2001/09/30

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Nashville Open　【Round 3】

　Only 16 players remain after the round of 32 Sunday night in the PBA Greater Nashville Open at Strike and Spare Family Fun Center.

　With 50 combined PBA titles, the most anticipated match of the round proved to be PBA Hall of Famers Parker Bohn III and Walter Ray Williams Jr. In the duo's debut appearance in the new single-elimination match play format, Bohn, the No. 11 seed, forcefully defeated the No. 22 seed in a sweep (239-212, 228-207, 258-178).

　"When you face a player of Walter's caliber, you have to give it your best," said Bohn, owner of 27 PBA titles. "Otherwise, you'll be second-best."

　Bohn, of Jackson, N.J., advances to the round of 16 Monday and will face Jimmy Johnson, son of PBA Hall of Famer Don Johnson.
Williams, ranked third all-time with 33 PBA titles, moves on to next week.

　"That's just kind of the luck of the draw," he said about facing the player ranked just below him in the victories category.
"I didn't feel that bad out there. I just threw a couple of bad shots. I thought that third game was going to be mine. It just didn't happen."

　Williams was unable to recover from the 4-6-7 split twice in the final game, which he left in the fourth and ninth frames.
In other matches, No. 14 Steve Hoskins defeated No. 19, PBA Hall-of-Famer Brian Voss, 3-2 (178-179, 197-185, 182-247, 248-224, 214-185). Hoskins, a 10-time PBA titleholder, advances to bowl Mike Scroggins in the round of 16.

　Pete Weber was knocked off by Mitchell Beasley, 3-2 (241-236, 240-284, 206-214, 220-237, 167-227). Beasley will make his first round of 16 appearance, against No. 1 seed and PBA Hall of Famer Tom Baker. Beasley, Jacksonville, Ark., is targeting his first PBA title.

　Patrick Healey Jr., of Mexico City, bowled tournament's only 300 game and posted the highest three-game series of the night (848) to finish off Ryan Shafer after trailing 2-0 (180-215, 226-257, 300-236, 279-190, 269-246). Healey advances to play Ricky Ward.

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Nashville Open　【Round 2】

　PBA Hall of Famer Tom Baker will enter single-elimination play as the No. 1 seed after he led qualifying in the PBA Greater Nashville Open at The Strike and Spare Family Fun Center Sunday afternoon.

　Baker, of Buffalo, New York, averaged 232 and collected an 18-game, 4,183 pinfall total.

　The nine-time PBA champion is competing in his second event of the year after taking a short leave of absence from the Tour in the beginning of 2001.

　"I took some time off because there was no money on the Tour and I was starting to get frustrated," said Baker. "I had seen better days out here and I thought I'd wait and see - if things got better I would come back out and if they didn't I would stay home - obviously I came back out."

　The PBA Hall of Famer has competed full-time on Tour since 1977 and his recent break was the longest he has ever taken in the past 25 years. During his break, Baker took a part-time job working with intercity kids, age 14-18, in his hometown.

　"It was a great experience for me," said Baker. "I went into the job without a lot of patience and came out of it with a new perspective and a lot more patience. I plan to go back next summer, since the new season will allow me to do so."

　Baker won his last title in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1998 and made his last PBA telecast in the 1999 American Bowling Congress (ABC) Masters, Syracuse, New York, finishing fourth.

　"I've got a lot of years left," said Baker. "My style of play, more of 'stroker', will allow me to stay competitive for quite a while and limits my risk of injury. I've only been back for a week and a half, but so far, so good."

　Baker will face rookie Tommy Jones in the first round (Round of 32) of single-elimination, best three out of five game matches.
Entering the bracket as the No. 2 seed is Chris Barnes, of Dallas, Texas. Barnes is looking for his third PBA title.

　Although Barnes' most successful year in earnings was 2000 ($129,920), he won both of his PBA titles in 1999, his sophomore year. After being names PBA Rookie of the Year in 1998, Barnes came back the next year to capture the Flagship Open, Erie, PA, and the Oregon Open, Portland, OR.

　In 2000, Barnes made it to the championship round in 12 out of 19 events. Despite his success, he was unable to win again and finished second only twice (Tucson, AZ; Austin, TX). He continues to try and break his losing streak that stands at 15 championship round appearances with no wins (November 1999 - present).

　Also making the cut is the former PBA Player of the Year (1999) Parker Bohn III. Bohn, who has won three titles in 2001, including the American Bowling Congress (ABC) Masters, Reno, Nevada, qualified as the No. 11 seed.

　Notables failing to advance include Robert Smith, Danny Wiseman, Mike Aulby and Rick Steelsmith.

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【ＴＶ決勝】

　

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【ＴＶ決勝】

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【ラウンドロビン】

　

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【ラウンドロビン】

2001/09/29

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Nashville Open　【Round 1】

　Justin Hromek led the first round of qualifying Saturday in the PBA Greater Nashville Open at Strike and Spare Family Fun Center.

　Hromek, of Towanda, Kan., set the pace with a 2,109, nine-game pinfall total including a 275 in game six. The three-time PBA titleholder is targeting his third match play appearance of the season.

　"I was shocked," said Hromek. "Last week I was not very mentally or physically strong so I was very pleased with my game today."

　This week marks only the second tournament employing the new format which includes a cut after every round of competition. Following the second round of qualifying, the top 32 bowlers are seeded into single-elimination bracket match play.

　Second place belongs to Tommy Delutz Jr., of Flushing, N.Y., (2,066). Delutz, who owns one PBA title, is currently ranked fifth in the 2001-2002 PBA World Point Rankings (120,010).

　Sitting in third place is 1998 PBA Rookie of the Year Chris Barnes, of Dallas, (2,047). Barnes, who won his only two PBA titles in 1999, is looking to make his first match play appearance under the new format.

　Pete Weber, in fourth place, jumped out to a solid start for the second straight tournament (2,045). Weber, ranked eighth all-time with 25 PBA titles, remains one win away from tying his legendary father (Dick) with career titles.

　Notable players that missed the cut are: No. 1 ranked Jason Couch (101st), last week's champion Kurt Pilon (116th) and reigning PBA Player of the Year Norm Duke (70th).

　The top 64 qualifiers return Sunday at 10 a.m. for the second, nine-game round of qualifying. The top 32 qualifiers will advance to single-elimination match play beginning Sunday at 7 p.m. Monday's rounds will trim the field from 16 bowlers, to eight, and finally the top four plus a wildcard (determined by best overall match play record among the losers in the round of eight). The five remaining bowlers advance to Tuesday's championship round to vie for the title and $40,000 top-prize. ESPN will televise the championship round live, Tuesday, Oct. 2, from 8-9:30 p.m. (ET).

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【準決勝】

　

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【準決勝】

2001/09/28

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【予選後半】

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【予選後半】

2001/09/27

　　【PWBA】　Jacksonville Open　【Final】

　Tonight at the Cassat's Batt Bowl, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richmond Hills, Texas, earned her sixth title of the 2001 PWBA campaign and 16th of her career, after defeating Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif., 234-191 in the championship match of the $50,000 Jacksonville Open.

　"What a year this has been," said Dorin-Ballard. "Sometimes things just click for me and tonight was one of those nights where I had some luck when I needed it, and I executed when I had to."

　A winner at the 1999 Jacksonville Classic, Dorin-Ballard became just the second PWBA player this season to win a tournament from the fifth seeded position. Currently she leads all PWBA players with 14 TV finals appearances in 16 tournaments. The victory also earned her a check for $9,000 adding to her league-leading $86,670.

　"Almost all of my wins this year came when I was the No. 1 seed," Dorin-Ballard said. "I knew tonight was going to be a tremendous challenge to win from the five-spot because I was facing some great competition."

　Dorin-Ballard, who needed a 181-180 win over Kelly Kullick, Union N.J., in the 42nd game of the preliminaries to qualify for the TV finals, started her charge tonight after defeating both Kullick and Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah, 221-214-197 in the opening shootout.

　In the semi-finals, the 1998 Player of the Year controlled most the bout with Carol Gianotti-Block, Australia as she put together two stretches of four consecutive strikes in spite of leaving open frames in the sixth and eighth.

　"I was real streaky in the semi's but fortunately I had an early lead on Carol which took some pressure off," stated Dorin-Ballard. "Carol shot high this week so I knew I had to score high to beat her."

　Gianotti-Block was a tournament leader after Tuesday's fourth round and averaged a tournament-high 225.40 entering the championships. Nevertheless, in her tilt with Dorin-Ballard, she suffered a 223-175 defeat.

　A winner last week at the Storm Challenge, the No. 1 seed, Barrette took home $4,800 for a second place finish. Gianotti-Block earned $3,000 while Turner and Kullick took home $2,500 and $2,200 respectively.

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【予選前半】

　　【JPBA】　ジャパンオープン　【予選前半】

2001/09/26

　　【PWBA】　Jacksonville Open　【Round 5】

　For the fifth consecutive round of the $50,000 Jacksonville Open, a new No. 1 seed emerged. Today, it was Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif., who needed a 246-237 win over Carol Gianotti-Block, Australia, in the final match of the day to take control of the top position heading into Thursday night's championships.

　Barrette, who last week won the Storm Challenge, completed the tournament's 42-game preliminaries with a 9,999 pin-fall and a 225.21 average. Her match play record of 18-6 also led the tournament and helped her account for 540 bonus pins (Editor note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds).

　"Finishing as the top seed is a nice feeling," Barrette said. "I still have to play a strong final to get a championship. All four of my opponents are more than capable of putting up high scores."

　Entering the fifth round Gianotti-Block held a 77-pin lead over Barrette, however, a 3-5 record in todayﾕs matches by Gianotti-Block put the 1998 PWBA Player of the Year in position to steal the No. 1 seed.

　Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah, who started the day in the eighth slot, used a fifth round average of 235 to move up to the third seed. For Turner, the TV appearance will be her first since August 9, 2000.

　"It's nice to be in a TV finals again," she said. "I took about eight months off the tour to get my game back in order and this week I felt like I really bowled well."

　Seeded fourth will be two-time Team USA member Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. A rookie on the PWBA tour this year, Kullick is making her third TV finals appearance of 2001. Kullick finished the 42-game preliminaries tied with Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, with 9,705 pins each. Following a one-game tiebreaker, Kullick earned the No. 4 spot after defeating Dorin-Ballard 277-221.

　In spite of completing the qualifying rounds as the No. 5 seed, Dorin-Ballard will be making her 14 TV appearance in 16 tournaments. Last season Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada set the PWBA record with 15 TV appearances.

2001/09/25

　　【PBA】　PBA Peoria Open　【Final】

　It was a brand new day for the PBA and it ended with a brand new champion.

　Kurt Pilon, of Warren, Mich., won the season opener of the 2001-2002 PBA season to capture his first career victory after defeating Paul Koehler in the title match, 202-182.

　"How do you like the new PBA," shouted Pilon to a packed crowed at Landmark Lanes.

　Pilon seems to like the "new" PBA just fine. The 29-year-old, who was making his second career television appearance, won $40,000 for the title, which more than doubled from the average prize fund in 2000.

　"This is the biggest prize I have ever won," said Pilon, who competed for years in high roller tournaments as an amateur. "But not just because of the money, it's the prestige that goes with it."

　When the match first began, Pilon built up a sturdy lead as he struck or marked in each frame through the seventh frame (strike in frames one, five and six; single-pin spares in two, three, four and seven).

　Koehler, of Stuart, Fla., kept the pressure on Pilon despite an open frame in frame two due to a 6-7-10 split that he was unable to convert. The 10-year pro went on to alternate strikes and single-pin spares through the seventh frame.

　Pilon's lead diminished in the eighth frame when he left the 6-10 combination and failed to pick up the spare, leaving the 6-pin behind and opening the door for Koehler.

　"I couldn't believe it when he missed that spare," said Koehler. "I thought it had to be fate and this was my tournament. No one misses that spare."

　With hope in sight, Koehler struck in the eighth frame. A solid 9-pin slowed him down but he picked up the spare and still had a chance to shut out Pilon with two strikes and eight pins in the 10th frame.

　In one of the biggest shots of his career, Koehler left a difficult 4-10 split. Unable to pick up the split, Koehler had to sit and watch Pilon take back the title.

　Pilon needed to mark in the 10th frame to win and started the frame with a strike. Although he only needed one more pin to take home the trophy, Pilon struck out to finish his first successful title match.

　"This day will stay with me for a long, long time," Pilon commented.

　Pilon advanced to the title match by defeating PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss in the semifinal (1) match, 207-179. Voss, of Atlanta, who went 9-0 in single-elimination play, earned $10,000 for his third place (tied) finish.

　Koehler bested Brian Himmler, of Cincinnati, 212-188, in the semifinal (2) match. Himmler, who entered the finals as the wild card, received a check for $10,000 as well for third place (tied).

　In the wild card match, Himmler defeated Steve Wilson, of Lake Worth, Fla., 202-182. Wilson settled for a fifth-place finish and a $9,000 paycheck.

　The tournament featured a new format, consisting of single-elimination brackets and a $200,000 prize fund - up 140% from last year.

　　【PWBA】　Jacksonville Open　【Round 4】

　At the close of the fourth round at the $50,000 Jacksonville Open, Carol Gianotti-Block, Australia, emerged as the tournament leader with an 8,096 total pin-fall and an average of 227.52. Gianotti-Block co-leads the tournament in match play with a 12-4 record. (Editor note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds).

　"I've been pretty consistent all week," said Gianotti-Block. "The scores have been pretty high, but I've been trying to concentrate on my own game rather than watching what everyone else is doing."

　In an evening where the top position changed hands four times throughout the round, Gianotti-Block became the fourth different player to grasp the tournament lead. Gianotti-Block holds a 77-pin margin over Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif.

　Barrette, who last week won the Storm Challenge, also posted 12-4 record on the day. During the fourth round Barrette went 7-1 including victories over Gianotti-Block, Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y. (sixth place) and Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. (third place).

　Earlier in the day, Kullick, Union, New Jersey, moved up from 20th place to third after going 7-1 in the third round. In the fourth, the two-time Team USA member managed a 5-3 record to maintain her position with 7,931 pins respectively.

　Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada, started out the third round as the tournament leader due to an 8-0 record, however, a 3-5 mark in the fourth pushed her back to the fourth position with 7,930 pins. Anne Marie-Dugan, Edmond, Oklahoma, completes the top five with 7,827 pins. Duggan holds the final position for the TV finals by 35 pins over Michelle Feldman, who dazzled today's crowd by shooting a 300.

　Feldman's perfect game was the second of the tournament. Monday, Kim Terrell, Daly City, Calif., also tallied a 300 during the second round.

　　【PWBA】　Jacksonville Open　【Round 3】

　Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada, used an 8-0 match play record during the third round of the $50,000 Jacksonville Open to take a 99-pin tournament lead over Carol Gianotti-Block, Australia (Editor note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds). Through 26 games Macpherson has set the tournament pace by averaging 228.34 en route to her 6,177 pin fall.

　"240 bonus pins put me over the top today," said Macpherson. "I was very pleased, but I have to keep it up tonight." Match play rounds allow for anyone within striking distance to make up ground quickly."

　A third place finisher last week at the Storm Challenge, Macpherson posted 1,900 pins today and recorded tight wins over Gianotti-Block (199-198) and Anne Marie Dugan (217-215), Edmond, Oklahoma, who currently is in eighth place.

　Sixteen-time titlest Gianotti Block closed out her round with a 6-2 match play record and a 6,078 total pin-fall. The 1998 PWBA Player of the Year will have a tough task in tonight's fourth round as she is scheduled to play four of her eight matches against competitors in the tournament's top ten including Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas (sixth), Janette Piesczynski, Cheektowaga, N.Y. (fifth), Duggan (eighth) and Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif. (fourth).

　Kelly Kullick, Union, New Jersey, also thrived during the third round moving up from 20th place to third after going 7-1. Kullick posted three of the top 15 scores of the round (279-258-256) and averaged 249 in the eight-game block to add 1,992 pins to her 5,976 total. Her only loss of the round was a 235-234 defeat to Tiffany Stanbrough, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

　A winner last week at the Storm Challenge, Barrette is again in the hunt this week as she ranks fourth with 5,937 pins. Piesczynski, who after nine games was the tournament leader, rounds the top five with a 5,935 total.

2001/09/24

　　【PWBA】　Jacksonville Open　【Round 2】

　Defending champion Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, took over the tournament lead today at the $50,000 Jacksonville Open. The 1999 winner finished her nine-game block with a 2,093 pin-fall en route to a 4,194 tournament total. Dorin-Ballard holds a 33-pin margin over Kim Terrell, Daly City, Calif, who completed the 18-game qualifying rounds with 4,161 pins.

　"There have been a lot of high scores this week so far," said Dorin-Ballard. "I'm just trying to stay lined up and keep up with the pace. This is a week where you can lose 20 or 30 pins in any given game."

　A runner up for the 2000 Player of the Year award, Dorin-Ballard has posted 14 consecutive games of 210 or better. Her tournament-leading average of 233 tops a list of 10 other competitors who are averaging 220 or above. This season Dorin-Ballard ranks first in the PWBA in averages (214.71), earnings ($86,670), competition points (11,640) and titles (5).

　As the day began Terrell delighted the capacity crowd at the Cassat's Batt Bowl when she opened the second round with an 809 series including a 300-game. Terrell's perfect game was her first this year within the PWBA tour. She joins 10 other tour members that have posted a 300 in 2001.

　"You can never take bowling 300 lightly," said Terrell. "It really gives me a spark going into the next few days."

　Trailing Terrell in third place is Kim Adler, Cocoa, Fla. (2,118 pins), who began the day in 12th place but averaged a 232 in today's block. Brenda Norman, Indianapolis, Indiana, ranks fourth with a 4,086 total while Janette Piesczynski, Cheektowaga, N.Y., rounds out the top five with 4,076.

　　【PBA】　PBA Peoria Open　【Round 5】

　No. 16 seed Brian Voss is the only undefeated player heading into Tuesday night's Championship Round, following the Round of Eight Monday night in the PBA Peoria Open at Landmark Lanes.

　Voss, of Atlanta, posted a 9-0 record over the first three rounds of the single-elimination, 32-man match play bracket. Voss, who ranks 10th all-time with 20 PBA titles, needs to win in the Round of Four Tuesday in order to advance to the Title Match.

　"My goal is to have an 11-0 record after tomorrow night." said Voss, who last won in 1998. "I'm real comfortable bowling on TV. I'll just continue doing my thing. It doesn't matter who I play."

　Voss defeated Dave D'Entremont, 3-0, in the Round of Eight (214-168, 189-185, 229-177) and will face Kurt Pilon in match No. 2.

　Pilon, of Warren, Mich., swept Bob Learn Jr., of Erie, Pa., 3-0 (236-218, 218-190, 232-192) and finished with a 9-3 record. Pilon, who will make his second career championship round appearance, is searching for his first PBA title.

　In Round of Eight's third clean sweep, Paul Koehler, of Stuart, Fla., routed Doug Kent, of Newark, N.Y., 3-0 (234-182, 233-215, 232-214). Koehler, also targeting his first PBA title in two career championship round appearances, will face the winner of the Wildcard Match in match No. 3. He collected a 9-3 overall match play record.

　The Wildcard Match, between Wildcard Brian Himmler and Steve Wilson, will open the Championship Round. In the Round of Eight, Wilson defeated Himmler, 3-2 (236-198, 198-233, 198-191, 254-268, 220-190) and finished with the worst record (9-4) among the finalists who advanced to the Championship Round. Himmler, who won his lone PBA title in 1999, earned the Wildcard based upon having the best record among the players eliminated (8-5).

　The final four contestants plus the Wildcard advance to Tuesday's Championship Round and will vie for the title and the $40,000 top prize. ESPN will televise the finals live, from 8-9:30 p.m. (ET).

　　【PBA】　PBA Peoria Open　【Round 4】

　With only eight professionals remaining, the field remains unpredictable.

　During the Round of 16 one PBA Hall of Famer was eliminated, one remains.

　Doug Kent defeated PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber, 3-1. Kent, who owns four titles including his most recent win in Indianapolis last year, averaged 219 to take out the 25-time PBA champion.

　"Entering the match I was really nervous," said Kent. "Any time you bowl against Pete you always feel like you are the underdog.
After game one, it looked as though Kent was the underdog as Weber bested him 251-184.

　"The first game I never got comfortable," commented Kent. "I couldn't line up on the lanes and Pete was able to much faster than I was."

　From game two on, Kent took control. He cruised through the next three games to advance in the bracket.

　"In the second match I got a couple lucky breaks," Kent said. "I think at that point I started to bowl better and it started to mess with Pete's head. Any time you are able to break the concentration of someone of Pete's caliber, you have to take advantage of it."

　Bowling next to Kent and Weber, an eight-time PBA champion was dismissed by an athlete searching for his first title.

　Kurt Pilon bested Danny Wiseman, 3-2, to stay alive. Pilon, who is competing in his fourth year on Tour, started the round with a win. He would then alternate wins and losses with Wiseman and ended up a winner.

　In the closest match of the night, the 54th ranked PBA professional sent home the 6th ranked bowler.

　In a match that went down to the final frame of the fifth game, Paul Koehler defeated Tommy Delutz Jr. In that game, Koehler beat Wiseman by one pin, 248-247 to move on.

　Eight bowlers remain and will compete in one more round - the Round of 8, starting with two matches at 7 p.m. (ET). Another two matches will be held at 9:30 p.m. (ET). Four professionals will advance to the ESPN finals plus a wild card.

　The ESPN telecast will feature four single-game matches; the final four bowlers, plus a wild card match. The wild card match (Match One) will feature the bowler in the top eight who finishes with the best individual match record in the tournament without advancing to the final four facing the player among the final four who lost the most matches during the head-to-head competition. The two qualifiers from the other half of the bracket will compete in Match Two. The winner of Match One will face the remaining final four qualifier in Match Three. The Championship Match will feature the winners of the two previous matches vying for the title and top prize of $40,000.

2001/09/23

　　【PBA】　PBA Peoria Open　【Round 3】

　After the second day of competition, 16 survivors remain in the PBA's season opener, the PBA Peoria Open.

　Roommates and best friends Norm Duke and Brian Voss can both congratulate each other on their victories in the Round of 32. However, after they face each other in the Round of 16, only one will earn the congratulations.

　Duke, who entered the single-elimination, best of five, bracket as the No. 1 seed after leading qualifying, earned a quick, 3-0 victory over Mark Mosayebi. The reigning PBA Player of the Year will now move and continue his search for title No. 20 and his first win of the year.

　Voss, who won at Landmark Lanes in Peoria in 1988, also took only three games to dispose of fellow PBA Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli.

　"Making it through the first match felt great - now I have to face Norm," said Voss. "We're best friends, roommates on Tour, and similar competitors. It should be interesting."

　"We talked about this moment before this week; we knew it would be inevitable that this would happen sooner or later," commented Voss. "We won't dwell on it too much tonight, but there will be a little less chatter tonight and the car ride over tomorrow morning will be a lot quieter than usual."

　The 20-time PBA titleholder from Atlanta, Georgia, has not won a title since 1998.

　"It's been about 2 1/2 years but it really doesn't seem like it," said Voss. "I know that I am still bowling well, in fact I'm currently third in the PBA Point Rankings, and I still think I can win again."

　Voss suffered a wrist injury in 1999 and it was then he broke his streak of winning at least one title per year (1987-1998), leaving him two years shy of tying Earl Anthony's record of 14 consecutive years with one win.

　Tommy Delutz Jr. also won his set 3-0 by overcoming Steve Jaros. Delutz ended the round with the highest game of the night, a 290. The one-time PBA champion posted the highest average for the round, a 222.33 average.

　　【PBA】　PBA Peoria Open　【Round 2】

　The 32-man field is set for single-elimination bracket play in the PBA Peoria Open, after the second round of qualifying Sunday afternoon at Landmark Lanes.

　Norm Duke, of Clermont, Fla., earned the No. 1 seed after collecting a tournament-best, 3,970 18-game pinfall total. The 19-time PBA champion will face the No. 32 seed, Mark Mosayebi in the first round of bracket play.

　"The scores don't matter as much anymore now," said Duke in reference to the start of the new bracket-style, single-elimination match play format. "It's all about how you stack up against your opponent."

　Mosayebi, of Charlotte, N.C., earned the final spot over 1999 PBA Player of the Year Parker Bohn III by only three pins. Mosayebi, who won his only PBA title in 1999 (Virginia Beach, Va.), shot a 256 in the final game to make the field.

　Rather than amassing total pins and accumulating bonus pins for victories in match play, players will now have to win best-three-of-five games matches to advance.

　Robert Smith, of Simi Valley, Calif., earned the No. 2 seed after trailing Duke by four pins. Smith, who won twice in 2000, will face R.D. Miller Jr., the No. 31 seed.

　One of the highest profile matchups includes a pair of PBA Hall of Famers, Brian Voss (No. 16) and Amleto Monacelli (No. 17). Monacelli, who owns 18 PBA titles, is looking to capture his first crown since 1997 (Bay City, Mich). Voss, with 20 PBA titles to his credit, last won in 1998 (Virginia Beach, Va.).

　Those failing to advance include Walter Ray Williams Jr. (34th), Chris Barnes (36th), Ryan Shafer (40th) and Jason Couch (47th).
The top 32 advance to single-elimination bracket featuring best-three-out-of-five games matches tonight, at 7 p.m. The 16 survivors will return tomorrow while the field is cut from 16, to eight, to four plus a wild card for Tuesday's live ESPN finals, from 8-9:30 p.m. (ET). The final five contestants will vie for a $40,000 top-prize.

　　【PWBA】　Jacksonville Open　【Round 1】

　Janette Piesczynski, Cheektowaga, N.Y. scorched the 45-women field in today's first round of the Jacksonville Open, hosted at the Cassat's Batt Bowl, by finishing her nine-game block with a 2,197 pin-fall and a 244.11 average.

　"I felt like I bowled well last week and that gave me confidence going to Jacksonville," Piesczynski said. "Nine games is a long format so I'm going to have to keep it up tomorrow because a lot can change."

　Piesczynski holds a 74-pin margin over Brenda Norman, Indianapolis, Ind., who averaged 235.88 and closed out her round with a 794 series (278-248-268). A winner last at the Storm Challenge, Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif., ranks in third position with a 2,118 pin-fall and a 235.33 average.

　Kim Terrell, Daly City, Calif., and Kendra Gaines, Sebring, Fla, tied for the day's high-game with a 289. Terrell currently sits in fourth place with 2,103 while Gaines is in ninth with a 2,054. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland, Texas, who has five titles in 2001, rounds out the top five with a 2,101. Dorin-Ballard is just two pins ahead of four-time PWBA Player of the Year, Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada.

　Other Floridian PWBA members including Kim Adler (Cocoa), Barbara Batt (Jacksonville), Leslie Blandford (Jacksonville), Amy Dillon (Miami), Gaines (Sebring), Corrine Ham (Cocoa), Millie Irizarry (Port Charlotte), Marsha Kamrowski (Boca Raton), Laura Moriarty (Daytona Beach), Donna Smith (Orange Park) all finished the day in contention to make the tournaments top 24.

　　【JPBA】　大津プリンスカップ　【ＴＶ決勝】

　　【JPBA】　大津プリンスカップ　【ラウンドロビン】

　　【JPBA】　大津プリンスカップ　【準決勝】

2001/09/22

　　【JPBA】　大津プリンスカップ　【予選】

　　【PBA】　PBA Peoria Open　【Round 1】

　Sixty-four competitors remain after the first day of the PBAﾕs season opener, the PBA Peoria Open at Landmark Lanes Saturday evening.

　All bowlers competing on the PBA Tour this season will bear an American Flag patch on the back of their shirts as a sign of remembrance and unity. This symbol signifies the mass outpouring of support displayed throughout the United States and the world following last week's tragic events.

　"Americans have shown a great deal of unity in these trying times," said PBA Commissioner Ian Hamilton. "We felt having the PBA Players wear the American Flag patches is a small way of helping to show our solidarity to the nation."

One-On-One With Tim Criss

　Currently in second place after leading B Squad, Tim Criss finds himself in a good position to advance to the single-elimination brackets beginning Sunday evening.
Q: After postponing the season opener for a week due to the national tragedy, how would you describe the mood out here among the professionals?
A: It was real quiet out there on the lanes when we first started. Usually guys are chatting with each other but it was a very somber feeling. I think it was a mix of the tragedy, the postponed event and the fact that with all the changes, this is a whole new game.
Q: What gave you the edge out there today?
A: I made the right moves at the right time. I was able to adjust to the different pairs quickly and I didnﾕt throw away any games I was very consistent.
Q: What do you believe is the key to becoming a consistent competitor with the new single-elimination format?
A: I really havenﾕt given it too much thought yet, Iﾕm concentrating on the new format step-by-step.
I know tomorrow I am going to focus on the first couple games to prepare for the single-elimination format and bowling on fresh oil constantly.
However, it's a whole new game now. It's almost like we are all starting from scratch. Weﾕre all even and now we have to go out there and prove ourselves. Iﾕm excited about having to test myself in this new environment.

　As round one of the PBA Peoria Open kicked off the 2001-2002 season Saturday at Landmark Lanes, players added a common symbol to their uniforms.

　All bowlers competing on the PBA Tour this season will bear an American Flag patch on the back of their shirts as a sign of remembrance and unity. This symbol signifies the mass outpouring of support displayed throughout the United States and the world following last week's tragic events.

　"Americans have shown a great deal of unity in these trying times," said PBA Commissioner Ian Hamilton. "We felt having the PBA Players wear the American Flag patches is a small way of helping to show our solidarity to the nation."

　Michael Haugen Jr., A-squad's first round leader, echoed those sentiments.

　"I think it's good that we're starting our season by honoring those affected by the tragedy," he said.
"At the same time, it really puts throwing a bowling ball into perspective. All we have to worry about is knocking down 10 pins. I couldn't imagine having to go through what the people in Manhattan are dealing with."
"We're just playing a game."

　A game that was put on hold for a week. Last week's scheduled season opener, the PBA Columbia 300 Open in Wichita, Kan., was postponed due to the tragedy.

　That left the PBA Peoria Open as the first event of the 2001-2002 season, which suited Haugen just fine.

　"I was in the right place at the right time," said Haugen, who led A-squad's first round with a 234.11 average over nine games. "It's a nice feeling to come out and lead the first round of the new season. It's pretty cool."

　"This is one of the tougher conditions we've bowled on in quite a while."

　"Fortunately, for me, that matches my game well. I prefer to bowl simply by keeping the ball in the pocket and staying out of trouble. Today, that's exactly what you had to do in order to be successful."

　Haugen is known to play the lanes hard and straight.

　"I like to play straighter and throw the ball harder than most guys. That really helps the ball stay on line longer. Generally, I'm more confident playing this way."

2001/09/20

　　【PWBA】　Storm Challenge　【Final】

　It was a day of giving and receiving for Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif, who came from the number three-seeded position to take home the championship title at the $75,000 Storm Challenge at the Coral Lanes. Following victories over Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y. and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland, Texas, 255-198-182 in the opening shootout, Barrette knocked off Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada, 227-188 in the semi-finals and Cara Honeychurch, Australia, 224-156 in the title match.

　For Barrette, the victory marked her second title of the 2001 season and 22nd of her career. In addition, the two-time PWBA Player of the Year took home a first place check for $11,000.

　"I feel like I bowled really well tonight," said Barrette. "When you're competing against four of the best bowlers on our tour, I knew I had to bowl strikes to win."

　The term strike had dual meaning tonight. Prior to the beginning of the championship round, Storm Products, who was the tournament's title sponsor, announced they would donate $100 to the American Red Cross for every strike thrown throughout the finals. The five bowlers managed 38 strikes combined including 15 by Barrette.

　"I think what Storm did tonight was wonderful," she said. "It really inspired me in every frame."

　Barrette opened up her first match against Johnson and Dorin-Ballard by rolling five strikes in a row. In the semi's against Macpherson she rolled seven strikes in a row.

　"Lately my game has been very streaky. But, once I got on a role I started to gain confidence and I think that's part of what happened tonight."

　Finishing in second place, Cara Honeychurch took home $6,000 for her effort. She entered today's finals as the tournament's number one seed. Through 42-games this week, the "thunder from down under" averaged 215.88 and led all players with a 9,577 total pin fall and a 17-7 match play record.

　Macpherson closed out the Challenge with a third place finish and a check for $4,700. Including today's prize money and TV incentives, Macpherson is now the PWBA's all-time earnings leader. Over the course of her 15-year career, the Player of the Decade in the 1990s has won $1,069,685 and surpassing Aleta Sill's $1,067,999.

　After finishing fourth, Liz Johnson earned $3,700 but had her consecutive title streak halted at two. Johnson was attempting to become the fifth PWBA player in history to win three straight championships. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, who with today's championship round appearance has qualified for the TV finals in 13-of-15 tournaments, earned $3,000 for fifth place.

2001/09/19

　　【PWBA】　Storm Challenge　【Round 4】

　 Today at the Coral Lanes, the "thunder from down under," Cara Honeychurch, Australia, captured the number one seed after 42 games at the $75,000 Storm Challenge. Honeychurch, who started today's 12-game match play block in fifth place, posted an 8-4 record (Editor's note: players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds) en route to a her tournament leading 9,577 pin-fall total and an average of 215.88.

　Joining Honeychurch in Thursday night's ESPN2 championship round will be Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada (#2), Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif (#3), Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland, Texas (#4) and Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y. (#5).

　Entering the final game of today's matches, Macpherson held a 53-pin lead over Honeychurch. However, in game 42, which by PWBA tournament standards is positional match, Honeychurch defeated Macpherson 279-190 to overtake the four-time PWBA Player of the Year's hold on the number one slot.

　"All day I felt like I was throwing the ball well but was not getting the right ball reaction," said Honeychurch. "I changed balls about half way through the second to last game and that really made the difference in my final two matches."

　"I felt going into today that I would have to win at least eight or nine games to have a chance at finishing at number one." I'm happy I was able to pull it off, but I'm not taking today's finish for granted. I have play tomorrow's final as if it's a whole new tournament and continue to stay aggressive."

　For Honeychurch tomorrow's final will be her 11th championship appearance in 15 PWBA tournaments. The 2000 PWBA Rookie of the Year is tied with Johnson for the second most titles this season with three. Her last championship came at the Clabber Girl Greater Terre Haute Open on July 26 when she defeated Kelly Kullick, Union, N.J. in the semi-finals 257-245 and fellow Australian, Carol Gianotti-Block, 279-208 in the finals.

　The number two seeded Macpherson earned the tournament's best average with a 217.88, however, a 12-12 match play record offset her otherwise dominating effort.ﾊ Macpherson will be aiming for her 19th career title and first of the 2001 campaign.

　Like Honeychurch, Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, Calif, also moved up the ladder during today's round by going 8-4 on the day. The five-time WIBC All-American started the final qualifying round in sixth place. Earlier in the week, Barrette tied for the highest game of the tournament by chalking up 10 strikes in a row on her way to a 289.

　Dorin-Ballard, who has now qualified for 13 of 15 championship rounds in 2001, faced elimination at days end, but was able to edge Kullick out of the TV finals by defeating her 239-185 in their 42nd game of the tournament. Following her victory and a loss by Johnson, she moved into the fourth seed while Johnson placed fifth.

　Johnson, who last week bowled a perfect game to defeat Dorin-Ballard 300-226 at the Paula Carter Classic, will be attempting to win her third consecutive tournament.

2001/09/18

　　【PWBA】　Storm Challenge　【Round 3】

　 After 30 games at the Coral Lanes, Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada, maintained her tournament lead at the $75,000 Storm Challenge. Macpherson completed today's 12-game match play round with an 8-4 record (Editor note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds) helping bring her pin-fall total to 6,807. Averaging 218.90 during the Challenge, Macpherson holds a 50-pin margin over Kelly Kullick, Union, New Jersey, who knocked down 1,349 pins today en route to a 9-3 record.

　Competing in her 16th year as a member of the Professional Women's Bowling Association, Macpherson is attempting to make her sixth championship round appearance of the 2001 season and 90th of her career.

　"Anyone in contention for the TV finals is going to have to win matches tomorrow, no worse than 50 percent," Macpherson said. "I'd like to close out Wednesday averaging around 220 if I can."

　"One thing to always remember is you can't win a tournament if you're not in the top five. Anyone can win a title as long as you make the final round because you can win from fifth as easy as you can from first."

　Macpherson's task of holding onto the tournament's top-seeded position will present an interesting challenge entering Wednesday's round as the rest of the top five host some of the PWBA's best including Kullick, Liz Johnson (3rd - 6,744), Cheektowaga, New York, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (4th - 6,660), N. Richland, Texas and Cara Honeychurch (5th - 6,6 39).

　Starting the day in sixth place, Kullick climbed up four positions by averaging 216.23 and earning 270 bonus pins by winning nine matches. Victories over Macpherson and Honeychurch today should give the two-time Team USA member confidence heading into Wednesday.

　A familiar name of late among the tournament elite, Johnson finished today with the best winning percentage-going 9-2-1. In the last two weeks no player has been more successful. Johnson won the first of consecutive titles at the Foundation Games on September 6 and bowled a perfect game at the Paula Carter Classic on September 13 to notch her third championship of 2001.

　Dorin-Ballard, who has appeared in 12 of the 14 TV finals this season, while earning a PWBA-leading five titles, posted a 6-6 record. She ranks first in the PWBA in earnings, competition points and averages.

　Recognized in 2000 as the PWBA Rookie of the Year, Honeychurch has made the championship round ten times this year. She maintains a 214.30 tournament average and finished with a 7-5 record.

　"At the end of the day you have to win matches," said Honeychurch. "I was solid today. I didn't have too many bad matches which is a must. To stay in the top five I'm going to have equal today's effort if not do even better."

2001/09/17

　　【PWBA】　Storm Challenge　【Round 2】

　 Four-time PWBA Player of the Year Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada, maintained her lead today at $75,000 Storm Challenge, hosted at Coral Lanes. Macpherson finished the 18-game qualifying period with 4,017 total pins and a tournament average 223.16.

　"I was very pleased with my performance today," said Macpherson. "Starting the day as the leader definitely gave me a confidence boost. But, now we go into match play which starts a whole new ballgame."

　Macpherson will enter Tuesday's match play rounds with a 24-pin lead over Brenda Norman, Indianapolis, Indiana, who completed today's nine-game block averaging 230.53 and totaling 2,075 pins.
A 1996 Collegiate All-American at the University of Nebraska, Norman closed out the day with final games of 226-258-267.

　Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, California, equaled the tournament high by bowling a 289 in her second game of the day. Similar to Kim Adler, Cocoa, Florida, who yesterday rolled the tourneys first 289, Barrette bowled 10 strikes in a row before leaving the 10-pin standing on her 11th toss.

　Rounding out the top five are Kelly Kulick (3rd), Union N.J., Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (4th), N. Richland Hills, Texas, and Liz Johnson (5th).

2001/09/16

　　【PWBA】　Storm Challenge　【Round 1】

　 After round one of the $75,000 Storm Challenge, at the Coral Lanes, four-time PWBA Player of the Year, Wendy Macpherson, closed out today's nine-game block as the tournament leader with 2,082 total pins. Macpherson finished the day with a 231.33 tournament average and holds a six-pin lead over Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J.

　"It was important to get off to a good start today," Macpherson said. "It's been awhile since I had a block like that. Today's round definitely will give me confidence heading into the rest of the week."

　Macpherson, who has cashed in 14-of-14 PWBA tournaments in 2001, ranks fourth on the tour in competition points and averages (210.17).

　Kullick, who was a member of Team USA from 1998-00, finished today's preliminaries with a 230.66 average and completed her final three games with scores of 267-220-238.

　The high game of the day belonged to Kim Adler, Cocoa, Fl, when she electrified the capacity crowd on hand by rolling a 289 in her seventh game of the day. Adler bowled 10 strikes in a row before leaving the 10-pin standing after her 11th toss.

　Other Floridian PWBA members including Deanna Andrews (Pensacola), Kendra Gaines (Sebring), Nitraya Grova (Coral Springs), Millie Irizarry (Port Charlotte), Terry Rogero (Ft. Myers), Krissy Stewart (Cape Coral), Carolyn Trump (Ft. Myers), Marsha Kamrowski (Boca Raton), Amy Dillon (Miami), Corrine Ham (Cocoa), Dina Wheeler (Royal Palm Beach), Laura Moriarty (Daytona Beach), all finished the day in contention to make the tournaments top 24.

2001/09/14

　　【PWBA】　Paula Carter Classic　【Final】

　Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, NewYork, was perfect, literally. Today at the Don Carter University Lanes, Johnson bowled a 300 in the title match of the Paula Carter Classic to defeat Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, who finished her game with a 226. The victory marked her second consecutive title and third of the 2001 Professional Women's Bowling Association tour.

　"This has been a tough week for all of America," Johnson said. "I think what makes this performance special for me is that the fans that came today left with smiles on their faces."

　"I still can't believe it. On my last shot, I just wanted to get the ball off my hand. When I released it, I thought it might edge into the gutter and luckily it came back. I thought I might pass out when I saw I knocked all the pins down."

　Johnson's victory earned her a first-place check for $9,000. In addition to her first place purse, Johnson will also receive $50,000 courtesy of Travelodge Hotels for bowling a perfect game.

　Johnson entered today's finals as the tournament's top seed. The former U.S. Open Champion led all PWBA competitors this week tallying 9,564 total pins and an average of 216.28. Including last week's victory at the Foundation Games, in Sebring, Fl., Johnson has now led her PWBA colleagues in a season high nine consecutive rounds and 12 of the last 13.

　Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland, Texas, took home $4,800 for her second place finish. Along with Johnson, she has been one of the PWBA's hottest performers winning five tournaments this year and appearing in the championship round 12 times.

　"I felt like I bowled really well today," Dorin-Ballard said. "Liz is a great competitor and I think her performance today was outstanding."

　Karen Stroud, Victoria, Texas, closed out the Classic with a third-place finish.ﾊ Stroud, who will earn $3,000 for her effort, defeated Cara Honeychurch, Australia, and Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, California, 212-171-155 in the opening shootout. Stroud was defeated by Dorin-Ballard 205-147 in the semi-finals. Honeychurch will take home $2,500 for fourth place while Barrette earns $2,200 for fifth.

2001/09/12

　　【PWBA】　Paula Carter Classic　【Round 5】

　After 42 preliminary games at the $50,000 Paula Carter Classic, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York will enter Friday afternoon's title match as the tournament's number one seed. Johnson, who last week won the Foundation Games Championship, finished the qualifying rounds with 9,564 total pins and a match play record of 16-8. Her tournament average of 216.28 was 5.94 pins higher than her season average of 210.34.

　The Collegiate Bowler of the Year in 1993, Johnson will be attempting to be the first PWBA player this season to lead tournament from the first round of competition thru the title match. Last week at the Foundation Games in Sebring, Fl, Johnson led the tournament in five of the six qualifying rounds earning the top seed. Thru today's competition, she has led all PWBA competitors in 11 of the last 12 preliminary rounds.

　"The conditions were very good for me this week." I hit the pocket consistently and didn't leave too many open frames," Johnson said. "It's not easy to win a tournament from beginning to end. Right now my game plan is to just try to keep my momentum going."

　Earning the tournament's number two seed is Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland, Texas, who closed out her final game with a 299. A runner up for the 2000 PWBA Player of the Year award, Dorin-Ballard has been this season's hottest player winning five of the last 13 tournaments. Her near perfect game was cut short on her 12th toss when she left only the ten-pin standing.

　"What can I say, I was in a zone," said Dorin-Ballard. "There isn't a player on tour that doesn't aim to be perfect every time she competes. Today, I came up one pin short."

　Cara Honeychurch, Australia, climbed up the tournament ladder to earn the number three seed after going 16-7-1 during the match play rounds (Editor's note: Players earn 30 bonus pins for each individual victory during match play). Entering today's 18-game stretch, the 2000 Rookie of the Year moved from ninth to third place.

　In addition to Dorin-Ballard, fourth-seeded Leanne Barrette, Pleasanton, California, also closed out today in grand fashion by rolling a 286. Barrette pulled off ten consecutive strikes before leaving a 4-6-7 split on her 11th toss. The 16-year PWBA veteran completed the game by picking up two of the last three pins.

　Karen Stroud, Victoria, Texas, rounded out the tournament's top five. The two-time college all-American totaled 9,123 pins and averaged 206.85 this week. Her tournament pin total edged out Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, New Jersey by 35 pins.

　　【PWBA】　Paula Carter Classic　【Round 4】

　Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York continued her domination at the $50,000 Paula Carter Classic in this morning's nine-game block of match play by leading all PWBA competitors with a 2,153 pin-fall. Johnson's efforts increased her lead over the rest of the field by 292 pins.

　Following Tuesday's performance where Johnson tallied a 5-1 match play record, the former Collegiate Rookie of the Year maintained her torrid pace by racking up a 6-3 record (Editor note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds) in this morning's round, while increasing her tournament total to 7,560 pins. Johnson will continue her bid to lead the tournament wire-to-wire when today's second block of nine games resumes at the Don Carter University Lanes at 1:30 p.m.

　"There are still a lot of games to go," Johnson said. "Right now I'm taking this tournament game by game. I had success this morning because I bowled with confidence."

　Cara Honeychurch, Austrailia, continued her surge up the tournament ladder by tallying a 2,269 pins during the morning session. Entering the match-play rounds, the 2000 Rookie of the Year has racked up a 13-1-1 record helping her climb from ninth to second place.

　Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland, Texas, stayed in the hunt by increasing third place total to 7,197 pins, while Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada (7,025 pins) and Marianne DiRupo (6,944pins), Succasunna, stand in fourth and fifth place.

2001/09/11

　　【PWBA】　Paula Carter Classic　【Round 3】

　To say Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York, is "en fuego" would be an understatement. After completing round three of competition this morning at the $50,000 Paula Carter Classic, Johnson increased her lead over the rest of the field by tallying 1,324 pins in six match play games. Johnson"s pin-fall in this morning's round was complimented by a 5-1 match play record earning her 150 bonus pins (Editor note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds). Her tournament total entering round four, which will begin today at the Don Carter University Lanes at 2:00 p.m., is 5,407 pins (219.04 avg.)

　A former U.S. Open Champion, Johnson holds a 189 pin margin over second place Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richmond, Texas, sits in third place with 5,181 pins while Kendra Gaines, Sebring, Florida is in fourth position with 5,070 pins. Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, New York and Tennelle Grijalva, Orange County, California, round of the top five in a tie with 5,033 pins respectively.

　"Unbelievable," Johnson said. "Today I made a hand position change which seemed to keep me right on track. The scores so far have not been real high so I've just tried keep winning my matches and limit my mistakes."

　Last week in Sebring, Fl, Johnson led the Foundation Games tournament in five of six rounds en route to her second PWBA tournament title of the 2001 season.ﾊ Her tournament average of 219.04 is 8.70 pins above her season average of 210.34.

　In addition to Gaines, area PWBA competitors that are still in contention include Kim Adler (Cocoa) and Marcia Kamrowski (Boca Raton). Adler, who started the day in 20th place, moved up to 16th while Kamrowski, moved from 24th to 13th place with the help of a 5-1 match play record.

2001/09/10

　　【PWBA】　Paula Carter Classic　【Round 2】

　After completing two days of qualifying at the $50,000 Paula Carter Classic, a familiar name sits on top of the leader board. Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York, widened her lead over the rest of the field today at the Don Carter University Lanes by knocking down 1,924 pins in nine qualifying games.

　Johnson, who captured the Foundation Games title last week in Sebring, Fl., has now led all tournament qualifiers in seven of the last eight preliminary rounds in PWBA action.

　"When you're the tournament leader it's tough to keep your focus from game to game. Today I just tried to minimize my mistakes and make sure I didn't lose my concentration."

　Johnson's two-day total of 3,915 pins moved her 76 pins ahead of second place Kendra Gaines, Sebring, Fl. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, and Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah, are tied for third place with 3,809 pins while Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, New Jersey rounded of the top five with 3,801 pins.

　High game of the day belonged to Laura Lee Daniel, Corona, California, who bowled a 278 to start today's qualifying. In addition to Gaines, area PWBA competitors that finished today's round in the top 24 included Kim Adler (Cocoa) and Marcia Kamrowski (Boca Raton).

2001/09/09

　　【PWBA】　Paula Carter Classic　【Round 1】

　Coming off a championship victory at the Foundation Games last week in Sebring, Florida, Liz Johnson continued her hot streak by finishing the first nine qualifying games today as the tournament leader at the $50,000 Paula Carter Classic at the Don Carter University Lanes.

　Johnson completed today's qualifying by rolling a 268 and a 267 in her final two games to improve her total pin-count to 1991. Johnson holds a six-pin lead over Karen Stroud (1985) and a 17-pin margin over Carolyn Dorin-Ballard as the action moves to Monday morning for the second half of the preliminaries.

　"Last week's win was a real confidence boost for me," said Johnson. "I felt more relaxed coming to this tournament and right now I'm just having a lot of fun competing."

　Cathy Dorin-Lizzi excited fans watching the today's event by rolling a near-perfect 299 game in her eighth game of competition. Dorin-Lizzi's score was the highest of the day. She is currently tied for ninth with PWBA "Ironwoman" Tish Johnson with 1906-pins. For Tish, the Paula Carter Classic is her 208th consecutive tournament.

　Area PWBA members Marsha Kamrowski (Boca Raton), Amy Dillon (Miami), Corrine Ham (Cocoa), Dina Wheeler (Royal Palm Beach), Laura Moriarty (Daytona Beach), and 14-time pro titlist Kim Adler (Cocoa) all finished the day in contention to make the tournaments top 24.

　　【JPBA】　JAPAN CUP 2001　【Final】

　When it counted most, Bob Learn Jr. bowled his worst game of the 2001 Oronamin C Japan Cup at Tokyo Port Bowl... and emerged victorious.

　Learn, of Erie, Pa., outlasted tournament leader Ryan Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., in the title match, 176-172, and earned his fifth Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) title and the $50,000 top-prize. "It's a good feeling to win," said Learn. "But, I have mixed emotions having won with my lowest game of the week. I guess it was just meant to be."

　The championship match also marked the lowest game for Shafer, who had the highest tournament average entering Sunday's final (240.56).

　After such a high-scoring week, Learn expected the final to be the same. However, the element of unpredictability proved to be the deciding factor.

　"I thought the average scores today would have been close to 230," he said. "But, the lanes broke down funny and became unpredictable. And, the unpredictable element was evident at the end of our match."

　Atypically, Learn missed a 2-5 spare conversion in the ninth frame, picking up only one pin and leaving the door to victory open for Shafer.

　Though, Shafer could not capitalize on the mistake. Leading by five pins entering the ninth frame, he failed to convert the 3-4-6-7 split in the ninth and the 2-5, combination in the 10th.

　"I felt pretty good in the ninth and 10th frames," said Shafer, who finished with $25,500 in earnings. "I just couldn't execute."

　"I beat Bob (Learn Jr.), last year in Wichita (Kan.) for my third title. So, I owed him one," Shafer joked. "I've won all three of my titles from the top position. I'd still always prefer to be in that spot."

　Learn struck in the first two frames, but didn't strike again until his first shot in the 10th. He picked-up nine pins on his second shot in the frame and sealed the victory. Learn spared in frames three, five, six, seven, eight and 10. He failed to convert the 4-6-7 split in the fourth frame.

　Prior to finishing the game with two open frames, Shafer had marked in every frame but the second. He threw four strikes total - in the first, third, fourth and eighth frames - and converted spares in frames five, six and seven.

　En route to the title match, Learn was forced to get by Danny Wiseman, of Baltimore, in the semifinal, 195-182. Wiseman finished in third place with $14,000.

　In the third match, Wiseman defeated Tommy Delutz Jr., of Flushing, N.Y., 239-234. Delutz earned $10,000 in fourth place.

　In the second match, Delutz beat 31-time Japan Professional Bowling Association (JPBA) champion Takeo Sakai, of Nara, Japan, 214-202. Sakai garnered $8,000 in fifth.

　Steve Hoskins, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., lost the opening match to Delutz, 224-205. Hoskins rounded out the group in sixth place with $7,000.

2001/09/08

　　【JPBA】　JAPAN CUP 2001　【Round 4】

　Ryan Shafer earned the No. 1 seed for Sunday's championship round after the fourth round of match play Saturday in the PBA's Oronamin C Japan Cup at Tokyo Port Bowl.

　Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., finished with a 32-game, 8,418 pinfall total and a tournament-best 24-8 record. The three-time PBA champion will bowl only the title match for a shot at his fourth PBA title. He will face the survivor of the top-six stepladder final.

　Earning the second position and a spot in the semifinal match is Bob Learn Jr., of Erie, Pa., (8,130). Learn, whose last victory was the 1999 U.S. Open in Milford, Conn., will aim for his fifth PBA title. He amassed a 19-13 record in match play.

　Danny Wiseman, of Baltimore, sits in the third spot having toppled 8,092 total pins. The eight-time PBA titleist last won in 2000.

　Takeo Sakai claimed fourth with 8,063 pins. Sakai is one of only two Japan Professional Bowling Association (JPBA) players to have won the Japan Cup. He did it in 1988, and is the last to accomplish the feat.

　Fifth place belongs to Steve Hoskins, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., (8,054). Hoskins, owner of 10 PBA titles, racked up a 20-12 record. Rounding out the top six is Tommy Delutz Jr., of Flusing, N.Y., (8,048). Delutz will open the championship round versus Hoskins and look to pick up his second PBA title.

2001/09/07

　　【JPBA】　JAPAN CUP 2001　【Round 3】

　After spending the first two rounds in second place, Ryan Shafer overtook the lead after the third round of match play Friday night in the PBA's Oronamin C Japan Cup at Tokyo Port Bowl.

　Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., shares the field's best record with Steve Hoskins at 17-7, earning 510 bonus pins. The three-time PBA champion claimed his perch on the leaderboard having registered a tournament-best 6,282, 24-game pinfall total. He is looking to capture his second title in 2001.

　"I don't think many people realize how special this tournament is," said Shafer, who is bowling his fifth Japan Cup tournament. "Before I won for the first time last year, this was my tournament of champions each year. In many ways, I think this field is more elite than the Tournament of Champions." Only the top 16 players from the PBA and the top 16 players from the Japan Professional Bowling Association (JPBA) are eligible for the 32-game all match play invitational tournament. Shafer, who has displayed the most consistent play this week atop the ever-changing leaderboard, dipped to eighth place early in the round.

　"There were two angles I was working all day straight up the outside and swinging the ball from inside. Early on tonight, I just couldn't carry. Then, I finally picked the right ball from my bag (Storm Trauma ER) and moved between the third and fourth arrow. It was then, I started to carry." He moved from sixth to first in a two-game stretch and never looked back. Shafer posted the second-highest average in the round (247.13).

　Chris Barnes, of Dallas, trails the leader by 93 pins. Barnes, owner of two PBA titles, began the night in eighth place and moved up six spots with 247 average in the round. He has a 14-10 record.

　10-time PBA winner Steve Hoskins, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., sits in third place with a pinfall total of 6,138. Bob Learn Jr., of Erie, Pa., is fourth with 6,126 pins.

　Danny Wiseman, of Baltimore, rolled into fifth with the round's highest average (257.75) and the tournament's first 300 game. He has registered a 6,112, pinfall total.

　Rounding out the top six is Minoru Sendan, of Hyogo, Japan, with 6,087 pins. Sendan owns eight JPBA championships.

　　【JPBA】　JAPAN CUP 2001　【Round 2】

　Jason Couch averaged 247.13 and moved into the No. 1 spot after the second round of match play Friday afternoon in the Professional Bowlers Associationﾕs (PBA) Oronamin C Japan Cup at Tokyo Port Bowl.

　After dropping to 20th in the second game, Couch, of Clermont, Fla., climbed 19 spots in the round with an overall 11-5 match play record. He has amassed a tournament-leading, 4,152 pinfall total. The nine-time PBA champion, who has claimed one title already in 2001 (The Villages, Fla.), averaged 266 in the last four games and posted a high score of 280.

　"This has been like a carry-contest so far," said Couch about the high scoring pace. "You have to throw a lot of strikes in order to stay at the top of the leaderboard." With the scoring condition being so lofty, Couch expects the more power-oriented PBA players to rise to the. "Most of the PBA players throw the ball with more power than the JPBA (Japan Professional Bowling Association) players. We usually kick more half-10s out because of it."

　Ryan Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., remained in the second position with an 11-5 record and 4,125 total pins. Shafer is looking to pick up his second title in 2001. He held the round-two lead for five of eight games, before Couch took over the top spot in game eight.

　The third position belongs to Bob Learn Jr., of Erie, Pa., whose last win came at the 1999 U.S. Open (Milford, Conn.). 10-time PBA titleist Steve Hoskins, of Tarpon Springs, Fla., sits in fourth. Brian Himmler, of Cincinnati, holds on to the fifth position.

　The last JPBA player to win the Japan Cup, Takeo Sakai, rounds out the top six. He won the tournament in 1988.

2001/09/06

　　【PWBA】　Foundation Games V　【Final】

　Liz Johnson picked up her second title of the 2001 PWBA Spring/Fall Tour and eighth of her career by defeating Wendy Macpherson 183-181 in the Foundation Games V Championships.

　Johnson, who led the tournament preliminaries in five of the six qualifying rounds, overcame a 28-pin deficit late in the match. Following two open frames left by Macpherson in the eighth and ninth, Johnson climbed back into contention by bowling three consecutive strikes in the ninth and tenth. With her final toss of the match she picked up seven pins en route to the $9,000 first prize.

　I guess I had the jitters the first couple of frames, Johnson said. After the fifth frame I decided to change balls to something I was more comfortable with. Fortunately for me I left a frame open early in the match but was able to come back because Wendy left the eighth and ninth open.

　Johnson claimed the top seeded position in the championship round by totaling 9,150 pins and averaging 217.85 after 42 qualifying games. Earlier this year she achieved her first victory of the 2001 PWBA Spring/Fall Tour at the St. Clair Classic.

　The number two-seeded Macpherson earned her championship birth by defeating Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Anne Marie Duggan 202-201-189 in the opening shootout.

　Macpherson took home $4,800 for finishing second, while Dorin-Ballard, who had won five of the previous 12 PWBA tournaments, won $3,000. Duggan earned $2,500 for her fourth place finish.

　　【PWBA】　Foundation Games V　【Round 6】

　After finishing the final round of qualifying, Liz Johnson secured the top-seeded position for Thursday night's TV finals of the Foundation Games at the Kegel Training Center.

　Johnson maintained the top spot in five of the six qualifying rounds completing 42 games with a 9,150-pin total and an average of 217.85. In 12 PWBA tournaments this year, Johnson ranks eighth in earnings ($22,248), 12th in competition points (5247.5) and fourth in averages (209.48).

　"I'm thrilled to be in the top spot heading into Thursday," Johnson said. "It's been a tough week for all the players with the changing conditions at the Kegel Center so I'm very pleased to be the number one seed.

　Challenging Johnson for the title will be Wendy Macpherson, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Anne Marie Duggan who finished the preliminaries as the second, third and fourth seeds.

　Macpherson, who has earned PWBA Player of the Year honors in four of the last five years, is seeking her first title of the 2001 tour. She has competed in five TV finals this year averaging 187.83.

　"Tomorrow is going to be a great challenge for me.ﾊ I really wanted to finish this tournament in better standing than I did last year." said Macpherson.

　Dorin-Ballard is no stranger to championship titles in 2001.ﾊ The N. Richland Hills, Texas native has won five of the last 12 PWBA tournaments and currently ranks first in earnings ($75,870), competition points (9,515) and averages (215.17).

　Duggan will also be seeking her first title of 2001. The 20-year veteran ranks fourth in the PWBA in career earnings ($880,868.50) and has 15 career pro titles to her credit.

　　【JPBA】　JAPAN CUP 2001　【Round 1】

　Chris Barnes led the first round of match play Thursday in the Professional Bowlers Associationﾕs (PBA) 17th annual Oronamin C Japan Cup at Tokyo Port Bowl.

　Barnes, of Dallas, averaged 257.13 and earned 180 bonus pins with a 6-2 match play record for an overall 2,240 pinfall.
"I'm not sure anyone other than Parker (Bohn III) has held the lead here the last three years," Barnes joked in reference to the three-time defending champion. "But, it's only the first round. There's still plenty of bowling to go."

　Only the top 16 players from the PBA and the top 16 players from the Japan Professional Bowlers Association (JPBA) are eligible for the 32-game all match play invitational tournament.

　"Everybody was really hitting the pocket well," said Barnes about the high scoring pace at the top of the leaderboard. "We broke the lanes down better today than the last two years I've been here." Barnes, a two-time PBA champion, is targeting his first victory since 1999.

　Ryan Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., trailed the leader by 114 pins. Shafer, who owns three PBA titles, racked up a field-best 7-1 record with the field's fourth-best average (239.5).

　In search of his first PBA title, Patrick Healey Jr. opened in the third position. Healey, of Mexico City, recorded a 6-2 record and posted the second-highest average (242.5).

　1988 Japan Cup champion, Takeo Sakai leads the JPBA effort with 2,037 pins (241.5 average). Sakai and Ken Taniguchi (1985) are the only JPBA players to have won the Japan Cup.

2001/09/05

　　【PWBA】　Foundation Games V　【Round 5】

　In pursuit of her second victory on the 2001 PWBA Tour this year, Liz Johnson charged into the lead of the Foundation Games V after completing round five today with a 1417-pin total performance. Johnson, who entered the day in third place, increased her tournament average to 218.27.

　The Cheektowaga, New York native blazed into the top position after closing out the six-game series with scores of 238-279-269. Johnson's 1417-pin count is a tournament-high heading into round six and her single game score of 279 is the second best tally after 36 games.

　Wendy Macpherson maintained her position in second place finishing the round with a 1268-pin total (215.27avg) while Carolyn Dorin-Ballard fell back two spots to third place after totaling 1178-pins (213.83 avg). Anne Marie Duggan enters tonightﾕs qualifying round in the fourth position with current tournament totals of 7680-pins and a 213.33 average respectively. Chasing Duggan for the final spot of Thursday night's championship round is fifth place finisher Kim Terrell who trails by 97 pins.

　　【PWBA】　Foundation Games V　【Round 4】

　It should be no surprise to bowling fans that entering round five of the Foundation Games V, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard leads the top 24 qualifiers with 6,520 total pins and an average score of 217.33.ﾊ Dorin-Ballard, who has won five of the last 12 PWBA tournaments, holds a 38-pin edge over four-time PWBA Player of the Year, Wendy Macpherson (6,482-pins, 216.06 avg).

　Dorin-Ballard's 1,313-pins in the second block of Tuesdays six qualifying games was the third-highest of total of the round trailing only Leanne Barrette-Pleasanton and Shana Ray who each knocked down 1373-pins. Kim Terrell and Karen Stroud, who currently rank seventh and ninth in the tournament, both posted the highest single game score of the day with 277.

　Liz Johnson, who entered the day as the tournament leader fell back to third place with 6441 total pins (214.70 avg). Fourth and fifth place belong to Anne Marie Duggan (6439 pins, 214.63 avg) and Barrette-Pleasanton (6365 pins, 212.16 avg), while Sebring resident Kendra Gaines ranks sixth with 6355-pins (211.83).

2001/09/04

　　【PWBA】　Foundation Games V　【Round 3】

　Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, chipped the lead of Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., to just 42 pins following Tuesday morning's Round 3 action in the $50,000 Foundation Games V, underway at Kegel Training Center.

　Dorin-Ballard, who has won five titles thus far in 2001, fashioned a 1,321-pin six-game series on the 32-foot, short oil pattern to boost her 24-game total pinfall to 5,207 and her average to 216.95. Johnson, who has led since the conclusion of play Sunday night, cooled off with a 1,231-pin block and dropped her average to 218.70.

　Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nev., occupies third place with 5,190 pins and a 216.95 average, while Anne Marie Duggan, Edmond, Okla., holds fourth with 5,159 pins and a 214.95 average. Hometown favorite Kendra Gaines of Sebring is in sixth place, averaging 210.16 with 5,044 pins.

2001/09/03

　　【PWBA】　Foundation Games V　【Round 2】

　Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., continues to have the hottest hand at the $50,000 Foundation Games V, rocketing to a 132-pin lead over the rest of the field following Monday s action at Kegel Training Center.

　Johnson s morning block of 2,082 pins for nine games put her 18-game total at 4,108 and gave her a 223.22 tournament average to date. Following Johnson is Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, whose 2,034 total in Monday morning s action moved her into second place, past Anne Marie Duggan, Edmond, Okla., with 3,886 pins and a 215.88 average. Duggan remains in the top three by virtue of a 18-game total of 3,872 pins, while the 2000 PWBA Player of the Year, Wendy Macpherson, owns fourth place with 3,856 pins.

　Early co-leaders Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, N.J., and amateur Lucy Sandelin, Tampa, Fla., sit in fifth and 20th places, respectively. Macpherson, Henderson, Nev., is seeking her first title of the year, as are Duggan and DiRupo. Johnson owns one 2001 championship, while Dorin-Ballard closed out the first half of the PWBA Tour in July with five titles. Sandelin is gunning for her first career PWBA title.

　The top 24 scorers move into Round 3 of the tournament Tuesday morning, with action beginning at 10 a.m. All 24 will bowl six games on the 32-foot, short oil pattern, then break and return at 5 p.m. for six more games in Round 4, on the 41-foot, long oil pattern. The tournament continues Wednesday with Rounds 5 ( short oil ) and 6 ( long oil ), and the top four players following the conclusion of play Wednesday night advance to Thursday s championship round.

　Defending Foundation Games champion Lisa Bishop, Belleville, Mich., failed to make the cut to the top 24. Bishop, who struggled with chronic shoulder pain for much of the 2001 PWBA Spring/Summer Tour, finished her 18 games in 35th place with 3317 pins and a 184.27 average.

2001/09/02

　　【PWBA】　Foundation Games V　【Round 1】

　Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., put 56 pins' worth of distance between herself and nearest competitor Anne Marie Duggan, Edmond, Okla., during Sunday night's second and concluding squad of Round 1 at the $50,000 Foundation Games V, underway at Kegel Training Center.

　Johnson, who earlier this year won the $50,000 St. Clair Classic, averaged 215.11 during her first nine games of competition, downing 1,936 pins compared to Duggan's 1,880 pins. Kim Terrell, Daly City, Calif., stands just two pins behind Duggan with pinfall of 1,878. The Squad B threesome surpassed the earlier efforts of dual leaders Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, N.J., and amateur Lucy Sandelin of Tampa, Fla., who are co-holders of fourth place with 1,863 pins.

　Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, who has already won five pro titles in 2001, stands in sixth at the completion of Round 1, with 1,852 pins.　Defending champion Lisa Bishop, Belleville, Mich., struggled in her first nine games and averaged only 171.00. She sits in 37th place with 1,539 pins.

2001/09/01

　　【JPBA】　ドリームボウル2001マッチプレートーナメント　【決勝トーナメント】