PBA to Open Membership to Women

Baker Alive for Five

Needing to mark in the 10th frame to win the PBA World Championship, Tom Baker converted a 7-pin spare to defeat Mika Koivuniemi, 246-239, Sunday at Eastern Michigan University's Convocation Center.

The victory gives Baker, who started the week 67th on the PBA World Point Rankings, his first career major Tour title, 10th career title, the $120,000 first place prize and a record five-year Tour exemption.

Baker, Buffalo, N.Y., threw six strikes in his first seven shots to open the match, but a spare in the 8th frame opened the game back up for Koivuniemi. The Ann Arbor, Mich. resident, who finished this season with two Tour titles, ended the game with two marks in the 10th, putting the pressure back on Baker.

With his first shot, Baker looked like he would leave the 7-10 split, but a rolling pin knocked over the 10 pin, allowing him to pick up the 7 pin with his second shot. On his third and final throw, Baker struck to end the game.

"It's a story I can't believe," said Baker, who is the second oldest player to win a major Tour title at 49 years, six months and nine days old (Ernie Schlegel won the TPC in 1995 at age 52). "This means so much to me from where I was. This week is by far the highlight of my career. I just couldn't believe it."

In the semi-finals, Koivuniemi defeated Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, 225-193. Despite an open in the 4th frame, Koivuniemi struck on his final five shots to force Malott to strike out to tie. The second-year pro left two pins on his first shot in the 10th frame to give Koivuniemi the win.

In the first semi-final, Baker defeated Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 277-243. Although Baker struck in 10 of 12 shots, it was Angelo's four consecutive spares beginning in the 6th frame that allowed Baker to take the lead, and advance into the World Championship finals.

Koivuniemi won $50,000 for his second place finish. Angelo and Malott won $20,000 for their third place finish. This week's $438,000 tournament purse ties a tournament record set in the 2003 PBA World Championship.

Today's championship concludes the 2003-04 PBA Tour season.

Notes
Team Geico (Steve Jaros, Mika Koivuniemi, Tom Baker) entered the week third on the PBA Team Championship rankings. However with Koivuniemi and Baker earning a combined 90,000 points for their appearance in the finals of the World Championship, Team Geico has now moved ahead of both Team Odor-Eaters and Team Miller Lite to capture the first season-long team championship.

With his tie for third place in the PBA World Championships, Wes Malott moved up to 17th place on the PBA World Point Rankings. Malott's point total was not enough to knock Brian Voss out of the 16th and final spot for the 2004 Japan Cup.

Koivuniemi's $50,000 second place prize moves him into first place on the season money list. Koivuniemi, who passed Walter Ray Williams Jr., finished the season with $238,590, which is Koivuniemi's personal best as a professional.

Malott Sweeps Into Finals

Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, struck with his first two shots in the 10th frame to secure a three-games-to-none win over Walter Ray Williams Jr. Saturday in the round of 8 in the PBA World Championship at Eastern Michigan University's Convocation Center.

Williams, the defending PBA World Champion, led by nine pins after the 6th frame but threw two consecutive splits to open the door for Malott. Malott answered with a strike in the 7th and spare in the 8th to take a six pin lead after eight. The second-year pro then finished the game with three strikes and a seven count, winning 226-216.

"The bonus for me was that I beat him at his own game," Malott said. "I threw it straight and needed to stay focused. My focus this week has been unbelievable. Hopefully, I can take it with me tomorrow. This is a huge turning point in my career."

Tom Baker, Buffalo, N.Y., defeated Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 3-0. Baker, who started out the week ranked 67th on the PBA World Point Rankings, took advantage of Smith opening the third game with five straight spares. Baker's three strikes in his final five frames clinched the win, and advanced him to the championship round for the first time this season.

Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y. defeated Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill, 3-0. The final game came down to Jaros' last frame, where he failed to strike out, instead leaving a 4-9 split on his first shot. Angelo will face his close friend and roommate on the road, Baker, in the first semi-final.

Mika Koivuniemi, Ann Arbor, Mich., defeated Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 3-0 to advance to the World Championship finals for the first time in his career. Koivuniemi will face Malott in the semi-finals.

Notes
If Wes Malott advances to the finals of tomorrow's PBA World Championships, he will pass Brian Voss for 16th place on the points list, and take the final spot for the 2004 Japan Cup ... After today's action, all 50 spots are now secure for the all-exempt Tour next season...Richard Wolfe's tie for 15th place in the World Championships places him in next year's Tour and bumps Chris Hayden out.

Jaros Simply Super

Steve Jaros moved one step closer to a possible PBA Player of the Year award when he defeated a red-hot Rick Lawrence, four-games-to-none, in the round of 16 Friday night in the PBA World Championship at Taylor Lanes.

Jaros, who has captured three of his six career PBA Tour titles this season, struck in 30 of 45 total frames while averaging 246.50 in the sweep of Lawrence, Dallas, who earlier defeated top qualifier Mike DeVaney, 4-1, in the round of 32.

"At least now I'm on equal ground with everyone else in the Player of the Year race," said Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill. "I still feel like destiny is in my own hands."

Jaros, who will face Michael Haugen Jr. on Saturday, is competing for the award along with Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Pete Weber. Williams, Ocala, Fla., and Weber, St. Ann, Mo., received byes to the Super 16 round with their top 8 point rankings this season.

In other matches, PBA Hall of Famer Tom Baker, Buffalo, N.Y., defeated Shannon Buchan, Waterloo, Iowa, 4-3, to climb into 49th place in the PBA World Point Rankings. Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., defeated Hall of Famer Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 4-3, while Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., beat Kerry Kreft, Madison Heights, Mich., 4-1.

Notes: Voss' performance this week moved him up to 16th place in the PBA World Point Rankings. He knocked Robert Smith out of the 16th spot - the final point ranking that is eligible for the 2004 Japan Cup.

DeVaney Leads As Other Bubbles Are Burst

Mike DeVaney continued his scorching run through qualifying by shooting 1,316 in his final six games, pushing his total to a 6,845 30-game pinfall to lead the PBA World Championship at Taylor Lanes.

DeVaney, Escondido, Calif., rolled a high game of 267 during his last six-game set to extend his qualifying lead to 243 pins over Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., with 6,602. DeVaney began his lead in the second round of the tournament, a feat he also accomplished last year before being swept in the first round of match play by David Traber.

"Last year's format was different because we had to bowl match play the same day as qualifying, and I was a little exhausted when match play began," said DeVaney, who averaged 228.17 during the first four days of competition. "I put my game into cruise control today to try and avoid a repeat of last year."

Justin Hromek, Towanda, Kan., is 3rd with 6,586, while Rick Lawrence, Dallas, moved into 4th place after posting 6,576. Patrick Healey Jr., who has won two titles this season including the Tournament of Champions, is 5th with 6,564.

Mike Aulby, Indianapolis, finished with 6,028 in 71st place in his final tournament as a touring player. The 27-time titlist announced his retirement earlier this season to start spending more time with his family and pursue business ventures.

Jack Jurek, Eric Forkel, Bryon Smith, Rick Lawrence and Richard Wolfe made the cut into the round of 32 match play and keep their dreams of making their exempt Tour alive. Also included on this list are Tim Penner, Mike Edwards, Randy Weiss, Jason Williams, Shannon Buchan, David Ozio, Tom Baker and Brian Hatcher.

Among the bowlers who missed the cut to the round of 32 and will have to go to Tour Trials to make next year's exempt Tour include: Del Ballard Jr., Blaise Bedolla, Thomas Smallwood, Brandon Hilgendorf, Tim Mack, Jeff Lizzi, Ricky Ward, Ronnie Russell, Jeff Carter, Dave Arnold, Bryan Goebel, Steve Hoskins, Randy Pedersen and Eugene McCune.

Notes: Paul Fleming withdrew from competition after his wife went into labor with their second child...Fleming was 36th in the PBA World Point Rankings entering Thursday's action.

DeVaney Still On Top

Mike DeVaney shot a 1,322 over six games Wednesday for a 4,156 18-game pinfall to maintain his overall lead after three rounds of qualifying in the PBA World Championship at Taylor Lanes.

DeVaney, Escondido, Calif., rolled a high game of 246 on the day and has averaged 230.89 over the entire tournament. DeVaney also led last year's World Championship after qualifying before being swept in four games by David Traber in the first round of match play.

"I made a few mental errors today and didn't bowl as well as I though I should have," said DeVaney, who averaged 220.33 today. "But this is a longer format than a regular tournament, so I feel a little comfortable that I will bowl better tomorrow."

Justin Hromek, Towanda, Kan., jumped from 16th yesterday into 2nd place today with 4,018. Randy Weiss, Irmo, S.C., moved from 2nd to 3rd after posting 4,011.

Shannon Buchan, Waterloo, Iowa, retained his position in 4th place with 3,993, and 21-time titlist Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., is 5th after rolling 3,971. Twenty-seven-time titlist Mike Aulby, who is retiring from the Tour after the tournament is complete, is in 70th place with 3,676.

Among the bowlers missing the cut to the top 80 competitors are both PBA Rookie of the Year candidates Tore Torgersen (tied for 89th) and Chris Johnson (127th), Robert Smith (84th), who has won twice this season and 2003 PBA Miller High Life champion Brian Himmler (162nd).

Still alive to make the top 49 are Ricky Ward, Steve Hoskins, Jeff Carter, Jeff Lizzi, Rick Lawrence, Thomas Smallwood, Bryan Goebel, Tim Mack, Dave Arnold, Blaise Bedolla, Randy Pedersen, Eugene McCune, Tom Baker, Del Ballard Jr., Brian Hatcher and Buchan.

Bowlers who missed the cut and will have to go to Tour Trials to make the exempt Tour include Ritchie Allen, Chris Hayden, Brian Kretzer, Riga Kalfas, Jim Tomek Jr. and Rudy Kasimakis.

Deja Vu For DeVaney in the World Championship

Mike DeVaney is becoming very comfortable bowling at Taylor Lanes, site of the PBA World Championship, after shooting a 2,834 12-game pinfall Tuesday to take the overall qualifying lead.

DeVaney, Escondido, Calif., led qualifying from the second round on in last year's World Championship before being swept in the first round of match play by David Traber in four games. Even though he continues to bowl well, DeVaney is very aware of what occurred last year.

"I have to be patient on the lanes and focus on making good shots because I don't want a repeat of what happened last year," said DeVaney, whose only title came in the 2003 PBA Geico Earl Anthony Classic.

DeVaney holds a comfortable 69-pin lead over yesterday's leader Randy Weiss, Irmo, S.C., who slipped into 2nd place with 2,765. Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill., this season's only three-time titlist, is 3rd with 2,703, while Shannon Buchan, Waterloo, Iowa, shot 278 and 269 en route to finishing with 2,686, good for 4th place.

Eighteen-year-old rookie Brandon Hilgendorf, Clinton Township, Mich., rolled a 2,683 and is 5th. Tim Mack, Garfield, N.J., the 32-year-old rookie and former World Amateur Bowler of the Year, is 6th after shooting 2,676, and 21-time titlist Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., is one pin behind Mack with 2,675 in 7th.

Bowlers over three squads will return Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET to roll another six game set, after which the 236-man field will be cut to the top 80 competitors. The top 80 will roll two six-game sets Thursday, then be reduced to the top 32 for best-of-seven match play. Match play is a single-elimination, bracket format where bowlers are ranked based on the previous 20 PBA Tour events.

Weiss Making His Case

Randy Weiss shot a 1,494 six-game pinfall, including a 290 in his final game, to lead after the opening round of qualifying Monday in the PBA World Championship at Taylor Lanes.

Weiss, Irmo, S.C., opened up with a 256 before his low game of 205 in game two. Weiss would go on to shoot 257, 263, and 223, rounding out the day with a 290 to average 249.00.

"My ball tends to strike in this center a lot and hopefully I can keep it up," said Weiss, who finished 17th in last year's PBA World Championship.

With only 50 bowlers making next year's all-exempt 64-man Tour through points, Weiss knows he must win this week, or bowl the Tour Trials in June, to be exempt. Ranking 103rd in the PBA World Point Rankings, Weiss is too far removed from the top 50 to be exempt with a good showing this week.

"I can't think about it or else I will not be able to bowl well," said the four-year pro. "But unless I win, I know I will have to bowl at the Tour Trials to make it next year."

Brandon Hilgendorf, Clinton Township, Mich., is 2nd after shooting 1,449. Mike DeVaney, Escondido, Calif., is 3rd with 1,419 while 10-time title winner Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, who has been battling a wrist injury for the last month, is 4th with 1,403.

Tom Baker, Buffalo, is 5th after rolling 1,393 to average 232.17. Baker, a 28-year pro, is 67th in the PBA World Point Rankings, 17,185 points behind No. 49 Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., for the final points spot on the exempt Tour.

Jaros Captures Third Title of the Season

Steve Jaros made a big statement in his quest to win the PBA Player of the Year award by defeating Dave D'Entremont, 257-195, Sunday to capture his third title of the season in the PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic at Woodland Bowl.

Jaros failed to strike in his first three frames, while D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, spared twice and struck to take the early lead. However, Jaros struck on his next eight shots, while D'Entremont missed sparing the 10-pin in a critical 7th frame shot.

"The key was making sure I stayed up on how the lanes were changing," said Jaros, who took home $40,000. "I'm taking a few more gambles than I used to, and it's starting to pay off. Right now, I have to think I'm the favorite for Player of the Year."

Jaros, whose three titles are the most on Tour this season, has matched his career total of three coming into the season. Prior to that, his last title came in the 1999 PBA Chattanooga Open.

In the first semifinal, Jaros threw a spare in the first frame, then went on to strike in his next six shots to put the pressure on Michael Haugen Jr., who was making his first finals appearance of the season. Haugen, Victorville, Calif., struck in his first five shots, but left the 4-6-7 split in the 6th frame, as Jaros went on to a 248-223 victory.

The other semifinal pitted D'Entremont against Jeff Zaffino, Warren, Pa., who had won 11 consecutive match play games entering the finals. Despite leaving three open frames through the first seven frames, Zaffino had a chance to strike out in the 10th frame to win, but left the 4-pin as D'Entremont won, 233-186.

In the wildcard match, D'Entremont struck in eight of 12 shots to defeat Chris Barnes, 233-186. Barnes, Dallas, who leads the Tour with seven championship round appearances, left the 10-pin on the right lane four consecutive times, giving D'Entremont the win.

D'Entremont won $20,000 for his 2nd place finish, while Haugen and Zaffino each won $10,000 as they tied for 3rd. Barnes took home $9,000 for 5th place.

Zaffino Advances to Third Career Finals

Jeff Zaffino, Warren, Pa., struck in nine of 12 shots and advanced to the finals of the PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic by sweeping Ricky Ward, North Fort Myers, Fla., four-games-to-none in the round of 8 Saturday at Woodland Bowl.

Zaffino, who has only bowled in seven PBA tournaments this season, took an early 2-0 lead after defeating Ward 245-236 in game one and 226-207 in game two. Zaffino used a 30-26 sudden death roll-off win to take game three and then closed out the match with a 256-203 win to advance to the finals for the first time since 2000.

"I just won a regional on this same pattern," said Zaffino, who picked up a PBA Regional title in South Bend, Ind., last Sunday. "It was like I never left it. Tomorrow I'll do the same thing, no different than today. I'm, as they say, in the zone."

Chris Barnes, Dallas, defeated Mika Koivuniemi, Ann Arbor, Mich., 4-3, to advance to a PBA-best seventh championship appearance of the season. Barnes struck in his final five shots, to take the decisive seventh game, 259-238.

Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill., defeated rookie Chris Loschetter, West Melbourne, Fla., 4-1. Jaros, who has won two Tour titles this season including the PBA Days Inn Open two weeks ago, clinched the match with a 213-130 win in game five.

Michael Haugen Jr., Victorville, Calif., defeated Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 4-2, to advance to the finals for the first time this season and the first time since last year's U.S. Open in Fountain Valley, Calif. D'Entremont, the top qualifier among the four bowlers who lost in the round of 8, will face Barnes in the wildcard match.

　

　　【PBA】　PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic　【Round 4】

Haugen Moves Closer to Securing Top 8 Spot

Michael Haugen Jr. moved one step closer to solidifying himself as the eighth and final bowler to clinch a spot in the Super 16 round in the World Championships by sweeping Jeff Lizzi four-games-to-none in the round of 32 Friday evening in the PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic.

Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, had a chance to win the first game by striking out in the 10th frame, but could only manage a spare, as Haugen narrowly won, 201-193. After winning the second game, Haugen won another close one in game three, 237-222.

"I feel really good on this pattern, but my work is far from done," said Haugen, who closed out the match with a 246-210 victory. "Getting to the round of 16 tomorrow is just another step, but I think to make sure I'm that eighth guy, I have to make it to the finals."

Coming into the week, Haugen, Victorville, Calif., was 9th on the PBA World Point Rankings with 161,150 points, but moved ahead of Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., for the eighth spot after Waliczek, 165,480, failed to make the round of 64.

The PBA World Championships, which is the final event of the PBA Tour season, automatically seeds the top 8 bowlers on the PBA World Point Rankings into the round of 16. While the top seven bowlers have already been determined, the eighth and final spot remains up for grabs.

Joining Haugen in the race for the last spot is Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, who swept Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., in four games. Entering the week, Monacelli was 11th on the points list with 157,365 points, and right behind him in 12th is last week's winner, Mike Scroggins, who defeated Dave Arnold, Reno, Nev., 4-3.

Qualifying leader Pete Weber, St. Ann., Mo., was upset by Chris Loschetter, as the top three seeds all lost in the round of 32, including Walter Ray Williams Jr. and points leader Brad Angelo. Loschetter, West Melbourne, Fla., was up 2-0, but after Weber evened the match at two, Loschetter took the final two games to win, 4-2.

　

　　【PBA】　PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic　【Round 2】

Monacelli Has Monster Round

Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, tossed his 44th career 300 game en route to taking the lead in the first round of qualifying with an 2,207 nine-game pinfall Thursday evening in the PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic at Woodland Bowl.

Monacelli, the only international player to be inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame, opened up his session with a 290 before logging games of 216, 226 and 258. He closed out his set with scores of 300, 248 and 183.

"(Winning another event) is always something in the back of my head," said Monacelli, who has not won since the 1997 season. "I want to work on my physical game...It's a good feeling to lead, but I don't want to look too far ahead. I have to take it game-by-game."

An 18-time PBA Tour title winner, Monacelli sits 11th in the PBA World Point Rankings, and has assured himself an exemption in next season's all-exempt field.

Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, led the early session with 2,202, and currently sits in 2nd place. Mika Koivuniemi, Finland, is in 3rd with 2,140.

Hometown favorite and PBA Hall of Famer Mike Aulby, Indianapolis, missed the cut by 16 pins, finishing 74th with 1,880. The 27-time Tour title winner will be retiring after the upcoming PBA World Championship.

Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., and Randy Pedersen, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. sit tied for 18th with 2,026, while left-hander Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., sits in 31st place with 1,986.

Bowlers on the "bubble" had mixed performances Thursday. Jeff Lizzi, currently 54th in the point rankings, shot 2,207 and stands in 16th place heading into Friday's action. Ronnie Russell, 48th on the points list, shot 1,947 and is in 41st place. Some "bubble" bowlers failed to have strong outings. Bryan Goebel, currently in 57th place in the point rankings, finished 107th with 1,797. Rick Lawrence, 47th on the points list, was 126th with 1,746.

Lonnie Waliczek's chances of holding on to the 8th slot in the point rankings - and a bye into the super 16 round of the PBA World Championship - may have slipped a bit after he finished Thursday in 86th place. Michael Haugen Jr., Doug Kent and Monacelli, currently 9th-11th in the points list, respectively, advanced to the round of 64. Haugen and Kent were within 5,000 points of Waliczek while Monacelli was within 8,000 points.

As it stands now, if Haugen (161,150 points) finishes 33rd or better, and Kent (161,020) finishes 32nd or better, they will overtake Waliczek. If Monacelli can finish 19th or better, he too would overtake Waliczek.

　

　　【PBA】　PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic　【Round 1 - A Squad】