2002/02/28

　　【PBA】　PBA World Championship　【Round 3】

　Jim Tomek fired his way to the top after the third round of qualifying in the PBA World Championship at Southwyck Lanes Thursday evening.

　Tomek, Camp Hill, Pa., averaged 242 for the day to climb from seventh place to first. The 26-year-old has an 18-game 4,165 pinfall total and a 231 tournament average.

　"I've been bowling the same all week," Tomek said. ﾒ"I've been concentrating on each shot and have been more focused. So far this week I've got off to good starts which have allowed me to focus and follow through to a good finish."

　He is competing in his 15th career PBA event and is looking to make his first championship round appearance. Tomek owns two PBA regional titles with his most recent in 2001 in Staten Island, N.Y.

　Thirty-one pins behind Tomek in second place is Amleto Monacelli. The PBA Hall of Famer has a 229 average and is trying to become the first international professional to win the PBA World Championship (formerly known as the PBA National Championship). The PBA Hall of Famer's last win was his 18th career title in 1997 in Bay City, Mich.

　Third place belongs to Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill. Jaros, who was the 13th person to roll a perfect game on TV (Chattanooga, Tenn., 1999), has upended 4,111 pins. So far this season Jaros has earned $69,515 and needs only $27,704 to tie his best year in single-season earnings, which was $97,219 in 1997.

　PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss rounded out the top four with a 4,081 pinfall total and a 226 average. The 21-time titlist won the PBA National Championship in 1988 and won his most recent title a month ago in Las Vegas.

　Defending champion Walter Ray Williams Jr., secured 20th place with a 3,909 pinfall total. The 34-time PBA titlist is looking for his third win of the 2001 - 2002 season. He defeated hometown favorite Jeff Lizzi here last year in the title match.

　Other notables making the first cut include Robert Smith (7th) Pete Weber (13th), Dave Husted (17th) and Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio (44th).

　Those failing to advance include Chris Barnes (76th), Danny Wiseman (82nd), Mika Koivuniemi (87th) and Parker Bohn III (89th).

2002/02/27

　　【PBA】　PBA World Championship　【Round 2】

　Bryan Goebel opened the round with a 823 series to take over the lead after the second round of qualifying in the PBA World Championship at Southwyck Lanes Wednesday evening.

　Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., started the day with games of 277, 267 and 279 and went on to average 245 for the round. The right-hander has a nine-game, 2,784 pinfall total and a 232 tournament average.

　"I bowled a really good round yesterday," said Goebel. "So I was hoping today would be just about the same. I was pleasantly surprised with the results though."

　"I know I can bowl well but I haven't been doing that great lately so it was a nice change of pace," Goebel added.

　The nine-time PBA titleholder has one PBA major, which is the 1998 Tournament of Champions, Overland Park, Kan. The win was his most recent and he is looking to improve on a high finish of 9th this season, which was in the 2001 Battle at Little Creek, Virginia Beach, Va. Goebel's best finish in the PBA National Championship (former name of PBA World Championship), is third in 1992 in Toledo.

　"I always seem to bowl well in the majors," said Goebel. "I think it has something to do with the fact that most of the majors aren't very high scoring and I do well on low scoring conditions. But whatever the reason is - I enjoy it."

　Trailing Goebel by 18 pins is first-round leader Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela. The PBA Hall of Famer owns 18 PBA titles and is looking for his first win since 1997 in Bay City, Mich.

　Nick Vogelgesang, Cincinnati, fell one place to finish the round in third. The 35-year-old has upended 2,732 pins. Vogelgesang joined the PBA this past summer and was formerly one of the top-ranked amateur bowlers. In his eight events this season, he has earned a check four times and made match play four times.

　Fourth place belongs to Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., and Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill. Kent rolled the only 300 game in the tournament while knocking down 2,726 pins. Jaros registered a high game of 259 for the day.

　Defending champion Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., is currently in 41st place. He averaged 217 for the day to move up from 68th place.

2002/02/26

　　【PBA】　PBA World Championship　【Round 1】

　Amleto Monacelli averaged 245 in the first round of qualifying to take an early lead in the PBA World Championship at Southwyck Lanes Tuesday evening.

　Monacelli, Venezuela, has a six-game, 1,473 pinfall total. The 18-time PBA titleholder bowled the first of three squads and his scores of 237, 203, 268, 268, 230 and 267 kept him in the top spot throughout the day.

　"I'm not surprised my lead held up all day," said Monacelli at the end of the round. "And I don't think its' because the lanes got harder throughout the day."

　"Everything about my game was in line today," Monacelli added. "I always maintain that the mental game is just as important as the physical and my mental game is right on. That doesn't mean that there aren't better bowlers out here - everybody has their good and bad days and today mine was good."

　Monacelli is the only international player to be inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame and win PBA Player of the Year honors (1989, '90).

　"It is great to be the first leader since the event has been renamed the PBA World Championship," said Monacelli, who lives in Venezuela and has been competing on tour full-time for 19 years. "I'm glad the PBA is concentrating on expanding the sport internationally and I think this event will grow popular with international players."

　Trailing Monacelli by three pins is Nick Vogelgesang, Cincinnati. The 35-year-old rolled high games of 278 and 258 in the last two games to boost himself into second. Vogelgesang joined the PBA in July of 2001 and is competing in his ninth national tour event this season.

　Third place belongs to Rick Steelsmith. Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., has upended 1,400 pins. One of Steelsmith's two PBA titles is the 1997 PBA National Championship, Toledo, Ohio, when he defeated Brian Voss in the title match, 211-201.

　Roger Barnes, Abingdon, Md., captured fourth place with a 1,399 pinfall total.

　Rounding out the top five is Jim Tomek Jr. Tomek, Camp Hill, Pa., has knocked down 1,374 pins. The 26-year-old owns two regional titles and no national titles.

　Defending champion Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., struggled in the round, finishing the day in 68th place with a 1,263 pinfall total.

　PBA Charter members Dick Weber and Carmen Salvino finished up 253rd and 232nd, respectively.

2002/02/24

　　【PBA】　PBA Flagship Open　【Final】

　Steve Wilson thought he had blown his chance when he missed a 10-pin spare in the final match of the PBA Flagship Open at Eastway Lanes.

　The open 10th frame allowed his opponent, Jason Queen, Oreana, Ill., a chance to strike out and win by one. But, Queen left a flat 10-pin on his second ball and handed the victory back to Wilson, 267-257.

　Wilson, Lake Worth, Fla., picked up his fourth career title and his second win of the 2001-2002 season, along with the $40,000 top prize.

　"I had a great reaction today," said Wilson. "The left lane played a little tighter than it did all week, but other than that, the lanes broke down just like they did the rest of the tournament."

　But, Wilson couldn't get over his missed spare in the 10th.

　"I just blew it," he said. "I couldn't believe it. That was the first one (10-pin) I missed all week. It's one of the easiest spares we shoot out here."

　Queen, who earned $20,000 for second place, knew why he failed to get three strikes in the 10th.

　"I tend to throw the ball a little harder," he said. "So, with the way the lanes were breaking down, I made the move right. I missed inside my breakpoint and the ball went just a little long."

　However, Queen was still happy with his first PBA finals finish. "Two weeks ago my coach (PBA Hall of Famer John Jowdy) and I worked on my timing. Last week I made match play with the new technique. As this week went on, it just continued to feel better and better. I'd like to give my thanks to John."

　Wilson has now won two, single-elimination match play format tournaments. Last March, he claimed the Battle at Little Creek (Virginia Beach, Va.).

　"It's just a different style of bowling for me," he said. "I enjoy doing it. I tend to focus and make better shots. In longer formats, I sometimes just go through the motions - that's how qualifying still is. But, when the matches start you have to go get 'em."

　Wilson, who went 11-2 in match play, threw eight of 12 possible strikes against Queen. He spared (10-pin) in the fourth frame and missed the same spare in the 10th. Queen, too, rolled eight strikes with spares (10-pin and 7-pin) in the third and fourth and 10th frames.

　In the semifinals, Wilson defeated rookie Blaise Bedolla, 278-247, while Queen knocked off Finland's Mika Koivuniemi, 243-211. Bedolla, Roseburg, Ore., and Koivuniemi finished tied for third place with $10,000 each. In the wild card match, Koivuniemi beat hometown favorite Bob Learn Jr., 255-219. Learn, Erie, Pa., finished fifth with $9,000.

2002/02/23

　　【PBA】　PBA Flagship Open　【Round 5】

　Bob Learn Jr. hopes history repeats itself Sunday on ESPN in the PBA Flagship Open at Eastway Lanes.

　Learn, Erie, Pa., will get a chance to defend his home turf once again after he defeated Mika Koivuniemi, 3-1 (250-258, 246-237, 216, 214), in the round of eight Saturday night. In 1996 at the Erie Civic Center, Learn rolled the 10th televised 300 game in PBA history en route to capturing his third career title. That same day, Learn set the PBA record for average on TV, both three-game (283.33) and four-game (282.25).

　"I still have the ball at home in my trophy case," said Learn. "Those were the only four games I ever used it. Maybe I'll bring it out for practice just to see what it can do," he joked.

　He will face Koivuniemi in the opening wild card match. Learn claimed his fifth career title earlier this season in Tokyo.

　Koivuniemi, Finland, earned the wild card spot by having the most overall wins (7-5) of losers in the round (losses was tied). In December, the 34-year-old became the first foreign-born player to win bowlingﾕs U.S. Open, his second tour title. This will be his third finals appearance of the season and first in the new single-elimination format.

　Twenty-two-year-old rookie Blaise Bedolla, Roseburg, Ore., earned his first career finals berth after sweeping Justin Hromek (267-192, 236-218, 238-237). Bedolla, who went 9-0 in match play, became just the third player this season to go undefeated heading into the finals (Brian Voss, Peoria, Ill.; Patrick Allen, Kirkland, Wash.). Bedollaﾕs 248.56 tournament average was second only to Learnﾕs 248.77. Bedolla will take on Steve Wilson in the semifinals.

　Wilson, Lake Worth, Fla., knocked off Steve Jaros, 3-0 (279-247, 257-252, 247-246). Wilson will target his second victory of the season (Virginia Beach, Va.) in his fourth finals appearance.

　Rounding out the group is Jason Queen, Oreana, Ill. Queen beat Tony Reyes, 3-0 (268-258, 235-190, 246-227) and garnered his first finals appearance as a pro. In 1997, Queen won the American Bowling Congress (ABC) Masters, Huntsville, Ala., as an amateur. In the semifinal, he became the first player in Masters history to shoot a televised perfect, 300 game. He will target his first PBA title, beginning in the semifinals against the winner of the wild card match.

　　【PBA】　PBA Flagship Open　【Round 4】

　PBA rookie Blaise Bedolla remains undefeated after the round of 16 in the PBA Flagship Open at Eastway Lanes Saturday afternoon.

　Bedolla, 22-years-old, bested Steve Hoskins 3-0 (258-207, 289-276, 239-238). In the third game, Hoskins finished first with a 238. Bedolla left a six-count on his first ball in the 10th frame (3-4-6-7-9-10 combination) and needed four pins to beat Hoskins by one pin. He picked up exactly four pins and locked his fate with a 239 win.

　"When I threw that shot I was just trying to keep the ball on the lane," said Bedolla, who joined the PBA in October of 2001. "Then I wasn't sure what I needed to pick up the win - I was just trying to convert the spare."

　The Roseburg, Ore., resident, who is competing in only his eighth PBA event, has collected a 6-0 record, which guarantees him a spot in the championship round to try for the title. There are no other athletes with an undefeated record and if Bedolla loses in the round of 8 he will qualify as the wild card.

　"It's an amazing feeling to know I'm on the show," Bedolla said. "When I first joined the PBA I had wanted to do two things - learn a lot and make a show. I really didn't think it would happen this quickly but I've been trying to stay positive every week and it's paid off."

　Bedolla will face Justin Hromek in the round of 8.

　In a quick 3-0 match (245-215, 212-196, 279-242) Hromek ousted Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio. This is Hromek's second consecutive trip to the round of 8. Last week in Latham, N.Y., Hromek lost 2-3 in the round of 8 to Norm Duke. The three-time PBA titleholder has a high finish of third this season (Daly City, Calif., Jan. 2001) and is looking for his first win since 1995 in Reno, Nev.

　Hromek, Andover, Kan., skipped the first four events of the second-half of the season to be home with his wife while they had their second child.

　Hometown favorite Bob Learn Jr. stayed alive by wiping out PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss, 3-1 (279-223, 238-212, 204-216, 247-216). Learn, who won his third PBA title here in-front of his friends and family in 1996, is looking for his second win of the season. In September of 2001 Learn won his fifth PBA title in Japan.

　"I was starting to lose my carry in the third game," said Learn. "I switched balls and made the right decision and was able to get it back."

　"It's going to be great bowling here tonight in the round of 8," said Learn. "It's going to be all or nothing."

　Learn will face Mika Koivuniemi in the round of 8. Koivuniemi, Finland, beat Ryan Shafer, 3-0 (269-216, 255-254, 258-188).

　It took five games for Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill., to win over Mike Edwards, Oklahoma City, Okla. (246-241, 262-236, 268-269, 181-266, 299-238). Jaros, who owns three PBA titles, left a stone 9-pin on his fill ball in the last game of the set to just miss rolling the 20th perfect game of the event. He will face Steve Wilson in the round of 8.

　Wilson defeated reigning PBA Player of the Year Norm Duke, 3-2, (246-238, 235-268, 247-245, 215-279, 279-232).
Tony Reyes, San Jose, Calif., and Jason Queen, Oreana, Ill., also advanced and will face each other in the round of 8.

2002/02/22

　　【PBA】　PBA Flagship Open　【Round 3】

　Before facing Pete Weber in the round of 32 Friday night at Eastway Lanes, rookie Blaise Bedolla told himself he needed to shut out the world.

　Bedolla, Sutherlin, Ore., succeeded in his effort and along the way managed to shut out Weber, too. The 22-year-old shot an 845 three-game series and defeated the PBA Hall of Famer, 3-0 (266-215, 279-245, 300-268).

　"He asked me where I ate lunch today," joked Bedolla. "I just went out there trying to do what I was supposed to do."

　In the final game, Bedolla buried his head in his hands on the bench after nearly every shot - refusing to watch the animated Weber.

　"I wasn't paying attention to his game at all. I know how Pete is and how influential he can be. So I just tried to stay in my own little world."

　Weber seemed stunned afterward and could be heard from the stands saying, "I was hit by a sledgehammer tonight." He shot a solid, 728 series, but still managed to finish 117 pins short of Bedollaﾕs total. "I just got a really bad butt whoopinﾕ," he said.

　Bedolla advances to face 10-time champion Steve Hoskins in tomorrow's round of 16, following the 8 a.m. matches (approximately 10 a.m.). His high finish in seven tournaments this season was in Medford, Ore., where he was eliminated in the round of eight.

　Other round of 16 matches include: Dave D'Entremont vs. Justin Hromek, Mike Edwards vs. Steve Jaros, Steve Wilson vs. Norm Duke, Chris Barnes vs. Tony Reyes, Michael Gaither vs. Jason Queen, Bob Learn Jr. vs. Brian Voss and Mika Koivuniemi vs. Ryan Shafer.

　With three 300 games rolled tonight, 19 perfect scores have been thrown in the tournament. The all-time record (24) was set in Peoria, Ill., in 1995. Chris Barnes threw a 300 in the second game of the night, bringing his tournament total to three. The all-time individual record for 300s in a single tournament (four) is held by John Bauerle Jr. (Erie, Pa., 1999), Dave D'Entremont (Peoria, Ill., 1995) and Walter Ray Williams Jr. (Mechanicsburg, Pa., 1993).

　　【PBA】　PBA Flagship Open　【Round 2】

　Dave D'Entremont clung to the top spot to qualify as the No. 1 seed after the second round of qualifying in the PBA Flagship Open at Eastway Lanes Friday afternoon.

　D'Entremont averaged 242 through the round to build up a three-pin lead over second place finisher Chris Barnes. The Middleburg Heights, Ohio resident has an 18-game, 4,537 pinfall total and a 252 tournament average. D'Entremont fell 159 pins short of breaking the PBA's 18-game scoring record, which was set by Norm Duke in 1994 in Peoria, Ill.

　This is the first time D'Entremont has qualified as the No. 1 and the fourth time he has made it to the round of 32 since the new format began in September of 2001. The five-time PBA titleholder is looking for his first win since 1996 when he won the Tournament of Champion in Lake Zurich, Ill.

　He will face No. 32 seed Lee Vanderhoef in the round of 32.

　Barnes, Dallas, rolled one of the eight perfect games posted during the round to stay near the top of the field. The former PBA Rookie of the Year (1998) won his first title here in 1999 and his most recent in October of 2001 in Hendersonville, Tenn., where he also qualified as the No. 2 position.

　Qualifying third is Ryan Shafer, Elmira, N.Y. Shafer, who also had a 300 game during the round, has a 4,505 pinfall total. The right-hander is searching for his fourth career title.

　Reigning PBA Player of the Year Norm Duke ended the round in fourth place with a 4,479 pinfall total. Duke finished tied for third last week in Latham, N.Y., after he lost to Jason Couch in the semifinals.

　Rounding out the top five is Mike Edwards, Oklahoma City, Okla. (4,479). He has been competing on the tour since 1983 and owns one PBA title, which came in Ontario, Canada, in 1994. Edwards is looking to make his first championship round appearance since November of 1999 when he finished fourth in Indianapolis.

　Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., moved from 47th place to 24th place to make the cut. The 28-time PBA champion averaged 240 and has collected a 4,252 pinfall total. This is the 13th of 16 events Weber has entered with the new format and the PBA Hall of Famer has made it to the top 32 every time and is the only professional to do so.

　Other notables advancing include hometown favorite Bob Learn Jr. (sixth), Brian Voss (11th) and Tommy Delutz Jr. (28th).

　Walter Ray Williams Jr. failed to make the cut, ending in 36th but kept his cashing streak in Erie alive. The PBA has been visiting Erie, Pa., since 1991 (no event in 2001) and Williams has earned a check in every event. His finishes are 1991 - second, 1992 - fourth, 1993 - first, 1994 - third, 1995 - fifth, 1996 - 13th, 1997 - third, 1998 - first, 1999 - 21st and 36th this year.

　Defending champion Robert Smith, Simi Valley, Calif., failed to advance and finished in 45th place. Smith earned his third PBA title last week when he defeated Jason Couch in the title match in Latham, N.Y.

2002/02/21

　　【PBA】　PBA Flagship Open　【Round 1】

　After a 300 score in the final game, Dave D'Entremont set a new nine-game scoring record after the first round of qualifying Thursday in the PBA Flagship Open at Eastway Lanes.

　D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, upended 2,357 pins (261.89 average) to shatter the record set by Jimmy Johnson this past January in Dallas, by 140 pins.

　"That's just the way the lanes are this week," said D'Entremont, who owns five PBA titles. "The scoring is good and the carry is good. It's just a matter of getting the right ball in your hand and making good shots." There were eight 300 games shot in the round.

　D'Entremont, whose last win was the Tournament of Champions in 1996 (Lake Zurich, Ill.), posted a low score of 220 during the round (269, 258, 279, 258, 226, 289, 258, 220, 300).

　"There's been a lot of times this year where 220 has been a great game for me," D'Entremont joked. "So this feels good."

　The 40-year-old had wrist surgery in 2000 and has worked up to using a 15-pound ball after starting rehabilitation with a 13-pounder. He threw a Brunswick Fuze ball during today's round. It was the first time in more than 12 years that he's thrown anything but Track bowling equipment.

　D'Entremont has a chance to surpass the 18-game scoring record Friday afternoon. He needs to topple 2,339 pins (259.89 average) to match the record set by Norm Duke at Peoria, Ill., in 1994.

　Chris Barnes, Dallas, was the first to break the nine-game record when he upended 2,310 pins (256.67 average) on the afternoon's A-squad. The three-time PBA champion shot a 300 in the sixth game and ended the round in second. The former PBA Rookie of the Year (1998) won his first PBA title in Erie, Pa., in 1999.

　"I really feed off the crowd here in Erie," said Barnes. "Not only is it the home of my first title but the fans here are so intense I think its great. Once we get to the single-elimination play this place is going to get out of control and I can't wait."

　Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., is in third (2,294). Hurd owns one PBA title which he won with partner Johnny Petraglia at the 1999 National Bowling Stadium National/Senior Doubles (Reno, Nev.). The only bowler in the Native American Sports Hall of Fame, Mike Edwards, sits in the fourth spot (2,259). Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., rounds out the top five (2,241). Smith finished fifth last week in Latham, N.Y.

　Notables who missed the cut include: Danny Wiseman (67th), Randy Pedersen (75th), Jason Couch (102nd), Parker Bohn III (130th,) and Ricky Ward (131st).

2002/02/17

　　【PBA】　PBA Empire State Open　【Final】

　In a battle of power, Robert Smith defeated Jason Couch to capture his third PBA title in the PBA Empire State Open at Bowlers Club Sunday afternoon.

　Smith, Simi Valley, Calif., earned his third career title and $40,000 by winning, 243-226, in the title match.

　"I knew it was going to be a tough match," said Smith. "But I've been ready for a win for a while now."

　The match went back and forth until the last couple frames of the game when Smith was able to shut out the nine-time PBA titleholder.

　"I love having to close the match and throw the ball for the clutch," said Smith, who was forced to finish first by Couch.

　Smith and Couch, Clermont, Fla., both started the title match with a double to get the game going. In the third frame the two power-players both converted single-pin spares (Smith, 4-pin; Couch, 9-pin).

　Couch, who was making his ninth championship round appearance of the season, started to pull ahead of Smith with a double in the fourth and fifth frames.

　In the fourth frame Smith left the 2-8 combination and picked it up but followed it with a seven-count, leaving the 3-6-10 combination. The 28-year-old converted

　"Those frames were strictly physical, I was getting lazy," said Smith. "I didn't want to give up another win. I had to pull myself back together and refocus."

　Couch broke his string in the sixth frame when his ball went to far left and left the 2-pin. After converting the spare, the 32-year-old left-hander struck on the right lane and returned to the left lane with another nine-count (8-pin), which he also picked up.

　"The lanes started to transition, the left lane was a lot tighter, and I didn't make the right moves," said Couch, who was using a different ball on each lane.

　Smith got back in the groove and strung together a four-bagger in frames six through nine.

　Heading into the 10th frame Smith needed only a mark to shut out Couch.

　Smith struck on the first ball to collect his first win in 16 months.

　"I came into this week with a whole new attitude," said Smith, who was making only his third championship round appearance of the season. "I have a fresh outlook and actually enjoyed bowling this week for the first time in a while."

　Couch doubled in the 10th frame and left a nine count to earn his $20,000 check for second.

　"I felt better about my bowling today though, said Couch. "It always hurts to lose but I'm taking the positive out of it instead of the negative."

　Smith, who qualified as the wild card, advanced to the title match by defeating Dave Traber in the semifinal, 225-224. Traber, Woodstock, Ill., received $10,000 for his third-place (tied) finish.

　Couch made it to the title match by winning over reigning PBA Player of the Year Norm Duke, 245-237. Duke, who was looking for this 20th PBA win, also got $10,000 for third place (tied).

　In the wild card match Smith bested Bryon Smith, 278-201. Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., settled for $9,000 and a fifth-place finish.

2002/02/16

　　【PBA】　PBA Empire State Open　【Round 5】

　Jason Couch earned his second consecutive finals berth after the round of eight in the PBA Empire State Open Saturday night at Bowlers Club.

　Couch, Clermont, Fla., defeated Tommy Delutz Jr., 3-0 (268-211, 223-201, 229-195), and garnered his 10th championship round appearance of the season. The nine-time champion has one title to his credit this season (The Villages, Fla.). He finished tied for third last week (Burlington, N.C.) after losing to Pete Weber in the semifinals.

　"I've got to step up to the plate now," said Couch. "I'm in the player of the year race with guys like Parker (Bohn III) and Pete (Weber). I have to be very focused and determined tomorrow."

　Couch will face Norm Duke in the semifinals. Duke, Clermont, Fla., needed five games to get by Justin Hromek (290-215, 195-207, 246-227, 224-247, 245-193). Duke, who claimed 2000 PBA Player of the Year honors after winning three times that year, is searching for his first title this season. This is his first time facing Couch on TV since he beat him for the PBA National Championship (2000).

　"I know he's probably going to be his little showman self and I'm just going to stand back with a bring-it type smile," Duke warned.

　David Traber, Woodstock, Ill., earned his second finals appearance of the season after disposing of Steve Hoskins, 3-2 (226-201, 182-252, 184-222, 279-187, 279-192). Traber finished tied for third in N. Brunswick, N.J., his highest showing of the season. His last title was in 1998 (Peoria, Ill.). Traber will await the winner of the wild card match in semifinal No. 2.

　Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., will bowl Robert Smith, Simi Valley, Calif., in the opening match. Bryon Smith defeated Robert Smith, 3-1, in the round of eight. But, Robert Smith advanced with the highest tournament average (228.57) of losers in the round. Bryon Smith will target his first career title, while Robert Smith is shooting for win No. 3.

　　【PBA】　PBA Empire State Open　【Round 4】

　Steve Hoskins, Justin Hromek and Robert Smith each advanced with field-best, 6-1 records after the round of 16 in the PBA Empire State Open Saturday afternoon at Bowlers Club.

　Hoskins, Tarpon Springs, Fla., defeated Dave Arnold, 3-0, shooting a 784 three-game series (246, 269, 269). The 10-time champion has failed to advance beyond the round of eight in five appearances this season. His last championship round appearance was the 2001 Japan Cup (Tokyo). Hoskins will bowl David Traber (6-3) in the round of eight.

　Hromek, Andover, Kan., swept Brian Himmler (213-153, 235-192, 245-236). Hromek is also targeting his first finals berth in the new, single-elimination match play format. His last tournament victory was in 1995 (Reno, Nev.). Hromek will take on reigning PBA Player of the Year Norm Duke (6-2).

　After winning his match against Bob Learn Jr., 3-1, Smith moved on to face Bryon Smith (6-4). Robert Smith, a two-time champion, rolled a 279 in the first game versus Learn. Next week, in Erie, Pa., Robert Smith will defend his second career title.

　Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., beat Mike Scroggins in five games (217-192, 235-227, 206-259, 235-247, 209-196). Couch, a nine-time titleholder, has earned finals berths in two of the last three tournaments (PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open, Burlington, N.C.; Las Vegas). Couch (6-3) will bowl Tommy Delutz Jr. (6-3). Delutz won his second career title earlier this season at Uncasville, Conn.

2002/02/15

　　【PBA】　PBA Empire State Open　【Round 3】

　Tommy Delutz Jr. counted on one pin for a win over PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber in the round of 32 in the PBA Empire State Open at Bowlers Club Friday evening.

　Delutz, Flushing, N.Y., won by one pin in the fifth game to defeated Weber, 3-2, (233-217, 165-232, 203-193, 188-213, 180-179). The two-time PBA titleholder, who won his second title earlier this season in Syosset, N.Y., is averaging 219.52 for the tournament.

　"Neither one of us was ever lined up," said Deltuz. "We were both just trying to get by. I was never comfortable after the first game."

　"It's a great feeling to win any match but when you come out on top in a match like that it's just a bonus," said Delutz.

　In a 3-1 match (205-246, 289-207, 247-247, 10-9, 248-195), Norm Duke bested defending champion Parker Bohn III. In the third match, the two tied with a 247 game and struck on their first sudden-death, one-ball roll-off and Bohn left a seven count to lose to Duke's strike. Duke is looking for his first win of the 2001 - 2002 season after winning three of his 19 PBA titles in 2000, earning player of the year honors.

　"I definitely think that was a turning point in the match," said Bohn, who has won here two out of three times. "If you win it, you really get your momentum going and it worked to Duke's advantage."

　Curtis Woods, San Jose, Calif., swept Chris Barnes, Dallas, 3-0 (255-248, 259-181, 238-225) to make it to his first round of 16 appearance. The 28-year-old, who began competing on tour full-time in 1999, is looking to make his first career championship round appearance.

　"I had nothing to lose tonight," commented Woods. "I'm not a top-ranked guy or anything and I think all the pressure was on Barnes. I had a great ball reaction and just made sure to keep myself loose."

　　【PBA】　PBA Empire State Open　【Round 2】

　Mika Koivuniemi feels no added pressure qualifying as the No. 1 match play seed after the second round of qualifying in the PBA Empire State Open Friday afternoon at Bowlers Club.

　Koivuniemi, Finland, posted a 4,291, 18-game pinfall total for a tournament best 238.39 average. The two-time champion recorded the second-highest average of the round (239.22).

　This is Koivuniemi's first appearance in match play as the qualifying leader. He will face No. 32 seed Dave Arnold tonight in a round of 32 best-of-five match.

　When asked if he felt any pressure as the top seed, Koivuniemi answered, "Not really, it's the match that matters right now. This week, it doesn't matter as much because the scores are so much higher."

　Koivuniemi won bowling's U.S. Open in December using his "A-game" of speed and loft control. That's also been the key to his success this week.

　"I've used the same ball since the 7th frame of the first game of qualifying," he said. "I've been able to stand in the same spot and use only that ball (Ebonite Vortex II). I've only had to adjust ball speed and loft."

　Tonight's marquee matches include: Bryon Smith against Danny Wiseman; Tommy Delutz Jr. against Pete Weber, and Parker Bohn III against Norm Duke. For the second-consecutive week, power players Jason Hurd and Robert Smith will face-off in the round of 32. Hurd won last weekﾕs match, 3-0.

2002/02/14

　　【PBA】　PBA Empire State Open　【Round 1】

　Michael Haugen Jr. averaged 241 to take an early lead after the first round of qualifying in the PBA Empire State Open at Bowler's Club Thursday evening.

　Haugen, Victorville, Calif., opened the nine-game round with a high game of 279 and later added a 276 game. He has a 2,170 pinfall total and rolled only one game under 217.

　"I played the gutter the whole time," said Haugen. "I haven't been able to play my "A" game for about three weeks so I told myself the next time I could play out and up the gutter that I better kill them and today I did."

　The 35-year-old right-hander is in search of his first PBA title. The four-time PBA regional champion has made four championship round appearances in his five years on tour and has finished fifth, fourth, third and second in sequential order. His second-place finish came earlier this season in Louisville, Ky., where he lost to Pete Weber in a grueling 289-279 title match.

　Trailing Haugen by five pins is Brian Himmler, Cincinnati. Himmler, who won his lone PBA title in 1999 in Albuquerque, N.M., struggled with flu-like symptoms throughout the round. He managed to post a high game of 268. The 28-year-old has always performed well in this center, finishing 12th in 1999, second to Pete Weber in 2000 and fifth in 2001.

　Capturing third place is Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore. Smith rolled high games of 267, 255 and 246 while building up a 2,152 pinfall total. The eight-year pro is looking for his first PBA title.

　Finishing in fourth place is three-time PBA titleholder Robert Smith. Smith, Simi Valley, Calif., has knocked down 2,148 pins. The power-players first title was a PBA major, the 2000 U.S. Open championship, Phoenix, where he defeated Norm Duke in the title match by one pin. His next win came a few months later in October of 2000 in Erie, Pa., when he faced PBA Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr. in the title match and won. Smith's high finish for the 2001 - 2002 season was in Taylor, Mich., where he finished second to Patrick Allen.

　Rounding out the top five is Mika Koivuniemi, Finland. Koivuniemi has felled 2,138 pins and averaged 237 for the round. He owns two PBA titles, both of which are PBA majors. His first was the 2000 American Bowling Congress (ABC) Masters, Albuquerque, N.M., and his second was the 2001 U.S. Open, Fountain Valley, Calif., which was worth $100,000 for the win.

　Other notables advancing include defending champion Parker Bohn III (21st), Jason Couch (22nd), Chris Barnes (37th), reining PBA Player of the Year Norm Duke (47th), and Pete Weber (60th).

　Those failing to advance include Brian Voss (69th), Patrick Healey Jr. (74th), Steve Wilson (88th) and Mike Aulby (111th).

2002/02/10

　　【PBA】　PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open　【Final】

　Pete Weber needed a clutch split conversion to win his 28th career title Sunday in the PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open at Country Club Lanes West.

　Weber, St. Ann, Mo., cleaned up the 3-4-6-7-10 split in the 10th frame against Roger Bowker and picked up his third win of the 2001-2002 season, 218-214, along with the $40,000 top prize.

　"I said to myself,'you make it - you win, you don't - you lose.' It was as simple as that," said Weber. "Roger (Bowker) was on his good lane. I knew he would double in the 10th."

　"I leave that a lot," Weber said of the split. "So I get a lot of chances to shoot it. I had missed five-in-a-row. That never happens. For some reason, I just knew I was going to make it."

　Weber is now tied with Parker Bohn III for fourth place on the all-time win list. He is now 7-0 in three TV finals appearances this season (Grand Rapids, Mich.; Louisville, Ky.). Bowker, a five-time PBA champion, pocketed $20,000.

　After opening the match with an open frame, Bowker reeled off three straight strikes and a 4-pin spare. He led by 14 pins entering the sixth frame after Weber began with two strikes, an open in the third (7-10) followed by a spare and a strike.

　Then in the sixth, Bowker chopped the 6-pin off a 6-10 spare attempt.

　"That was the heartbreaker," he said. "I never got it off my thumb cleanly. But the bad part was, I had to turn right around and make a great shot on the lane I wasn't sure of (left lane)."

　On that lane, on the very next shot he left a solid 8-10 split and suffered consecutive open frames.

　Weber smelled blood.

　"I was a shark after some raw meat," said Weber about his seventh and eighth frames. "I knew if I doubled there, that would put a lot of pressure on him." He threw the strikes and converted a 10-pin in the ninth frame.

　Bowker finished the match with five straight strikes.

　In the semifinals, Weber beat Jason Couch, 245-182, while Bowker knocked off Wayne Webb, 257-228. Couch, Clermont, Fla., and Webb, Las Vegas, tied for third place with $10,000. In the wild card match Bowker defeated Jason Hurd, 243-177. Hurd, Titusville, Fla., picked up $9,000 in fifth place.

2002/02/09

　　【PBA】　PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open　【Round 5】

　Pete Weber will target his third win of the season tomorrow in the PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open at Country Club Lanes West.

　Weber, St. Ann, Mo., knocked off David Traber, 3-1, Saturday night in the round of 32 and picked up his fourth championship round appearance of 2001-2002. In the PBA's new bracket-style, single-elimination match play format, the 27-time champion is undefeated on TV (5-0) including games of 299 and 289.

　Weber will face Jason Couch in the semifinals. The two bowlers have never faced each other in a televised match.

　Couch, Clermont, Fla., made the finals cut for the second time in three tournaments. The nine-time champion defeated Rudy Kasimakis, 3-1, for his ninth championship round appearance this season. He finished third two weeks ago in Las Vegas. Here last year, Couch was the tournament leader but finished second to Ricky Ward.

　Wayne Webb, Las Vegas, slid past Jason Hurd, 3-2, and advanced to his first finals since he finished seventh in Dallas (2000). The PBA Hall of Famer last tasted victory in 1997 when he won title No. 20 in Lake Grove, N.Y. This marks his first finals berth in the new tournament format. Webb advances to the semifinals and will await the winner of the wild card match.

　Roger Bowker, Ocala, Fla., earned his second finals berth of the season after surviving a five-game match with Parker Bohn III (3-2). Bowker, a five-time champion, finished second to Dave Arnold earlier this season (PBA Miller High Life Open, Indianapolis). His last victory was in 1998 (Austin, Texas).

　Bowker will challenge wild card qualifier Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., in the opening match. Hurd (8-5) advanced based on having more wins than fellow losers Kasimakis and Traber (7-5). All three bowlers tied with the least amount of losses. Hurd won his lone PBA title in 1999 at the National Bowling Stadium National/Senior Doubles with partner Johnny Petraglia (Reno, Nev.).

　　【PBA】　PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open　【Round 4】

　Jason Couch and Pete Weber ousted their opponents to stay alive in the round of 16 in the PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open at Country Club Lanes - West Saturday afternoon.

　Couch, Clermont, Fla., eliminated defending champion Ricky Ward, 3-1 (258-215, 259-172, 225-233, 228-181) to move on. The nine-time PBA titleholder led this tournament in February of 2001 when it consisted of a traditional 24-game match play format and lost in the title match to Ward, North Fort Myers, Fla.

　"I thought about last year's title match every shot," Couch said. "I wanted a little revenge."

　Couch nearly won 3-0 but Ward had to double in the 10th frame of game No. 3 to win and was able to do so after tripping the 6-pin on the first shot.

　"Ricky got lined up earlier than I did in the third game and it became a close match very quickly," said Couch. "When he tripped that pin I had a feeling he would get the second strike. Everybody knows Ricky has been bowling unbelievable lately with a lot of great breaks when he needs them."

　Weber, St. Ann, Mo, also went 3-1 (258-179, 244-206, 214-214, 10-10, 9-10, 255-233) to oust his opponent Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio. The two tied in the third game and Kretzer won after they tied in a sudden-death, one-ball roll-off and Kretzer struck in the second one-ball roll-off and Weber left the 10-pin standing. The PBA Hall of Famer came back to win the next game and remain in the tournament. Weber is looking for his 28th PBA title, which would tie Parker Bohn III for fourth all-time, and is also chasing his third win of the 2001-2002 season.

　Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., bested Brian Voss, Atlanta, in a taxing 3-2 (193-200, 247-225, 161-207, 277-259, 222-214) match. Bohn, who has four wins this season, is making his fifth appearance in the round of 8. The PBA Hall of Famer will face Roger Bowker in the round of 8.

　Bowker, Ocala, Fla., won over Steve Wilson, Lake Worth, Fla., 3-1 (247-221, 243-258, 247-235, 239-198). Bowker is looking to make his second championship round appearance of the season. He finished second in the PBA Miller High Life Open in Indianapolis, this past October.

　In a 3-0 (247-234, 236-203, 207-161) match, Wayne Webb, North Las Vegas, Nev., defeated Steve Hoskins, Tarpon Spring, Fla. Webb, who owns 20 PBA titles, is the only player to have a 6-0 record. The PBA Hall of Famer is looking to make his first championship round appearance since January of 2000 in Dallas, and win his first title since 1997 in Lake Grove, N.Y.

　Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., defeated Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 3-2 (181-206, 223-235, 300-219, 253-194, 203-191). Hurd bowled only the second 300 of the tournament to stay alive in the match. He is searching for his second PBA title.

　In the other two matches Rudy Kasimakis, Gouldsboro, Pa., bested Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 3-0 (234-176, 206-197, 212-192) and David Traber won over Dave Husted, 3-2, (214-216, 277-225, 225-226, 224-218, 238-229).

2002/02/08

　　【PBA】　News

　After his highly anticipated debut on the Senior Tour, Hall of Famer Mark Roth was voted the 2001 Senior Rookie of the Year. He won with 83% of the vote, beating out Henry Gonzalez for the honor.

　During only his fourth event on the tour, Roth won his first senior championship in the PBA Seattle Senior Open on Friday, June 1, 2001. The win made Roth the only senior rookie to win a title last year and the fifth rookie to hold a title since the inception of the Rookie of the Year Award in 1994. In addition to the Seattle Senior Open title, Roth appeared in four championship rounds and earned $31,975.

　Due to his success on the PBA Tour, Roth knew there were high expectations for him to do well in his first year on the Senior Tour. "It took me a while to start winning when I was first on the Tour," Roth said. "This time as a rookie, I was expected to come out and win. Even though I came out bowling pretty well and kept my momentum, it was still hard. Nothing comes easy anymore."
Roth, a right hander, made match play nine times during the tour and averaged 220.11, to place him fourth among the seniors for the year. Roth owns 34 National Tour Titles and many awards including PBA Player of the Year honors (1977-79; '84). He was also inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1987.

　Roth's selection as the Senior Rookie of the Year, makes him the eighth player to receive the award since its inception in 1994.
Past PBA Senior Rookie of the Year Award Winners

　2001　Mark Roth
　2000　Guppy Troup
　1999　Mike Pullin
　1998　Johnny Petraglia
　1997　George Pappas
　1996　Dale Eagle
　1995　Pete Couture
　1994　Larry Laub

　　【PBA】　PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open　【Round 3】

　Brian Voss feels like he's on a roll after the round of 32 Friday night in the PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open at Country Club Lanes West.

　Voss, Atlanta, rallied from a 0-2 deficit and defeated Curtis Odom (3-2). Voss will take on Parker Bohn III in tomorrow morning's 8 a.m. round of 16 matches.

　"I've seen so many guys win those first two games and then the momentum shifts," said Voss. "I just knew if I could keep moving left (on the lane), I would eventually get to him. That's exactly how it happened."

　Voss, who lost the first two games (235-247, 210-213), got back in the match with a 233-159 win in game three.

　But the real turning point game at the end of the fourth game. Odom needed a nine, spare and strike (or strike, nine and spare) in the 10th frame to shut out Voss. He managed only a seven, spare and strike. That meant Voss had to throw all three strikes in the 10th to win by one.

　He did (257-256).

　"That's a huge task, knowing you need all three in the 10th for a win," Voss commented. "At the end of that game, I thought I was going home. I didn't have a chance. Then he just gave me a little window."

　So many times this season, as Voss referred to earlier, that's all it takes.

　"Getting that first win is the momentum builder," Voss noted of the best-of-five matches. "The momentum can shift so fast." He won the deciding game 277-215.

　Just two weeks ago in Las Vegas, Voss broke a 3 1/2 year winless drought with his 21st career title. The victory refreshed his mindset.

　"That lifted a lot of pressure. It did so much for me. Not only financially, but I proved to myself that I can still win. I'm not too old."

　During the winless stretch, the 43-year-old admits to doubting if he could ever win again.

　"There are a lot of young, talented guys out here. I finally proved to myself that I can beat them. For a while, I felt like I wasn't a factor anymore. When I needed to come through in big situations, I didnﾕ't have the confidence. Three years of fighting that is over. That was a huge hurdle to overcome."

　　【PBA】　PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open　【Round 2】

　Parker Bohn III claimed the top spot after the second round of qualifying in the PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open at Country Club Lanes - West Friday afternoon.

　Bohn, Jackson, N.J., rolled a 277 in the last game of the nine-game round to take over the lead. The former PBA Player of the Year (2000) qualified as the No. 1 for the third time since the new format was instituted in September of 2001. He has an 18-game, 4,183 pinfall total and a 232 average. The 28-time PBA titleholder has won four events in the 2001-2002 season and is one of the frontrunners in the player of the year race for 2001-2002.

　"I know its there," said Bohn, commenting on player of the year honors. "But I only look at it briefly, I just go out everyday as if its business as usual. I try to knock down every pin and win every tournament and hopefully that will lead to player of the year honors."

　He currently leads the tour in every statistical category including season earnings ($197,450), average (220.82), wins (four), match play appearances (21), cashes (23) and is tied with Walter Ray Williams Jr. with eight championship round appearances.

　First-round leader Brian Kretzer fell from first to second place. Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, posted only two games under 207 to collect a 4,138 pinfall total. The 35-year-old joined the PBA this past summer and is one of the leading candidates for PBA Rookie of the Year honors.

　Remaining in third place with a 4,122 pinfall total is Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y. Last week Kent finished tied for third in the PBA Dallas Open. He won his fourth and last title in Indianapolis in 2000.

　Making a jump from 15th place to fourth is Robert Smith, Simi Valley, Calif. The 28-year-old right-hander posted high games of 258 and 252 in the round and has a 228 tournament average. The two-time PBA champion has a 4,105 pinfall total. He has made two championship round appearances this season with third and second-place finish. Both of Smith's titles came in 2000 in the U.S. Open, Phoenix, and Erie, Pa.

　Rounding out the top five with a 4,092 pinfall total is Steve Hoskins, Tarpon Springs, Fla. The 10-time PBA titleholder started the round with a high game of 278.

　Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., earned the No. 15 seed. The PBA Hall of Famer, who owns 27 titles, has made it to the round of 32 in every event that he has bowled in since the new format began and has skipped only three of 13 events with the new format (Syosset, N.Y.; Kirkland, Wash.; Dallas).

　Other professionals advancing to the round of 32 include Ricky Ward (sixth), Amleto Monacelli (eighth), Brian Voss (16th), Jason Couch (22nd), Danny Wiseman (24th), Dave Husted (26th) and Del Ballard Jr. (30th).

　Notables failing to advance include Patrick Allen (35th), Bob Learn Jr. (39th), Walter Ray Williams Jr. (41st), Tommy Delutz Jr. (45th) and Ryan Shafer (48th).

2002/02/07

　　【PBA】　PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open　【Round 1】

　Rookie Brian Kretzer needed all his concentration to lead the first round of qualifying Thursday in the PBA Columbia 300 Tar Heel Open at Country Club Lanes West.

　Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, posted a 2,139, nine-game pinfall total for a tournament-leading 237.67 average.

　"I had a couple of bad weeks. I wasn't concentrating on bowing," said Kretzer, who was eliminated after the round of 32 both of the last two weeks. "That made me concentrate more today. It's easy to take it for granted when you're bowling well and making match play cuts."

　In his first 10 tournaments, Kretzer made match play nine times. Since then he's missed two cuts in five tournaments and has failed to threaten as a finalist.

　He made the concentration adjustment he needed with the help of some friends.

　"I had a good cross tonight," he said. "I had a couple of buddies bowling around me (Pete Weber, Mark Mosayebi, Rudy Kasimakis, Patrick Allen and Lonnie Waliczek). That helped keep things loose and helped me pay better attention."

　"We joked that Lonnie (Waliczek) and PA (Patrick Allen) make you concentrate because they take forever when it's their turn to bowl."

　Trailing the leader by 19 pins is Mike DeVaney, Escondido, Calif. The 29-year-old right-hander shot high games of 268 and 259, maintaining all nine games between 209 and 268.

　Doug Kent sits in third place with 2,103 pins felled. Kent, Newark, N.Y., finished tied for third last week (Dallas) in his third finals appearance of the season. PBA Regional champion Paul Nicholas is in fourth place (2,093).

　Five-time champion Roger Bowker, Ocala, Fla., rounds out the top five with 2,084 pins. Bowker is targeting his sixth match play appearance of the season.

　By making the cut in 14th place Jason Couch became the PBA's 23rd millionaire. Entering the tournament he needed only $296 to surpass $1 million in career earnings. By doing so, he tied Pete Weber as the fastest to earn $1 million - 253 tournaments in 10 years.

　Notables who missed the cut include: Chris Barnes (71st), Mika Koivuniemi (72nd), last week's champion Ritchie Allen (88th) and ESPN color analyst Randy Pedersen (108th).

2002/02/04

　　【PBA】　News

　The PBA has named Bob Glass the 2001 PBA Senior Player of the Year for the second consecutive year.

　With four wins in 2001 including the American Bowling Congress (ABC) Senior Masters, Reno, Nevada, Glass led the seniors in nearly every statistical category including wins, season earnings ($78,900), championship round appearances (10), match play appearances (13), points (23,480) and 2001 average (223.19).

　Glass received 94% of the first-place votes to win the honor and was the only person on the ballot to receive multiple votes. Voting for the award was open to the entire PBA membership.

　"I am really surprised to win two years in a row," said Glass. "I never thought that I could duplicate the year I had in 2000 and I not only did that but had a better year in 2001."

　Glass' other wins during the year came in Syracuse, New York; Reading, Pennsylvania and Hammond, Indiana. The 54-year-old, who owns six senior titles overall, is only the third person to win multiple PBA Senior Player of the Year honors since the inception of the award in 1989. John Handegard (1991, '95, '96) and Gary Dickinson (1993, '94, '97) are the only other seniors to accomplish this feat.

　In addition, Glass is just the third senior to win four titles in one year. Both Pete Couture and Dale Eagle won four titles in a year and consequently each was named PBA Senior Player of the Year in 1998 and '99 respectively.

　Glass, who also had one second-place finish, four third-place finishes and one fourth-place finish during the year, won the Dick Weber Senior Point Leader Award for the second-consecutive year, with 23,480 points in 13 events, putting him nearly 4,000 points ahead of Eagle, who came in second in points (19,500). He also won the PBA Senior High Average Award for the third consecutive year. He averaged 223.19 over 13 tournaments and 561 games (the most on the senior circuit) in 2001.

　"When I first won the high average award in 1999 I think it was because I bowled only about half of the events but they were the high-scoring events," said Glass. "But the last two years I have just been bowling great and I have made all the cuts to match play so that gives me a lot of games to build up my average. I do consider it quite an accomplishment. "

2002/02/03

　　【PBA】　PBA Dallas Open　【Final】

　Second-year pro Ritchie Allen captured his first career title in the PBA Dallas Open at Don Carterﾕs All-Star Lanes - West Sunday afternoon.

　Allen, Tulsa, Okla., came back with a clutch strike in the 10th frame in the title match to win over Rick Steelsmith, 245-237, to earn the title and the $40,000.

　"I'm totally stoked," said the 23-year-old, who is suffering from the flu. "This means the world to me - nobody can take it away."

　In the first half of the title match it looked as if Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., would walk away with the victory after throwing strikes in the first five frames.

　Allen, who was making his first championship round appearance of his career, began the game with a converted eight-count (6-10 combination) in the first frame and 8-pin spare in the second frame.

　"I knew I was in trouble when Steelsmith started striking," said Allen. "All of his shots looked perfect."

　Allen began to get dialed-in in the third frame and threw a double followed by a single-pin spare (10-pin), which he picked up.

　Heading into the sixth frame Steelsmith, who received $20,000 for second, was ahead by 31 pins. In the sixth frame, Steelsmith left the 2-pin to break his chance of bowling a perfect game. He picked up the spare and again left a nine count (10-pin) in the next frame but again converted the spare.

　Faced with an opportunity to catch up, Allen strung together strikes from the sixth frame to the ninth. Steelsmith struck in the eighth but then left his third nine count of the game in the ninth frame.

　Forced to finish the match first and unable to shut-out Allen, Steelsmith closed the 10th frame with a 2-pin spare and a strike for a 237.

　"I didn't get over-confident in the beginning of the match," said Steelsmith. "I know that out here you don't ever let up until it is mathematically yours and he was bowling so awesome I knew I had to deliver each shot perfectly. When my speed and loft wasn't exactly right on, I didn't strike."

　Allen need only the first strike and one pin in the 10th frame to win and delivered a perfect ball, followed by a seven-count (3-6-10 combination) to become the PBA's third new champion of the 2001-2002 PBA season.

　"I knew I had to be aggressive and I remained unbelievably calm in at the end," said Allen. "I always knew I could win out here - it was just a matter of time and I guess the time is now."

　Allen advanced to the title match by defeating Tony Reyes in the semifinals, 217-197. Reyes, San Jose, Calif., earned $10,000 for finishing tied for third. This was Reyes' fourth third-place finish of the season.

　Steelsmith moved into the title match by besting Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 218-210. Kent, who got a $10,000 check for a third-place tie, was looking for his fifth PBA win.

　In the wild card match Reyes won over Amleto Monacelli, 200-161. Monacelli, who owns 18 PBA titles, settled for a fifth place and a $9,000 payday.

2002/02/02

　　【PBA】　PBA Dallas Open　【Round 5】

　Tony Reyes pulled out a 3-2 win over Amleto Monacelli to stay alive in the round of eight in the PBA Dallas Open at Don Carter's All-Star Lanes - West Saturday evening.

　Reyes won over Monacelli, 3-2 (231-213, 190-214, 257-258, 233-223, 205-202). Reyes, San Jose, Calif., is searching for his first PBA title. The 28-year-old has made four championship round appearance and three of them have been in the 2001-2002 season. He has a high finish of second, which came in his PBA telecast in 1999 in Lakewood, Calif.

　"I'm not happy just making the show," said Reyes. "I want to win - that's my goal."

　Reyes and Monacelli will re-match in the wild card match.

　Monacelli, Venezuela, is making his second championship round appearance of the season. He owns 18 PBA title and is looking for his first win since 1997 in Bay City, Mich. The PBA Hall of Famer won his 11th PBA title in Grand Prairie, Texas, in 1991.

　In a 3-1 match (214-178, 237-197, 165-180, 256-171), Ritchie Allen, Tulsa, Okla., defeated Mike DeVaney, Escondido, Calif. Allen finished match play with an overall 9-1 game record and a 222.36 tournament average. The 23-year-old has been competing on tour for two years and is making the first championship round appearance of his career.

　"It's not tomorrow yet so it really hasn't hit me," said Allen. "Right now I'm tired and want to get to bed but I'll be ready tomorrow.ﾓ"

　Allen missed the first half of the 2001-2002 PBA season due to an injury in his wrist that occurred during a local tournament in Dallas.

　"I got mad at myself and hit the scoring monitor with my hand," said Allen. "I inflamed all of the tendons and couldn't bowl until the end of November. That was the biggest lesson of my life."

　"I learned to control my emotions and not to let them get the best of me," Allen added. "I've done so much better since the incident and it is paying off."

　Allen will face the winner of the wild card match.

　Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., defeated PBA rookie Mike Machuga, Erie, Pa., 3-2 (267-243, 243-233, 189-195, 211-218, 180-157). Kent, who is a five time PBA titleholder, nearly lost in game five as Machuga could double in the 10th frame to win but left a five count (1-2-4-6-10 combination) to hand Kent the match. Kent will face Rick Steelsmith in the semifinals.

　Steelsmith bested Steve Hoskins, 3-1 (244-235, 212-202, 195-213, 244-235) to advance to the championship round. The Wichita, Kan., resident is making his 19th career championship round appearance and his third of the season. The former PBA Rookie of the Year (1988) owns two PBA titles, a doubles title with Teata Semiz, Buffalo, N.Y., 1991 and the 1997 PBA National Championship, Toledo, Ohio. He also won the 1987 American Bowling Congress (ABC) Masters, Niagara Falls, N.Y., as an amateur.

　　【PBA】　PBA Dallas Open　【Round 4】

　Mike Machuga came back from an 0-2 deficit and advanced after the round of 16 in the PBA Dallas Open at Don Carter's All Star Lanes - West Saturday afternoon.

　Machuga, Erie, Pa., defeated 12-time PBA champion Del Ballard Jr., 3-2 (185-192, 171-190, 288-212, 201-156, 223-195) and will move on to bowl Doug Kent tonight in the round of eight.

　"It was a stressful match," said Machuga. "The 6-pin didn't want to hit the 10-pin too often. Plus, I didn't throw the ball too well in the first two games."

　The 25-year-old, who turned pro last summer after a successful amateur career, matches up with the PBA's new single-elimination match play format.

　"I bowled the High Roller for so long, I got used to the win-or-go-home format. So, it's no big deal being down 0-2. The goal is still to win three straight. That's what you have to do, anyway, in the High Roller.

　"Tonight, it's going to be all about getting comfortable early. You can't be fishing around in match play. That's too much of an advantage for your opponent. You can't be guessing against the best bowlers in the world. These guys are sharp."

　Machuga finished second in his first career finals appearance earlier this season (Erlanger, Ky.), losing to Walter Ray Williams Jr. He is a candidate in a strong class for PBA Rookie of the Year honors.

　Kent, Newark, N.J., knocked off Jeff Carter, 3-1. He is searching for his second finals appearance this season. He finished third in Erlanger, Ky.

　Other players advancing include: Ritchie Allen, Mike DeVaney, Amleto Monacelli, Tony Reyes, Rick Steelsmith and Steve Hoskins.

2002/02/01

　　【PBA】　PBA Dallas Open　【Round 3】

　Second-year touring pro Ritchie Allen conquered PBA Hall of Famer and 34-time titlist Walter Ray Williams Jr. in the round of 32 in the PBA Dallas Open at Don Carter's All-Star Lanes - West Friday evening.

　Allen, Tulsa, Okla., won 3-1 (192-223, 254-236, 218-204, 227-203) over Williams, Ocala, Fla., to advance to the round of 16.

　"I had a good reaction and made my spares," said Allen. "That was enough to get it done."

　Allen, who joined the PBA in 1999 and began touring full-time in 2000, is looking to make his first championship round appearance. Last week in Las Vegas, he had to strike out in the 10th frame against Tommy Jones in the round of 8 to make the championship round but lost the match.

　"I used my loss from last week tonight," Allen said. "It was a good learning experience and I've been thinking about it all week and I want to make up for it."

　This is Allen's eighth event of the 2001-2002 season and his fifth match play appearance.

　"When you come out on tour you set goals for yourself in small steps," said Allen. "First you try and get over the awe of bowling with the heroes you grew up watching then you want to bowl well, then cash, then make match play consistently, then a show and eventually to win a title. I've gotten up to the point where my goal is to make a show and hopefully its right around the corner."

　In a quick 3-0 match (236-206, 224-211, 232-205), Amleto Monacelli defeated defending champion Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. Monacelli, Venezuela, owns 18 PBA titles and is the only international professional to be inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame (1997).

　In another clean sweep, Mike Sealy II, Lebanon, Tenn., defeated Jones, Greenville, S.C. (223-200, 207-168, 213-192). Sealy, who is competing in this sixth event of the season, is looking to make his first career championship round appearance. Jones, who is a rookie on tour, was looking to make his second consecutive championship round appearance.

　In the second game of a 3-1 (264-247, 237-200, 182-223, 215-190) match, Jeff Carter picked up the near-impossible 7-10 split to win over David Traber. Carter, Springfield, Ill., owns three PBA regional titles and is searching for his first national title.

　Jimmy Johnson posted a 299, the highest game in the round, during the second game in a 3-1 (170-237, 299-219, 225-173, 229-172) match against Bryon Smith. Johnson led the first round of qualifying and entered match play as the No. 22 seed. He owns one PBA title, which he won in 1990, his rookie year on tour, in Glendale Heights, Ill.

　Other professionals remaining in the field are Michael Eaton Jr., Brian Himmler, Mike DeVaney, Tony Reyes, Eric Forkel, Rick Steelsmith, Mike Machuga, Del Ballard Jr., Jeff Carter, Brian Voss, Steve Hoskins and Doug Kent.

　　【PBA】　PBA Dallas Open　【Round 2】

　Rookie Tommy Jones earned the No. 1 match play seed after the second round of qualifying in the PBA Dallas Open at Don Carter's All Star Lanes - West Friday afternoon.

　Jones, Greenville, S.C., averaged 233.33 in the nine-game round and pushed his 18-game pinfall total to 4,156 (230.89 average).

　"This week has been all about staying patient and feeding off the confidence I picked up last week," said Jones, who finished tied for third last week in his first finals appearance (Las Vegas).

　"You always have to stay patient, but especially this week because the scores are a little higher. You can't get frustrated if you don't throw a 260 every game."

　The 23-year-old right-hander posted the highest average in the round (242-235-268-197-257-226-244-217-214).

　One of the leading candidates for 2002 PBA Rookie of the Year, Jones has a 13-12 record in four, single-elimination match play appearances this season. He was 9-3 last week.

　"My strategy has been, just stay clean and make them (opponents) beat you. Usually if you make them work, in five games, you're going to get them."

　Jones will face the No. 32 seed, Mike Sealy II, tonight in the round of 32.

　Defending champion and 2000 PBA Player of the Year, Norm Duke qualified in the 21st spot and will face PBA Hall of Famer Amleto Monacelli. 34-time champion Walter Ray Williams Jr. qualified 17th and will bowl second-year pro Ritchie Allen. Locals Del Ballard Jr. (N. Richland Hills, Texas) and 1999 PBA Rookie of the Year Paul Fleming (Bedford, Texas) both advanced. Ballard will bowl rookie Brian Kretzer while Fleming takes on Mike DeVaney.