2001/11/30

　　【JPBA】　全日本プロボウリング選手権大会　【予選後半】

2001/11/29

　　【JPBA】　全日本プロボウリング選手権大会　【予選前半】

2001/11/25

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Louisville Open　【Final】

　Pete Weber wins his second title of the year to reach a milestone in the PBA Greater Louisville Open at Executive Strike and Spare Sunday afternoon

　Weber, of St. Ann, Mo., stood two strikes away from a perfect game while capturing his 27th PBA title by defeating Michael Haugen Jr. in the title match, 289-279.

　"I'm happy as hell," Weber said. "I'm so ecstatic and the win feels so good."

　The win, which earned the PBA Hall of Famer $40,000, puts him one title ahead of his legendary father Dick Weber. It was only five weeks ago that Pete tied his father in championships in Grand Rapids, Mich.

　"I know my dad is probably more excited right now than I am," said Weber. "Every game I bowl on TV and every shot I throw, I know my dad is with me."

　Haugen, of Victorville, Calif., put up a fight throughout the match and didn't give Weber any slack. The fourth-year pro, who was shooting for his first title, struck through the entire match with one exception, a 10-pin spare he converted in the third frame and finished first with a 279 game.

　"A 279 game is usually good enough to beat any mortal man," said Haugen. "But I guess it's not good enough to get Weber."

　Weber struck through the first nine frames and amazingly did not shut out his opponent. He needed the first strike in the 10th frame to win the game and only two more strikes to roll the 15th televised 300 game and an earn a $10,000 bonus.

　The first ball was a strike but the next ball left the 4-pin standing.

　"I hate that 4-pin," said Weber. "It was a great game but that four pin stinks."

　In his first win of the year, five weeks ago in Grand Rapids, Mich., Weber bowled a 299 game in the semifinal match and also left a 4-pin.

　Haugen, who was competing in his first-career title match, earned his largest paycheck ever, $20,000.

　"It's weird - I know I should be upset but I'm so happy," said Haugen. "It was a great game and I'm glad I got to bowl Weber for the title. I consider him one of the most talented players to ever lace them up so if I had to lose, I'm glad it was him."

　Weber is now tied with Mike Aulby and Parker Bohn III for fourth on the PBA's all-time win list with 27 titles.

　Weber defeated Norm Duke in the semifinal match, 260-227, to advance to the title match. Duke, of Clermont, Fla., received $10,000 for tying for third. The 19-time PBA titleholder was making his second consecutive championship round appearance.

　In the first semifinal match, Haugen defeated Ryan Shafer, 257-246. Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., who qualified as the No. 1 seed, also finished tied for third, worth $10,000.

　In the wild card match, Weber defeated wild card qualifier Brian Himmler, of Cincinnati, 204-188. Himmler settled for fifth and a $9,000 check.

2001/11/24

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Louisville Open　【Round 5】

　Ryan Shafer becomes just the second No. 1 seed to make it to the finals after winning 3-0 in the round of 8 in the PBA Greater Louisville Open at Executive Strike and Spare Saturday evening.

　Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., beat Jason Hurd, of Titusville, Fla., 3-0 (188-187, 233-205, 268-164) to advance to the championship round. Shafer nearly lost the first match but in the 10th frame Hurd needed eight pins on his fill-ball to win the match and was only able to get a seven-count.

　"If I would have lost that first match I think it could have really hurt me," said Shafer. "I probably wouldn't have had as much patience as I did for the following games."

　The three-time PBA champion won his most recent title this past January in Las Vegas, which is his only other TV show in 2001. In 2000, Shafer made a career-best 11 championship round appearances.

　"I know last year was an exceptional one for me and I don't expect to repeat that kind of performance year after year," said Shafer. "But I thought I would have made more than two shows by this point in the year - but I'll take it."

　Besides Shafer, Parker Bohn III is the only other professional to make qualify as the No. 1 seed and advance to the championship round finals. Bohn did so in Grand Rapids, Mich., five weeks ago and lost to Pete Weber in the title match to finish second.

In another 3-0 match, Michael Haugen Jr. won over Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 3-0 (223-173, 210-203, 224-172), to advance to his second PBA telecast of the year and the fourth in his career. The 5'11" right-hander from Victorsville, Calif., completed single-elimination play with an overall 8-2 record and a 228.07 tournament average.

　"If you would have told me at the beginning the week that I would have made it this far I wouldn't have believed it," said Haugen. "But everything just came together for me and when that happens, you have to be grateful and take advantage of the moment."

　The 34-year-old has been competing full-time on Tour since 1998 and is searching for his first PBA title. The four-time PBA regional titleholder has a high finish of third on Tour, which came this past January in his only telecast this year in Las Vegas.

　PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber, of St. Ann, Mo., ousted David Traber, of Woodstock, Ill., 3-1 (224-300, 213-192, 214-209, 229-215). Despite losing to a perfect game in the game one, Weber held on to come back and win the next three.

　"He got lined up and 300 out of the gate is pretty hard to beat," said Weber. "But I held on and hit the pocket almost every time - the carry just wasn't that great. But, I remembered what my dad always told me, keep hitting the pocket and eventually they'll go down."

　Weber is currently tied with his legendary father Dick Weber with 26 PBA titles, which ties them with Don Johnson as sixth on the PBA's all-time win list. Pete won his 26th title five weeks ago in Grand Rapids, Mich.

　Norm Duke, of Clermont, Fla., defeated Brian Himmler, of Cincinnati, 3-1 (216-225, 238-204, 246-169, 279-228), to make his second consecutive championship round appearance. The 19-time PBA titleholder, who is the reigning PBA Player of the Year, finished fifth last week in Syosset, N.Y., after losing to Tommy Delutz Jr., in the wild card match.

　Himmler also advances to the finals as the wild card. This is the second time Himmler has made a championship round since the new format began in September. The one-time PBA champion also qualified as the wild card in the 2001-2002 PBA season-opener in Peoria, Ill., and finished tied for third.

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Louisville Open　【Round 4】

　Brian Himmler qualified for his fourth finals appearance of the year after the round of 16 Saturday afternoon in the PBA Greater Louisville Open at Executive Strike and Spare.

　Himmler, Cincinnati, swept last week's champion Tommy Delutz Jr. (257-213, 231-228, 211-193) and pushed his overall match play record to a field-best, 6-0. As the player with the best record heading into tonight's round of eight, the one-time PBA titleholder is guaranteed at least the wild card spot for tomorrow's finals. He will face Norm Duke (6-2) tonight.

　Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., took Parker Bohn III to a decisive fifth game and won the final contest, 246-237. Bohn could have shut Weber out with the first two strikes in the 10th frame, but left a ringing 7-pin on his first ball. Weber drilled his first two shots for the victory and advanced to his second round of eight this season.

　"The only thing I told myself was, 'don't throw it slow', because that's what I tend to do in those types of situations," said Weber. "So, I stuck my fingers in the ball a little deeper and just heaved it."

　Weber, who has amassed a 6-4 overall record, will face David Traber (6-2). The only other time this season that he's advanced this far, he won the tournament (Grand Rapids, Mich.).

　Traber, Woodstock, Ill., knocked off Chris Barnes, 3-2, in the round of 16. Top-seeded Ryan Shafer, Elmira, N.Y., beat Bryon Smith in three games and advanced to the round of eight for the first time this season. Shafer, 6-2 in match play, will bowl Jason Hurd (6-4). The only other sweep was Michael Haugen Jr. (6-2) over Michael Machuga. Haugen, searching for his first title, faces Doug Kent (6-2) in the round of eight.

2001/11/23

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Louisville Open　【Round 3】

　Tony Reyes broke Walter Ray Williams Jr.'s streak in the round of 32 in the PBA Greater Louisville Open at Executive Strike and Spare Friday evening.

　Tony Reyes, of San Jose, Calif., defeated Walter Ray Williams Jr., of Ocala, Fla., in a 3-1 (201-228, 233-290, 239-226, 268-225) match and broke Williams' chances of making the championship round for a personal-best, sixth consecutive week.

　"I knew I needed to be on top of my game for this match," said Reyes, who is in search of his first PBA title. "Walter Ray has been bowling outstanding these past five or six weeks and has been winning a lot of games 3-0 so it was important to stay on top of my mental game."

　Reyes, who has been competing on Tour for four years, made the finals last week in the PBA Long Island Open, Syosset, N.Y. (finals in Uncasville, Conn.) and finished tied for third.

　"My confidence level is high right now and that allows me to relax a little bit which results in me performing better," said Reyes. "I just signed with Columbia last week and I've been bowling my A game the past few weeks so I'm riding a good wave right now and you just have to take advantage of it while it's going my way."

　No. 1 seed Ryan Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., defeated No. 32 qualifier Bob Learn Jr., of Erie, Pa., 3-2, (248-209, 221-225, 226-278, 218-191, 278-217). This is the seventh time in nine events that Shafer has made it to the round of 32 and this is the first time that he has advanced to the round of 16. He is looking for his third PBA title and his second win of the year after winning this past January in Las Vegas.

　PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III, of Jackson, N.J., rolled an 814 series to defeat Mike Sealy II, Lebanon, Tenn., 3-0, (247-180, 277-214, 290-177). The former PBA Player of the Year (1999) has made the championship round twice since the new PBA format began this past September. He is looking for his fourth win of the year after winning the National Bowling Stadium National/Senior Doubles with Rohn Morton, Reno, Nev.; Latham, N.Y. and the American Bowling Congress Masters, Reno, Nev.

　Bohn will face Pete Weber, of St. Ann, Mo., in the round of 16. Weber, who is also a PBA Hall of Famer, ousted Steve Wilson, 3-1 (246-197, 236-248, 244-212, 212-185). The 25-time PBA champion, whose most recent title was in Grand Rapids, Mich., five weeks ago, has made match play in all eight events he has entered since September.

　Also advancing is last week's champion Tommy Delutz Jr., of Flushing, N.Y. Delutz defeated Jason Queen, 3-1, (196-200, 280-268, 266-195, 246-228). The two-time PBA titleholder is the only professional to make it to the round of 32 in all nine events since the new format.

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Louisville Open　【Round 2】

　Chris Barnes survived a late scare in the second round of qualifying Friday afternoon in the PBA Greater Louisville Open at Executive Strike and Spare.

　The Dallas resident, who dropped to 31st place after the seventh game and was in danger of missing the cut, shot his 13th career "perfect" 300 the very next game and leaped all the way to eighth. Barnes rolled the game on lanes 19-20 which was the same pair of lanes he bowled his highest game yesterday, a 268 score in the final game of round one.

　"That pair's been my savior. I might not be here today if it weren't for those lanes," said Barnes, who was +168 in two games on 19-20 and only +129 in 16 games over the rest of the house. "That might be the only reason I advanced."

　He qualified for match play as the 11th seed with a 3,897, 18-game pinfall total and will face the No. 22 seed, Jess Stayrook tonight on lanes 17-18. Barnes, a three-time PBA titleholder, is tied for second this season with eight of nine match play berths (Brian Kretzer).

　Barnes trailed the top qualifier, Ryan Shafer, by 249 pins. Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y., led the field with a 230.33 average over the 18-game qualifier (4,146). In six match play appearances this season, Shafer has failed to advance past the round of 32 and has amassed a 10-18 single-elimination match play record.

　"This format (match play) really hasn't favored my game," he said. "I'm more of a methodical player. When I'm bowling well, I'm bowling scores in the 230s range. In match play (single-elimination, best-of-five), that might not be enough.

　"I just have to go into it with a positive frame of mind, knowing I led the qualifier with a good ball reaction. You just have to continue doing what got you there in the first place."

　Shafer will bowl against Bob Learn Jr. in a Japan Cup 2001 title game rematch. Learn defeated Shafer, 176-172, in the grind-out championship game that was decided by spare shooting.

　Walter Ray Williams Jr., the Tour's hottest player with $78,000 in earnings the last five tournaments, will face Tony Reyes after qualifying in the fifth position (4,027). Williams, of Ocala, Fla., is targeting his sixth consecutive championship round appearance.

　Four-time champion Dennis Horan Jr., of Temecula, Calif., earned his first match play berth this season from the 17th spot (3,860). He will face Bryon Smith, who qualified 16th (3,871).

2001/11/22

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Louisville Open　【Round 1】

　Norm Duke achieved perfection while taking over the lead after the first round of qualifying in the PBA Greater Louisville Open at Executive Strike and Spare Thursday evening.

　Duke rolled the only 300 game of the tournament while averaging 237 through the nine-game round to take the lead with a 2,136 pinfall total. The reigning PBA Player of the Year started the round with two games under 200 before building up his pinfall total.

　"I started off slow but I knew I had a good reaction," said Duke. "I made a ball change and fidgeted around for a little while and by the third game I obviously got it and it was great from there on out."

　"Sometimes I think it's an advantage to start out slow," Duke said. "It gets me motivated to get back into it and try and make the pins pay."

　The 19-time PBA champion made his first championship round appearance of the year last week in the PBA Long Island Open, Syosset N.Y. (finals in Uncasville, Conn). He lost to tournament winner Tommy Delutz Jr. in the wild card match to finish fifth.

　"Even though I lost on the show last week I look at it as a stepping stone," said Duke.

　"Sometimes you have to wait your turn and I know I'm bowling good enough to win, you just have to take it one step at a time."
Duke resides in Clermont, Fla., and is away from his wife Karen and five-year-old son Branden this Thanksgiving and plans to make the best of it.

　"If I'm going to be away from my family, I'm going to make it worth it," Duke said.

　Trailing Duke by 24 pins is PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III, of Jackson, N.J. The 1999 PBA Player of the Year posted high games of 257 and 266 during the round with only one game under 200. The 27-time PBA titleholder has won three titles already this year including his first PBA major, the American Bowling Congress Masters, Reno, Nev. He and Walter Ray Williams Jr. are the only professionals to win multiple titles in 2001.

　Third place belongs to Ryan Shafer, of Elmira, N.Y. Shafer, who won his third PBA title earlier this year in Las Vegas has knocked down 2,081 pins. The three-time PBA champion has yet to make it past the round of 32 in his six match play appearances since September.

　Eric Forkel, of Northridge, Calif., sits in fourth place. The 15-year pro has toppled 2,077 pins and is making his eighth top 64 appearance out of nine events since the new format began this past September. Forkel owns five PBA titles, the last of which was in 1999 in Coram, N.Y.

　Rounding out the top five is Michael Gaither, of Corpus Christi, Texas. Gaither, who is searching for his first PBA title, has a 2,059 pinfall total.

　Other notables advancing include Walter Ray Williams Jr. (ninth), Pete Weber (14th), Tommy Delutz Jr. (15th), Chris Barnes (20th) and Jason Couch (23rd).

　Among those failing to advance are Paul Koehler (66th), Kurt Pilon (71st), Bryan Goebel (81st) and Brian Voss, who withdrew after six games due to shoulder pain.

2001/11/18

　　【PBA】　PBA Long Island Open　【Final】

　Tommy Delutz Jr. survived a thrilling title match and won his second PBA title Sunday afternoon in the PBA Long Island Open at Mohegan Sun Arena.

　Following a see-saw 10th frame, Delutz, of Flushing, N.Y., defeated Chris Barnes, of Dallas, 215-213, and earned the $40,000 top prize.

　Entering the 10th, Delutz needed a strike and nine pins for the win but unfortunately left the dreaded 7-10 split on a light pocket hit.

　"I didn't really throw it that bad," he said. "So, I wasn't really frustrated with myself. It was just a big letdown more than anything."

　Barnes, who finished the match, controlled his own destiny in the 10th frame with a chance to pick up his second win of the season. The three-time champion needed a spare and strike to win by one. His first shot left the 10-pin which he converted, staging the tension-filled final frame.

　On the final shot, Barnes threw the ball too fast, left the 2-4-5 combination and settled for the $20,000 second prize.

　"I didn't even dream it was possible for me to go light," said Barnes about the shot. "Given the same circumstances again, I would have done the same thing."

　Barnes struck in frames one, two, four, five and nine. He picked up spares in the third, sixth, seventh, eighth and 10th. Delutz struck in frames one, three and threw the game's only foundation of strikes in frames six-nine. He converted spares in the second, fourth and fifth.

　"After so many weeks of bowling this format, when people have needed a hit against me to win, they've got it every time," said Delutz. "I think I've saved up all my breaks until today. But, Barnes is one of the top three bowlers in the world. I never expected to catch that kind of break against him."

　In the semifinals, Delutz defeated Tony Reyes, of San Jose, Calif., 258-216, while Barnes knocked off Walter Ray Williams Jr., of Ocala, Fla., 247-213. Reyes and Williams tied in third place with $10,000 each.

　Delutz got beat by Barnes, 3-2, in the round of eight Saturday night, but managed to qualify for the finals in the wild card spot after having the best average of the eliminated players. He beat Norm Duke, of Clermont, Fla., in the wild card match, 238-218, and advanced into the semifinals. Duke finished fifth and pocketed $9,000.

2001/11/17

　　【PBA】　PBA Long Island Open　【Round 5】

　Walter Ray Williams Jr. qualified for his fifth straight finals appearance Saturday night in the round of eight in the PBA Long Island Open at AMF Syosset Lanes.

　Williams, of Ocala, Fla., beat Patrick Healey Jr., 3-2 (279-239, 203-265, 265-246, 279-218) and will shoot for his second victory in-a-row, Sunday. Last week, Williams won his 34th career title (Erlanger, Ky.) and tied Mark Roth for second on the all-time list. Williams has won back-to-back tournament four times in his career (1993, '98 [2], 2000). He will face Chris Barnes in the semifinals.

　Barnes, of Dallas, rallied to defeat Tommy Delutz Jr., of Flushing, N.Y., 3-2. Delutz carried all the momentum going into the third game after winning the first two games (222-191, 300-259). But, Barnes reeled off three straight victories to claim the match (226-203, 267-230, 258-248).

　Delutz still managed to advance as the wild card qualifier with the best average of the round of eight losers. Ray Edwards tied Delutz with an 8-4 match play record, so overall tournament average was the tiebreaker. Delutz finished the tournament with a 223.97 average, to Edward's 214.67.

　In the wild card match Delutz will face Norm Duke, who had the lowest average of semifinal qualifiers. In the round of eight, Duke disposed of Jeff Lizzi, 3-0 (246-162, 236-225, 216-194), and earned his first finals berth of 2001. The 2000 PBA Player of the Year most recently appeared in the championship round in last year's Tournament of Champions, where he finished third. His latest victory was in the MSN Open (Tucson, Ariz.), one of three wins last year. The 19-year veteran, who collected a 9-3 match play record, owns 19 titles.

　Tony Reyes, of San Jose, Calif., defeated Ray Edwards, 3-2 (266-213, 204-196, 170-221, 200-228, 209-184), and earned his third finals berth this year. Reyes will await the wild card winner in the semifinals. He is targeting his first title.

　　【PBA】　PBA Long Island Open　【Round 4】

　Chris Barnes moves on after taking out Parker Bohn III in the round of 16 in the PBA Long Island Open at AMF Syosset Lanes Saturday afternoon.

　Barnes, of Dallas, quickly disposed of PBA Hall of Famer Bohn in a 3-0 match (235-213, 260-175, 278-225).

　"I didn't go into that match expecting to sweep," said Barnes. "I really feel like that was the best match I have had out here so far. When you bowl the hall of famers, you have to bowl your best."

　"I think I almost had an advantage out there today," Barnes said. "I'm bowling on borrowed time and things seem to be falling in place for me all week. But it's not without a lot of hard work."

　Barnes qualified 31st out of 32 to advance to single-elimination play. The former PBA Rookie of the Year (1998) is looking for his second win of the year after capturing his third career title this past October in Hendersonville, Tenn.

　In another 3-0 match (216-169, 238-211, 224-190), Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., defeated Rick Lawrence, Waxahachie, Texas. The PBA Hall of Famer is the only professional with a 6-0 record, which guarantees him a spot in the finals, either as the top four or the wild card if he loses his match in the round of 8.

　He is making his fifth consecutive championship round appearance, a feat he has accomplished only one other time in his career. Last year, he made five consecutive PBA telecasts, however, the format consisted of eight finalists instead of the traditional five. In one of the five telecasts, Williams qualified eighth to make the finals.

　Last week, Williams won his 34th PBA title and tied Mark Roth for second on the PBA's all-time win list.

　Tommy Delutz Jr., of Flushing, N.Y., bested Bryon Smith, of Roseburg, Ore., 3-1 (239-234, 205-202, 227-215, 248-247). Delutz has made the cut to the top 32 all eight weeks since the PBA instituted the new PBA format. However, this is only the first time he has been able to make it to the round of 8.

　Despite losing the first game in a sudden-death, one-ball roll-off, Jeff Lizzi advanced to the round of 8 by eliminating Sam Maccarone, 3-1 (219-219, sudden-death, one-ball roll-off, 10-9; 221-199, 222-187, 193-167). Lizzi made the PBA telecast five weeks ago and finished fifth in Indianapolis, after losing in the wild card match. He owns one PBA title, which he won in his first career championship round appearance in 1992 in Lake Zurich, Ill.

　Tony Reyes, of San Jose, Calif., ousted Justin Hromek, 3-0 (193-162, 219-195, 245-151). This is the first time in eight events that Reyes has advanced to the round of 8. The 28-year-old right-hander has been touring full-time since 1999 and is looking for his first PBA title. He has a high finish of third this year, which came in the Battle at Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Va. (tied) and in the American Bowling Congress Masters, Reno, Nev.

　Reining PBA Player of the Year Duke, of Clermont, Fla., won over David Traber, of Woodstock, Ill., in a 3-1 match (190-208, 225-222, 249-247, 233-204). Duke, who won three of his 19 PBA titles last year, is looking to make his first championship round appearance of the year. The last time Duke did not make at least one championship round appearance in a year was in 1988.

　Patrick Healey Jr., of Mexico, defeated Michael Haugen Jr., Victorsville, Calif., 3-1 (233-147, 223-220, 196-197, 186-167). Healey is searching for his first PBA title.

　Ray Edwards, of Middle Island, N.Y., defeated Jason Hurd, of Titusville, Fla., 3-0 (257-194, 210-197, 203-188). Edwards is competing in only his second PBA Tour event of the year and is looking to make his first championship round appearance since 1993. The six-time PBA regional champion won his lone PBA title in 1991 when he defeated Bob Benoit in El Paso, Texas, during his first career TV appearance.

2001/11/16

　　【PBA】　PBA Long Island Open　【Round 3】

　Norm Duke and Robert Smith went the distance in the round of 32 Friday night in the PBA Long Island Open at Syosset Lanes.

　Duke, of Clermont, Fla., outlasted Smith, 3-2, (227-188, 246-233, 244-246, 215-224, 213-194) and advanced to the round of 16 to face top-seed Dave Traber.

　After leading his match 2-0, Duke could have struck in the 10th frame of game three to seal the win. He didn't.

　"I just choked," said Duke. "I missed the building left and went through the nose and left the 4-6 split."

　That let Smith back in the match, which was something the veteran Duke knew he couldn't let happen. From that point on, the match was a dogfight.

　"I know better than that. If you give a guy like Smith new life, you'll pay for it dearly. With the caliber of players out here (on tour), it's like that 95 percent of the time."

　The fourth game proved to be a barn-burner in which Smith buried a solid strike in the 10th frame and forced Duke to a decisive game.

　"Going into the last game, it seemed like neither of us had the offense we needed," said Duke. "I felt a score in the 210s would win it. The lanes were getting tricky."

　Smith made a couple of mistakes late in the match. Duke, who just needed to mark in the 10th frame, struck in the frame and claimed the match, 213-194.

　"It was a hard one to throw, given I had made some bad shots late in the other games. I was fighting some mental demons, but I pulled it together and threw a strike."

　By sweeping his match with Jason Couch, Walter Ray Williams Jr., of Ocala, Fla., improved his season match play record to a tour-best, 37-19. The five-time PBA Player of the Year won his 34th career title last week (Erlanger, Ky.) and tied Mark Roth for second on the all-time list. Williams will face one-time champion Rick Lawrence in the round of 16.

　Tommy Delutz Jr., of Flushing, N.Y., swept Mark Mosayebi and will bowl Bryon Smith in the round of 16. Delutz is now the lone player to make the match play cut in every tournament this season (eight). Pete Weber, who took this week off, was the only other player that had matched Delutz.

　　【PBA】　PBA Long Island Open　【Round 2】

　David Traber charged ahead of the field after the second round of qualifying in the PBA Long Island Open at AMF - Syosset Lanes Friday afternoon.

　Traber, of Woodstock, Ill., averaged 229 through the round to move from 22nd to the top. The four-time PBA titleholder has an 18-game, 4,012 pinfall total and a 222 tournament average. Although Traber started the round with a 199 game, he kept the remainder of the games between 200 and 248.

　"I switched balls after the first game and moved a little to the right," said Traber. "With the new format it isn't as important to lead the tournament so I was just trying to keep my games clean and the pins just kept falling for me."

　"I just kept plugging away and ended up in the No. 1 spot," Traber said. "But at least if I lose, I knew I bowled well this week."

　This is only the second time Traber has made the cut to the round of 32 and the first time was two weeks ago when he made the telecast in North Brunswick, N.J., and finished tied for third.

　Traber will face No. 32 seed Amleto Monacelli in the round of 32.

　Finishing the round in second was Danny Wiseman. Wiseman, of Baltimore, has knocked down 3,999 pins. He won his ninth PBA title two weeks ago in North Brunswick, N.J., by defeating Steve Jaros in the title match.

　Third place belongs to John May. May, of Lincolnton, N.C., posted high games of 245 (twice) and 248 while collecting a 3,989 pinfall total. The 18-time PBA regional champion, who is looking for his first PBA title, has not made a championship round appearance since this past January in Las Vegas. He is making his sixth round of 32 appearance of the year.

　Tony Reyes captured fourth place with a 3,988 pinfall total. The San Jose, Calif., resident, who is searching for his first PBA title, is making his second appearance in the round of 32. He is looking to improve on a high finish of third this year, which came in the Battle of Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Va. (tied for third) and the American Bowling Congress Masters, Reno, Nev.

　Rounding out the top five was Jason Hurd, 3,981. The one-time PBA champion, whose title came in the 1999 National Bowling Stadium National/Senior Doubles, Reno, Nev., with Johnny Petraglia, has now made the cut to the top 32 six out of eight times since the season began. Two weeks ago in Taylor, Mich., Hurd finished third in his first telecast of the year.

　For the eighth consecutive week Tommy Delutz Jr. has made it into the top 32. He and Pete Weber are the only two professionals to make the cut to single-elimination play since the PBA instituted the new format. Delutz qualified 10th with a 3,924 pinfall total. Weber did not compete in this week's event.

　Other notables making the cut include Steve Hoskins (seventh), Jason Couch (11th), Norm Duke (16th), Robert Smith (17th), Parker Bohn III (18th), Walter Ray Williams Jr. (22nd) and Chris Barnes (31st).

　Those failing to advance include Mika Koivuniemi (41st), Ricky Ward (43rd), Bob Learn Jr. (46th) and Tom Baker (54th).

2001/11/15

　　【PBA】　PBA Long Island Open　【Round 1】

　Justin Hromek averaged 231 and led the first round of qualifying in the PBA Long Island Open Thursday at AMF Syosset Lanes.

　Hromek, of Towanda, Kan., averaged just over 200 for the first three games but charged back in the second-half of the round, averaging 246 in games four through nine to move into the top spot (2,083).

　The three-time PBA champion has made the first qualifying cut seven out of eight times this season including this event. His last victory was in 1995 in Reno, Nev.

　Trailing Hromek by nine pins is third-year pro Jason Duran, of Greely, Colo. The 25-year-old, who has a career-high fourth place finish, finished strong with a 279 high game.

　Last week's champion, Walter Ray Williams Jr, of Ocala, Fla, sits in third place (2,057). The PBA Hall-of-Famer bowled a consistent round with all nine games between 203 and 256. Williams win last week was his 34th, which tied him with Mark Roth as second on the PBA's all-time win list.

　Danny Wiseman, of Baltimore, is in the fourth position (2,052). The 12-year veteran won his ninth career title two weeks ago in North Brunswick, N.J.

　Rounding out the top five is Brian Kretzer, of Dayton, Ohio. The 35-year-old spilled 2,024 pins. Kretzer is one of two PBA rookies to make a championship round appearance this year. He finished fifth in North Brunswick, N.J., after losing the wild card match to David Traber. Mike Machuga is the only other rookie to make a PBA telecast this year, finishing second last week in Erlanger, Ky.

2001/11/11

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic　【Final】

　Walter Ray Williams Jr. earned his 34th title in the PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic at Super Bowl Sunday evening and tied Mark Roth for second on the all-time win list.

　"I'm amazed. It feels great to accomplish this feat," said Williams. "I still don't consider what I have accomplished comparable to Roth's achievements but I guess it's pretty good."

　Ironically, it was Williams that Roth beat for his 34th title.

　Williams, who earned $40,000 for the win, now needs seven more titles to tie for No. 1 with Earl Anthony on the all time list.

　"It is almost comparing apples with oranges," said Williams. "Anthony did that in 14 years and I've already been out here 19 years."

　"But I guess when you look at the stats, Anthony won his 34th title when he was 43, a year older than me, and he was player of the year three times when he was in his 40s so I guess it is a possibility."

　In a battle of the experienced player versus the new, Williams defeated rookie Mike Machuga, 247-194, in the title match.

　Williams, of Ocala, Fla., who was looking for his first win in four consecutive telecasts, started the match with four strikes.

　Machuga, of Erie, Pa., opened the game with two matches and a single-pin spare (10-pin), which he converted. After another strike in the fourth frame, Machuga suffered two bad shots, resulting in two splits (2-8-10 in fifth frame; 3-6-7-9-10 in sixth frame). The 25-year-old left an open in the fifth and picked up the second split, but not without giving Williams a huge advantage.

　"I was bowling well in the game and felt comfortable throughout the match," Williams said. "Although it's never over until it's over, when he left those two splits it pretty much sealed it for me."

　Machuga, who took home $20,000, finished the match first with a mix of strikes and converted spares for a 194. Williams, working on two converted single-pin spares in the fifth and sixth frames, struck in the seventh and eighth frames. He then secured the win with by picking up the 10-pin he left in the ninth frame. The PBA Hall of Famer struck out before celebrating his victory.

　"I definitely exceeded my expectations this week," Machuga said. "I couldn't believe I was bowling in the title match. At least I can say I got beat by the best."

　Williams advanced to the title match by besting Doug Kent, 289-213, in the semifinal match No. 2. He was two strikes shy of rolling the 15th perfect game in PBA history. A 10-pin on his 12th ball ruined his chance. Kent, of Newark, N.Y., earned $10,000 for tying for third.

　Machuga, who just joined the PBA three months ago, advanced to the title match by winning over Rick Steelsmith, 205-203, in the semifinal match No. 1. Steelsmith, of Wichita, Kan., who was making his first championship round appearance of the year, received a $10,000 check for tying for third.

　In the wild card match, Kent defeated Tim Criss, 216-194. Criss, of Bel Air, Md., pocketed $9,000 for the fifth-place finish.

2001/11/10

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic　【Round 5】

　Walter Ray Williams Jr. heads to fourth consecutive championship round after his success in the round of 8 in the PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic at Super Bowl Saturday evening.

　Williams, of Ocala, Fla., bested Lee Johnson, 3-2 (193-221, 233-173, 257-194, 239-258, 277-257) to the ESPN finals. The PBA Hall of Famer won his 33rd title earlier this year in the PBA National Championship, Toledo, Ohio, and is going for his second win of the year.

　In the past three finals, Williams has bowled three games and lost all three.

　"I don't think I have to change the way I'm bowling on TV, said Williams, who has averaged 208.66 in the last three finals. "I just need the pins to cooperate a little bit better than they have been."

　"You have to throw the ball well and you have to catch a few breaks," Williams said. "I've been catching a lot of breaks to get to the show but once I was there it hasn't been going so well."

　The five-time PBA Player of the Year (1986, '93, '96, '97, '98) continues to set the PBA record for the most PBA TV appearances. This will be his 130th appearance (127 singles appearances; three doubles appearances).

　Rookie Mike Machuga, of Erie, Pa., defeated Jack Jurek, of Lackawanna, N.Y., 3-0, (210-202, 228-216, 192-169), to make his first PBA telecast in his career. The 26-year-old is the second rookie this year to make a show. The first was Brian Kretzer who finished fifth last week in North Brunswick, N.J. Machuga just joined the PBA this past summer and was a well-known amateur bowler before hand.

　Tim Criss, of Bel Air, Md., eliminated the No. 1 seed, Robert Smith, of Simi Valley, Calif. Criss, who is making his second championship round appearance of the year, was down 1-0 and came back to win the next three to secure the win, 3-1, (235-246, 220-206, 219-211). The right-hander, whose last title was the 1999 PBA National Championship, Toledo, Ohio, has a high finish of third (tied) this year, which was in the PBA Miller High Life Open four weeks ago.

　Criss will have plenty support in the finals from nearby family members as his wife Cherie and daughter Amanda, who is almost two, travel with Tim on Tour in the family's motor home.

　Since all of the top four had a 9-3 record, Criss has the lowest average for the tournament (221.03) and thus will face Doug Kent in the wildcard match.

　Kent was guaranteed a spot in the finals since he entered the round of 8 with a 6-0 record and would grab the wildcard if he lost to Steelsmith, which he did. The Newark, N.Y., resident, whose fourth title came in Indianapolis in 2000, is making his second championship round appearance of the year.

　Steelsmith, of Wichita, Kan., bested Kent 3-0 (257-234, 244-234, 211-198). The two-time PBA titlist is making his first championship round appearance of the year.

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic　【Round 4】

　Doug Kent is guaranteed a spot in the championship finals after sweeping his match in the round of 16 Saturday afternoon in the PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic at Super Bowl.

　Kent, Newark, N.Y., defeated lefty Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 3-0 (246-245, 223-164, 234-206) and earned his second championship round appearance of the season. Even if he loses his match tonight against Rick Steelsmith (6-2), Kent will still advance as the wild card qualifier. He has the best overall match play record (6-0) heading into the round of eight.

　Top-seeded Robert Smith, Simi Valley, Calif., advanced after going the distance with rookie Chris Sand (268-225, 242-203, 229-176, 225-258, 201-192). Smith (6-3), a two-time PBA champion, will face Tim Criss (6-2) in the round of eight.

　Walter Ray Williams Jr. (6-1) will shoot for his fourth consecutive championship round appearance after getting by Patrick Healey, 3-1 (227-236, 226-216, 258-247, 248-226). Williams, Ocala, Fla., will bowl Lee Johnson (6-2) in the round of eight.

　Michael Machuga (6-3) and Jack Jurek (6-2) will square-off after each won their round of 16 matches. Jurek won his lone PBA title in 1994 (Windsor Locks, Conn.). Machuga, a rookie on the Tour, is targeting his first championship.

　　【PWBA】　Brunswick Women's World Open　【Final】

　Saturday Carolyn Dorin-Ballard etched her name among the all-time PWBA greats. The N. Richland, Texas native took home her seventh title of the 2001 season after winning the $100,000 Brunswick Women's World Open. A four-time runner-up for the PWBA Player of the Year honors, Dorin-Ballard defeated Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y. 280-258 in the title match. The victory tied Dorin-Ballard with Patty Costello's all-time professional women's bowling record of seven titles in one season.

　"I'm just on cloud nine right now," said Dorin-Ballard. "This has been a very special year for me. I can't imagine Hollywood writing a better script."

　The PWBA leader in titles (7), earnings ($125,670) and averages (214.44) this season, Dorin-Ballard made her 18th televised championship round appearance in 22 events. The championship match was the highest combined score of the 2001campaign.

　"Michelle is extremely talented and is going to win a lot of titles. Hopefully those wins will come after I retire. I guess you could say this was one of those matches where the first person to not strike had to lose."

　The bout between Dorin-Ballard and Feldman resembled two heavyweight fighters trading knockout punches. Feldman took an early lead with a double to start the tilt while Dorin-Ballard went strike, spare. The third frame opened up the scoring floodgates as Dorin-Ballard registered a ten-bagger while Feldman recorded eight strikes in her next ten tosses.

　For her efforts, Dorin-Ballard took home a first place check for $15,000. Feldman earned $7,500 for second place.

　"Obviously I'm disappointed I didn't win, but I don't know too many people that are going to get beat after bowling a 258," said Feldman. "Carolyn was great today. She deserved to be the champ."

　Dorin-Ballard moved into the title match after defeating Lisa Bishop, Belleville, Michigan 217-210 in the semi-finals. Bishop, who was seeded third, won the opening shootout 268-209-164 over Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y. and Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. Bishop's third place was good for $5,000 while Johnson and Kulick claimed $4,300 and $3,700 respectively.

2001/11/09

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic　【Round 3】

　Robert Smith disposed of Pete Weber after the round of 32 in the PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic at Super Bowl Friday evening.

　Smith, of Simi Valley, Calif., won over the PBA Hall of Famer 3-1 (190-236, 243-232, 226-221, 268-186) to advance to the round of 16. The 27-year-old is looking to make it to his second championship round appearance of the year.

　"I'm feeling very comfortable right now," said Smith. "My mental game has improved tremendously in the past three weeks. After I lost the first game to Pete I didnﾕt panic like I have in the past and I was able to come back and win my match."

　Smith owns two PBA titles, both of which he won last year. To win his first title, the U.S. Open in Phoenix, Smith beat Norm Duke by one pin for the win. His second victory was in Erie, Pa., where he won over Walter Ray Williams Jr.

　"I'm done being intimidated with people, which is helping me a lot," commented Smith, who began competing on the Tour full-time in 1998.

　In a 3-0 match (245-215, 238-172, 236-220) Walter Ray Williams Jr., of Ocala, Fla., defeated last week's champion Danny Wiseman, of Baltimore. Williams has made the past three PBA telecasts.

　Also in a quick 3-0 match, Patrick Healey Jr., of Mexico, defeated Chris Barnes, of Dallas. The two are both former Wichita State University "Shocker" bowlers and began competing on the PBA Tour the same year as Smith (1998).

　First round qualifier leader Rick Steelsmith, of Wichita, Kan., also advanced after a 3-0 match (215-285, 236-246, 213-179, 243-236) versus Kip Roberts, of Mechanicsville, Va.

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic　【Round 2】

　Due to a rulebook tiebreaker, Pete Weber earned the 32nd seed and will bowl top-seeded Robert Smith in tonight's single-elimination, round of 32 match play in the PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic at Super Bowl.

　After 18 games of qualifying completed Friday afternoon, Weber, St. Ann, Mo., tied Kip Roberts with a 3,862 pinfall total. Normally, seeds would have been determined by the highest nine-game total from today's round, but that was tied (1,872). So, the tiebreaker moved to yesterday's nine-game total. Amazingly, the two bowlers tied in the first round, too (1,990). In such cases, PBA Rule 20.2.e states: If there is still a tie, the competitors tied will be seeded according to the alphabetical order of their last names. Roberts (R) was awarded the 31st seed over Weber (W), who was forced to settle with 32.

　Weber keeps pace with Tommy Delutz Jr., who earned the 22nd seed, as the only players to make the match play cut in every tournament this season (seven).

　Smith, of Simi Valley, Calif., led the qualifier with a 230.5 average (4,149), setting up tonight's marquee duel with Weber. The two-time titleholder, nicknamed "Kong Cable" for his wide-hooking high-revolution ball, finished second two weeks ago in Taylor, Mich.

　Other match-ups include former Team USA teammates, Chris Barnes versus Patrick Healey Jr. and Walter Ray Williams Jr. versus last week's champion Danny Wiseman.

　　【PWBA】　Brunswick Women's World Open　【Round 7】

　After hovering among the top five for six rounds Michelle Feldman closed out the 56-game preliminaries of the $100,000 Brunswick Women's World Open as the tournament's top seed. The Skaneateles, New York native used a 1,926 (240.75 avg.) pin fall in the final round, including a perfect game to increase her final tournament total to 12,989 pins. Feldman also completed the week with a 14-9-1 match play record and a 224.17 average.

　"In any tournament it's important to finish strong," said Feldman. "My goal every week is to make the finals but even if I don't I always want to finish the week on a positive note."

　Tallying the fourth 300 of the tournament, Feldman's score was part of an unofficial 826 series. The eight-time titlest closed out the evening 49-pins ahead of Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas. In spite of ranking second for Saturday's telecast, Dorin-Ballard led the tournament in averages with a 224.64 clip.

　The PWBA leader in titles (6), earnings ($110,670), competition points (15,835), and averages (214.44) this season, Dorin-Ballard has now qualified for her 18th televised championship round in 22 events. A victory on Saturday would tie her with Patty Costello's all-time professional women's bowling record of seven titles in one season.

　Aiming to earn her first title of the 2001 season, Lisa Bishop, Bellville, Michigan, will enter the championship round as the No. 3 seed. The fifth-year pro led the Open's "200 Club" registering 48 of 56 games with a score of 200 or more.
Bishop will be joined by fourth-seeded Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York and fifth-seeded Kelly Kulick, Union, New Jersey.

　Johnson leads all PWBA'ers in total money this year with $131,727. Included in her four titles this season is a major championship claimed last month at the $90,000 Hammer Players Championship.

　A three-time Team USA member, Kulick will be making her third consecutive championship round appearance and fourth in her last five tournaments. The first-year pro benchmarked the top five with a 12,667 tally.

　　【PWBA】　Brunswick Women's World Open　【Round 6】

　Aiming to earn her first title of the 2001 season, Lisa Bishop, Bellville, Michigan, held on to the tournament lead after 48 games at the $100,000 Brunswick Womenﾕs World Open. Nicknamed "little bear" by her colleagues, Bishop clawed her way through round six, increasing her total pin fall to 11,071 and a 223.14 average. The five-year pro holds a 158-pin margin over Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y., who completed the daytime session with 10,913 and 221.41.

　"One round to go," said Bishop. "I'm in a comfort zone right now. My goal was to get to the top of the leader board and hopefully I can hold on for eight more games."

　After 16 games of match play (Editor's note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds), Bishop leads the tournament with a 12-4 mark. In addition, the 1997 PWBA Rookie of the Year heads up the tournament's "200 Club" with 42-of-48 scores that are 200 or above.

　A winner of eight titles in her career, Feldman fits the Al Davis "just win" philosophy. This season Feldman has earned a birth in three televised finals claiming two championships and one second place finish. Feldman is 24-pins ahead of Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland, Texas.

　Dorin-Ballard is attempting to qualify for her 18th televised championship round in 22 events. A victory this week would tie her with Patty Costello's all-time professional women's bowling record of seven titles in one season.

　Fourth place belongs to Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., who went 4-4 for the second straight match play round and has 10,801 and 220.02. Clinging to the last spot of the top five is three-time Team USA member Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. Kulick has racked up 10,770 and 218.75.

　Continuing to climb up the charts is Las Vegas hopeful Dede Davidson. Davidson moved up from ninth to sixth with a 6-2 match play record. A winner last week at the Las Cruces New Mexico Open, Davidson is 48-pins behind Kulick with 10,722 and 216.50. Henderson, Nevada's Wendy Macpherson maintained her spot in 11th position with 10,583 and 216.41. Macpherson joins six players that are 187-pins or less from cracking the top five.

2001/11/08

　　【PBA】　PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic　【Round 1】

　Rick Steelsmith led the field after the first round of qualifying in the PBA Greater Cincinnati Classic at Super Bowl Thursday evening.

　Steelsmith, of Wichita, Kan., averaged 237 through the nine-game round to sit in the top spot. The former PBA Rookie of the Year (1988) rolled all nine games between 211 and 277. He is looking for his first win since 1997 when he captured the PBA National Championship in Toledo, Ohio. His last championship round appearance was in February of 2000 when he finished sixth in Latham, N.Y.

　Trailing Steelsmith by 29 pins was Robert Smith, of Simi Valley, Calif. The two-time PBA champion, who won both of his titles last year (U.S. Open, Phoenix; Erie, Pa.), also posted a high game of 277.

　Smith credits his performance tonight to his poor health. He spent the time in-between tournaments in Venezuela with several PBA professionals and got sick on his way back.

　"I usually bowl better when I'm sick," said Smith. "I'm not as strong and throw the ball with less power which ends up helping me more than hurting me."

　The power player finished second three weeks ago to Patrick Allen in Taylor, Mich.

　May, of Lincolnton, N.C., ended the round in third with a 2,096 pinfall total. The 29-year-old right-hander switched his approach from a six-step approach to a five-step approach after watching Danny Wiseman make the switch last week in the PBA Johnny Petraglia Open (North Brunswick, N.J.). He is looking for his first PBA title.

　Mika Koivuniemi is in fourth place. The Finland native, whose lone title is the 2000 American Bowling Congress Masters, Albuquerque, N.M., has toppled 2,084 pins.

　Finishing in fifth place is last week's champion, Wiseman, of Baltimore. Wiseman, who now has nine PBA titles, posted two high games of 258 during the round while collecting a 2,096 pinfall total.

　Local favorite Brian Himmler finished the round in 54th place to advance. The 28-year-old is competing in the first PBA Tour event in his hometown since he joined the PBA in 1992.

　Other notables making the first cut include Norm Duke (15th), Pete Weber (tied for 16th), Tommy Delutz Jr. (tied for 20th), Jason Couch (37th), who is celebrating his 32nd birthday today and Del Ballard Jr. (62nd).

　Those failing to advance include Parker Bohn III (tied 70th), Ricky Ward (tied 105th) and Tony Reyes (tied 113th).

　　【PWBA】　Brunswick Women's World Open　【Round 5】

　To steal a phrase from ESPN's Dick Vitale, Lisa Bishop was a 3-S woman Thursday night, super, scintillating and sensational. The Bellville, Michigan native claimed the top spot at the $100,000 Brunswick Women's World Open after going 8-0 in match play (Editor's note - players earn 30 bonus pins for each match won during match play rounds) and chalking up a perfect game. Bishop's 300 helped add to her 9,299 tournament total and 226.47 average. The five-year pro leads Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas by 230-pins, who closed out the evening with 9,069 and 225.22.

　"I've never shot a 300 in a tournament and I've never done very well in match play," said Bishop. "It's such a relief to play well in the first part of match play. I always want to perform at a high level at major tournaments because they are our biggest events of the year."

　In search of her first title in 2001, Bishop followed her opening 740 series with a 721 tally. The 1997 PWBA Rookie of the Year recorded match play wins over three of the tournament's top five including Dorin-Ballard (300-208), Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y. (196-185) and Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y. (244-237).

　After the leading the Open for three straight rounds, Dorin-Ballard fell back one spot after going 2-6 in the evening's matches. Dorin-Ballard is attempting to qualify for her 18th televised championship round in 22 events. A victory this week would tie her with Patty Costello's all-time professional women's bowling record of seven titles in one season.

　In third place is three-time Team USA member Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. Kulick posted the second best match play record of the night going 7-1 and has racked up 9,013 and 220.17. Kulick is 61-pins ahead Johnson and Feldman, who are tied for fourth place with 8,952 and 220 respectively.

　Just off the pace and in sixth, seventh and eighth are Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, N.J. (8,859, 219.22), Cara Honeychurch, Australia (8,857, 217.67) and Tiffany Stanbrough, Oklahoma City, OK (8,787, 215.17). Sin City favorites Dede Davidson (Las Vegas) and Wendy Macpherson (Henderson) also closed in on the top five. Davidson moved up to ninth with 8,743 and 214.82 while Macpherson is in 11th with 8,710 and 215.50.

　　【PWBA】　Brunswick Women's World Open　【Round 4】

　After 32 games of competition Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, maintained the top spot at the $100,000 Brunswick Womenﾕs World Open. The Bowlers Journal first-teamer has amassed a 7,254 pin fall and is averaging 226.68. She leads Lisa Bishop, Belleville, Michigan, by 82 pins heading into the match play rounds.

　”I had a little trouble with my focus today,” said Dorin-Ballard. It's tough to lead a tournament in every round. I know there are a lot of games left before the championships so it's important for me not to get complacent."

　The PWBA leader in titles (6), earnings ($110,670), competition points (15,835), and averages (214.44) this season, Dorin-Ballard is attempting to qualify for her 18th televised championship round in 22 events. A victory this week would tie her with Patty Costello's all-time professional womenﾕs bowling record of seven titles in one season.

　Seeking her first title of 2001, Bishop leads the tournament's "200 Club" with 29 of 32 games scoring 200 or better. This season the fifth-year pro has made one televised finals appearance where she finished fourth at the N. Myrtle Beach Classic on October 4. Trailing Bishop by 66-pins, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York stayed among the top five by finishing the day session with 7,008 and 219. A winner of the $90,000 Hammer Players Championship, Johnson is seeking her second "major" title of the season.

　Ranking fourth is Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, New Jersey. The six-time titlest, DiRupo completed the day with 7,003 and 218.84 and is 27-pins ahead of Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, New York, who has 6,976 and 218.

　Sin City favorites Wendy Macpherson (Henderson) and Dede Davidson (Las Vegas) each stayed in the hunt for the $15,000 first place purse. Macpherson, who has been the PWBA's Player of the Year four times in the last five years moved up from 15th to 12th with 6,860 and 214.37. Last week's winner at the Las Cruces New Mexico Open, Davidson is in 16th with 6,819 and 213.09.

2001/11/07

　　【PWBA】　Brunswick Women's World Open　【Round 3】

　This season she's been called the Tiger Woods of the PWBA. It would be hard to argue the moniker. For the second consecutive day Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland, Texas, left the $100,000 Brunswick Women's World Open as the tournament leader. The 16-time titlest has accumulated a 5,495 pin fall and a 228.95 average after 24 games of competition and holds a 112-pin margin over Lisa Bishop's 5,383 tally and 224.29.

　The PWBA leader in titles (6), earnings ($110,670), competition points (15,835), and averages (214.44) this season, Dorin-Ballard is attempting to qualify for her 18th televised championship round in 22 events. A victory this week would tie her with Patty Costello's all-time professional women's bowling record of seven titles in one season.

　"I very confident right now," said Dorin-Ballard. "I bowled well last week and I'm still hungry for more success. Today I got great ball reaction and I'm trying to make sure I take my time with every shot."

　A native of Bellville, Michigan, Bishop moved from fifth to second position. Aided by a 721 series, the 1997 PWBA Rookie of the Year leads the tournament's "200 Club" with 21 of 24 games with a score of 200 or better. Bishop has a 50-pin lead over Jennifer Swanson, Shelton, Connecticut, who closed out the day with 5,330 and 222.08.

　Making one of the bigger moves in the standings was Marianne DiRupo, Succasunna, New Jersey. Starting the session in 13th, DiRupo used a third round average of 230 to move up to fourth place with 5,286 and 220.25. DiRupo is one pin ahead of Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York.

　The high round of Wednesday belonged to Tiffany Stanbrough, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with a 1,879 pin fall, but the high game was notched by roommates Janette Piesczynski, Cheektowaga, New York and Tennelle Grijalva, Yorba Linda, Calif. who each chalked up a 300.

　"What can we say. I guess our room has good vibes flowing through it," said Grijalva.

　Las Vegas favorites Wendy Macpherson (Henderson) and Dede Davidson (Las Vegas) each inched closer to the top five. Macpherson, who has been the PWBA's Player of the Year four times in the last five years is in 15th with 5,104 and 212.66. Last week's winner at the Las Cruces New Mexico Open, Davidson moved up from 17th to 12th with 5,158 and 214.91.

　Other PWBA locales including Jeanette Robinson, 4,380, 182.50 (Las Vegas), Trish Holthausen, 4,239,176.62 (Las Vegas) and Tammy Buchholz, 4,222, 175.91 (Las Vegas) remain in contention to make the cut to the top 24.

2001/11/06

　　【PWBA】　Brunswick Women's World Open　【Round 2】

　A familiar name sits at the top of the leader board as Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas used a 1,790 second round pin fall to increase her tournament-leading total to 3,693. After 16 games Dorin-Ballard is averaging 230.81 and holds a 33-pin margin over Jennifer Swanson, Shelton, Connecticut, who completed the day with 3,660 and 228.75

　"Scores started to perk up today," said Dorin-Ballard. "I'm thrilled to be bowling well again this week. My ball reaction has been great and it's allowed me to stay consistent with my shot."

　The PWBA leader in titles (6), earnings ($110,670), competition points (15,835), 214.44) this season, Dorin-Ballard is attempting to qualify for her 18th televised championship round. A victory this week would tie her with Patty Costelloﾕs all-time professional womenﾕs bowling record of seven titles in one season.

　"To be honest I really don't think about Patty's record when I bowl. I'm very proud of what I've accomplished this season. It would be wonderful to tie or pass the record, but it's not going to make my year either way."

　The tournament leader after round one, Swanson fell back a spot with a 1,741 block. Trailing Swanson is Anne Marie Duggan, Edmond, Oklahoma with 3,633 and 227.06. Duggan posted the high round of second day with a 1,812 pin fall. The five-time WIBC All-American has won 15 titles over her 19-year career but is seeking her first championship in 2001.

　In fourth is Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York with 3,606 and 225.37. Johnson is 12-pins ahead of Lisa Bishop, Belleville, Michigan (3,594, 224.62). Bishop was one of two competitors in the second round to tally eight consecutive games with a score of 200 or higher. The high game of the day belonged to Hall of Famer Nikki Gianulias, Vallejo, Calif., who chalked up a 289 and finished the session tied for 21st with 3,315 and 207.18.

　Local PWBA competitors including Wendy Macpherson, 3,402, 212.62 (Henderson), Dede Davidson, 3,368, 210.50 (Las Vegas), Jeanette Robinson, 2,914, 182.12 (Las Vegas), Tammy Buchholz, 2,904, 185.55 (Las Vegas), Trish Holthausen, 2,759,172.43 (Las Vegas), all finished the day in contention to make the cut to the top 24.

2001/11/05

　　【PWBA】　Brunswick Women's World Open　【Round 1】

　It didn't take long for Jennifer Swanson to settle in at the $100,000 Brunswick Women's World Open. The Shelton, Connecticut native opened today's eight-game block as the tournament leader tallying a 1,919 pin fall and a 239.87 average.

　"Taking last week off really helped me relax and have fun today," said Swanson. "I've been working on my game a lot and today everything just seemed to click. This is a long week of bowling. It's nice to get off to a great start but we have four days of qualifying and it's still very early in the game."

　Seeking her first title of 2001, Swanson dazzled the capacity crowd at the Suncoast Bowling Center by following a 727 series with a perfect game. The 300 performance was Swanson's ninth of her career. The four-year pro holds a 16-pin margin over Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas who closed out the session with 1,903 and 237.87.

　The PWBA leader in titles (6), earnings ($110,670), competition points (15,835), 214.44) this season, Dorin-Ballard is attempting to qualify for her 18th televised championship round. A victory this week would tie her with Patty Costello's all-time professional women's bowling record of seven titles in one season.

　Trailing Dorin-Ballard by eight pins is Cheektowaga's Liz Johnson. The New Yorker opened her first two games 255-249 and averaged 236.87. Rounding out the top five are Carol Norman, Ardmore, Oklahoma (1,830, 228.75) and Cara Honeychurch, Australia (1,828, 228.5).

　Local PWBA competitors including Dede Davidson, 1,678, 209.75 (Las Vegas), Wendy Macpherson, 1,594, 199.25 (Henderson), Tammy Buchholz, 1,573, 196.62 (Las Vegas), Trish Holthausen, 1,541,192.62 (Las Vegas), Jeanette Robinson, 1,422, 177.75 (Las Vegas) all finished the day in contention to make the cut to the top 24.

2001/11/04

　　【JPBA】　東海オープン　【ＴＶ決勝】

　　【JPBA】　東海オープン　【ラウンドロビン】

2001/11/03

　　【JPBA】　東海オープン　【準決勝】

　　【JPBA】　東海オープン　【予選後半】

2001/11/02

　　【JPBA】　東海オープン　【予選前半】

2001/11/01

　　【PWBA】　Las Cruces New Mexico Open　【Final】

　Dede Davidson, Las Vegas, Nevada earned her first title of the 2001 campaign by defeating Carolyn Dorin-Ballard 194-186 in the finals of the $50,000 Las Cruces New Mexico Open. The victory marked Davidson's eighth of her 17-year career.

　"It's great to be a winner again," remarked the left-hander." Last season I won two tournaments at the end of the year. Maybe this win is a sign of things to come."

　Davidson, who this season ranks 16th in earnings ($21,590), competition points (7,204), and averages (204.60) won two titles in 2000 including the Sams Town Invitational and the Greater Harrisburg Open. She entered the championship round as the tournament's No. 1 seed tallying a 9,360 pin fall, a 212.14 average and a 14-8-2 record.

　"I think being the top seed helped me a lot tonight." I haven't made a TV appearance in awhile and having to only bowl one match took some pressure off the night."

　A winner of a PWBA-leading six titles this year, Dorin-Ballard was attempting to tie Patty Costello's record for the most championships in a single season (7, 1976). The N. Richland Hills, Texas native has appeared in 17 televised finals in 21 events.

　Seeded third coming into the evening, Dorin-Ballard disposed of Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada and Australia's Cara Honeychurch 243-214-213 in the opening shootout. She claimed her spot in the finals after defeating Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. 198-192 in the semi-finals.

　In the title match both Davidson and Dorin-Ballard started their games with open frames. However, following a less than auspicious beginning both competitors marked throughout with Davidson striking in four of the last six frames.

　For her efforts Davidson took home a first place check worth $9,000. Dorin-Ballard received $4,800 as the runner-up. Kulick, Honeychurch and Macpherson earned $3,000, $2,500 and $2,200 respectively.