lived in California and he had just man of integrity. All of that was easily become Tournament Director in the him and see how organized he was. PBA Western Region. It was during I cant begin to tell you how much moved out west from Philadelphia. visible. He was already established and influential in the bowling industry. I met him through my life-long friend of Billy Hardwick. That initial meeting was typical of two guys meeting except that I sensed a unique warmth that was generated from Ted based on some of the questions that he had for me. I could tell that he was sincerely interested in my answers, which is very rare when two men meet for the first time. I went to work for the PBA in 1971 and would eventually work closely with him being involved in many PBA Tournaments and Executive Board meetings. I immediately noticed that he had an inordinate amount of friends in the industry and was highly respected with the PBA. Some of the things that people would tell me about Ted were that he was; loyal, caring, generous, Ted Hoffman, Mike Freidrich, Lenny Nicholson and John Forst that this man taught me. He was the best business man that I ever met. As a matter of fact, as I think about it he was the best Husband that I knew. He was also: (from what I could tell) The best Father. AND The best Son. The best Brother. The best Friend. The best Proprietor. The best Boss. The best Dressed. The best Neighbor. He also had the best sense of humor. I could go on and on. But, if you really want to know what the meaning is of: THE BEST, just look in the dictionary under those two words and Im sure you will see a life size picture of the man: Ted Hoffman, Jr. God Bless Ted Hoffman, Jr. We were all certainly blessed by having him as our friend. 8 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 LIZ JOHNSON WINS PWBA LAS VEGAS OPEN LAS VEGAS - Reigning Professional Women's Bowling Association Player of the Year Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, New York, wasted no time putting in her bid for a second consecutive POY honor as she defeated top seed Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio, to win the 2016 PWBA Las Vegas Open. Johnson said she's been struggling with spares early in the 2016 PWBA season, but filling frames ultimately was her key to success in a 195172 win against Pluhowsky at The Orleans Bowling Center. The USBC Hall of Famer spared seven times for her third consecutive clean game of the night, and that was just enough to hold off Pluhowsky, the lone left-hander on the show, who had backto-back opens frames early in the title match. "I had a great feeling coming into today," said Johnson, a 15-time PWBA champion, including four major titles. "It feels like as the weeks have progressed, I've gotten stronger physically and overcome some spare issues. Today, I bowled three clean games, and I was pretty happy about that. With the last match being so low-scoring, it was really important to fill my frames and just make the shots." Johnson, 42, earned her spot in the championship match with a 237-186 win over Mexico's Sandra Gongora. A ball change helped Johnson battle the transition of the 39foot oil pattern early in the game, and she was able to take the lead for the first time with a double in the seventh and eighth frames. Johnson closed the match with six consecutive strikes. "I had a really good look the first game, but I started hitting that transition, and the oil started carrying down," Johnson said. "I didn't want to move left because I thought I'd get a little too much push, so I went to an earlier ball and tried to just keep the shots more in front of me, which I ended up not doing so well the last game against Shannon." In the opening match of the PWBA Las Vegas Open stepladder, Johnson struck in four of her first five frames to build a 32-pin lead at the halfway point and went on to outdistance Colombia's Rocio Restrepo, 237204. Johnson, who has battled knee problems in recent years, has seen some limitations in her signature knee bend, which she always has considered her strength, but it has not slowed her down. She also opened the 2015 PWBA season, the o rg a n i z a t i o n ' s first year of operation since 2003, with a victory, claiming her second USBC Queens title, and she went on to add wins at the PWBA Detroit Open and the Bowlmor AMF U.S. Women's Open to secure the player of the year award. Now, she's off to a hot start again and looking forward to the rest of the 2016 PWBA schedule, which has been expanded to 14 events, compared to 11 in 2015. "We have 10 more weeks, and hopefully there's a few more TV shows and wins out there for me," Johnson said. "To win this early, I'm hungry to keep winning. I'm feeling good physically and mentally, and I'm just going to keep digging as much as I can. I just turned 42, and that's been a good number so far. Hopefully, I can get even stronger as the season goes on." All qualifying and match play rounds of the PWBA Las Vegas Open were held at Texas Station in North Las Vegas on April 30-May 1. The stepladder finals were held May 26 at The Orleans Bowling Center in conjunction with the USBC Queens and the finals of the Nationwide PWBA Sonoma County Open and PWBA Storm Sacramento Open. The Queens finals aired live on CBS Sports Network, while the Sonoma County Open and Storm Sacramento Open finals aired on CBS Sports Network on June 14 and June 21, respectively. PWBA Las Vegas Open The Orleans Bowling Center, Las Vegas Final standings 1, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 669 (three games), $10,000 2, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 172 (one game), $5,000 3, Sandra Gongora, Mexico, 186 (one game), $3,500 4, Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, 204 (one game), $3,000 Stepladder results Match One - Johnson def. Restrepo, 237-204 Semifinal - Johnson def. Gongora, 237-186 Championship - Johnson def. Pluhowsky, 195-172 MATCH PLAY GROUP A 1, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 5-1, 5,551 (earns No. 1 seed for stepladder based on total pinfall). 2, Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, 1-5, 5,297. 3, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, 5-1, 5,287. 4, Hui Fen New, Singapore, 2-4, 5,261. 5, Amanda Greene, Romney, W.Va., 4-2, 5,204 (eliminated; earns $1,600). 6, Stefanie Johnson, Grand Prairie, Texas, 1-5, 5,088 (eliminated; earns $1,600). GROUP A STEPLADDER Semifinal - New def. Dorin-Ballard, 268-225 (Dorin-Ballard finishes tied for seventh; earns $1,900). Final Restrepo def. New, 216-189 (Restrepo earns No. 4 seed for stepladder based on average; New finishes tied for fifth; earns $2,100). MATCH PLAY GROUP B 1, Sandra Gongora, Mexico, 3-3, 5,453 (earns No. 2 seed for stepladder based on total pinfall). 2, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 2-4, 5,447. 3, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 4-2, 5,339. 4, Jazreel Tan, Singapore, 3-3, 5,299. 5, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 4-2, 5,275 (eliminated; earns $1,600). 6, Shayna Ng, Singapore, 2-4, 5,118 (eliminated; earns $1,600). GROUP B STEPLADDER Semifinal Kulick def. Tan, 239-193 (Tan finishes tied for seventh; earns $1,900). Final L. Johnson def. Kulick, 215-205 (L. Johnson earns No. 3 seed for stepladder based on average; Kulick finishes tied for fifth; earns $2,100). Other Cashers (13th earns $1,300; 14-32 earn $1,200) 13, Shannon OKeefe, OFallon, Ill., 3,818;14, Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., 3,81;15, Cassandra Leuthold, Lincoln, Neb., 3,811;16, Cherie Tan, Singapore, 3,802;17, Jodi Woessner, Oregon, Ohio, 3,786;18, Kristina Szczerbinski, North Tonawanda, N.Y., 3,781;19, TNia Falbo, Greensburg, Pa., 3,776;20, Kristina Wendell, Kingston, N.Y., 3,762;21, Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 3,757;22, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 3,754;23, Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., 3,738;24, Karen Marcano, Venezuela, 3,736;25, Brenda Padilla, Mansfield, Texas, 3,723;26, Liz Kuhlkin, Schenectady, N.Y., 3,714;27, Maria Jose Rodriguez, Austin, Texas, 3,677;28, Mariana Ayala, Grand Prairie, Texas, 3,653;29, Leanne Hulsenberg, Pleasant View, Utah, 3,651;30, Jennifer Higgins, Westerville, Ohio, 3,650;31, Brandi Branka, Fairview Heights, Ill., 3,632;32, Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., 3,621. ASK BOB by Bob Korth Bob Korth is a Pro shop owner and USA Bronze Level Coach To ask a question of Bob write to askbobk@gmail.com Q. I read your articles all the time and lane. With an earlier mid-lane read the ball you always say that spares outweigh should be more controllable. strikes as the way to improve your average. Why are spares more important Q. I am a 170 average bowler and I than strikes? need a new pair of shoes. I see that the price range is anywhere from about A. There are 1023 different spare $35.00 to $170.00 or so. What is the combinations. Many of these are unusual difference? And do I need the highest spares for sure but with that many spares price shoe? you can see why having a good spare shooting system is a very big part of the A. Cheaper bowling shoes are made of game. Think about it if you want to raise synthetic materials and have generic slide your average 10 pins you only have to pick soles. They are right or left handed up one more spare per game. Plus shoes.They have a synthetic slide sole on developing more accuracy on spares will both shoes. They can be very stylish and get you more strikes in the long run. even look like sneakers. More expensive Because you will also become more bowling shoes have a leather slide sole and accurate on the first ball. a rubber sole on the non-slide foot. This allows for better traction at the beginning Q. I just got a new ball so I would have of the approach. You can also get them time to get used to it during the summer with interchangeable slide soles to give you months, Out of the box it is highly more slide options on different types of polished and I am having a hard time approaches. If you are a beginner or maybe controlling it. It is very skid/flippy what only bowl in one league a week or so then can I do to calm it down? the less expensive shoe is fine. But if you are serious about the game I recommend A. If you don't have a spinner take it to getting the shoe with the interchangeable your pro shop and have them sand it with slide sole. You will be able to keep your a 2000 abralon pad. This will dull the slide more predictable. Plus with the more surface to a matte finish which should get expensive shoe they will last much longer the ball into an earlier roll. That will calm and so might end up saving you money down the skid/flip. You might even need over the long haul. an extra hole to help it start earlier on the SMART CORPORATION MAKES $450,000 INCOME EARNINGS DISTRIBUTION An income earnings distribution of $450,000 to providers funds recently was made by the Scholarship Management and Accounting Reports for Tenpins (SMART) Corporation Board of Directors. The distribution is for 2015 earnings. It marks the second consecutive year for SMART to make a distribution of at least $400,000. Our investment strategy is conservative, so we are very pleased to have been able to make such significant contributions the last two years, SMART Corporation Board Chairman Wally Hall said. Being able to distribute these funds to our providers allows them to offer young bowlers more opportunities to earn scholarships. The SMART Board has a highly conservative investment strategy, placing the largest portion of earned scholarships in safe securities with remaining assets invested in a diversified portfolio that is expected to yield larger returns. The majority of investment income is distributed to participating organizations, with a small portion used to cover administrative costs and investment fees. The SMART program was started by the United States Bowling Congress in 1994 as a way to offer a centralized location to manage bowling scholarship funds, as well as providing USBC members with a resource for inquiries about bowling scholarships. The SMART Bowling Scholarship Funding Corporation was created in 2010 as an independent entity dedicated to the management, protection and promotion of the SMART scholarship funds. USBC staff oversees the day-to-day operation of the program. Visit BOWL.com/SMART to learn more about the SMART program. 9 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 Tip from Roommate Helps Tommy Jones Win PBA Jonesboro Open Urethane ball, direct-to-pocket delivery keys to tying PBA Hall of Famer Carmen Salvino with 17th title JONESBORO, Ark. Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, S.C., a future Professional Bowlers Association hall of famer, used a tip from his four-man stepladder finals, Jones first shot in the 10th to hold off was going to ride it. The Douwnums Waste Services eliminated Connor Pickford of Troup. The deciding factor was the use PBA Jonesboro Open was the third Charlotte, N.C., in the opening match, 212-163, and Frankie Lavoie the urethane ball to manage the of 10 Xtra Frame PBA Tour events scheduled for 2016. The overall competition points winner for the exclusive Xtra Frame Tour will earn From left, Downums Waste Services owner Scott Downum, Tommy Jones, Jonesboro Bowling Center proprietor Stacy Blaxton roommate and an old school of Wichita, Kan., in the semifinal, demanding lane condition, a technique to win the Downums 247-213, before winning a carry suggestion he got from roommate Waste Services PBA Jonesboro contest over Troup in the title DJ Archer of Friendswood, Texas. Open presented by Xtra Frame at match. While Troup pounded the I wouldnt have even tried the Jonesboro Bowling Center. pocket, he couldnt put back-to-back urethane ball if DJ hadnt suggested Jones, 37, defeated top qualifier strikes together until the final four it, Jones said. I was just looking for something that would work on Kyle Troup of Taylorsville, N.C., frames. 237-228, to win his 17th PBA Tour Jones, using a less-reactive these lanes. I just didn't have good title tying PBA Hall of Famer urethane bowling ball and a hard, ball reaction doing anything else. I Carmen Salvino for 20th place on straight-to-the-pocket delivery, bowled 240 against Frankie and I the all-time PBA Tour titles list. doubled in the third and fourth got some pretty fortunate hits in that Jones also won a $15,000 first prize. frames, and then put together a late match. Then I figured urethane is After qualifying fourth for the string of four strikes including his what got me to the title match so I a $10,000 bonus. The next event in the series will be the Xtra Frame PBA Lubbock Sports Open from South Plains Lanes in Lubbock, Texas, June 25-26, where a $20,000 first prize and a PBA Tour title will be at stake. DOWNUMS WASTE SERVICES PBA JONESBORO OPEN Jonesboro Bowling Center, Jonesboro, Ark., June 5, 2016 Final Standings: 1, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., $15,000. 2, Kyle Troup, Taylorsville, N.C., $8,000. 3, Frankie Lavoie, Wichita, Kan., $4,000. 4, Connor Pickford, Charlotte, N.C., $2,500. Stepladder Results: Match One Jones def. Pickford, 212-163. Semifinal Match Jones def. Lavoie, 247-213. Championship Jones def. Troup, 237-228. Final Match Play Cashers (after 21 games) EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 3-5, 4,595, $1,500; Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 3-5, 4,589, $1,300; Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., 4-4, 4,555, $1,150; Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., 6-2, 4,551, $1,100; Dick Allen, Columbia, S.C., 5-3, 4,494, $1,050; DJ Archer, Friendswood, Texas, 6-2, 4,484, $1,000; Brett Cunningham, Clay, N.Y., 3-5, 4,476, $950; Gary Faulkner, Memphis, Tenn., 2-6, 4,452, $900; Josh Blanchard, Mesa, Ariz., 5-3, 4,398, $850; Anthony Simonsen, Princeton, Texas, 1-7, 4,380, $800; Devin Bidwell, Wichita, Kan., 2-6, 4,356, $750; Mitch Beasley, Clarksville, Tenn., 2-6, 4,347, $700. Other Cashers (after 13 games): n-Grace Hall, Oklahoma City, Okla., 2,700, $640; Anthony Lavery-Spahr, Pasadena, Texas, 2,687, $590; Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 2,684, $580; Dino Castillo, Highland Village, Texas, 2,683, $570; Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 2,677, $565; Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 2,659, $560; nJared Wolf, Jonesboro, Ark., 2,658, $555; Steven Arehart, Chesapeake, Va., 2,656, $550; n-Justin Williams, Bartlett, Tenn., 2,654, $545; n-Anthony Richmond, Memphis, Tenn., 2,645, $540; Jason Sterner, Cocoa, Fla., 2,642, $535; n-Matt Gasn, Laurel, Md., 2,631, $530; Joe Findling, Mesquite, Texas, 2,619, $525; Patrick Allen, Mt. Kisco, N.Y., 2,583, $520.; Kristopher Prather, Milton, Fla., 2,575, $515; Curt Dupre, Destrehan, La., 2,551, $510; Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 2,530, $505; Will Hoge, Sand Springs, Okla., 2,510, $500. Belmonte, Ciminelli, Svensson and Simonsen Nominated for ESPY Best Bowler Award; Voting Now Open Three-time defending PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte, Player of the Year contender Ryan Ciminelli, 2 0 1 6 FireLake P B A Tournament o f Champions winner and 2 0 1 5 Rookie of the Year Jason Belmonte Jesper Svensson and 2016 USBC Masters champion Anthony Simonsen have been selected as nominees for the 2016 ESPY Best Bowler Award. Fans can vote for their selections by clicking on http://espn.go.com/ espys/2016/?voting=bestbowler Awards will be announced July 13 during the ESPYs telecast in Los Angeles beginning at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Voting will be open until the start of the ESPYs telecast. In 2015, Belmonte became the f i r s t international player to win three consecutive P B A Player of the Year Ryan Ciminelli awards. He became the first player to win the USBC Masters in three consecutive years and won his second consecutive PBA Tournament of Champions title to become the first player to win the Masters and TOC in back-to-back seasons. He will be trying for his second consecutive ESPY and t h i r d overall. A contender for 2015 Player of the Year Jesper Svensson honors, Ciminelli won three titles in 2015 including the U.S. Open and finished third in the PBA World Championship. In 2016 he won the bowlingball.com Maine Shootout for his sixth career Tour title. Svensson won two titles in 2015 on his way to earning Rookie of the Year honors and in 2016 won t h e F i r e L a k e Anthony Simonsen P B A Tournament of Champions to become the tournaments youngest champion at age 21. Simonsen became the youngest player ever to win a major when he won the 2016 USBC Masters at age 19. He won his first title by teaming with Connor Pickford to capture the Mark Roth/Marshall Holman PBA Doubles Championship early in 2016. HISTORY OF ESPY BEST BOWLER AWARD WINNERS 2015 Jason Belmonte 2014 - Pete Weber 2013 Pete Weber 2012 Sean Rash 2011 Jason Belmonte 2010 Walter Ray Williams Jr. 2009 Norm Duke 2008 Norm Duke 2007 Norm Duke 2006 Walter Ray Williams Jr. 2005 Walter Ray Williams Jr. 2004 Pete Weber 2003 Walter Ray Williams Jr. 2002 Pete Weber 2001 Walter Ray Williams Jr. 2000 Parker Bohn III 1999 Walter Ray Williams Jr. 1998 Walter Ray Williams Jr. 1997 Bob Learn Jr. 1996 Mike Aulby 1995 Norm Duke Member Matt Hoyt Brett Bolejack James Askins, owner Jordan Vanover 1901 W. Airport Freeway, Euless, TX 76040 817-571-1174 10 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 DEMVUO THE FUNNY PAGE by Maurice MOE LaRochelle Why is the math book so sad? It's got too many problems! 777 An elderly man was on the operating table, about to be operated on by his son, a famous surgeon. Just before they put him under, he asked to speak to his son: "Dont be nervous, boy, just do your best and just remember, if it doesnt go well, if something happens to me your mother is going to come and live with you and your family." 777 You know youre getting old when you stop to tie your shoelaces and wonder what else you could do while youre down there. -- George Burns 777 Politics: Poli a Latin word meaning many; and "tics" meaning bloodsucking creatures. -- Robin Williams Walts World by Walt Steinsiek Daddy did you know that girls are smarter than boys? No, I didnt know that. There you go. 777 A boy breaks an old vase at a rich uncles house. The uncle gets extremely angry and yells: Do you even know how old the vase was? It was from the 17th century! The boy sagged in relief: Oh good, then it wasnt new. 777 A student at a management school came up to a pretty girl and hugged her without any warning. The surprised girl said, What was that? The guy smiled at her, Direct marketing! The girl slapped him soundly. What was that?! said the boy, holding his cheek. Customer feedback. 777 Always borrow money from a pessimist. He wont expect it back. -- Oscar Wilde 11 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 PBAs World Series of Bowling VIII Returns to National Bowling Stadium The eighth annual edition of the Professional Bowlers Associations World Series of Bowling, an international multievent showcase for the worlds most talented bowlers, will return to the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., Nov. 27-Dec. 11. WSOB VIII will offer PBA members from around the world an opportunity to compete for shares of an estimated $750,000 in prize money and five PBA Tour titles in nationallytelevised ESPN finals. The PBA World Series, which has evolved into the worlds most prestigious test of bowling skills, will again be presented by the Silver Legacy Resort, providing all players, fans, bowling industry partners and news media attendees with top quality accommodations and services at special discounted rates. WSOB VIII will return to a PBA membersonly event, with an all-inclusive entry fee of $1,000 covering all five PBA Tour events: the PBA Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark Championships plus the PBA World Championship, the final major championship of the 2016 season. Along with scheduled updates to the bowling lane environment at the National Bowling Stadium, the Shark Championship returns to the World Series lineup for the first time since 2011, replacing the Viper Championship. In keeping with WSOB tradition, combined qualifying scores from the four animal pattern events, each providing its own unique challenge, will serve as the qualifying stages to determine players advancing to the PBA World Championship match play finals. In addition to the five PBA Tour events, the World Series will host the fourth annual PBA Challenge Series, inviting the top players in three other levels of PBA competition to participate in the WSOB program and to compete in special PBA Regional, PWBA-PBA Womens Regional and PBA50 Tour Challenge events. The PBA Regional and PWBA/PBA Womens Regional points leaders in the East, South, Central, Midwest, Southwest, West, Northwest and Japan Regions as of the Oct. 16 qualifying deadline will receive WSOB and PBA Challenge Series invitations. PBA50 qualifiers will be determined at the conclusion of the PBA50 Tour season on Aug. 17. The 2016 World Series will get underway a week earlier than it did in 2015, beginning with the PBA Challenge events and a pro-am program on Sunday, Nov. 27, followed by practice sessions and the PBA Challenge finals on Nov. 28 before competition officially gets underway on Tuesday, Nov. 29, with the first of four single-day animal pattern qualifying sessions. After a day off on Saturday, Dec. 3, PBA World Championship cashers and match play rounds will take place Dec. 4 and 5, followed by best-of-five-game single-elimination match play rounds for the Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark Championship qualifiers Tuesday, Dec. 6, through Thursday, Dec. 8. The four surviving players in each of the animal pattern events will bowl in tape-delayed ESPN finals on Saturday, Dec. 10. World Series VIII will conclude with the live ESPN coverage of the PBA World Championship finals on Sunday, Dec. 11, at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. Pacific time). Entries for the World Series will be accepted on pba.com beginning July 15. All preliminary rounds of WSOB VIII will be covered live, exclusively on PBAs online bowling channel, Xtra Frame, as well as via live scoring on PBAs official website, pba.com, and all outlets included as part of the PBA Network. PBA WORLD SERIES OF BOWLING VIII SCHEDULE National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev., Nov. 27-Dec. 11 (all times are Pacific) Sunday, Nov. 27 10 a.m. PBA Regional, PWBA-PBA Womens Regional and PBA50 Tour Challenge, 8 games round-robin match play (top two in each division advance to Xtra Frame finals) 3-6 p.m. Pro-am squad Monday, Nov. 28 8:30 a.m. A Squad practice session (Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark lane conditions) 2:30 p.m. - B Squad practice session (Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark lane conditions) 5:30 p.m. Mandatory PBA WSOB VIII players meeting 7 p.m. PBA50 Tour Challenge Xtra Frame championship match (live on Xtra Frame) 7:30 p.m. PBA Regional Challenge Xtra Frame championship match (live on Xtra Frame) 8 p.m. PWBA/PBA Womens Regional Challenge Xtra Frame championship match (live on Xtra Frame) Tuesday, Nov. 29 9 a.m. Cheetah Championship A Squad 8 qualifying games 4 p.m. - Cheetah Championship B Squad 8 qualifying games (Top 24 advance to best-of-five-game single-elimination match play on Tuesday, Dec. 6; top 8 qualifiers earn one round bye) Wednesday, Nov. 30 9 a.m. Chameleon Championship B Squad 8 qualifying games 4 p.m. Chameleon Championship A Squad 8 qualifying games (Top 24 advance to best-of-five-game single-elimination match play on Tuesday, Dec. 6; top 8 qualifiers earn one round bye) Thursday, Dec. 1 9 a.m. Scorpion Championship A Squad 8 qualifying games 4 p.m. - Scorpion Championship B Squad 8 qualifying games (Top 24 advance to best-of-five-game single-elimination match play on Wednesday, Dec. 7; top 8 qualifiers earn one round bye) Friday, Dec. 2 9 a.m. Shark Championship B Squad 8 qualifying games 4 p.m. Shark Championship A Squad 8 qualifying games (Top 24 advance to best-of-five-game single-elimination match play on Wednesday, Dec. 7; top 8 qualifiers earn one round bye) (Top 25 percent of field based on 32-game combined qualifying totals from Cheetah, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark championships advance to PBA World Championship cashers round) Saturday, Dec. 3 No competition scheduled Sunday, Dec. 4 11 a.m. PBA World Championship cashers round, 6 games (Top 24 based on 38 games advance to round-robin match play) 5:30 p.m. - PBA World Championship, 8 games round-robin match play Monday, Dec. 5 11 a.m. - PBA World Championship, 8 games round-robin match play 5:30 p.m. - PBA World Championship, 8 games round-robin match play (Top five after 62 games of qualifying and match play advance to ESPN finals) Tuesday, Dec. 6 10 a.m. Cheetah Championship, qualifiers 9-24, best-of-five-game single elimination match play 1 p.m. - Cheetah Championship, qualifiers 1-8 plus 10 a.m. winners, best-of-five-game single elimination match play (Winners advance to Round of 8 on Thursday, Dec. 8) 4:30 p.m. Chameleon Championship, qualifiers 9-24, best-of-five-game single elimination match play 7:30 p.m. Chameleon Championship, qualifiers 1-8 plus 4:30 p.m. winners, best-of-five-game single elimination match play (Winners advance to Round of 8 on Thursday, Dec. 8) Wednesday, Dec. 7 10 a.m. Scorpion Championship, qualifiers 9-24, best-of-five-game single elimination match play 1 p.m. - Scorpion Championship, qualifiers 1-8 plus 10 a.m. winners, best-of-five-game single elimination match play (Winners advance to Round of 8 on Thursday, Dec. 8) 4:30 p.m. Shark Championship, qualifiers 9-24, best-of-five-game single elimination match play 7:30 p.m. Shark Championship, qualifiers 1-8 plus 4:30 p.m. winners, best-of-five-game single elimination match play (Winners advance to Round of 8 on Thursday, Dec. 8) Thursday, Dec. 8 10 a.m. Cheetah Championship Round of 8, best-of-five-game single elimination match play (Four winners advance to ESPN match play finals) 1 p.m. Chameleon Championship Round of 8, best-of-five-game single elimination match play (Four winners advance to ESPN match play finals) 4:30 p.m. Scorpion Championship Round of 8, best-of-five-game single elimination match play (Four winners advance to ESPN match play finals) 7:30 p.m. Shark Championship Round of 8, best-of-five-game single elimination match play (Four winners advance to ESPN match play finals) Friday, Dec. 9 No competition (television setup day) Saturday, Dec. 10 1 p.m. Cheetah Championship match play semifinals and finals (taped for delayed airing on ESPN) 3:30 p.m. Chameleon Championship match play semifinals and finals (taped for delayed airing on ESPN) 5:15 p.m. Scorpion Championship match play semifinals and finals (taped for delayed airing on ESPN) 7 p.m. Shark Championship match play semifinals and finals (taped for delayed airing on ESPN) Sunday, Dec. 11 10 a.m. Live ESPN stepladder finals, PBA World Championship (1 p.m. Eastern) CALENDAR OF EVENTS April 9-July 10 April 10-July 9 July 2-8 July 4-9 July 7-10 July 12-14 July 14-17 July 17-23 July 25-28 July 29-31 July 31-Aug. 3 Aug 1-7 Aug. 6-9 Aug 6-12 Aug 8-14 Aug 9-11 Aug. 11-13 Aug 14-17 Aug 19-21 Aug. 26-28 Sept 1-2 Sept 4-11 Sept 8-11 Sept. 16-18 Sept. 17-18 Sept 23-25 Sept 30-Oct 2 Oct 7-9 Oct. 8-9 Oct 10-13 Nov 3-9 Nov 1-8 Nov 10-16 Nov 11-13 Nov 18-23 USBC Womens Championships, South Point Bowling Plaza, Las Vegas, NV USBC Mixed, South Point Bowling Plaza, Las Vegas, NV Teen Masters Championships, Sawgrass Lanes, Ft. Lauderdale, FL TAT Amateur Nationals, The Orleans, Las Vegas, NV PWBA Rochester Open, AMF Gates Lanes, Rochester, NY Turbo Tech Collegiate Expo, Western Bowl, Indianapolis, IN PWBA St. Petersburg-Clearwater Open, Seminole Lanes, St. Petersburg, FL PBA50 Treasure Island Resort World Championship,IIsland Xtreme Bowl, Welch, MN PBA50 South Shore Open, Olympia Lanes, Hammond, IN Xtra Frame PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles, Bowl on Bellaire, Houston, TX PBA50 Dave Smalls Championship Lanes Classic, Dave Smalls Championship Lanes, Anderson, IN U.S. Womens Open, Stardust Lanes, Addison, IL PBA50 Pro Bowl West Championship, Pro Bowl West, Fort Wayne, IN PBA Intl-World Bowling Tour Thailand, Siam Paragon, Bangkok, Thailand Military Team, South Point Bowling Center, Las Vegas, NV USBC Senior Championships, Sunset Station, Las Vegas, NV PBA60 Dick Weber National Championship, Pro Bowl West, Fort Wayne, IN PBA50 National Championship to benefit Riley Hospital for Children, Signature Lanes, Elkhart, IN Xtra Frame PBA Gene Carters Pro Shop East Classic, Mid-County Bowling & Entertainment Center, Middleton, DE PWBA/PBA Lafayette Lanes South Open, LaFayette Lanes, Fayetteville, NC Smithfield PWBA Tour Championship, Uptown Alley, Midlothian, VA PBA Fall Swing, Allen Park, MI PBA Detroit Open, Allen Park, MI PWBA/PBA Maple City Dodge East Open, Maple City Bowl, Hornell, NY PWBA/PBA Budweiser Midwest Open, Cherry Lanes, Dubuque, IA Xtra Frame PBA Detroit Open, Thunderbird Lanes, Allen Park, MI Xtra Frame PBA Parkside Lanes Open, Parkside Bowl, Aurora, IL PWBA/PBA Parkin Bowling Supply West Open, Bowlium Lanes, Montclair, CA Xtra Frame PBA Reality Check Tamarac Classic, Sawgrass Lanes, Tamarac,FL PWBA/PBA Northwest Lanes Central Open, Northway Lanes, Muskegon, MI Senior TAT, The Orleans Bowling Center, Las Vegas U.S. Open, South Point Bowling Plaza, Las Vegas PBA Intl-World Bowling Tour UAE Open, Khalifa International Bowling Centre, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates PBA Intl-World Bowling Tour Kuwait Open, Cosmo Bowling Center, Kuwait City, Kuwait Xtra Frame PBA Billy Hardwick Memorial, Billy Hardwicks All Star Lanes, Memphis, TN PBA Intl-World Bowling Tour Kingdom Open, Universal Bowling Center Riyadh, Saudi Arabia PBA Intl-World Bowling Tour Qatar Open, Qatar Bowling Center, Doha, Qatar PBA World Series of Bowling VIII, National Bowling Stadium, Reno, NV Nov 25- Dec 1 Nov 27-Dec 11 2017 Jan 15-20 Military Bowling Championships, Gold Coast and The Orleans, Las Vegas YES PARTNERS WITH BOWL4LIFE FOR ADDITIONAL COACHING SEMINARS The Youth Education Services (YES) and Chuck Gardner Bowl4Life Scholarship Foundation will team to support additional USA Bowling Coaching seminars throughout the United States. The YES initiative started in 2010 and USA Bowling was the first program financed by the YES Fund. The USA Bowling Coaching seminars, operated by the IBC Youth Development team, are designed to teach basic bowling coaching skills to youth coaches, volunteers or parents of children involved in the sport. More than 5,700 people attended the 319 seminars conducted between 2011 and 2015. The Bowl4Life Foundation is a non-profit organization formed in 2013 by Gardner, who has more than three decades of experience in bowling, to grow the sport by preparing youth bowlers for collegiate bowling by improving their skill level and knowledge of the game. Starting with youth travel teams and youth tournaments, the foundation has awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships. Were excited to partner with the YES Fund to support more USA Bowling Coaching seminars, said Gardner, a USBC Silver coach and the Brunswick Pro Tour Staff Representative. We started Bowl4Life to simply grow the sport of bowling and to help people who want to become better bowlers. This partnership only will help push the #growbowling movement to new levels. To support the Bowl4Life Scholarship Foundation, the organization sells specially designed merchandise, featuring the Bowl4Life and #growbowling messages, through their Bowl4Life.com website. Sponsorship opportunities for the foundation also are available. The Bowl4Life organization aligns with our goals of developing more coaches to teach our youth bowlers, IBC Youth Managing Director Gary Brown said. Chuck is a terrific coach and partnering with him can only strengthen the USA Bowling Coaching program. USA Bowling is a product of the industry working as a team through the YES effort, a joint initiative of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America and United States Bowling Congress, dedicated to youth bowling development and marketing. YES is supported by founding partners Bowling.com, Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track. For more information on having a USA Bowling Coaching program, contact USA Bowling Brand Manager Zach Barton at 817385-8339 or zbarton@ibcyouth.com. 12 STARS & STRIKES - JULY 2016 Cherie Tan Wins First PWBA Title at 2016 Storm Sacramento Open LAS VEGAS Cherie Tan capped an impressive four-week stretch for her and her teammates from Singapore as she delivered in the final frame to capture the 2016 Professional Womens Bowling Association Storm Sacramento Open. Tan, who earned the top seed for the stepladder finals by posting a 6-0 record in match play, connected on two strikes in the 10th frame of the title match to outlast Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton, Ohio, 208-205, to win her first PWBA title. The stepladder aired nationally on CBS Sports Network. The back-and-forth championship match saw Tan make the first mistake, leaving a 4-6-7-10 split in the fifth frame, but Pluhowsky, who also attacks the lanes from the left side, returned the favor in the seventh when she was unable to convert a 7 pin. Trailing by five pins heading into the 10th frame, Pluhowsky, who also was looking for her first PWBA title, stepped up first and recorded two strikes to force Tan to match the double for the top prize of $10,000. The 28-year-old Tan trusted the ball change she made on the right lane in the eighth frame and matched Pluhowsky with two championship round but left a 10 strikes and six pins to secure the pin to end her run up the stepladder. New, the only right-hander on win. The ball I was using was going the show, recorded a 257-199 win over Anggie Ramirez Perea of Austin, Texas, in the opening match. Tans victory also marked the first win for a southpaw on the PWBA Tour since June 2003, when Tiffany Stanbrough captured the second of back-to-back victories to start the 2003 season at the Pepsi Rockford Classic in Rockford, Illinois. The PWBA went on hiatus later in the 2003 season but returned in 2015 after a commitment a tad longer on that lane and from the United States Bowling wasnt kicking out the 7 pin, said Congress and Bowling Proprietors Tan, the runner-up at the 2014 Association of America. The talented group from QubicaAMF World Cup. I decided to move to something that Singapore returned home after a reads up earlier, and it ended up successful opening quarter to the kicking out the corners for me. It 2016 PWBA Tour season. Bernice Lim captured the 2016 was intense. I just stuck to my routine and took it one shot at a USBC Queens in Las Vegas, while New recorded a pair of time. Pluhowsky earned her spot in the championship-round appearances. It feels great, Tan said. finals by defeating Hui Fen New, one of six members of Team Singapore has two wins, so this Singapore in the 80-player field, in bodes well for our country and an exciting semifinal match, 248- proves our program is doing well. 246. New needed to record a strike We owe a big thanks to our on her opening shot of the 10th federation and sponsors for their frame to advance to the support. PWBA STORM SACRAMENTO OPEN The Orleans Bowling Center, Las Vegas Final standings 1, Cherie Tan, Singapore, 208 (one game), $10,000 2, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 453 (two games), $5,000 3, Hui Fen New, Singapore, 503 (two games), $3,500 4, Anggie Ramirez Perea, Austin, Texas, 199 (one game), $3,000 Stepladder results Match One New def. Ramirez, 257-199 Semifinal Pluhowsky def. New, 248-246 Championship Tan def. Pluhowsky, 208-205 MATCH PLAY - GROUP A 1, Cherie Tan, Singapore, 6-0, 5,600 (earns No. 1 seed for stepladder). 2, Anggie Ramirez-Perea, Austin, Texas, 4-2, 5,352. 3, Shayna Ng, Singapore, 2-4, 5,252. 4, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 2-4, 5,250. 5, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 2-4, 5,236 (eliminated; earns $1,600). 6, Clara Guerrero, Pflugerville, Texas, 2-4, 5,129 (eliminated; earns $1,600). GROUP A STEPLADDER Semifinal - Ng def. L. Johnson, 233-191 (Johnson finishes tied for seventh; earns $1,900). Final - Ramirez def. Ng, 279-244 (Ramirez earns No. 3 seed for stepladder based on average; Ng finishes tied for fifth; earns $2,100). MATCH PLAY - GROUP B 1, Shannon Pluhowsky, Dayton, Ohio, 3-3, 5,446 (earns No. 2 seed). 2, Hui Fen New, Singapore, 4-2, 5,307. 3, Carol Gianotti, Australia, 4-2, 5,249. 4, Stefanie Johnson, Grand Prairie, Texas, 2-4, 5,173. 5, Lindsay Boomershine, Perry, Utah, 3-3, 5,143 (eliminated; earns $1,600). 6, Mariana Ayala, Grand Prairie, Texas, 2-4, 5,072 (eliminated; earns $1,600). GROUP B STEPLADDER Semifinal - Gianotti def. S. Johnson, 216-210 (Johnson finishes tied for seventh; earns $1,900). Final - New def. Gianotti, 194-163 (New earns No. 4 seed for stepladder based on average; Gianotti finishes tied for fifth; earns $2,100). Other Cashers ($1200 each) Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, 3,818; Jodi Woessner, Oregon, Ohio, 3,808; Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 3,784; Maria Jose Rodriguez, Austin, Texas, 3,772; Karen Marcano, Venezuela, 3,762;(TIE), Jazreel Tan, Singapore, and Kristina Wendell, Kingston, N.Y., 3,761; Kayla Bandy, Salisbury, Md., 3,759;Shannon O'Keefe, O'Fallon, Ill., 3,751; Leanne Hulsenberg, Pleasant View, Utah, 3,732; Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., 3,711; Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, Texas, 3,697; Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., 3,687, $1,200. 26, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 3,682; Bryanna Cote, Red Rock, Ariz., 3,671; Darris Ruffner (a), Exeter, Calif., 3,669; Jacqueline Carbonetto, Blauvelt, N.Y., 3,648; Tannya Roumimper, Indonesia, 3,607;Amber Vega (a), Orangevale, Calif., 3,563; Mariana Alvarado (a), Sacramento, Calif., 3,560. OKeefe Captures Nationwide PWBA Somoma County Open Title LAS VEGAS Shannon OKeefe of OFallon, Illinois, struck on six of her first seven shots on the way to a 246-203 victory over top seed Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, in the title match of the Nationwide PWBA Sonoma County Open. It was the first individual PWBA title for OKeefe. She teamed with Bill ONeill to win the PBA/PWBA Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles last year. This is different, OKeefe said. For some reason, its easier when you have someone with you. You can make mistakes, and there is someone there to pick you up. Bill and I work well together, but this one is different, this one is good. OKeefe has been the womens bowling coach at McKendree University the last two years. She has formed a strong bond with her players, saying they push and inspire her. But Mama Bearcat said she almost got a little ahead of herself during the title match. I actually started thinking, Just a couple of more shots, and Im going to win this, and its going to be about my kids, OKeefe said. I had to stop it. When you start thinking too far ahead, you lose focus and bad things happen. I had to refocus and trust the process. She almost saw the opportunity to bowl for the title slip away in her semifinal match. OKeefe also started quickly in that match against Hui Fen New of Singapore, opening with five consecutive strikes. But, OKeefe left a 7-10 split in the seventh frame, while New strung together four consecutive strikes. That left OKeefe needing to strike twice to start the final frame, which she did in a 235-226 victory. The one thing weve told our kids all year is that you just keep coming and never give up, OKeefe said. The 7-10, it was a good shot, that lane was a little tighter. I just knew that if Im going to tell my kids all year they have to just keep coming, I have to do the same, and hopefully, the pins are on your side that day. The victory also eased the memory of OKeefes one-pin loss in the title match of 2015 U.S. Womens Open, where she left a washout in the final frame and failed to convert. She kept a photo from that match, with head in hands, on her cell phone. Its heartbreaking, but in the moments of defeat is the perfect opportunity to come back better, to come back stronger. OKeefe said. Im not going to let one moment define who I am. If I cant bounce back, how can I expect to teach my kids that? New, the No. 3 seed, reached the semifinal match with a 225-211 victory over Jennifer Higgins of Westerville, Ohio, in the opening match. Higgins started with three consecutive strikes, while New missed a 10 pin in the second frame and could not convert the 2-4-10 in the third. But, Higgins had an open frame in the fourth after leaving the 2-810, while New reeled off five consecutive strikes to advance. The qualifying and match-play rounds of the Nationwide PWBA Sonoma County Open took place May 5-7 at Double Decker Lanes in Rohnert Park, California. NATIONWIDE PWBA SONOMA COUNTY OPEN The Orleans Bowling Center, Las Vegas Final standings 1, Shannon OKeefe, OFallon, Illinois, 481 (two games), $10,000 2, Kelly Kulick of Union, New Jersey, 203 (one game), $5,000 3, Hui Fen New, Singapore, 451 (two games), $3,500 4, Jennifer Higgins of Westerville, Ohio, 211 (one game), $3,000 Stepladder results Match One New def. Higgins, 225-211 Semifinal OKeefe def. New, 235-226 Championship OKeefe def. Kulick, 246-203 MATCH PLAY - GROUP A 1, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 5-1-0, 5,356 (earns No. 1 seed for stepladder). 2, Diana Zavjalova, Latvia, 1-4-1, 5,333. 3, Hui Fen New, Singapore, 4-1-1, 5,292. 4, Leanne Hulsenberg, Pleasant View, Utah, 2-4-0, 5,203. 5, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 4-2-0, 5,166 (eliminated; earns $1,600). 6, Josie Earnest, Nashville, Tenn., 1-5-0, 4,871 (eliminated; earns $1,600). GROUP A STEPLADDER Semifinal - New def. Hulsenberg, 201-200 (Hulsenberg finishes tied for seventh; earns $1,900). Final - New def. Zavjalova, 213-198 (New earns No. 3 seed for stepladder based on average; Zavjalova finishes tied for fifth; earns $2,100). MATCH PLAY - GROUP B 1, Shannon O'Keefe, O'Fallon, Ill., 4-2-0, 5,344 (earns No. 2 seed for stepladder). 2, Jazreel Tan, Singapore, 3-3-0, 5,300. 3, Danielle McEwan, Stony Point, N.Y., 2-4-0, 5,277. 4, Jennifer Higgins, Westerville, Ohio, 5-1-0, 5,262. 5, Shayna Ng, Singapore, 4-2-0, 5,090 (eliminated; earns $1,600). 6, Maria Jose Rodriguez, Austin, Texas, 0-6-0, 5,005 (eliminated; earns $1,600). GROUP B STEPLADDER Semifinal - Higgins def. McEwan, 207-202 (McEwan finishes tied for seventh; earns $1,900). Final - Higgins def. Tan, 185-163 (Higgins earns No. 4 seed for stepladder based on average; Tan finishes tied for fifth; earns $2,100). OTHER CASHERS ($1200 each) 13, Clara Guerrero, Pflugerville, Texas, 3,734, $1,300; Felicia Wong, Canada, 3,724; Sandra Gongora, Mexico, 3,721; Ashly Galante, Palm Harbor, Fla., 3,689; Anggie Ramirez-Perea, Austin, Texas, 3,675; Daphne Tan, Singapore, 3,664; Kayla Bandy, Salisbury, Md., 3,647; Amanda Greene, Romney, W. Va., 3,643; Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., 3,631; Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, Ohio, 3,625; (TIE), Erin McCarthy, Omaha, Neb., and Jacqueline Carbonetto, Blauvelt, N.Y., 3,590; Kristina Wendell, Kingston, N.Y., 3,581; Samantha Schaden, Baltimore, 3,558; Jasmine Coleman (a), Manteca, Calif., 3,555; Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, Calif., 3,550; Kaidee Sutphin, Mount Dora, Fla., 3,513, $1,200. 30, T'nia Falbo, Greensburg, Pa., 3,501; Bryanna Cote, Red Rock, Ariz., 3,500; Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nev., 3,486.