Saturday, January 30, 2010

Michael Fagan Top Seed at Dick Weber Open

Mike Fagan of Patchogue, NY, earned top-qualifier honors Friday for Sunday’s stepladder finals of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) One A Day Dick Weber Open at Fountain Bowl.

Fagan posted a 17-7 overall match play record and was 8-0 after Friday night’s final match play round. His 9,136 39-game overall pinfall was 172 pins ahead of PBA Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr. who qualified second for the finals. Fagan will be hoping to avenge his 278-168 championship match loss to Norm Duke in last season’s Dick Weber Open.

“Well I can’t do any worse than last year,” said the 29-year-old Fagan.

“I’m going to be thinking about a game plan for Sunday so I’ll be as prepared as I can be for the championship match and hopefully the results will be different this year.”

Fagan is trying for his first individual PBA Tour title. He has one Tour win which came in the 2007-08 season in the PBA Exempt Doubles Classic with partner Danny Wiseman.

Williams, the all-time leader in career PBA Tour titles, will be looking to win his 47th tournament and second of the season. He had a 12-12 match play record and 8,964 pinfall.

“It’s just a matter of finding the right line and getting a good ball reaction,” said the 50-year-old Williams. “I’ve won from every position in the finals so I like my chances for Sunday.”

Qualifying in the No. 3 spot for the finals was Hall of Famer Pete Weber with an 8,941 39-game pinfall and 14-9-1 overall match play record. He is hoping to win his 35th Tour title which is named after his legendary father and would put him in third place all alone on the all-time list.

“I love this house,” Weber said. “I always bowl well here but I just haven’t been able to put it all together for TV. Hopefully, it will be a different story on Sunday.”

Qualifying fourth was last year’s fourth-place finisher and four-time Tour titlist Ryan Shafer. Bill O’Neill, who won the PBA Chameleon Championship earlier this season for his first career title, defeated Eugene McCune in the position round match 278-227 to qualify for the fifth stepladder spot.

The tournament featured the “traditional” qualifying and match play format used in the PBA’s early years with three rounds of qualifying determining the top 24 advancing to three eight-game blocks of round-robin match play.

The top five players after match play advanced to the stepladder finals. Sunday’s live ESPN2 finals will get underway at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific).

PBA One A Day Dick Weber Open
Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, Calif.
Jan. 29, 2010
Sixth Round (after 39 games including match play record and pinfall including bonus) Top five advance to Sunday’s stepladder finals at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific)
1, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 17-7, 9,136.
2, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 12-12, 8,964.
3, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 14-9-1, 8,941.
4, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 17-6-1, 8,919.
5, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., 14-10, 8,814.
6, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 12-12, 8,789, $5,000.
7, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 14-10, 8,720, $4,500.
8, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 14-10, 8,640, $4,000.
9, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 14-10, 8,597, $3,800.
10, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 10-14, 8,556, $3,600.
11, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 10-13-1, 8,514, $3,400.
12, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 10-14, 8,507, $3,200.
13, Robert Smith, Columbus, Ohio, 12-12, 8,501, $3,000.
14, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 10-13-1, 8,484, $2,800.
15, Mike DeVaney, San Diego, 13-10-1, 8,466, $2,700.
16, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 7-14-3, 8,389, $2,600.
17, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 12-12, 8,383, $2,500.
18, Steve Harman, Indianapolis, 14-10, 8,345, $2,400.
19, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 12-12, 8,330, $2,350.
20, Troy Wollenbecker, Miami, Fla., 9-15, 8,317, $2,300.
21, Stevie Weber, Chalmette, La., 8-15-1, 8,263, $2,250.
22, Ronnie Russell, Camby, Ind., 8-15-1, 8,225, $2,200.
23, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 10-14, 8,200, $2,150.
24, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 10-14, 8,160, $2,100.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Fagan Keeps His Lead at One A Day Dick Weber Open

Mike Fagan of Patchogue, NY, maintained his lead in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) One A
Day Dick Weber
Open Thursday after the first eight-game match play round.

Despite a 3-5 record, Fagan had a 5,297 23-game overall pinfall to hold a 23-pin lead over Hall of Famer
Walter Ray Williams Jr. in second. Williams is the PBA
Tour's all-time win leader with 46 Lumber
Liquidators
PBA Tour titles.


“At some point in a tournament like this everyone is going to have times when they are struggling,” said
Fagan. “The lanes were tough in match play but
probably not as tough as it was for the other guys. I have
some adjustments to
make to gain a little more confidence for tomorrow.

“I still feel good but the important thing now is not to get ahead of myself.”

Fagan, who finished second in last season’s Dick Weber Open as a result of losing in the championship
match to PBA Hall of Famer and defending champion
Norm Duke 278-168, is hoping for his first individual
Tour title. His lone win
came in the 2007-08 season in the PBA Exempt Doubles Classic with partner
Danny
Wiseman.

Among other notables in the top 24 are 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones in third with
5,235, followed by last season’s Dick Weber Open fourth
place finisher Ryan Shafer in fourth with 5,204.

Three other PBA Hall of Famers are also in the top 24; Amleto Monacelli in fifth with 5,178, Pete Weber in
sixth with 5,132, and Duke in 13th with 5,022.


Competition continues today with two more eight-game rounds of match play. The top five bowlers after
match play advance to the stepladder finals that will
be televised Sunday by ESPN2 at 1 p.m. Eastern
(10 a.m. Pacific).



PBA One A Day Dick Weber Open
Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, CA
Jan. 28, 2010

Fourth Round (after 23 games, including match play records and bonus pins)

1, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 3-5-0, 5,297.
2, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 5-3-0, 5,274.
3, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 6-2-0, 5,235.
4, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 6-2-0, 5,204.
5, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 5-3-0, 5,178.
6, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 5-3-0, 5,132.
7, Robert Smith, Columbus, Ohio, 4-4-0, 5,108.
8, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., 4-4-0, 5,083.
9, Mike DeVaney, San Diego, 5-2-1, 5,068.
10, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 3-5-0, 5,046.
11, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 3-5-0, 5,033.
12, Ronnie Russell, Camby, Ind., 6-2-0, 5,031.
13, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 2-6-0, 5,022.
14, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 5-3-0, 5,005.
15, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 4-4-0, 5,004.
16, Stevie Weber, Chalmette, La., 4-3-1, 4,989.
17, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 2-6-0, 4,979.
18, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 2-6-0, 4,967.
19, Troy Wollenbecker, Miami, Fla., 2-6-0, 4,952.
20, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 4-4-0, 4,934.
21, Steve Harman, Indianapolis, 5-3-0, 4,898.
22, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 2-4-2, 4,878.
23, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 4-4-0, 4,848.
24, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 3-5-0, 4,836.


Results after Third Round (after 15 games)
Top 24 advanced to round-robin match play

1, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 3,538.
2, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 3,441.
3, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 3,366.
4, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,345.
5, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 3,323.
6, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 3,301.
7, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., 3,285.
8, Robert Smith, Columbus, Ohio, 3,282.
9, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,264.
10, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., and Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 3,259.
12, Stevie Weber, Chalmette, La., 3,253.
13, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., and Troy Wollenbecker, Miami, Fla., 3,244.
15, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 3,233.
16, Steve Harman, Indianapolis, 3,207.
17, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 3,206.
18, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 3,205.
19, Mike DeVaney, San Diego, 3,199.
20, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 3,185.
21, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 3,177.
22, Ronnie Russell, Camby, Ind., and Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 3,172.
24, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 3,157.
25, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 3,153, $1,700.
26, Vance Sisk, Sun City, Calif., 3,144, $1,650.
27, Dennis Horan Jr., Temecula, Calif., 3,142, $1,600.
28, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 3,140, $1,550.
29, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill., 3,137, $1,500.
30, Stuart Williams, England, 3,126, $1,450.
31, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 3,125, $1,400.
32, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., 3,117, $1,350.
33, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 3,112, $1,330.
34, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3,111, $1,320.
35, Dominic Barrett, England, 3,100, $1,310.
36, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 3,097, $1,300.
37, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 3,090, $1,290.
38, Eddie VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 3,087, $1,380.
39, Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz., 3,085, $1,270.
40, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 3,083, $1,260.
41, Jon Brandon, Santa Clarita, Calif., 3,082, $1,250.
42, Missy Bellinder, Lake Forest, Calif., 3,076, $1,240.
43, Ben Laughlin, Phoenix, Ariz., 3,075, $1,230.
44, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 3,073, $1,220.
45, Tony Cowan, Twin Falls, Idaho, 3,069, $1,210.
46, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 3,064, $1,200.
47, David O'Sullivan, Orlando, Fla, 3,061, $1,190.
48, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 3,059, $1,180.
49, PJ Haggerty, Clovis, Calif., 3,056, $1,170.
50, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 3,052, $1,160.
51, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 3,049, $1,150.
52, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., 3,048.
53, Mitch Beasley, Puyallup, Wash., 3,046.
54, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 3,045.
55, Paul Varela, Carson, Calif., 3,038.
56, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Hts., Ohio, 3,035.
57, John Nolen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 3,031.
58, Todd Book, Wapakoneta, Ohio, 3,030.
59, George Lambert IV, Canada, 3,019.
60, Paul Moor, England, 3,014.
61, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3,002.
62, Scott Kraye, LaHabra, Calif., and Tim Mack, Indianapolis, 2,998.
64, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 2,994.
65, Devin Bidwell, Simi Valley, Calif., 2,988.
66, Joe Goldstein Sr, Hayward, Calif, 2,984.
67, Tony Figuiera, Gardena, Calif., 2,973.
68, Andrew Cain, Scottsdale, Ariz., 2,962.
69, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 2,957.
70, Raul Rosales, El Monte, Calif., 2,955.
71, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 2,953.
72, Chris Grulke, Irvine, Calif., and Wayne Garber, Modesto, Calif., 2,952.
74, Ryan Abel, Bel Aire, Kan., 2,951.
75, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., and David Haynes, Las Vegas, 2,946.
77, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 2,940.
78, Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., 2,939.
79, Cassidy Schaub, Ashland, Ohio, 2,937.
80, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 2,933.
81, Bobby Campagnale, Highland, Calif., 2,917.
82, Nicholas Wilson, LaMirada, Calif., 2,911.
83, Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., 2,909.
84, Scott Critchfield, Canyon Country, Calif. Dave Wodka, Chatsworth, Calif., andZack Jellsey, Moreno Valey, Calif., 2,907.
87, Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga., 2,901.
88, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 2,887.
89, Brandon Kraye, LaHabra, Calif., 2,885.
90, Troy Kendrick, Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Michael Cimba, Monroeville, Pa., 2,882.
92, Lowell Huber, Westminster, Calif., 2,875.
93, Peter Ljung, Sweden, 2,869.
94, Manuel Otalora, Weston, Fla., 2,867.
95, Tim Porritt, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., 2,866.
96, Steven Black, Phoenix, 2,857.
97, Jesse Buss, Wichita, Kan., 2,845.
98, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 2,837.
99, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., and Derek Sapp, Keokuk, Iowa, 2,834.
101, Rick Francis, Linden, Calif., 2,829.
102, Kevin Gallagher, Torrance, Calif, 2,822.
103, Jason Tehee, Fresno, Calif., 2,812.
104, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 2,805.
105, Carmen Salvino, Schaumburg, Ill., and Adrienne Miller, Albuquerque, N.M.., 2,804.
107, Scott Norton, Costa Mesa, Calif., 2,798.
108, John Oliva, Simi Valley, Calif, 2,794.
109, Ray Cobb, Highland, Calif., 2,782.and Nathaniel Jones, Twin Falls, Idaho, 2,782.
111, Michael Hamilton, Miami, and Jonathan Van Hees, Charlestown, R.I., 2,772.
113, Art Ramirez, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 2,760.
114, Mike Armstrong Jr, Tucson, Ariz., and Liwei Liu, Pasadena, Calif., 2,749.
116, Kevin Westerman, Moreno Valley, Calif., 2,745.
117, Lindsay Baker, Amherst, N.Y., 2,743.
118, Laura Fonnegra, Colombia, 2,736.
119, Brandon Grant, Bellflower, Calif., Andre Eubanks, Los Angeles, and Mads Sandbekken, Norway, 2,734.
122, Jason Thomas, Moorpark, Calif., 2,711.
123, Kevin Valmonte, LaVerne, Calif., 2,703.
124, Frank Gallo Jr., Cape Carteret, N.C., 2,680.
125, Thomas Andres Sr., Highland, Calif., 2,677.
126, Rocio Restrepo, Colombia, 2,674.
127, Kenneth Maxey Jr., La Habra, Calif., 2,668.
128, Paul Navarrette, Riverside, Calif., 2,667.
129, Patrick Smith, Bakersfield, Calif., 2,666.
130, Nicole Ellison, Chatsworth, Calif., 2,663.
131, Drew Parkin, Lake Forest, Calif., 2,649.
132, Dennis Cassidy, Victorville, Calif., 2,640.
133, Jaime Monroy, Colombia, 2,636.
134, Rich Maldonado, Anaheim, Calif., 2,631.
135, Tony Knuth, Oceanside, Calif., 2,623.
136, Garran Hein, Brea, Calif., 2,622.
137, Jim Theyken, San Diego, and James Grago, Rome, N.Y., 2,607.
139, Alan Mojado, Fallbrook, Calif., 2,600.
140, Michael Peterson, Los Angeles, 2,599.
141, Jeff Garrison, Hawthorne, Calif., 2,595.
142, Daniel Wood, Beaumont, Calif., 2,584.
143, Lawrence Pena, West Covina, Calif., 2,515.
144, Anggie Ramirez, Colombia, 2,510.
145, Howard Goldstein, Northridge, Calif., 2,484.
146, Donn Flanders II, Anaheim, Calif., 2,466.
147, Lamont Hanna, Salt Lake City, 2,397.
148, Bruce Kramer, Westminster, Calif, 2,384.
149, Victor Cruz, Perris, Calif., 2,324.
150, Demetrius Cash, Costa Mesa, Calif., 2,205.
151, Robert Piroozshad, Irvine, Calif., 1,923.
152, Michael Reichstein, Agoura Hills, Calif., 1,610.
153, Joseph Locke, Moreno Valley, Calif., 1,581.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Williams Made a Dream Come True

Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Hall of Famer and all-time titles leader
Walter Ray Williams Jr., made a dream come true for 15-year-old Eric Mandzuch of
Los Angeles, who has recently recovered eye cancer, prior to the start of the One
A
Day Dick Weber Open.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation and PBA teamed up to allow Mandzuch to bowl
with Williams at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, CA, where the teenager also
received some valuable pointers to help with his game during a friendly
three-game match.

“I’m overwhelmed to be here,” said Mandzuch, who holds a 194 average. “It’s
amazing to see all these pros here. Being here is giving me a lot of inspiration
to pursue my dream of becoming a pro bowler.”

While Williams won their three-game match (608-531), the experience was
something Mandzuch will never forget.

“He gave me a lot of help with my spares,” the Culver Park Independent Study
High School sophomore said. “I found out how tough it was to bowl on PBA lane
conditions. I can see why these guys are the best.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening
medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his
dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest
wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and
its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers
the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted
more than 180,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more
information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how
you can “share the power of a wish®.”

Dick Weber Open on "the Deuce" Sunday

PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke of Clermont, FL, began defense of his One A Day Dick Weber Open title Wednesday as competition got underway at Fountain Bowl in Fountain Valley, CA.
Sunday’s finals will shift from the PBA’s normal home on
ESPN to “the Deuce” –
ESPN2 – for this week only. The
Dick Weber Open finals will air live at 1 p.m. Eastern
(10 a.m. Pacific) on Jan. 31.
The Dick Weber Open has become the unofficial “fifth major” on the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour schedule because it features the traditional open qualifying format used in the PBA’s early years when bowling great Dick Weber was a dominant player. The format includes 15 games of qualifying with the top 24 advancing to three eight-game blocks of round-robin match play to determine the five-player stepladder final.
In addition to Duke trying for his 34th career title, Hall of 
Famer Pete Weber will try to win his 35th in the event
named after his legendary father. Pete finished third in the
2009 Dick Weber Open, the event Duke won by defeating
Mike Fagan (second round leader after Wednesday's action)
of Patchogue, NY, 278-168, in the title match.

Subscribers to pba.com’s Xtra Frame online “television
channel” will have a front row seat for all of the One A Day
Dick Weber Open action. To sign up, visit pba.com.

2009-10 LUMBER LIQUIDATORS PBA TOUR STATISTICAL LEADERS

EARNINGS Events Total
1, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. 10 $72,200
2, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 10 $69,050
3, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 10 $64,085
4, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 10 $57,070
5, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas 10 $56,170
6, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa. 10 $56,125
7, Mike DeVaney, San Diego 10 $45,770
8, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. 10 $44,380
9, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 10 $43,570
10, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan. 10 $41,000

AVERAGES Games Average
1, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y. 190 223.84
2, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 296 223.20
3, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas 288 222.33
4, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 283 221.64
5, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 226 220.58
6, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 183 220.46
7, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y. 258 220.23
8, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. 274 219.96
9, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan. 286 219.32
10, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla. 265 218.93

PBA PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS CRA Points
1, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa. 3 28
Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich. 2 28
3, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 3 24
Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. 1 24
5, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 2 20
6, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 2 18
7, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 1 16
Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y. 2 16
Mike DeVaney, San Diego 1 16
Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y. 1 16
Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 1 16
Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill. 1 16
(CRA = Championship Round Appearances)

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Fagan Takes The Lead in One A Day Dick Weber Open

Mike Fagan of Patchogue, NY, averaged 235.5 to take the second round lead Wednesday in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) One A Day Dick Weber Open at Fountain Bowl.
Fagan, who finished second to winner Norm Duke in last
season’s Dick Weber Open, topped the 153-player field
with a 2,355 10-game pinfall. He leads two-time Tour titlist
Lonnie Waliczek of Wichita, KS, in second by 55 pins.

“I’ve had good success here,” said Fagan. “It seems like I’m
able to make the right adjustments quickly and I’m able to
learn what I need to do from each shot. Last year was a breakout year for me
here so I’m pretty confident.”

Fagan has one PBA Tour win which came in the 2007-08 season in the PBA
Exempt Doubles Classic with Danny Wiseman.

The field of 153 players will return Thursday for a final five-game qualifying
round to determine the top 24 who will advance to match play beginning Thursday
evening. Match play continues on Friday to determine the top five bowlers who
will advance to the Sunday’s stepladder final that will be televised by ESPN2 at
1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific).

PBA One A Day Dick Weber Open
Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, CA
Jan. 27, 2010

Second Round (after 10 games)
1, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 2,355
2, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 2,300
3, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., 2,290
4, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 2,267
5, Robert Smith, Columbus, Ohio, 2,249
6, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 2,222
7, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 2,217
8, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 2,200
9, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 2,198
10, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 2,197
11, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., and Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 2,196
13, Stevie Weber, Chalmette, La., 2,195
14, Steve Harman, Indianapolis, 2,163
15, Troy Wollenbecker, Miami, Fla., 2,162
16, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 2,161
17, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 2,160
18, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 2,159
19, Mike DeVaney, San Diego, 2,149
20, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 2,143
21, John Nolen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 2,137
22, Vance Sisk, Sun City, Calif., 2,113
23, Stuart Williams, England, 2,112
24, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 2,110
25, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., and Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 2,109
27, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 2,107
28, Ronnie Russell, Camby, Ind., 2,105
29, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz., and David Haynes, Las Vegas, NV
2,100
32, Tim Mack, Indianapolis, 2,090
33, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, IL, Jason Belmonte, Australia, and Steve Jaros, Yorkville, IL, 2,084
36, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 2,080
37, Dennis Horan Jr., Temecula, Calif., 2,079
38, Mitch Beasley, Puyallup, Wash., 2,078
39, PJ Haggerty, Clovis, Calif., 2,071
40, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2,068
41, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 2,062
42, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 2,061
43, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Hts, Ohio, 2,059
44, Ben Laughlin, Phoenix, Ariz., 2,048
45, Paul Moor, England, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., and Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 2,045
48, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., and Dominic Barrett, England, 2,044
50, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., and George Lambert IV, Canada, 2,041
52, Missy Bellinder, Lake Forest, Calif., 2,040
53, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 2,038
54, Jon Brandon, Santa Clarita, Calif., 2,035
55, Paul Varela, Carson, Calif., 2,021
56, Tony Cowan, Twin Falls, Idaho, 2,019
57, Cassidy Schaub, Ashland, Ohio, 2,011
58, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 2,008
58, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 2,008
60, Andres Gomez, Colombia, 2,004
61, Wayne Garber, Modesto, Calif., 1,999
62, Eddie VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 1,996
63, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1,995
64, Andrew Cain, Scottsdale, Ariz., 1,994
65, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,993
66, Joe Goldstein, Hayward, Calif., 1,991
67, Scott Kraye, LaHabra, Calif., 1,989
68, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, and Mads Sandbekken, Norway, 1,986
70, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, and Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1,985
72, Ryan Abel, Bel Aire, Kan., 1,981
73, Todd Book, Wapakoneta, Ohio, 1,976
74, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 1,974
75, Zack Jellsey, Moreno Valley, Calif., 1,972
76, Manuel Otalora, Weston, Fla., 1,966
77, Devin Bidwell, Simi Valley, Calif., 1,965
78, Michael Cimba, Monroeville, Pa., 1,958
79, Nicholas Wilson, LaMirada, Calif., 1,952
80, Derek Sapp, Keokuk, Iowa, 1,949
81, David O'Sullivan, Orlando, Fla., 1,948
82, Tony Figuiera, Gardena, Calif., and Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., 1,947
84, Troy Kendrick, Laguna Niguel, Calif., and Raul Rosales, El Monte, Calif., 1,946
86, Tim Porritt, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., John Oliva, Simi Valley, Calif., and Rick Francis,
Linden, Calif., 1,940
89, Steven Black, Phoenix, 1,939
90, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,936
91, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 1,935
92, Jesse Buss, Wichita, Kan., 1,933
93, Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., 1,932
94, Lowell Huber, Westminster, Calif., 1,929
95, Chris Grulke, Irvine, Calif., 1,928
96, Robert Piroozshad, Irvine, Calif., 1,923
97, Nathaniel Jones, Twin Falls, Idaho, 1,920
98, Jonathan Van Hees, Charlestown, R.I., 1,916
99, Jason Thomas, Moorpark, Calif., 1,915
100, Andre Eubanks, Los Angeles, 1,914
101, Liwei Liu, Pasadena, Calif., 1,907
102, Brandon Kraye, LaHabra, Calif., 1,906
103, Dave Wodka, Chatsworth, Calif., and Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, IL, 1,902
105, Adrienne Miller, Albuquerque, N.M.., 1,884
106, Michael Hamilton, Miami, Carmen Salvino, Schaumburg, IL, and John May, Lincolnton, NC, 1,875
109, Patrick Smith, Bakersfield, Calif., 1,872
110, Laura Fonnegra, Colombia, 1,870
111, Kevin Valmonte, LaVerne, Calif., 1,868
112, Art Ramirez, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 1,865
113, Peter Ljung, Sweden, 1,856
114, Bobby Campagnale, Highland, Calif., and Rocio Restrepo, Colombia, 1,849
116, Mike Armstrong Jr, Tucson, Ariz., 1,848
117, Garran Hein, Brea, Calif., 1,845
118, Scott Critchfield, Canyon Country, Calif., 1,843
119, Lindsay Baker, Amherst, N.Y., 1,840
120, Kevin Gallagher, Torrance, Calif., 1,836
121, Scott Norton, Costa Mesa, Calif., 1,835
122, Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga., 1,831
123, Jason Tehee, Fresno, Calif., 1,827
124, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 1,822
125, Paul Navarrette, Riverside, Calif, 1,819
126, Rich Maldonado, Anaheim, Calif., 1,813
127, Jaime Monroy, Colombia, and Drew Parkin, Lake Forest, Calif., 1,807
129, Thomas Andres Sr., Highland, Calif., 1,806
130, Kenneth Maxey Jr., La Habra, Calif., 1,804
131, Brandon Grant, Bellflower, Calif., 1,803
132, Ray Cobb, Highland, Calif., 1,801
133, Frank Gallo Jr., Cape Carteret, N.C., 1,789
134, Kevin Westerman, Moreno Valley, Calif., 1,778
135, Nicole Ellison, Chatsworth, Calif., 1,777
136, Michael Peterson, Los Angeles, 1,755
137, Dennis Cassidy, Victorville, Calif., 1,749
138, Tony Knuth, Oceanside, Calif., 1,740
139, Jeff Garrison, Hawthorne, Calif., 1,732
140, James Grago, Rome, N.Y., and Daniel Wood, Beaumont, Calif., 1,720
142, Alan Mojado, Fallbrook, Calif., 1,716
143, Anggie Ramirez, Colombia, 1,701
144, Jim Theyken, San Diego, 1,688
145, Lawrence Pena, West Covina, Calif., 1,679
146, Lamont Hanna, Salt Lake City, 1,642
147, Howard Goldstein, Northridge, Calif., 1,618
148, Michael Reichstein, Agoura Hills, Calif., 1,610
149, Joseph Locke, Moreno Valley, Calif., 1,581
150, Donn Flanders II, Anaheim, Calif., 1,559
151, Bruce Kramer, Westminster, Calif., 1,550
152, Demetrius Cash, Costa Mesa, Calif., 1,518

153, Victor Cruz, Perris, Calif., 1,513

Maximum Bob Leads First Round of the One A Day Dick Weber Open

Southern California native and seven-time Professional Bowlers
Association
(PBA) Tour titlist Robert Smith averaged 233 after five
games Wednesday to take the first round lead in the Professional

Bowlers
Association One A Day Dick Weber Open at Fountain Bowl in
Fountain
Valley, CA.
Smith, who now makes his home in Columbus, Ohio, topped a field of 153
bowlers
with a 1,166 five-game pinfall on games 212, 279, 256, 213, 206
to hold a
three-pin lead over 12-time titlist and 2005-06 PBA Player of
the Year
Tommy
Jones of Simpsonville, SC in second.

“I had two big games in that block that really carried me,” Smith said.
“The
lanes really opened up and that’s really an advantage for my game.

“When I bowl the next block the condition will be different and I’ll have to adjust quite a bit. This
tournament is kind of like a series of sprints and
that’s how I approach it.”

All bowlers return this evening for another five-game qualifying round and the final five-game
qualifying round Thursday. The field will then be cut to the
top 24 players who will advance to the
first eight-game match play round on
Thursday evening. Match play continues on Friday to
determine the top five
bowlers who will advance to the Sunday’s stepladder final that will be
televised
by ESPN2 at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific).

A member of the PBA and United States Bowling Congress Halls of Fame, Dick Weber amassed
one of the greatest careers in the sport. He was ranked No. 3 on the
PBA’s 50 Greatest list behind
only Earl Anthony and Walter Ray Williams Jr.
Weber’s 30 PBA Tour titles ranks sixth all-time and he
was the only bowler to
win a PBA title in six different decades.

PBA One A Day Dick Weber Open
Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley, CA
Jan. 27, 2010

First Round (after 5 games)

1, Robert Smith, Columbus, Ohio, 1,166
2, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,163
3, Bill O'Neill, Southampton, Pa., 1,159
4, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,153
5, David Haynes, Las Vegas, Nev., 1,151
6, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 1,148
7, George Lambert IV, Canada, 1,147
8, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 1,137
9, Mike DeVaney, San Diego, 1,131
10, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., and Mitch Beasley, Puyallup, Wash., 1,125
12, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 1,124
13, John Nolen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 1,118
14, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 1,114
15, Dennis Horan Jr., Temecula, Calif., 1,105
16, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,100
17, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,099
18, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., and Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 1,097
21, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1,096
22, Troy Wollenbecker, Miami, Fla., 1,095
23, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 1,093
24, Stevie Weber, Chalmette, La., and Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Hts., Ohio, 1,088
26, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 1,087
27, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., and Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,077
29, Vance Sisk, Sun City, Calif., 1,074
30, Tim Mack, Indianapolis, 1,070
31, Nicholas Wilson, LaMirada, Calif., 1,068
32, Ronnie Russell, Camby, Ind., 1,065
33, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., and Michael Haugen Jr., Carefree, Ariz., 1,063
35, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 1,061
36, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,057
37, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,056
38, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1,055
39, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., and Dominic Barrett, England, 1,054
41, Steve Harman, Indianapolis, and Devin Bidwell, Simi Valley, Calif., 1,053
43, Robert Piroozshad, Irvine, Calif., 1,051
44, David O'Sullivan, Orlando, Fla, 1,049
45, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,047
46, Zack Jellsey, Moreno Valley, Calif., 1,045
47, Bryon Smith, Roseburg, Ore., 1,042
48, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,037
48, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 1,037
50, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 1,032
51, Andres Gomez, Colombia, and Paul Moor, England, 1,029
53, Stuart Williams, England, 1,028
54, Mads Sandbekken, Norway, 1,027
55, Eddie VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 1,026
56, Ben Laughlin, Phoenix, Ariz., 1,024
57, Clara Guerrero, Colombia, 1,022
58, Mike Armstrong Jr., Tucson, Ariz., 1,021
59, Tony Cowan, Twin Falls, Idaho, 1,018
60, Michael Cimba, Monroeville, Pa., and Joe Goldstein, Hayward, Calif, 1,017
62, Liwei Liu, Pasadena, Calif., 1,014
63, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., 1,009
64, Cassidy Schaub, Ashland, Ohio, and Brandon Kraye, LaHabra, Calif., 1,008
66, Nathaniel Jones, Twin Falls, Idaho, 1,007
67, Paul Varela, Carson, Calif., 1,006
68, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1,005
69, Andrew Cain, Scottsdale, Ariz., 1,004
70, Rick Francis, Linden, Calif., 1,002
71, Ryan Abel, Bel Aire, Kan., 999
72, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 997
73, Wayne Garber, Modesto, Calif., and Jon Brandon, Santa Clarita, Calif., 996
75, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 995
76, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, and Art Ramirez, Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 992
78, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 991
79, Carmen Salvino, Schaumburg, Ill., 990
80, Lowell Huber, Westminster, Calif., 983
81, Missy Bellinder, Lake Forest, Calif., 982
82, Kevin Gallagher, Torrance, Calif, 979
83, Todd Book, Wapakoneta, Ohio, 977
84, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., 975
85, Kenneth Maxey Jr., La Habra, Calif., 973
86, Derek Sapp, Keokuk, Iowa, 971
87, Scott Critchfield, Canyon Country, CA, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, IL, and Jonathan Van Hees, Charlestown, RI,
970

90, Kevin Valmonte, LaVerne, Calif., 966
91, Dave Wodka, Chatsworth, CA, Adrienne Miller, Albuquerque, NM, and Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, IL, 965
94, Thomas Andres Sr., Highland, Calif., 964
95, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 963
96, Chris Grulke, Irvine, Calif., 960
97, Raul Rosales, El Monte, Calif., 959
98, Jesse Buss, Wichita, Kan., 957
99, John Oliva, Simi Valley, Calif, and Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 955
101, Michael Hamilton, Miami, 953
102, Steven Black, Phoenix, 952
103, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 948
104, Scott Newell, Deland, Fla., 946
105, Elysia Current, Ephrata, Pa., 945
106, Dennis Cassidy, Victorville, Calif., 944
107, Laura Fonnegra, Colombia, and Tim Porritt, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., 943
109, Troy Kendrick, Laguna Niguel, Calif., 941
110, Tony Figuiera, Gardena, Calif., 940
111, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 939
112, Paul Navarrette, Riverside, Calif, and Drew Parkin, Lake Forest, Calif., 935
114, Nicole Ellison, Chatsworth, Calif., 934
115, Manuel Otalora, Weston, Fla., 931
116, Scott Kraye, LaHabra, Calif., 929
117, Jason Thomas, Moorpark, Calif., 925
118, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 924
119, Patrick Smith, Bakersfield, Calif., 922
120, PJ Haggerty, Clovis, Calif., and Brandon Grant, Bellflower, Calif., 917
122, Scott Norton, Costa Mesa, Calif., 916 and Jaime Monroy, Colombia, 916
124, Peter Ljung, Sweden, and Ray Cobb, Highland, Calif., 909
126, Tony Knuth, Oceanside, Calif., 898
127, Andre Eubanks, Los Angeles, 896
128, Rich Maldonado, Anaheim, Calif., 895
129, Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga., and Rocio Restrepo, Colombia, 892
131, Lindsay Baker, Amherst, N.Y., 885
132, Jeff Garrison, Hawthorne, Calif., 883
133, Alan Mojado, Fallbrook, Calif., 882
134, Frank Gallo Jr., Cape Carteret, N.C., 878
135, Jim Theyken, San Diego, 875
136, Jason Tehee, Fresno, Calif., 870
137, Daniel Wood, Beaumont, Calif., 861
138, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 855
139, Joseph Locke, Moreno Valley, Calif., 846
140, Kevin Westerman, Moreno Valley, Calif., 845
141, James Grago, Rome, N.Y., 841
142, Bobby Campagnale, Highland, Calif., 836
143, Garran Hein, Brea, Calif., 829
144, Michael Reichstein, Agoura Hills, Calif., 828
145, Anggie Ramirez, Colombia, 804
146, Bruce Kramer, Westminster, Calif, 801
147, Michael Peterson, Los Angeles, 785
148, Lamont Hanna, Salt Lake City, 779
149, Howard Goldstein, Northridge, Calif., 777
150, Lawrence Pena, West Covina, Calif., 775
151, Donn Flanders II, Anaheim, Calif., 763
152, Demetrius Cash, Costa Mesa, Calif., 740
153, Victor Cruz, Perris, Calif., 719

Iron Man 2, The Bowling Ball


New Iron Man ball and pin designs in time for the new
Iron Man 2
movie May 7, 2010. Look for information in
the coming months from On The Ball Bowling.


Have You Heard What Kelly Kulick Did?

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Monday, January 25, 2010

Kulick Tops Barnes For Historic Tournament Win

Sports history was made Sunday when Kelly Kulick of Union, NJ,  won the 45th
Professional Bowlers Association Tournament
of Champions at Red Rock Lanes becoming the
first woman to win a Lumber
Liquidators PBA Tour tournament.

She defeated 2007-08 PBA Player of the Year Chris Barnes 265-195 in the championship match to
win a $40,000 first prize in PBA’s signature event, plus a
two-year exemption on the PBA Tour.

“It’s been a dream of mine to win a PBA Tour event but I couldn’t have imagined
it would have come
in the Tournament of Champions,” said the 32-year-old
right-hander. “It may have looked easy but
my legs were like jelly—it got to a
point where I couldn’t feel them. Believe me, I was nervous and I
was just
letting adrenalin take over.”

The previous high finish for a woman in a PBA Tour event was second by Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga,
NY, in the 2005 Banquet Open.


In 2006, Kulick became the first woman to earn an exemption on the PBA Tour by
finishing sixth in
the PBA Tour Trials. Her best finish in the 2006-07 season
was 22nd which she accomplished twice.

Kulick recognized the potential impact her victory will have for the future of
the sport.

“I believe this can only mean bigger and better things for the sport,” she said.
“If in any way this can
be a boost for women's sports and bowling, I’m willing
to do my part.

“I feel like I’m on a magic carpet ride right now and I want to keep riding it
higher and higher.”

In the championship match Kulick started with four consecutive strikes, then had
an open frame when
she left the 7-10 split in the fifth frame. She then went on
to fire the next six strikes and a nine-count
on the final ball to close the
game.

Barnes was hoping for his second Tournament of Champions win having previously
won it in 2006.

“When it comes down to one game, a combination of factors have to come together
and they just
didn’t for me,” Barnes said, “but Kelly bowled great and she met
every challenge.”

In women’s professional competition, Kulick won the 2007 United States Bowling
Congress Queens
and the 2003 U.S. Women’s Open in addition to winning the PBA
Women’s World Championship in
2009.


"Kelly Kulick's win Sunday at the PBA Tour's Tournament of Champions is not only
historic, it
serves as a motivational and inspirational event for girls and
women competing at all levels all around
the world," said Women's Sports
Foundation founder Billie Jean King.

"Kelly had a great week, defeating several
of the top-ranked men's bowlers in the world, and hopefully
she can truly enjoy
the moment and appreciate how it is not only a big deal in bowling, but a major
moment in her life and potentially the lives of others."

In the semifinal match, Kulick defeated eight-time Tour champion Mika Koivuniemi 227-223 to advance
to the final match against Barnes.


In the opening match, Koivuniemi defeated three-time titlist Rhino Page,
255-215.

Kulick earned a berth in the Tournament of Champions, by winning the PBA Women’s
World
Championship
last September, the first PBA women’s major tournament.


PBA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Red Rock Lanes, Las Vegas, NV
Jan. 24, 2010

Final Standings
1, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. 492 (two games) $40,000
2, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas 195 (one game) $20,000
3, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. 478 (two games) $10,000
4, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla. 215 (one game) $7,000

Stepladder Results
Match One – Koivuniemi def. Page, 255-215
Semifinal Match – Kulick def. Koivuniemi, 227-223
Championship – Kulick def. Barnes, 265-195

Friday, January 22, 2010

Barnes Top Seed at TOC, Kulick Second


Rallying in dramatic form in the final match play round, Kelly Kulick of Union, NJ, moved a step closer in her quest to become the first woman to win a Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour tournament Friday by qualifying in the No. 2 position for the stepladder finals of the 45th PBA Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes, in Las Vegas.
Going into the final round in sixth position and after starting with games of 174
and 172, Kulick came back with games of 223, 279, 277, 222, 236 and 267
(231.2 average) to make the final four for Sunday’s stepladder finals which will be
televised live on ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m. Pacific).

Kulick finished with an 11,265 48-game total and had an overall match play
record of 14-9-1. She finished 57 pins behind tournament leader Chris Barnes of
Double Oak, Texas.

“Actually being in a position where I had to work my way back into the top four
took pressure off of me,” said the 32-year-old Kulick. “I’ve been in this
situation many times before and I would rather fight to get there because for me
there’s less pressure than being on top.”

Kulick earned a berth in the Tournament of Champions, by winning the
PBA Women’s World Championship, the first PBA women’s major tournament.

After the first two games in the final block, Kulick had to change to another
ball to get a better ball reaction on the lanes.

“I had those two bad games to start but I still wasn’t too worried because there
was a long way to go in the block,” she added. “I went to another ball and
started watching how the other guys were playing the lanes and it was like a
strikefest for me.”

As one of four PBA Tour major tournaments, the Tournament of Champions is
considered PBA’s signature event.

Kulick is not a stranger to performing well in major tournaments. In women’s
professional competition she won the 2007 United States Bowling Congress
Queens
and the 2003 U.S. Women’s Open in addition to winning the PBA
Women’s World
Championship.

In 2006, Kulick became the first woman to earn an exemption on the PBA Tour by
finishing sixth in the PBA Tour Trials. Her best finish in the 2006-07 season
was 22nd which she accomplished twice. The previous high finish by a woman in a
PBA Tour event was second by Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, NY, in 2005.

Barnes, the 2007-08 PBA Player of the Year and 2006 Tournament of
Champions
winner, is seeded into the championship match where he will bowl
one game for the title.

“The lanes were a lot different for me in that block and I had to work a lot harder
to score as well as I did,” Barnes said, “but, I’m in the position I want to be and
that’s bowling one game for the title.”

Sunday’s first match will be between No. 3 qualifier Mika Koivuniemi of
Hartland, MI. and No. 4 qualifier Rhino Page of Dade City, FL. Koivuniemi, a native
of Finland, is an eight-time PBA Tour titlist including two majors and will be
trying for his first Tournament of Champions title. Page, a three-time PBA Tour
titlist, who suffered a heartbreaking championship match loss last season in the
Tournament of Champions, will also be trying for his first TOC win.

PBA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Red Rock Lanes, Las Vegas, NV

Final Round (after 48 games, including match play records and bonus pins)
Top four advance to Sunday’s stepladder finals at 1 p.m. Eastern

1, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 19-5, 11,322
2, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 14-9-1, 11,265
3, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 16-8, 11,194
4, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., 10-14, 11,175
5, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 13-11, 11,174, $5,000
6, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 13-11, 11,156, $4,600
7, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 14-10, 11,140, $4,200
8, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 12-12, 11,105, $4,000
9, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 11-13, 11,032, $3,800
10, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 13-10-1, 10,917, $3,600
11, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., 11-13, 10,883, $3,400
12, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 13-11, 10,878, $3,200
13, Dave Wodka, Chatsworth, Calif., 15-9, 10,801, $3,000
14, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 12-11-1, 10,785, $2,800
15, Wayne Webb, Sacramento, Calif., 9-15, 10,735, $2,700
16, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 16-8, 10,691, $2,600
17, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 11-12-1, 10,663, $2,500
18, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 11-13, 10,615, $2,400
19, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill., 9-15, 10,581, $2,350
20, John Nolen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 9-15, 10,473, $2,300
21, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 11-13, 10,413, $2,250
22, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 9-15, 10,397, $2,200
23, Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 8-14-2, 10,360, $2,150
24, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 6-18, 10,249, $2,100

Barnes Leads TOC in Las Vegas

Averaging 225.3 and compiling a 13-3 record after two rounds of match play, 2007-08 Professional
Bowlers Association (PBA) Player
of the Year Chris Barnes of Double Oak, Texas, vaulted into the
lead in the 45th
PBA Tournament of Champions Friday at Red Rock Lanes.

Barnes, the 2006 Tournament of Champions winner, has a 9,403 40-game overall total and holds a
30-pin lead over PBA Hall of Famer and 1987 Tournament of
Champions winner Pete Weber who
is in second heading into this evening’s final
eight-game match play round.

Barnes started the tournament in 37th after the first eight-game qualifying round on Wednesday.

“One of my strengths is that I’m able to do a lot of different things to adjust,” said Barnes, who owns
12 career Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour
titles. “I just don’t always pick the right one. I’ve been
getting better at attacking the lanes here in the later rounds. I got
off to a slow start so I decided to
take a few risks and it has paid off.”


Trailing Barnes and Weber are Tony Reyes in third, followed by reigning PBA Player of the Year Wes
Malott in fourth and Rhino Page in fifth.


Kelly Kulick, the 2009 PBA Women’s World Championship winner and the only woman competing in
the tournament, is in sixth place. She is making a bid to become
the first woman to win a PBA Tour

event but will have to finish in the top four
after this evening’s match play round for a chance to
accomplish the feat.


The top four after tonight’s match play round advance to the stepladder finals on Sunday which
will be televised live by ESPN at 1 p.m. Eastern (10 a.m.
Pacific).


PBA TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Red Rock Lanes, Las Vegas, Nev.

Fifth Round (after 40 games, including match play and bonus pins)

1, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 13-3, 9,403

2, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 10-6, 9,373

3, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 9-7, 9,332

4, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 9-7, 9,308
5, Rhino Page, Dade City, Fla., 7-9, 9,264

6, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 8-7-1, 9,235
7, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 10-6, 9,201

8, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan., 10-6, 9,159
9, Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas, 10-6, 9,112

10, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 7-9, 9,062

11, Mike Fagan, Patchogue, N.Y., 6-10, 9,058
12, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 10-5-1, 9,035

13, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 9-7, 8,982

14, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 8-8, 8,886

15, Dave Wodka, Chatsworth, Calif., 8-8, 8,843

16, Harry Sullins, Chesterfield Twp., Mich., 8-7-1, 8,810

17, Anthony LaCaze, Melrose Park, Ill., 6-10, 8,764

18, Wayne Webb, Sacramento, Calif., 3-13, 8,761

19, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 10-6, 8,745

20, Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, Kan., 7-8-1, 8,732

21, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 9-7, 8,691
22, Ritchie Allen, Columbia, S.C., 4-12, 8,614

23, John Nolen, Grand Blanc, Mich., 5-11, 8,612

24, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 4-12, 8,538