PBA Motor City Open stepladder finalists on ESPN at 1:00pm Eastern time in qualifying order:
1, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla.
2, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas
3, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo.
4, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C.
5, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa.
● This was an open field event consisting of 131 entrants.
● First event of 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season.
● 103 titles represented among finalists: Williams (45), Barnes (12), Weber (34), Jones (12).
O’Neill is looking for his first win.
● Williams looking to extend his record for most PBA Tour career titles and his record for most
consecutive years with at least one title (currently at 16).
● Williams has never won the first PBA Tour event of the season.
● First time in Weber’s 30-year career he has made a TV final in the first event of season.
● O’Neill earned his spot in the stepladder final by defeating Rhino Page, 190-171, in a one-game
roll-off to break a tie for fifth place.
Prize Money: 1. $25,000 2. $13,000 3, $9,000 4, $7,000 5, $6,000
Tournament Recap:
First round leader (after 5 games): Weber, 1,219
Second round leader (after 15 games): Fero Williams, 2,390
Third round leader (after 15 games): Weber, 3,466
First round match play leader (after 23 games): Barnes, 5-2-1, 5,376
Second round match play leader (after 31 games): Barnes, 11-4-1, 7,388
Final match play standings (39 games): Williams, 15-8-1, 9,302; Barnes, 16-7-1, 9,260;
Weber, 16-8, 9,169; Jones, 13-11, 8,935; O’Neill, 13-11, 8,907
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
PBA Motor City Open This Sunday on ESPN
Monday, October 26, 2009
Kulick and Sullins Win World Championships
Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., earned the right to become the first woman to bowl in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tournament of Champions thanks to her victory in the inaugural PBA Women’s World Championship at Thunderbowl Lanes in suburban Detroit.
Kulick’s historic victory aired Sunday on ESPN. The first of eight PBA World Series of Bowling telecasts also included a long-awaited win for Detroit area favorite Harry Sullins, who ended a 15-year winless dry spell in the resurrected PBA Senior World Championship.
Kulick, the only woman ever to earn an exemption to bowl full-time on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, defeated Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix, 219-204, to win the newly-created major championship for women bowlers.
In addition to her berth in the PBA Tournament of Champions Jan. 19-24 at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas, Kulick earned $15,000 and a spot in the end-of-season PBA Women’s Showdown presented by BOWL.COM.
Kulick bowled a clean game including a late string of three strikes to build a 35-pin lead in the eighth frame. Pluhowsky finished with four strikes in a row, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an unconverted 8-10 split in her third frame.
“It’s a long overdue win,” Kulick said. “I’ve been knocking on the door for awhile. I came close in the USBC (United States Bowling Congress) Queens earlier in the year.” Kulick finished second to Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., in the Queens in Reno, Nev.
“Last year I wasn’t exempt for the PBA Women’s Series and that really gave me things to think about. I was kinda depressed at first and then I really refocused,” Kulick added. “I asked myself if I belonged out here, but I went back to my routines – worked out, exercised, practiced a lot – and ever since the Queens, things have gotten better and better.
“Getting a chance to bowl in the Tournament of Champions is the icing on the cake. You blow out the candle and your wish comes true. My focus was on winning the title,” she continued, “but now I not only get to go to Las Vegas, but I get to bowl with the guys, which I’ve enjoyed doing in the past.
“My only failure on the men’s tour (during the 2006-07 season) was that I hit the pocket as often as they did, but I didn’t knock down as many pins because I don’t have as high of a rev rate. That said, if you want to be the best, you have to bowl against the best players, so the only way I’m going to get better is to bowl against them. I’ll enjoy the experience in the Tournament of Champions and we’ll see what happens.”
Sullins, who won his fifth and last PBA Tour title in 1994 in Windsor Locks, Conn., defeated Hugh Miller of Mercer Island, Wash., 222-192, for a $15,000 prize, his first PBA Senior Tour title and a berth of his own in the Tournament of Champions.
The PBA Senior World Championship was resurrected as a part of the new PBA World Series of Bowling after lying dormant since 2002.
“It feels great,” Sullins said. “I’ll be glad to go back to the Tournament of Champions.” Sullins admitted to being nervous. “It’s been almost 11 years between TV shows, 15 years since I’ve won a title. You try to stay as calm as you can,” he said. “Some guys might say they don’t get butterflies, but I don’t care who you are – you get ‘em.
The question is, how much pressure can you take and still move your feet, swing your arm, roll the ball and hit what you’re throwing at? It worked out.
“The difference was I made all my spares,” he continued. “That keeps the pressure on. It kept me 19-20 pins ahead the whole match. I threw two strikes in a row twice early in the game and that was huge. I could tell Hugh was trying to figure out which ball to use, so I kept telling myself, just get a double, and fortunately I was able to do that.”
Sullins felt like the title was his for the taking after he was warmly greeted by the Detroit area fans attending the finals in a center where he had honed his game for years. “I’ve bowled at Thunderbowl for 30 years,” the Chesterfield Township, Mich., resident said, “but when we came out for the introductions, I actually had the fans with me. That was so pleasing. It was like, it’s my time to win.”
It was also rewarding because he made a less-than-satisfying debut on the Senior Tour a year earlier. “I wanted to come out full blast last year,” the 52-year-old Michigan native said. “I had big goals – rookie of the year, all of that – but I went out to the west coast and didn’t do so well. In the Senior U.S. Open I threw my elbow out, so I wound up missing the whole balance of the season.
“This year I had a different outlook. I wanted to start strong in Jackson (Mich.), but I got a job with the U.S. Census Bureau. I hadn’t had a job in three years, so I decided the seniors could wait. I wound up staying home and bowling in the Regional Players Championship at Thunderbowl, which gave me an edge to get ready for the Senior Tour and for the World Series.
In the six Senior Tour events I did bowl, I had four championship round appearances including a win and a second. So I’m happy.”
The opening event of the PBA’s 2009-10 season on ESPN also included a PBA Trick Shot Invitational, won by PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla. Duke performed a series of trick shots to top a field including fellow Hall of Famers Parker Bohn III and Brian Voss, PBA champions Chris Barnes and Sean Rash, and Finland’s two-handed sensation, Osku Palermaa, for a $5,000 prize.
The finals of the Motor City Open, the inaugural event of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season, will air next Sunday on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Kulick’s historic victory aired Sunday on ESPN. The first of eight PBA World Series of Bowling telecasts also included a long-awaited win for Detroit area favorite Harry Sullins, who ended a 15-year winless dry spell in the resurrected PBA Senior World Championship.
Kulick, the only woman ever to earn an exemption to bowl full-time on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour, defeated Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix, 219-204, to win the newly-created major championship for women bowlers.
In addition to her berth in the PBA Tournament of Champions Jan. 19-24 at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas, Kulick earned $15,000 and a spot in the end-of-season PBA Women’s Showdown presented by BOWL.COM.
Kulick bowled a clean game including a late string of three strikes to build a 35-pin lead in the eighth frame. Pluhowsky finished with four strikes in a row, but it wasn’t enough to overcome an unconverted 8-10 split in her third frame.
“It’s a long overdue win,” Kulick said. “I’ve been knocking on the door for awhile. I came close in the USBC (United States Bowling Congress) Queens earlier in the year.” Kulick finished second to Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., in the Queens in Reno, Nev.
“Last year I wasn’t exempt for the PBA Women’s Series and that really gave me things to think about. I was kinda depressed at first and then I really refocused,” Kulick added. “I asked myself if I belonged out here, but I went back to my routines – worked out, exercised, practiced a lot – and ever since the Queens, things have gotten better and better.
“Getting a chance to bowl in the Tournament of Champions is the icing on the cake. You blow out the candle and your wish comes true. My focus was on winning the title,” she continued, “but now I not only get to go to Las Vegas, but I get to bowl with the guys, which I’ve enjoyed doing in the past.
“My only failure on the men’s tour (during the 2006-07 season) was that I hit the pocket as often as they did, but I didn’t knock down as many pins because I don’t have as high of a rev rate. That said, if you want to be the best, you have to bowl against the best players, so the only way I’m going to get better is to bowl against them. I’ll enjoy the experience in the Tournament of Champions and we’ll see what happens.”
Sullins, who won his fifth and last PBA Tour title in 1994 in Windsor Locks, Conn., defeated Hugh Miller of Mercer Island, Wash., 222-192, for a $15,000 prize, his first PBA Senior Tour title and a berth of his own in the Tournament of Champions.
The PBA Senior World Championship was resurrected as a part of the new PBA World Series of Bowling after lying dormant since 2002.
“It feels great,” Sullins said. “I’ll be glad to go back to the Tournament of Champions.” Sullins admitted to being nervous. “It’s been almost 11 years between TV shows, 15 years since I’ve won a title. You try to stay as calm as you can,” he said. “Some guys might say they don’t get butterflies, but I don’t care who you are – you get ‘em.
The question is, how much pressure can you take and still move your feet, swing your arm, roll the ball and hit what you’re throwing at? It worked out.
“The difference was I made all my spares,” he continued. “That keeps the pressure on. It kept me 19-20 pins ahead the whole match. I threw two strikes in a row twice early in the game and that was huge. I could tell Hugh was trying to figure out which ball to use, so I kept telling myself, just get a double, and fortunately I was able to do that.”
Sullins felt like the title was his for the taking after he was warmly greeted by the Detroit area fans attending the finals in a center where he had honed his game for years. “I’ve bowled at Thunderbowl for 30 years,” the Chesterfield Township, Mich., resident said, “but when we came out for the introductions, I actually had the fans with me. That was so pleasing. It was like, it’s my time to win.”
It was also rewarding because he made a less-than-satisfying debut on the Senior Tour a year earlier. “I wanted to come out full blast last year,” the 52-year-old Michigan native said. “I had big goals – rookie of the year, all of that – but I went out to the west coast and didn’t do so well. In the Senior U.S. Open I threw my elbow out, so I wound up missing the whole balance of the season.
“This year I had a different outlook. I wanted to start strong in Jackson (Mich.), but I got a job with the U.S. Census Bureau. I hadn’t had a job in three years, so I decided the seniors could wait. I wound up staying home and bowling in the Regional Players Championship at Thunderbowl, which gave me an edge to get ready for the Senior Tour and for the World Series.
In the six Senior Tour events I did bowl, I had four championship round appearances including a win and a second. So I’m happy.”
The opening event of the PBA’s 2009-10 season on ESPN also included a PBA Trick Shot Invitational, won by PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla. Duke performed a series of trick shots to top a field including fellow Hall of Famers Parker Bohn III and Brian Voss, PBA champions Chris Barnes and Sean Rash, and Finland’s two-handed sensation, Osku Palermaa, for a $5,000 prize.
The finals of the Motor City Open, the inaugural event of the 2009-10 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season, will air next Sunday on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
PBA 's Schreyer Recouping
Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Commissioner Fred Schreyer is back at home, resting and beginning his recovery from an angioplasty procedure last week in Phoenix.
"Thanks everyone for your wishes and concern over the last week. I am happy to be home and thankful to have come through this episode as well as I did. I can certainly tell you it is humbling to realize how precious life is and how quickly it can change." Schreyer commented.
"I am feeling good and regaining my strength and hope to resume a full schedule within the next week or so. In the meantime, I thank each of you for your commitment to the organization and your passion for the PBA. Let’s make this season our best one yet."
"Thanks everyone for your wishes and concern over the last week. I am happy to be home and thankful to have come through this episode as well as I did. I can certainly tell you it is humbling to realize how precious life is and how quickly it can change." Schreyer commented.
"I am feeling good and regaining my strength and hope to resume a full schedule within the next week or so. In the meantime, I thank each of you for your commitment to the organization and your passion for the PBA. Let’s make this season our best one yet."
Belmonte and Asbaty Appearing in Vernon Hills
Join two-handed bowling sensation Jason Belmonte of Australia and Team USA member Diandra Asbaty as they roll into Chicago (Brunswick Zone Hawthorn in Vernon Hills, IL,) to show off their skills and help you with your game.
First, Jason and Diandra will square off in an exhibition match that will pit two hands against one. Then, it will be your turn to get on the lanes and work with the dynamic duo to improve your game. During that time, you'll have the opportunity to get to know Jason and Diandra, ask them questions and get an autograph.
On site Brunswick product demos will also be featured. To sign up, download the entry form below and return it with payment directly to Brunswick Zone Hawthorn. Entries are limited.
Click here to download the registration form.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
The MoRich Craze
The new MoRich Craze contains the “Awakening“ core (.042 Total Diff, and 2.534 Radius of Gyration) with the “Vigor” blue pearl coverstock touted as the “most hookingest” cover by the company, finished at 2000 SiaAir surface.
The new Craze is expected Nov. 1st, but is being introduced via seminars to pro shops for the next six weeks. Check with your local pro shop for availablitity of the new MoRich Craze.
PBA CEO Schreyer Recovering
Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer
was recovering in a Phoenix, Ariz., hospital Monday after suffering a heart attack
during a flight to Phoenix on Friday.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
New Ball From MOTIV
“The MOTIV™ SR2 is engineered to destroy pins” proclaims Motiv. The “Sigma” core produces a low RG (RG of 2.47 in 15#) for easy revs and a high differential (.047 diff) for serious track flare. The “Reverb™” outer core of the SR2 is a low-density
polyester resin with pin piercing hardness and strength. Rather than absorb impact energy, this outer core reverberates energy as it explodes through the pins.Combine this with “MOTIVat-R” reactive urethane on the cover and Motiv suggests “you have a deadly weapon of destruction in the palm your hand.” The SR2 is sanded to 2000 at the factory and then brought to a luster with Power Gel® Polish. Expect the Motiv SR2 November 1st.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Visionary Bowling Introduces The New Breed Pearl Particle
Visionary Bowling Products announces the New Breed Particle Pearl will begin shipping on October 23rd. This ball utilizes the "Serpentine" core design in combination with new "Leviathan" coverstock. The coverstock contains a non abrasive particle that creates traction in the oil yet still allows the ball to get down the lane without the dreaded burnout.
Factory finished to 2,000 Abralon, the New Breed Particle Pearl covers the same lane conditions as other particle pearls, however, Visionary suggests it can easily be adjusted to create a wide variety of reactions. With surfaces up to 1,000 Abralon, the ball reacts much like a solid particle, and polished it reacts more like a pearl reactive. LOW RG: 2.56” DIFFERENTIAL: .052”
World Series of Bowling
It has been months in the making, but the Professional Bowlers Association’s inaugural World Series of Bowling is about to make its historic debut on ESPN.Beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, Oct. 25, bowling fans across America will see 13 champions crowned over a span of eight weekly PBA World Series of Bowling telecasts.
Over the course of the World Series telecasts, 22 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour players will make television appearances along with five stars of the PBA Women’s Series presented by BOWL.COM and two top PBA Senior Tour players.
The series will get underway with an historic event – the inaugural PBA Women’s World Championship – which will reward its winner with the first-ever berth for a woman in the 2010 PBA Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas. In the title match, Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix, AZ will meet Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J. Also at stake is a $15,000 first prize and a women’s major title.
The second event in the opening telecast of the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season is the revival of the PBA Senior World Championship, which was last held in 2002 in Las Vegas.
Hugh Miller of Mercer Island, Wash., will meet Harry Sullins of Chesterfield Township, MI, in another battle for a berth in the 2010 PBA Tournament of Championships as well as a $15,000 payday.
The closing event of the first telecast of the season will be a special PBA Trick Shot Invitational featuring PBA Tour stars Chris Barnes, Parker Bohn III, Norm Duke, Sean Rash and Brian Voss along with Finland’s two-handed sensation, Osku Palermaa.
On Nov. 1, the Motor City Open kicks off a series of seven ESPN telecasts
featuring the 2009-10 PBA Tour players.Following the Motor City Open, a unique “reality-style” telecast of the Cheetah Championship airs Nov. 8.
The Viper, Chameleon, Scorpion and Shark Championships for men and women – all conducted during the World Series of Bowling at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, MI, in August – will lead up to the first live telecast of the season – the finals of the PBA World Championship at 1 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, Dec. 13 from Northrock Lanes in Wichita, KS.
Watch for weekly summaries of upcoming ESPN telecasts on pba.com, and immediately following each telecast, pba.com’s Xtra Frame will feature a post-tournament interview segment with each tournament champion.
PBA WORLD SERIES OF BOWLING TV PREVIEW SUNDAY, OCT. 25, 1 P.M. (E).
PBA Women’s World Championship (Final Match) Championship:
Shannon Pluhowsky, Phoenix, AZ vs. Kelly Kulick, Union, NJ.
Prize Money: $15,000 first, $7,500 second.
PBA Senior World Championship (Final Match) Championship:
Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Township, MI, vs. Hugh Miller, Mercer Island, WA.
Prize Money: $15,000 first, $7,500 second
PBA Trick Shot Invitational (Head-to-Head Judged Competition)
Competitors: Chris Barnes, Parker Bohn III, Norm Duke, Osku Palermaa, Sean Rash and Brian Voss. Prize Money: $10,000 first
PBA Motor City Open SUNDAY, NOV. 1, 1 P.M. EASTERN
(Five-Player Stepladder Finals) Match One: #4 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, SC, vs. #5 Bill O’Neill, Southampton, PA. Match Two: Winner Match One vs. #3 Pete Weber, St. Ann, MO. Semifinal Match: Winner Match Two vs. #2 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, TX Championship: Winner Semifinal Match vs. #1 Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, FL. Prize Money: $25,000 first, $13,000 second, $9,000 third, $7,000 fourth, $6,000 fifth.
PBA Cheetah Championship SUNDAY, NOV. 8, 1 P.M. EASTERN (“Reality Style” Match Play Finals) Semifinal Match One: Ryan Ciminelli, Rochester, NY, vs. Derek Sapp, Keokuk, IA Semifinal Match Two: Stevie Weber, Chalmette, LA, vs. Norm Duke, Clermont, FL. Championship: Winners of Match One and Match Two Prize Money: $25,000 first, $13,000 second, third $7,000 each.
PBA Viper Championship SUNDAY, NOV. 15, 1 P.M. EASTERN (Match Play Finals) Women’s Championship: Lynda Barnes, Double Oak, TX, vs. Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, NY. Semifinal Match One: Steve Jaros, Yorkville, IL, vs. Rhino Page, Wesley Chapel, FL. Semifinal Match Two: Ryan Ciminelli, Rochester, NY, vs. Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, AZ. Championship: Winner Match One vs. Winner Match Two Prize Money: $25,000 first, $13,000 second, third $7,000 each.
PBA Chameleon Championship SUNDAY, NOV. 22, 1 P.M. EASTERN (Match Play Finals) Women’s Championship: Shannon Pluhowsky, Phoenix, AZ vs. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, TX Semifinal Match One: Sean Rash, Wichita, KS, vs. Ronnie Russell, Camby, IN. Semifinal Match Two: Bill O’Neill, Southampton, PA, vs. Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela. Championship: Winner Match One vs. Winner Match Two Prize Money: $25,000 first, $13,000 second, third $7,000 each.
PBA Scorpion Championship SUNDAY, NOV. 29, 1 P.M. EASTERN (Match Play Finals) Women’s Championship: Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, NY, vs. Shannon Pluhowsky, Phoenix, AZ. Semifinal Match One: Sean Rash, Wichita, KS, vs. Mike DeVaney, San Diego, CA. Semifinal Match Two: Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, MI, vs. Jason Belmonte, Australia. Championship: Winner Match One vs. Winner Match Two Prize Money: $25,000 first, $13,000 second, third $7,000 each.
PBA Shark Championship SUNDAY, DEC. 6, 1 P.M. EASTERN (Match Play Finals) Women’s Championship: Kelly Kulick, Union, NJ, vs. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Keller, TX. Semifinal Match One: Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, NY, vs. Wes Malott, Pflugerville, TX. Semifinal Match Two: Jason Couch, Clermont, FL, vs. Michael Fagan, Patchogue, NY. Championship: Winner Match One vs. Winner Match Two Prize Money: $25,000 first, $13,000 second, third $7,000 each.
PBA World Championship SUNDAY, DEC. 13, 1 P.M. EASTERN (Live Match Play Finals) Semifinal Match One: Bill O’Neill, Southampton, PA, vs. Thomas Smallwood, Saginaw, MI. Semifinal Match Two: Wes Malott, Pflugerville, TX, vs. Rhino Page, Wesley Chapel, FL. Championship: Winner Match One vs. Winner Match Two Prize Money: $50,000 first, $25,000 second, third $11,500 each.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Mohr, Voss and Graybeal Receive PBA Senior Honors
Ron Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Senior Tour’s only three-time winner in 2009, has been selected as PBA Senior Tour Player of the Year by a panel of veteran bowling writers and his fellow competitors.
Brian Voss of Alpharetta, GA, has been elected as the PBA Senior Tour’s 2009 Rookie of the Year and veteran Senior Tour competitor Larry Graybeal of Elizabethton, TN, is the winner of the second PBA Dick Weber Sportsmanship Award.Mohr, a 53-year-old second-year Senior Tour member, won the PBA Jackson (MI) Senior Open and PBA Dayton (Ohio) Senior Open, kicking off the 2009 season with his first two titles in back-to-back weeks. He won his third title in the Senior Dick Weber Open in Lansing, MI, where he defeated four-time defending Senior Player of the Year Tom Baker, 232-175, in the title match.
In 12 Senior Tour events, Mohr cashed in all 12, advanced to match play 11 times and he had five top-five finishes. He was runner-up in the Senior Tour earnings race to Wayne Webb by only $250 with his $41,600 total, and he led the full-time touring seniors in average at 223.14.
“I don’t know if it’s a surprise to get the news, but it’s still a shock,” Mohr said. “You hope things will turn out this way, but you never know. After my first year, I realized I could be competitive, but it’s a major step to win a title and then to win more than once is surreal. To go on to win Player of the Year is beyond anything a guy living in Alaska could ever imagine.
“I think it would be easy to accept this, say it has been a great year, and move on,” he added. “But I’m looking for ways to get better. Tom Baker won this honor four years in a row. I’m going to try to get better if I have any hope of doing something like that. And with Walter Ray (Williams Jr.) coming out on the Senior Tour, even for a few events, we’ll all have our work cut out for us next year.”
Voss, who bowled in only six events, didn’t win a title, but he finished second in the Senior Dayton Open, second to Webb in the Senior U.S. Open, and tied for fifth in the USBC Senior Masters. Voss was granted a “Golden Umbrella” exemption to rejoin the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour in August, and missed the final five Senior Tour events.
During his limited action, he was the only player to out-average Mohr (223.99) and he earned $22,200 – eighth best among the seniors.
“It’s always nice to win something, to be recognized. I would have preferred to be Player of the Year, but it suggests I’m still competitive,” the 24-time Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titlist said.
“My first Senior Tour event was a rude awakening (he failed to cash). I didn’t bowl practice. I had no idea what lanes were like. It turned out they were pretty easy, and I have all of the excuses in the world why I wasn’t ready. “But I adapted,” the 53-year-old Voss continued. “I finished second the next week in Dayton, and I did well in the majors. It was good competition and it was really nice to see some of my old friends.”
Voss, a PBA and USBC Hall of Famer, will be a full-time member of the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour for the 2009-10 season, so his participation in Senior Tour events is unknown. “We’ll see what my schedule is. I’ll bowl a few,” he said.
Graybeal, who turned 70 on Sept. 7, bowled in his 100th PBA Senior Tour event in the PBA Senior World Championship in Allen Park, MI, in August. The 26-year PBA member won his only PBA title – a senior regional event – in Gastonia, NC, in November 2006.
“I was kinda surprised, but I’m really honored to have an award with that man’s name (Dick Weber) on it,” Graybeal said. The former textile printing supervisor fought and beat colon cancer in 2001, which proved to be a turning point in his life.
“I decided after that I was going to do what I wanted to do with my life. I’m still at it, still trying to win,” he grinned. He acknowledged he’s a consistent Super Senior casher – the 60-and-older group who don’t cash in the regular prize list, “but that’s not what I’m shooting at. “I try to be a nice guy,” Graybeal continued. “It’s not always the easiest thing to do when you’re a competitor. I guess you’d call it losing gracefully.”
Graybeal’s selection by his peers was the perfect choice, according to PBA Senior Tour Tournament Director Corey Kistner and PBA Regional and Senior Tours Director John Weber, the son of the award’s namesake. “I’m really happy to see a guy like Larry win this award,” Kistner said. “He’s the epitome of what the sportsmanship award represents. He’s definitely deserving.”
“On behalf of the Weber family as well as the PBA, I’m really happy the players voted for someone as congenial as Larry Graybeal. All of the players look up to him. He’s just a pleasure to be around. I couldn’t be happier.”
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Williams Turns 50, Senior Tour and More Records Await
Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr. spent a relaxing day at home Tuesday, contemplating if not celebrating his 50th birthday.
In addition to his record 45 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titles and more than $4 million in career earnings heading into the PBA’s World Series of Bowling, Oct. 6 marked the day Walter Ray Williams Jr. became eligible to begin compiling a new set of records as a PBA Senior Tour competitor.
“Yeah, I’ve been looking forward to do this day for a long time,” he dead-panned.
“I’m just happy to be up and around.”
At age 50, Williams remains a remarkably physically-fit athlete. He plays golf at near-scratch level. He’s still a world-class horseshoe player. And he remains at the top of his chosen sport – bowling – with no end in sight.
“Amazingly, I didn’t expect to be doing this well this late in my career, but I’m still bowling fairly consistently and giving the kids something to shoot at,” he said. “Right now I’m exempt (to compete on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour) and that’s my main focus, but I’ll bowl most of the PBA Senior Tour events I’m available for, if my schedule allows. I might bowl a few regionals if I can, too.
“It’s funny,” he added. “Last weekend there was a senior regional about 50 miles away from me, but I wasn’t 50 yet…” It’s hard to imagine what Williams has left to conquer as he enters the 2009-10 season, but there are a couple of items on his wish list.
“If they don’t happen, it’s not a big deal, but winning the Tournament of Champions would be a nice addition to my portfolio,” he said. The Tournament of Champions is the only major title Williams is missing. A TOC victory would mean completion of the PBA Triple Crown (U.S. Open and PBA Championship), Grand Slam (add the USBC Masters) and Super Slam (add the PBA Touring Players Championship).
“I don’t expect it, and if it never happens, oh, well. The other is bowling a 300 on TV. I don’t expect that either, but I hope to get a few opportunities. “I’ve had a few chances at 300s on TV, but I either threw a bad shot or got a bad break.
People make a big deal about bowling 300 games, but bowling one on TV would be kinda special,” he said. “And it would be nice to throw one at someone else. I’ve certainly had enough of them (four) thrown at me.”
Williams has remained remarkably fit across the years. He has his occasional sore knee and sore wrist problems – functions of age, but otherwise he more than holds his own against “the kids.”
“Physically, I’ve kept my weight under control,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing. About five years ago my wife (Paige) decided to get serious about her weight and I decided that was a pretty good idea for me as well. I started eating less, drinking water rather than soda, things like that. I don’t work out a lot, but I get exercise with golf and horseshoes. I probably do a real workout once a week or so, but it’s more diet for me than anything. I love to eat like everyone, but if I kept going the way I was going a few years, I was going to be way too heavy.
“I feel good,” Williams continued. “My biggest problem during the off season is that I don’t work at my game a lot. I’ve been doing some exhibitions, and I’ve bowled a couple of regionals. I’m going to bowl a couple more because I want to get ready for the (QubicaAMF) World Cup in Malaysia.
For me, tournament play is the best practice in the world.”
Another adjustment to Williams’ physical and mental well-being has been fatherhood. At age 47, he and Paige adopted their daughter, Rebecca, who is now 3. “Oh, yes, Rebecca counts as exercise,” he laughed. “Life is good.”
Williams is the top qualifier and will compete for his 46th career title in the finals of the PBA Motor City Open which will air on ESPN on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. Eastern.
In addition to his record 45 Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour titles and more than $4 million in career earnings heading into the PBA’s World Series of Bowling, Oct. 6 marked the day Walter Ray Williams Jr. became eligible to begin compiling a new set of records as a PBA Senior Tour competitor.
“Yeah, I’ve been looking forward to do this day for a long time,” he dead-panned.
“I’m just happy to be up and around.”
At age 50, Williams remains a remarkably physically-fit athlete. He plays golf at near-scratch level. He’s still a world-class horseshoe player. And he remains at the top of his chosen sport – bowling – with no end in sight.
“Amazingly, I didn’t expect to be doing this well this late in my career, but I’m still bowling fairly consistently and giving the kids something to shoot at,” he said. “Right now I’m exempt (to compete on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour) and that’s my main focus, but I’ll bowl most of the PBA Senior Tour events I’m available for, if my schedule allows. I might bowl a few regionals if I can, too.
“It’s funny,” he added. “Last weekend there was a senior regional about 50 miles away from me, but I wasn’t 50 yet…” It’s hard to imagine what Williams has left to conquer as he enters the 2009-10 season, but there are a couple of items on his wish list.
“If they don’t happen, it’s not a big deal, but winning the Tournament of Champions would be a nice addition to my portfolio,” he said. The Tournament of Champions is the only major title Williams is missing. A TOC victory would mean completion of the PBA Triple Crown (U.S. Open and PBA Championship), Grand Slam (add the USBC Masters) and Super Slam (add the PBA Touring Players Championship).
“I don’t expect it, and if it never happens, oh, well. The other is bowling a 300 on TV. I don’t expect that either, but I hope to get a few opportunities. “I’ve had a few chances at 300s on TV, but I either threw a bad shot or got a bad break.
People make a big deal about bowling 300 games, but bowling one on TV would be kinda special,” he said. “And it would be nice to throw one at someone else. I’ve certainly had enough of them (four) thrown at me.”
Williams has remained remarkably fit across the years. He has his occasional sore knee and sore wrist problems – functions of age, but otherwise he more than holds his own against “the kids.”
“Physically, I’ve kept my weight under control,” he said. “That’s the biggest thing. About five years ago my wife (Paige) decided to get serious about her weight and I decided that was a pretty good idea for me as well. I started eating less, drinking water rather than soda, things like that. I don’t work out a lot, but I get exercise with golf and horseshoes. I probably do a real workout once a week or so, but it’s more diet for me than anything. I love to eat like everyone, but if I kept going the way I was going a few years, I was going to be way too heavy.
“I feel good,” Williams continued. “My biggest problem during the off season is that I don’t work at my game a lot. I’ve been doing some exhibitions, and I’ve bowled a couple of regionals. I’m going to bowl a couple more because I want to get ready for the (QubicaAMF) World Cup in Malaysia.
For me, tournament play is the best practice in the world.”
Another adjustment to Williams’ physical and mental well-being has been fatherhood. At age 47, he and Paige adopted their daughter, Rebecca, who is now 3. “Oh, yes, Rebecca counts as exercise,” he laughed. “Life is good.”
Williams is the top qualifier and will compete for his 46th career title in the finals of the PBA Motor City Open which will air on ESPN on Sunday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m. Eastern.
BWAA Selects O'Neill Bowler of the Month
Bill O'Neill of Southampton, Pa. has been named Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) for September.
The two-time Collegiate Player of the Year won his first Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) title, the PBA Chameleon Championship over Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 205-192, and then continued his hot hand in the Pan American Bowling Confederation (PABCON) Championships in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Competing as a Team USA member for the first time, O'Neill took home four out of a possible six gold medals in Men's Team, Men's Trios, Men's All-Events, and Men's Singles. He broke an eight-year-old record in the Men's Singles event averaging 245, and won the Men's All-Events by over 300 pins.
In very close voting this month, other nominees capturing votes were Kelly Kulick, PBA Women's World Championship and Women's Series Shark Championship winner, and Shannon Pulhowsky, PBA Women's Series Chameleon Championship winner, PBA World Championship runner up, PABCON Women's Team Gold Medalist, PABCON Women's Trio's Gold Medalist.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
PBA Online Features
This Week on PBA.com’s Xtra Frame
Monday, Oct. 5 – World Series of Bowling (WSOB) Feature: Andrew Cain
PBA Tour player and pba.com blogger Andrew Cain was given a camera to record his experiences during the World Series of Bowling. Watch what he captured after spending the month in a rented house in Detroit with fellow players Stuart Williams, Martin Larsen, Paul Moor and Michael Haugen Jr.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 – 2002 PBA World Championship Formerly named the PBA National Championship, watch finalists Doug Kent, Lonnie Waliczek, Rick Steelsmith and Brian Voss battle it out for what was, at the time, the biggest payday in PBA history ($120,000).
Wednesday, Oct. 7 – WSOB Spotlight: Brunswick, featuring Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Sean Rash, Parker Bohn III, Leslie Bohn and Diandra Asbaty
In the third of nine weekly Product Spotlight features, watch the extended family of Brunswick staffers demonstrate the manufacturer’s latest lineup of equipment. Other manufacturers part of Xtra Frame’s WSOB Spotlight series in addition to Brunswick are Storm, Ebonite, AMF, Roto Grip, 900 Global, Hammer, Track and Columbia.
Thursday, Oct. 8 – 2003 PBA Miller High Life Open
A pair of high-scoring semifinals highlighted this event. Finalists include Brian Himmler, Parker Bohn III, Mika Koivuniemi and Mike Scroggins.
Friday, Oct. 9 – The Bowling Show (Now Free on PBA.com) The Bowling Show is back to its regular time with all-new stories. The Team USA-Team Europe battle in the Weber Cup is the subject of this week’s show.
Xtra Frame is PBA’s official online video subscription service. Bowling fans can subscribe to Xtra Frame on pba.com for $64.99 per year or $7.99 per month. To check out the Xtra Frame programming schedule for the upcoming weeks click on pba.com/xtraframe.
Monday, Oct. 5 – World Series of Bowling (WSOB) Feature: Andrew Cain
PBA Tour player and pba.com blogger Andrew Cain was given a camera to record his experiences during the World Series of Bowling. Watch what he captured after spending the month in a rented house in Detroit with fellow players Stuart Williams, Martin Larsen, Paul Moor and Michael Haugen Jr.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 – 2002 PBA World Championship Formerly named the PBA National Championship, watch finalists Doug Kent, Lonnie Waliczek, Rick Steelsmith and Brian Voss battle it out for what was, at the time, the biggest payday in PBA history ($120,000).
Wednesday, Oct. 7 – WSOB Spotlight: Brunswick, featuring Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Sean Rash, Parker Bohn III, Leslie Bohn and Diandra Asbaty
In the third of nine weekly Product Spotlight features, watch the extended family of Brunswick staffers demonstrate the manufacturer’s latest lineup of equipment. Other manufacturers part of Xtra Frame’s WSOB Spotlight series in addition to Brunswick are Storm, Ebonite, AMF, Roto Grip, 900 Global, Hammer, Track and Columbia.
Thursday, Oct. 8 – 2003 PBA Miller High Life Open
A pair of high-scoring semifinals highlighted this event. Finalists include Brian Himmler, Parker Bohn III, Mika Koivuniemi and Mike Scroggins.
Friday, Oct. 9 – The Bowling Show (Now Free on PBA.com) The Bowling Show is back to its regular time with all-new stories. The Team USA-Team Europe battle in the Weber Cup is the subject of this week’s show.
Xtra Frame is PBA’s official online video subscription service. Bowling fans can subscribe to Xtra Frame on pba.com for $64.99 per year or $7.99 per month. To check out the Xtra Frame programming schedule for the upcoming weeks click on pba.com/xtraframe.