プロボウリング情報
2014/01/30

 

 

斉藤茂雄
会場： イーグルボウル

 

2014/01/29

 

 

斉藤琢哉
会場： JFE千葉リバーレーン

 

2014/01/28

 

 

水野成祐
会場： 品川プリンスホテルボウリングセンター

 

姫路 麗 　優勝！

南は宮崎で若手男子が熱戦を繰り広げた二日間、時を同じくして関西では兵庫・神戸で女子トッププロ達が集結し、華やかなる戦いを見せました。

関西の強豪女子アマも加わりハイレベルな戦いとなった今年のKOBE・BCレディースオープン、エリミネーター方式の決勝を勝ち上がった姫路 麗と丹生愛子選手
がタイトルマッチで激突。プロのプライドを賭けた姫路が264ピンのビッグゲームを打って大会初制覇を果たしました。

 

2014/01/27

 

 

木村広人
会場： 宮崎エースレーン

 

加藤祐哉 優勝！

1/25（土）・26（日）の2日間にわたり、プロでは39歳以下の若手男子のみが参加出来る異色の承認大会、U39 PROBOWLING TOUR 2014宮崎サンシャインボウリングフェスティバルが宮崎エースレーンにて開催されました。

予選・準決勝トータル11Gを投げて山本 勲、加藤祐哉、玉井慎一郎、井口直之ら上位4名が決勝シュートアウトへ進出。

予選から首位を守る山本が268ピン、その後へ233ピンを打った加藤が続き、兄弟弟子同士の対決となった優勝決定戦は、2つのオープンフレームを出してしまった山本を加藤が60ピン以上の差をつけて下し、JAPANCUP王者の貫禄を見せました。

 

2014/01/26

 

Australia’s Jason Belmonte Strikes on Final Shot to Win Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions, 219-218

Australia’s Jason Belmonte, with a strike on his final ball, defeated Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, to win the Barbasol Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions by a single pin Sunday at Thunderbowl Lanes.

Belmonte, a 30-year-old two-handed player, defeated Malott, 219-218, after earning the top berth in the stepladder finals by 363 pins over England’s Dom Barrett, but he escaped with his one-pin victory when Malott left an 8 pin on his first shot in the 10th frame.

Belmonte collected his eighth career victory and second PBA major title just a week after being named 2012-13 PBA Player of the Year. He also earned $40,000 and a celebratory Barbasol shaving cream pie-in-the-fame from close friend and fellow competitor Bill O’Neill.

“I got extremely lucky,” Belmonte said. “When it really counted, I didn’t throw a good shot and gave Wes a chance. I was pretty sure he was going to win. I couldn’t believe it when I looked up and saw the 8 pin standing.”

The victory avenged Belmonte’s 214-156 loss to Malott in the 2013 U.S. Open title match, another tournament Belmonte had dominated until the final game.

“Other than the U.S. Open, this was one of my best start-to-finish performances ever,” Belmonte said. “I’m extremely proud to put my name on this trophy.

“To win a major championship and player of the year in the same week? That’s pretty tough to beat,” he grinned.

Malott advanced to the title match with a 205-202 victory over Barrett, the 2013 PBA World Champion, in a contest where strikes were hard to come by late in the game. Barrett failed to convert the 2-8-10 split in the seventh frame, giving Malott the edge. But Malott was unable to take advantage, leaving four consecutive 10 pins to keep Barrett in the match. Needing a strike on his first shot in the 10th frame to win, Barrett also left a 10 pin.

In the second match, Dan MacLelland made a fatal mistake when he left the 4-6-7-10 split in the fourth frame and failed to convert. Malott struck on eight of his final nine shots to race away with a 248-199 win to end MacLelland’s hopes of becoming the first Canadian to win a PBA Tour title.

In the opening match, MacLelland, a fifth-year PBA player making his seventh career television appearance, eliminated defending Tournament of Champions winner Pete Weber of St. Ann, Mo., 259-211. Weber, a 37-time PBA champion who was making his 133rd television appearance, made two uncharacteristic mistakes – failing to convert the 3-10 split in the first frame and missing the 3-6-10 in the fifth – and MacLelland answered with a string of eight strikes to end the 51-year-old Weber’s bid for a record 11th PBA major title.

 

 

さる1/20（月）、品川プリンスホテルにてボウリング場協会賀詞交歓会が催され、その席上にて東京運動記者クラブボウリング分科会による2013年度ボウリング表彰が行われました。

プロボウラー最優秀選手賞は悲願の三冠を達成した松永裕美が受賞。ルーキーイヤーに全日本プロ選手権優勝を果たし、ポイントランキングトップに登り詰めた藤井信人が優秀選手賞とニュースター賞のダブルで受賞し、JAPANCUPで25年ぶりの日本人優勝を果たした加藤祐哉が特別賞を受賞致しました。

 

2014/01/21

 

Jason Belmonte Leads Group of Major Winners Advancing to Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions Finals

Australian Jason Belmonte led a group of four reigning Professional Bowlers Association major tournament titlists who qualified for the stepladder finals of the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions Tuesday at Thunderbowl Lanes.

It marked the first time that four reigning major winners have qualified for the finals which will be telecast live Sunday on ESPN at noon ET.

Belmonte, the newly crowned 2012-13 PBA Player of the Year, and the winner of the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Masters is one win away from winning his second major title.

“It was really important to make it the finals after just getting Player of the Year,” said Belmonte, who averaged 243 for the tournament. “I wanted to keep the momentum going. You don’t have that many opportunities to be in this spot especially in a major so you really want to take advantage of these situations.”

After leading four of five qualifying rounds and all three match play rounds, Belmonte finished with an 18-6 match play record and 12,451 49-game pinfall (including bonus for match wins) to finish 363 pins ahead of no. 2 qualifier three-time Tour winner Dom Barrett of England who won the PBA World Championship last November in Las Vegas. Barrett finished with a 12,088 overall pinfall and 16-7-1 match play record.

A seven-time PBA Tour winner, Belmonte, who uses a unique two-handed delivery, is trying to win his first Tournament of Champions title after finishing second in 2013 and third in 2012.

Qualifying third with the help of a 17-6-1 match play record was 2013 U.S. Open winner Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas. Finishing with a 11,974 pinfall, The 2008-09 Player of the Year will be trying for his 10th Tour title and second major.

Qualifying fourth was Dan MacLelland of Canada who finished with a 11,687 pinfall and a 15-9 match play record. He will be trying for his first PBA Tour title.

Qualifying for the fifth and final spot with a 15-9 match play record and 11,671 pinfall was defending champion Pete Weber of St. Ann, Mo. Weber won the 2013 Tournament of Champions by defeating Belmonte 224-179 in the title match. The win tied Earl Anthony for most PBA major titles (10) and he became the only player to win PBA’s Triple Crown twice.

At age 50, the PBA Hall of Famer also became the oldest player to win the title and moved into a tie for third with Norm Duke on the all-time Tour titles list with 37 wins. A win would make Weber the third three-time champion, joining fellow Hall of Famers Mike Durbin and Jason Couch who also accomplished the feat.

The stepladder finals will also feature the return of the revolutionary blue lane conditioning oil that was introduced at the World Series of Bowling last November. The blue oil provides fans with a visual reference for PBA lane conditioning oil application and the challenges players face.

 

With One Match Play Round Remaining, Belmonte Extends Lead in Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions

With an 11-5 overall record in match play, Australian Jason Belmonte takes a commanding 308-pin lead heading into tonight’s final round of match play in the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions at Thunderbowl Lanes.

The 24 player match play field will compete in the final eight-game match play round tonight at 6 p.m. ET. With Belmonte in command as tournament leader, the four remaining spots will be determined for Sunday’s live ESPN stepladder finals at noon ET.

Belmonte is trying to win his first TOC title after finishing second in 2013 and third in 2012. It would also be his second major after winning the USBC Masters last season.

Trailing Belmonte who has a 10,377 41-game overall pinfall total (with bonus pins) is nine-time tour winner and 2013 U.S. Open winner Wes Malott who takes a 13-2-1 overall record and a 10,069 into tonight’s final round.

Three-time Tour winner Dom Barrett of England, who won the PBA World Championship last November in Las Vegas, is in third with 11-4-1 record and 10,017 pinfall.

Dan MacLelland of Canada is in fourth with a 10-6 record and 9,813 pinfall and 2006 Tournament of Champions winner Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas rounds out the top five with a 9-7 record and 9,777 pinfall total.

Hoping to break into the top five will be defending and 1987 Tournament of Champions winner Pete Weber in sixth, 49 pins back of Barnes. Weber will be trying to become only the third three-time Tournament of Champions winner. Fellow Hall of Famers Mike Durbin and Jason Couch have also accomplished the feat.

2011 Tournament of Champions winner, Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland, Mich., is in seventh 142 pins back of the fifth spot. The 13-time PBA Tour champion will be trying for his second consecutive Tour win. Koivuniemi won the recent Brunswick Ballmaster tournament in his native Finland for his 13th Tour title.

 

2014/01/20

 

Australia’s Belmonte Leads Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions After First Round of Match Play

With a 5-3 record, 2012-13 PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte of Australia, held a 249–pin lead over Dom Barrett of England after the first round of match play in the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions Monday night at Thunderbowl Lanes.

The 24 players still in contention will bowl two more eight-game match play rounds Tuesday to determine the five players who will compete in Sunday’s live stepladder finals on ESPN at noon ET.

Belmonte, a seven-time Tour winner, who is trying for his first Tournament of Champions title after finishing second in 2012 and third in 2013, finished with an 8,239 33-game pinfall including bonus for match wins. A win would also be his second major title after having won the United States Bowling Congress Masters in 2013.

“I started slow and finished strong, said Belmonte, who has led since the tournament’s second round. “I thought the conditions would play more into my hands toward the end of the round and I would have the opportunity to put up some big numbers. That’s the goal put up the big numbers and add to the lead.”

Barrett, the winner of the PBA World Championship last November in Las Vegas had a 6-2 match play record and finished the round with 7,990. Sixteen-time Tour titlist and 2006 Tournament of Champions winner Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, is in third finishing the round with a 5-3 record and a 7,880 total.

Rounding out the top five were 2013 U.S. Open winner Wes Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, who finished the round in fourth with a 6-1-1 record and 7,876 total, and Dan MacLelland of Canada who ended the round with a 5-3 record 7,861 total.

Among other Tournament of Champions winners in the top 24 were defending champion and 1987 winner Pete Weber in 7th, 2011 winner Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland, Mich. in 15th, 2007 winner Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., in 16th, and 2012 winner and 2011-12 Player of the Year Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., in 17th.

First alternate, 2009 PBA World Championship winner Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., who was runner-up to Koivuniemi in the 2011 Tournament of Champions, replaced 2009 winner Patrick Allen who qualified 24th but had to withdraw because of injury. Smallwood made the most of the opportunity with a 6-2 record and finishing the round in 10th.

Bowling legend and 17-time PBA Tour titlist Carmen Salvino of Schaumburg, Ill., who is the oldest player to compete in a PBA Tour event at age 80, completed competition in his record 29th Tournament of Champions after Monday’s final qualifying round. His best career finish was in the inaugural event in 1962 in Indianapolis finishing third.

“It was a great experience and honor to bowl in a field like this,” said Salvino, who finished 77th with a 4,516 pinfall total for 25 games. “But after the way I bowled I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board, get the barbells out, get more sleep, eat better and throw it like you’re supposed to.”

 

Belmonte Leads Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions Heading into Match Play

Australian Jason Belmonte averaged 246 for 25 games of qualifying to lead the top 24 qualifiers into the match play finals of the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions at Thunderbowl Lanes.

In Monday’s final five-game qualifying round, the 2012-13 PBA Player of the Year who uses a unique two-handed delivery, had a 1,185 pinfall total (237 average) with games of 215, 299, 216, 258 and 197.

The leaders after 25 qualifying games will bowl 24 additional head-to-head matches in three eight-game rounds tonight and Tuesday to determine the five players who will advance to Sunday’s live stepladder finals on ESPN at noon ET.

“Basically we’re only halfway through so I have to press the reset button and reboot for match play,” Belmonte said. “Everything’s going well at this point and my equipment is good so basically it’s going to be like starting a new tournament.”

Belmonte holds a 219-pin lead over World Series of Bowling V World Championship winner Dom Barrett of England who surged from sixth after the fourth round to second with a 5,949 pinfall. Sixteen-time Tour titlist and 2006 Tournament of Champions winner Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas is in third with 5,941.

Among other Tournament of Champions winners making the top 24 were 2007 winner Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., in 8th (5,800), defending champion and 1987 winner Pete Weber in 10th (5,786), 2011 winner Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland Mich. in 15th (5,742), and 2012 winner and 2011-12 Player of the Year Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill., in 19th (5,711).

First alternate, 2009 PBA World Championship winner Tom Smallwood of Saginaw, Mich., who was runner-up to Koivuniemi in the 2011 Tournament of Champions, replaced 2007 winner Patrick Allen who qualified 24th but had to withdraw because of injury.

Bowling legend and 17-time Tour titlist Carmen Salvino of Schaumburg, Ill., who is the oldest player to compete in a PBA Tour event at age 80, completed competition in his record 29th Tournament of Champions. His best career finish was in the inaugural event in 1962 in Indianapolis finishing third.

“It was a great experience and honor to bowl in a field like this,” said Salvino who finished 77th with a 4,516 pinfall. “But after the way I bowled I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board, get the barbells out, get more sleep, eat better and throw it like you’re supposed to.”

 

2014/01/19

 

Jason Belmonte Continues Scorching Pace to Lead Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions After Fourth Round

Australian Jason Belmonte continued his scorching pace averaging 249 and retaining his lead after four qualifying rounds of the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions Sunday at Thunderbowl Lanes.

Belmonte finished the fourth round with a 4,983 20-game pinfall total to hold a 160-pin lead over Dan MacLelland of Canada, who moved into second with 4,823. In Sunday’s fourth round, Belmonte had a 1,196 pinfall with games of 279, 242, 248, 224 and 203. In the third round earlier Sunday, Belmonte had a 1,251 pinfall with games of 233, 290, 242, 243 and 243.

“There have been tournaments where I have led from the start and others where I’ve come from deep in the field to make it to match play or to the finals and this is one where I’m obviously getting off to a big start,” Belmonte said. “I kind of like chasing guys down in a tournament so when I have a big lead I kind of have to put myself in a mindset that I’m in second or further down so I don’t get complacent.”

Belmonte, who was named 2012-13 PBA Player of the Year on Friday, has his game hitting on all cylinders despite having to make an equipment adjustment just prior to competing in the Tournament of Champions.

“I intended to bring equipment from overseas but couldn’t because it wasn’t approved for this tournament so I had to have new equipment drilled up when I got here,” Belmonte said. “I got set up with two balls which have been a great one-two punch so far. I haven’t used any other equipment other than those two balls.”

The seven-time Tour winner hopes this will be the year he breaks through for a win in PBA’s signature tournament after finishing second in 2013 and third in 2012.

During Sunday’s qualifying rounds Belmonte once again provided “Belmo-Vision” through his revolutionary Google Glass headset that gives bowling fans an unprecedented point-of-view look during competition.

Qualifying continues with one more round Monday morning after which the field will be cut to the top 24 for the first round of match play that will begin Monday evening at 6 p.m. ET. Two more eight-game match play rounds will be contested on Tuesday that will determine the five players who will advance to the ESPN-televised stepladder finals at noon ET on Jan. 26.

 

　【PBA】　News

W.R. Williams Jr. Tops Hall-of-Fame Field to Win PBA50 Tour Finals: Laughlin and Young also Winners in WSOB Tripleheader

Walter Ray Williams Jr. topped a three-man all-star field to win the inaugural PBA50 Tour Finals, Arizona’s Ben Laughlin won the PBA Regional Players Invitational Finals, and Florida’s Greg Young repeated as Teen Masters champion in a television tripleheader that concluded the PBA’s World Series of Bowling V at South Point Hotel, Casino and Bowling Center.

The unique telecast, showcasing the PBA’s 50-and-older senior program, the stars of its year-long regional tournament program, and the future stars of bowling, aired Sunday on ESPN.

In the PBA50 Tour finals, which featured three PBA Hall of Famers who qualified based on competition points earned during the 2013 PBA50 Tour season, two-time PBA50 Player of the Year Williams defeated Venezuela’s Amleto Monacelli, 224-204, after Monacelli eliminated 2013 PBA50 Rookie of the Year Pete Weber of St. Ann, Mo., 243-208, in the first match.

“The fans had a chance to see three players with a lot of history with the organization and who had great seasons on the PBA50 Tour,” Williams, an Ocala, Fla., resident, said. “You can’t get much better than that.”

Williams, who won three PBA50 titles in 2013, led throughout the match before Monacelli made a late charge with a three-bagger heading into the 10th frame. But Monacelli left the 4 pin on his first ball in the 10th and missed the spare to end his chances.

“The momentum was going back and forth,” Williams said. “It was going my way with a four-bagger and then I left a 10 pin in the ninth which gave Amleto a chance. I was really surprised when he left the 4 pin. If he strikes, the match could have gone down to the last ball.”

Laughlin, who won the combined PBA West/Northwest RPI to qualify for the finals, defeated South Region representative Tom Daugherty of Wesley Chapel, Fla., 225-187, to win the special event for PBA regional champions. The RPI Finals included six PBA members who won RPI titles in their respective regions.

Laughlin won his opening round match by rolling a 222 game against East Region representative Brian LeClair of Albany, N.Y. (198) and Southwest Region representative Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas (163). Daugherty’s 244 eliminated Midwest Region representative Dave Beres of Waukesha, Wis. (202) and Central Region representative Brian Kretzer of Dayton, Ohio (177).

“Bowling on ESPN was a dream come true,” the 42-year-old Laughlin said. “It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in bowling.

“I bowled on Tour during the 2005-06 season, but I didn’t fare so well,” he added. “I’ve been bowling regionals ever since and enjoying it. The RPI program with a TV show this year was great. You couldn’t ask for much more than that. It absolutely provided incentives for regional players to get out and bowl.”

The Teen Masters Grand Championship featured a re-match of last season’s finalists, which Young also won. He won his second straight $64,000 scholarship package – the richest scholarship prize in the sport – by beating Ashley Dunn of Palmdale, Calif., in a one-ball roll-off after the best-of-two-game match ended in a tie. Dunn, who was swept in the 2012 title match, got the upper hand when she won the first game, 179-160, but Young sent the match into sudden-death with a 184-153 decision in game two. In the roll-off, Young struck and Dunn left the 2-4-5 to hand Young the victory.

Young, who will graduate from Viera High School in 2014, will attend collegiate powerhouse Robert Morris University-Illinois next fall and plans to pursue a career in cyber security.

The PBA returns to live television on Sunday, Jan. 26, when the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions finals air at noon ET on ESPN.

 

Belmonte Lengthens Lead After Third Round of Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions

Once again wearing his revolutionary Google Glass headset that gives bowling fans an unprecedented point of view look during competition, 2012-13 PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte lengthened his lead after third round qualifying of the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions.

Belmonte finished the third round with a 3,787 15-game pinfall (252.4 average) lengthening his lead to 129 pins over one-time tour titlist Chris Loschetter in second with 3,648. In today’s third round, Belmonte had a 1,251 pinfall with games of 233, 290, 242, 243 and 243.

Belmonte, who was named Player of the Year on Friday, has his game hitting on all cylinders but had to make a last minute equipment adjustment just prior to competing in the TOC.

“I intended to bring equipment from overseas but couldn’t because it wasn’t approved for this tournament so I had to have some equipment drilled up when I got here,” Belmonte said. “Del (Ballard) got me set up with two balls which have been a great one-two punch so far. I haven’t used any other equipment other than those two balls and I just used one in this block.”

The seven-time Tour champion hopes this will be the year he breaks through for a win in PBA’s signature tournament. He finished second in 2013, losing to Hall of Famer Pete Weber in the championship match 224-179. In 2013 he finished third.

After today’s third round 21 players from a field of 30 who were regional or PBA50 Tour advanced to join national tour winners for this evening’s fourth qualifying round. The players will return Monday morning for a final five-game qualifying block Monday morning to determine the top 24 who will enter match play beginning Monday evening.

Fans can catch glimpses of “Belmo Vision” using the Google Glass device which features a head band frame that includes a digital camera capable of recording 720 dpi video by visiting pba.com’s Xtra Frame online bowling channel.

 

2014/01/18

 

2012-13 PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte Takes Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions Lead after Second Round

Wearing his Google Glass headset and averaging 253.6, 2012-13 PBA Player of the Year Jason Belmonte of Australia moved into the second round qualifying lead of the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions Saturday at Thunderbowl Lanes.

In a PBA Tour and possibly a sports first, fans who subscribe to pba.com’s Xtra Frame online bowling channel will be able to catch glimpses of Belmonte in action during competition using the “wearable computer” which features a head band frame that includes a digital camera capable of recording 720 dpi video.

Belmonte used the device during the first game of the first round of qualifying, bowling a 203, and during the fourth game of the second round in which he bowled a 297. PBA.com will be posting the games in their entirety on the Xtra Frame page as the tournament progresses.

Belmonte finished the day with a 2,536 10-game pinfall total. He had games of 280, 247, 227, 297 and 257 in the second round to take a six-pin lead over first round leader Chris Loschetter of Avon, Ohio, who finished the day in second with 2,530.

It was a little nerve-racking at first because I didn’t want to show the fans how bad I might bowl,” said Belmonte, who has coined the term “Belmo Vision” for whenever he uses the Google Glass device. “But after a while I got comfortable and any distraction was minimal. The benefits of using it certainly outweighed any distraction.”

Belmonte finished second in the 2013 Tournament of Champions losing to Hall of Famer Pete Weber in the title match and finished third in 2012. He was encouraged by his start after Saturday’s qualifying rounds but realizes there’s a long way to go in PBA’s signature tournament.

“All it means at this point is that I got off to a good start,” Belmonte said. “You can’t take anything for granted and every game is a new game. After two rounds I’m making good shots and getting good ball reaction so one thing I can say is that I’m gaining confidence each game.”

Belmonte also was wearing the Google Glass device when he bowled a 300 game during league play in the Wednesday Night Doubles at his family’s Orange Tenpin Bowl in Orange, New South Wales, Australia, a week before Christmas. He recorded the game and posted it on YouTube, where it has been viewed by thousands of YouTube visitors.

The 88-player Tournament of Champions field will bowl two more five-game qualifying rounds Sunday and a third five-game round Monday morning after which the field will be cut to the top 24 players for the first eight-game match play round that begins Monday evening at 6 p.m. ET. Two more eight-game match play rounds will be conducted on Tuesday to determine the top five players who will advance to the stepladder finals that will be telecast live on ESPN Sunday, Jan. 26 at noon ET.

To catch video of Belmonte in action as well as coverage of qualifying and match play rounds fans can subscribe to Xtra Frame by visiting pba.com and click on the Xtra Frame tab. Subscriptions are available for $7.99 for one month or $64.99 for a full year.

 

2014/01/17

 

　【PBA】　News

Australia’s Jason Belmonte Named 2012-13 Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year

Australia’s Jason Belmonte was named the 2012-13 Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year today during a special live presentation on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame.

In earning his first Player of the Year honor, Belmonte won two titles, including the USBC Masters – his first major – and had runner-up finishes in three other major championships: the 2012 PBA World Championship, U.S. Open and 2013 PBA Tournament of Champions. He won the George Young High Average Award, scoring at a 228.81 pace over 422 games, and the Harry Smith Point Leader Award with 238,903 points. The only major statistical category he didn’t win was earnings, where his $186,465 total ranked third behind 2011-12 Player of the Year Sean Rash’s $248,317 and Mika Koivuniemi’s $227,851.

Belmonte, known for his unique two-handed delivery, joined Venezuela’s Amleto Monacelli and Finland’s Koivuniemi as the only foreign-born players to win the PBA’s highest annual competition honor. He was also the first two-handed player to win the award.

“This award has a lot of meaning for me because it represents the fact that you can do it your way and be successful,” Belmonte said. “I’ve taken a lot of criticism but I’m a firm believer in pinning your ears back and going for your dreams.”

Belmonte, who owns seven career titles, captured Harry Golden Rookie of the Year honors after winning his first title during the 2008-09 season.

“This is an honor every player wants to win but something you can never plan for,” Belmonte added. ”There’s no deadline to achieve it, only a massive bonus for your career if you do.”

Also finishing among the top three in Player of the Year voting was Rash, Montgomery, Ill., who was trying for his second consecutive honor, and Weber, a 51-year-old PBA Hall of Famer from St. Ann, Mo., who was hoping to win the crown for the first time in his career. Belmonte received his award live on Xtra Frame at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., where the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions gets underway on Saturday.

Rash won two PBA International Tour titles in Kuwait and Thailand, and made TV shows in the 2012 and ’13 PBA World Championships and the 2013 TOC. In addition to leading the earnings list, Rash finished third in average and competition points.

Weber, a 37-time PBA Tour champion, won the 2013 Tournament of Champions for his record-tying 10th career major and finished third in the 2013 U.S. Open (an event he has won a record five times) and third in the 2013 PBA World Championship. Weber was also a member of the PBA league New York City WTT KingPins team that won the inaugural Elias Cup.

During the Xtra Frame presentation, PBA Commissioner Tom Clark also presented the PBA Rookie of the Year Award to E.J. Tackett of Huntington, Ind.; the 2013 Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award to Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, N.Y. (Eugene McCune of Munster, Ind., accepted on behalf of Shafer), and the inaugural Tony Reyes Community Service Award to PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J.

The end-of-season awards announcements culminate an expanded 14-month campaign that began in November 2012 and ended Dec. 31, 2013, as the PBA returned to a traditional calendar year season that began on Jan. 1.

 

Ryan Shafer Wins Second PBA Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award

Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, N.Y., has been selected by his fellow Professional Bowlers Association members as winner of the 2012-13 Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award, PBA Commissioner Tom Clark announced today.

It was a bittersweet moment for Shafer, who also won the Nagy award in 2009, coming a day after the funeral services for his wife, Michelle, who died unexpectedly five days earlier.

Shafer, a 47-year-old who has won four titles in a 27-year PBA Tour career, has been a champion for underdogs on the PBA Tour for years, encouraging non-winners to continue their quests for a title, because he understands how difficult it is to win against the greatest players in the world. Shafer’s personal challenges have been complicated because he has bowled his entire career while combating diabetes. Recently he has served as a spokesman for Animas Corp., a company that makes the insulin pump that has made it easier for him to live a normal life.

“Winning the Steve Nagy Award has always been important to me because it shows the respect of your peers as a sportsman and someone who cares about them,” Shafer said via e-mail. “I have been through a lot this past week, so it’s hard for me to be happy today about winning.

“I know the other candidates were very deserving. In time, I hope I can reflect and enjoy the fact my fellow players think so highly of me. It’s just tough to do that at this moment.”

Eugene McCune of Munster, Ind., Shafer’s closest friend and a fellow PBA Tour competitor, accepted the award on Shafer’s behalf during ceremonies Friday at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., where the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions gets underway Saturday.

“I want to thank my roommate and one of my best friends in the world, Eugene McCune, for accepting on my behalf,” Shafer said. “My wife Michelle and Eugene were good friends. It’s only right he accept for me because she loved him as a friend as much as I do.”

Others who received votes in the Nagy balloting were: Patrick Allen, Dom Barrett, Kenneth Bland Jr., Parker Bohn III, Nathan Bohr, Ryan Ciminelli, Mike Edwards, Andres Gomez, Steve Jaros and Kelly Kulick.

Established in 1966, the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award is named after the late PBA Hall of Famer and founding members of the PBA. A colorful and talented performer, Nagy made such an impact on his fellow pros that the award was established shortly after his death. Hall of Famer Johnny Guenther won the first “Nagy.”

 

2014/01/15

 

寺下智香選手 ＆ 酒井武雄チーム優勝！


2014年一番乗りの承認大会、第3回新春プロアマミックスダブルストーナメントがさる1/11（土）・12（日）の二日間にわたり、田町ハイレーン（東京）にて開催されました。

プロアマ編成の男女ペアでチーム戦が行われ、予選・決勝あわせて13Gのトータルスコアで2位の手島菜月選手＆藤井信人チームに約100ピンの差を付けた寺下智香選手＆酒井武雄チームが優勝致しました。

 

2014/01/14

 

　【PBA】　News

Indiana’s Tackett Wins PBA Rookie of the Year Honors; Belmonte, Rash, Weber are Player of Year Finalists

E.J. Tackett of Huntington, Ind., has been selected as 2012-13 Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year by an overwhelming margin in voting by PBA members and veteran bowling journalists, PBA Commissioner Tom Clark also announced today.

Clark also announced that Australia’s Jason Belmonte, Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., and 51-year-old PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber of St. Ann, Mo., are the three leading vote-getters in the 2012-13 Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year competition. The winner will be announced live on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame, Friday at 5 p.m. ET from Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., where the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions gets underway on Saturday.

The end-of-season awards announcements culminate an expanded 14-month campaign that began in November 2012 and ended Dec. 31, 2013, as the PBA returned to a traditional calendar year season that began on Jan. 1.

Tackett, a 21-year-old two-time Junior Team USA and one-time adult Team USA member, was thrilled with his award.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I joined a pretty good list of guys, a bunch of hall of famers and future hall of famers, so I’m in pretty good company.”

Tackett, who left Indiana-Purdue at Fort Wayne to begin his PBA Tour career in time for the 2013 PBA Winter Swing in Detroit, was the overwhelming choice over Shawn Maldonado, Houston; Craig Nidiffer, Trenton, Mich.; Mik Stampe, Denmark, and Bryan Viator, Friendswood, Texas. Tackett’s abbreviated season included a fourth-place finish in the Wolf Open during the 2013 PBA Summer Swing, a sixth-place finish in the U.S. Open and a third-place finish in the end-of-season Round1 Japan Cup, which he entered as a non-invited TQR competitor.

Tackett, who ironically was attending IPFW on a golf scholarship, said he wasn’t ready to pursue his college education.

“I was there for a year and a half, but I just really got unhappy with what I was doing,” he said “I had no desire to be in school, and it reflected on my school work, so I decided to stop dragging it out and try my hand at the Tour.”

He made his PBA Tour debut during the Winter Swing in Detroit where he cashed in three of four events. He made his first television appearance in the Wolf Open in Milwaukee, finishing fourth. PBA World Series of Bowling V was “a little disappointing,” he said. “I didn’t make a show after being inside the cut three different times, but I had three top 10s, so it wasn’t terrible.

“The best tournament I’ve had was in Japan, and the second best was sixth in the U.S. Open,” he said. “That was personally a better tournament than finishing fourth in the Wolf Open.”

Tackett’s next appearance will be in the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions, which gets underway Saturday at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich. He earned his way into the TOC by winning a PBA Central Region title in May in Ohio.

And his next goal? “A title, for sure,” he said.

All three of the leading contenders for the Chris Schenkel PBA Player of the Year award, listed in alphabetical order, had great seasons in one of the closest competitions in years. Player of the Year voting began with 13 candidates, all of whom met minimum requirements for consideration based upon PBA rules. Others on the original ballot included Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas; Dom Barrett, England; Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J.; Mike Fagan, Fort Worth, Texas; Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C.; Mika Koivuniemi, Finland-Hartland, Mich.; Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio; Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas; Scott Norton, Mission Viejo, Calif., and Bill O’Neill, Langhorne, Pa.

Belmonte hopes to join Venezuela’s Amleto Monacelli and Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi as the third foreign-born player to win the PBA’s highest annual competition honor. He also would be the first two-handed player to win the award.

Belmonte’s 2012-13 season produced two titles, including the USBC Masters – his first major – and runner-up finishes in three other major championships: the 2012 PBA World Championship, U.S. Open and 2013 PBA Tournament of Champions. He won the George Young High Average Award, scoring at a 228.81 pace over 422 games, and the Harry Smith Point Leader Award with 238,903 points. The only major statistical category he didn’t win was earnings, where his $186,465 total ranked third behind Rash’s $248,317 and Koivuniemi’s $227,851.

Rash, the 2011-12 Player of the Year, won two PBA International Tour titles in Kuwait and Thailand, and made TV shows in the 2012 and ’13 PBA World Championships and the 2013 TOC. In addition to leading the earnings list, Rash finished third in average and competition points.

Weber, a 37-time PBA Tour champion who has never won Player of the Year, had one of the best years of his career as he entered the PBA50 Tour ranks. In addition to winning the 2013 Tournament of Champions for his record-tying 10th career major, Weber finished third in the 2013 U.S. Open (an event he has won a record five times) and third in the 2013 PBA World Championship.

In addition to the announcement of the 2012-13 PBA Player of the Year on Xtra Frame Friday, Tackett, Tony Reyes Community Service Award winner Parker Bohn III and the 2012-13 PBA Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award winner will be introduced. The special Xtra Frame webcast will kick off extended coverage of the qualifying and match play rounds of the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions Saturday through Tuesday, Jan. 21.

 

Parker Bohn III Named First Tony Reyes Community Service Award Winner

PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III of Jackson, N.J., is the first Tony Reyes Community Service award recipient, named in honor of the late PBA Tour champion in honor of his off-the-lanes activities, PBA Commissioner Tom Clark announced today.

The Tony Reyes Community Service Award will be awarded annually to a PBA member who has performed outstanding community service and made charitable and/or educational contributions over the course of the previous PBA Tour season.

Reyes, a popular PBA Tour titlist, died in September 2012 of injuries sustained in a traffic accident near his home in San Bruno, Calif. An eight-time regional tournament winner, he was also one of only 22 players to have rolled a 300 game on a PBA Tour telecast.

“There’s no more fitting recipient of the first Tony Reyes Award than Parker,” said Clark. “Throughout his entire career Parker has established himself as one of the sport’s great ambassadors through his selfless charity work.”

Bohn, a 33-time PBA Tour champion, was honored for his work primarily with two charitable endeavors he established – the Striking Out Sandy fundraiser and his annual Parker Bohn III Scholarship Tournament – as well as his involvement with High Hopes of New Hampshire, a program he has been involved with for the past 10 years.

“When Tom Clark notified me that I won the award I was speechless,” Bohn said. “To win this award in the name of Tony, who was a great friend not only to me but literally everyone, left me feeling very humble.

“Tony was a friend to everyone on and off the lanes. He was one of those special people who was always trying to improve himself not only as a bowler but as a person.”

The Striking Out Sandy fundraising project benefited those who were affected by the devastating hurricane that ravaged the East Coast in October of 2012. One aspect of the fundraiser encouraged bowling fans to either pay a flat donation or pledge money for every strike Bohn threw during the 2012 World Series of Bowling.

In addition, Bohn treated kids and families affected by the storm to a field trip in June of 2013 that included a tour of a local bowling center, a day of bowling and lunch.

“The smiles we gave to the kids were priceless, you’d think I was Santa Claus,” Bohn said.

Bohn hosts his annual scholarship tournament over the Labor Day weekend. Since its inception 15 years ago, the tournament has awarded nearly $70,000 in scholarships.

“A lot of kids I talk to would like to have bowling as a career but I always tell them that their education should be their priority,” Bohn said. “A good education is something that can’t be taken away from you and it opens doors. Not only my scholarship tournament, but all scholarships awarded through bowling have had a very positive impact on the lives of young people.”

Bohn has been a fixture with High Hopes of New Hampshire, a program similar to Make-A-Wish in fulfilling wishes of children with very serious or life-threatening medical conditions. The High Hopes organization conducts a three-day bowling event that includes clinics, pro-ams and a singles tournament as well as autograph and photo sessions with Tour players that raises funds for the children.

“The credit for that great event really needs to go to (former Tour player and proprietor) Steve Hardy. I’m just honored to be involved with it,” Bohn said. “He puts on an awesome weekend for everyone involved.”

Representative of the many comments included from the nominations received for the award was one from Christine Ruess who said, “The hours that Parker puts into all his community service areas are too numerous to count. The countless hours are a testament to his devotion to the sport and helping others.”

Typical of Bohn, he deflected a lot of credit aimed at himself and focused instead on contributions others are making on behalf of their communities.

“I’m honored to win the first Tony Reyes Award, but people should know that a lot of PBA players give of their time and effort to get involved with charities at all levels,” Bohn said. “When it comes down to it, we’re blessed to be able to do what we do and if we have the opportunity to put a smile on the faces of those less fortunate, we’re happy to do it.”

 

2014/01/13

 

　【WBT】　Brunswick Ballmaster Open

Mika Koivuniemi Returns Home to Win Finland’s Brunswick Ballmaster Open

Finland native Mika Koivuniemi, now living in Hartland, Mich., returned to his home country and defeated England’s Dom Barrett, 188-172, to win a record fourth Brunswick Ballmaster Open title Sunday at Tali Bowl.

Koivuniemi earned his 13th PBA Tour title and his ninth European Bowling Tour title in the first World Bowling/PBA International Tour tournament of the 2014 season. The No. 2 qualifier heading into the stepladder finals, Koivuniemi knocked off fellow Finn Joonas Jehkinen, 236-201, in the semifinal match after Jehkinen eliminated Ronnie Russell of Marion, Ind., 256-184, in the opening match.

The 44th Ballmaster Open is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious tournaments. A major championship on the European Bowling Tour, it also is the traditional kick-off event for EBT’s 21-tournament season.

PBA Tour competition returns to the United States later this week when Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., hosted the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions. Qualifying begins Saturday, Jan. 18, and continues through Monday, Jan. 20, when the top 24 will advance to match play Monday evening and Tuesday. ESPN will televise the finals live on Sunday, Jan. 26, at noon ET.

All qualifying and match play rounds will be covered live on PBA’s online bowling channel, Xtra Frame. For subscription information, visit pba.com and click on the Xtra Frame link.

Thunderbowl also will host the opening rounds of 2014 PBA League competition on Jan. 25, 26 and 27 for delayed telecast on ESPN. For ticket information for all TOC and PBA League rounds, visit pba.com and click on the “tickets” tab.

 

2014/01/12

 

Yuya Katoh Upsets Field to Win Round1 Japan Cup, End 25-Year Home-Country Title Drought

Japan Professional Bowlers Association journeyman Yuya Katoh pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Round1 Japan Cup history, defeating countryman Kazuaki Watanabe, 243-235, in the title match to become the first Japanese player in 25 years to win the popular international event.

The finals of the 27th Round1 Japan Cup, which included 16 PBA members who qualified based upon a year-long competition points race plus special invitees and additional Japan, Korean and PBA players, were televised live in Japan and aired Sunday on ESPN.

Katoh, a 10-year Japan PBA Tour veteran who had never won a title, became only the third Japanese player to win his country’s most prestigious title after Watanabe failed to convert a 10 pin in the ninth frame. Katoh’s strike on his first shot in the 10th frame sealed the win. The only previous Japanese title winners were Ken Taniguchi, who defeated fellow JPBA member Kiyoshi Nakarai to win the inaugural Japan Cup in 1985, and Takeo Sakai, who defeated PBA star Wayne Webb to claim the 1988 title.

Katoh, a married father of two who works as a teaching pro in a Japanese bowling center, was aware of his country’s 25-year title drought, but didn’t want to think about it.

“I didn’t concentrate on anything other than thinking ‘one shot at a time,’” he said. “I knew it had been a long time since a JPBA bowler won, but I didn’t want to think about that.”

He also used the same philosophy to avoid the increasing pressure in the final frames.

“I knew if I watched the other bowler, I’d get nervous so I just closed my eyes and went through my routine,” he said. “I didn’t pay attention to anything else around me - not how long it’d been since a JPBA player had won, not going for my first title and not how the other bowler was doing. I only thought about my game.

“I’m very happy. This is a huge tournament to win for my first title,” he beamed. “I’m just very happy.”

The three JPBA players dominated the eight-player finals field. Katoh, who will make his American debut when he bowls in the United States Bowling Congress Masters in February in North Brunswick, N.J., advanced to the title match by eliminating Finland’s Osku Palermaa in his first match, 258-226, and defeating countryman Shinichi Horie in the semifinal round, 236-195.

Watanabe eliminated Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, 278-239, in the Round of 8 and ended any PBA hopes for a title when he ousted PBA rookie E.J. Tackett of Huntington, Ind., 249-190, in his semifinal round match.

In the other two Round of 8 matches, Horie struck on his last five shots to slip past reigning PBA Player of the Year Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., 225-224, while Tackett eliminated two-time Japan Cup winner Tommy Jones of Simpsonville, S.C., 226-224, when Jones left the 2-8-10 on his fill ball in the 10th frame after Tackett missed a 10 pin in his 10th frame to give Jones a chance to win.

 

2014/01/05

 

Sean Rash, Kelly Kulick Win World Bowling Tour Titles

After two years and more than 400,000 miles of global competition, reigning Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year Sean Rash of Montgomery, Ill., along with PBA Tour titlist Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., have won the World Bowling Tour Finals.

Rash, a seven-time PBA Tour title winner, defeated Mike Fagan of Fort Worth, Texas, 255-231, to win the WBT Men’s Finals presented by the PBA during the PBA World Series of Bowling V, hosted by South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa, while Kulick, the 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions winner, raced away from defending champion Missy Parkin of Laguna Hills, Calif., 267-194, to win the WBT Women’s Finals. Both events aired Sunday on ESPN.

Rash, who entered the WBT event as the leader in a two-year rolling points competition involving a series of WTBA/PBA International Tour tournaments held around the world, started his match against Fagan with seven strikes and was never challenged.

Fagan had been nearly perfect himself in eliminating Finland’s Mika Koivuniemi, 279-223, in the first match. Koivuniemi, who won the 2011 WBT Men’s Finals and finished second in 2012, is the only player to make the series finals in all three years the competition has been held.

“Anytime you have a chance to compete, whether it’s in the U.S. or around the world, it’s fun,” Rash said. “That’s why you’re an athlete. You love to compete.

“I came into this event with a different mindset,” he added. “The World Series wasn’t as great as I would have liked, but it wasn’t terrible. I feel great. I’ve been bowling well for the past few months. My life has changed since the arrival of our new baby. I’m in a happy place.

“You have to take advantage of opportunities,” Rash continued. “Mike got a little lost on the left lane and that’s why I had him finish there. I kinda figured the first mistake would come on that lane and that’s what happened.

“It’s always good to win. It doesn’t matter; it could be league. I like to win.”

In the all-U.S. women’s preliminary match, Parkin held off Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., 198-195, but was no match for Kulick, who struck on every shot except for leaving a 10 pin (which she missed) in the eighth frame.

“The question I’ve been asking myself is ‘Am I still good enough to be out here? Should I keep doing this?’” Kulick said. “The WBT event was just reassurance of my confidence level and my ability as a player. I came out to prove something to nobody except myself today. It was just sheer determination to beat whomever I had to face. It’s almost a relief knowing I won again.”

The WBT Finals, like the PBA animal pattern tournaments held earlier in the World Series, were bowled on the unique blue-tinted lane conditioner in order to allow onsite fans and ESPN viewers an opportunity to see the WTBA’s Atlanta lane oiling pattern. Like the players who had experienced bowling on the tinted oil in previous events, it was a non-factor as far as Kulick was concerned.

“I didn’t even see it,” she said. “As a professional, we look at ball reaction, so honestly, I didn’t even notice it, other than the lane was blue.”