Leading Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Player of the Year candidate Mika Koivuniemi was inducted into the World Bowling Writers Hall of Fame as part of the second annual Track Dream Bowl Palace Open in Munich, Germany, but a fellow Finn ruined his party.
Koivuniemi was knocked out of the tournament in the quarterfinal round by Sweden’s Johan Hellden, 524-496, in a two-game match, and Finland’s two-handed star, Osku Palermaa, stepped into the spotlight as the tournament winner, defeating Hellden in the title match, 516-459.
Palermaa, who won his first PBA Tour title in the 2010 GEICO Shark Championship in Las Vegas, will compete as a PBA Tour exempt player during the 2011-12 season. First prize in Munich was €10,000. Parker Bohn III also advanced to the quarterfinal round in Munich, but was ousted by England’s Paul Moor, 504-481.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
JAPAN CUP POSTPONED UNTIL 2012
In the wake of the devastation caused by earthquakes and a tsunami in recent weeks, the Japan Cup – one of the most anticipated international competitions of the year for PBA Tour players over the past 25 years – has been postponed until 2012, the PBA has announced.
PBA Dick Weber Playoffs “Pre-game Show” On XTRA FRAME
The “pre-game show” leading into Sunday’s telecast of the Dick Weber PBA Playoffs Conference Championships round is currently airing on pba.com’s Xtra Frame, the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour’s exclusive online video streaming service.
Sunday’s lineup features the East Conference Championship (East Region winner Steve Jaros vs. South Region winner Randy Weiss), the Midwest Conference Championship (Central Region winner Dick Allen vs. Midwest Region winner Jack Jurek), and the West Region finale (Southwest Region winner Jason Belmonte vs. West/Northwest winner Chris Barnes) on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET. The three match winners advance to the Lumber Liquidators Dick Weber PBA Playoffs championship round which will air live from Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, at 1 p.m. ET.
Sunday’s lineup features the East Conference Championship (East Region winner Steve Jaros vs. South Region winner Randy Weiss), the Midwest Conference Championship (Central Region winner Dick Allen vs. Midwest Region winner Jack Jurek), and the West Region finale (Southwest Region winner Jason Belmonte vs. West/Northwest winner Chris Barnes) on ESPN at 1 p.m. ET. The three match winners advance to the Lumber Liquidators Dick Weber PBA Playoffs championship round which will air live from Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 17, at 1 p.m. ET.
Professional Bowlers Association Regional Action
After the first full weekend of Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) regional competition for the new 2011-12 season officially got underway on April 1, three first-time champions qualified to make their debuts in the 2012 PBA Tournament of Champions.
It was a double-header in Lakewood, WA, on April 3 where Blaine Weninger of Aurora, OR, defeated Curtis Messer of Aberdeen, WA, 232-212, to win his first PBA Northwest Region standard title in the PBA Northwest Tacoma Dodge Open at Bowlero Lanes while Noel Vazquez of Sacramento, CA, defeated Kevin Croucher of Grants Pass, OR, 209-193, to win the companion Senior Tacoma Dodge Open for his first PBA victory.
Across the nation, Shane Baker of Anderson, SC, defeated Matt Taylor of Knightsdale, NC, 264-259, to win the PBA Marion Non-Champions Open at Lightning Lanes in Marion, NC, Sunday. Baker topped a field of 96 non-champions to claim his first South Region title and a $2,000 prize.
Dino Castillo of Carrollton, Texas, won his second PBA Southwest Region title when he stopped Josh Maxson of Killeen, Texas, 216-188, to win the 2011 Marble Falls Open at Lake Country Lanes in Marble Falls, Texas, on Sunday. Castillo, who rolled a pair of 300 games during the tournament, took home $2,250.
As the PBA Senior Tour ramps up for its season-opener in the PBA Senior Don Carter Open at Carter Family Bowl in Winter Garden, FL, April 17-21, PBA Senior Tour players had a couple of warmup opportunities. Jeff Zaffino of Warren, PA, topped Mike Hastings of Millsboro, DE, 200-198, to win his 16th regional title in the Rossi Lanes Senior Open presented by Storm Products in Elmira, NY. And, in the Central Region, Kenny Parks of Hammond, IN, defeated Curt Aemisegger of Wauconda, IL, 277-220, to win the PBA Central Region’s third annual Victory Lanes Senior Open in Galion, Ohio. The win was Parks’ fifth in senior regional competition.
This weekend’s PBA Regional lineup includes the joint Central/Midwest Lafayette Community Bank Classic at Star Lanes in Lafayette, IN; the South Region Wild Magnolia Senior Open at Sport Lanes in Martinsville, VA, and the East Region Roto Grip Open at Hoe Bowl Catskill in Catskill, NY. For tournament entry information, visit pba.com and click on “Regional Tour” under the “schedule” dropdown tab.
It was a double-header in Lakewood, WA, on April 3 where Blaine Weninger of Aurora, OR, defeated Curtis Messer of Aberdeen, WA, 232-212, to win his first PBA Northwest Region standard title in the PBA Northwest Tacoma Dodge Open at Bowlero Lanes while Noel Vazquez of Sacramento, CA, defeated Kevin Croucher of Grants Pass, OR, 209-193, to win the companion Senior Tacoma Dodge Open for his first PBA victory.
Across the nation, Shane Baker of Anderson, SC, defeated Matt Taylor of Knightsdale, NC, 264-259, to win the PBA Marion Non-Champions Open at Lightning Lanes in Marion, NC, Sunday. Baker topped a field of 96 non-champions to claim his first South Region title and a $2,000 prize.
Dino Castillo of Carrollton, Texas, won his second PBA Southwest Region title when he stopped Josh Maxson of Killeen, Texas, 216-188, to win the 2011 Marble Falls Open at Lake Country Lanes in Marble Falls, Texas, on Sunday. Castillo, who rolled a pair of 300 games during the tournament, took home $2,250.
As the PBA Senior Tour ramps up for its season-opener in the PBA Senior Don Carter Open at Carter Family Bowl in Winter Garden, FL, April 17-21, PBA Senior Tour players had a couple of warmup opportunities. Jeff Zaffino of Warren, PA, topped Mike Hastings of Millsboro, DE, 200-198, to win his 16th regional title in the Rossi Lanes Senior Open presented by Storm Products in Elmira, NY. And, in the Central Region, Kenny Parks of Hammond, IN, defeated Curt Aemisegger of Wauconda, IL, 277-220, to win the PBA Central Region’s third annual Victory Lanes Senior Open in Galion, Ohio. The win was Parks’ fifth in senior regional competition.
This weekend’s PBA Regional lineup includes the joint Central/Midwest Lafayette Community Bank Classic at Star Lanes in Lafayette, IN; the South Region Wild Magnolia Senior Open at Sport Lanes in Martinsville, VA, and the East Region Roto Grip Open at Hoe Bowl Catskill in Catskill, NY. For tournament entry information, visit pba.com and click on “Regional Tour” under the “schedule” dropdown tab.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Jurek, Belmonte and Barnes Advance to PBA Dick Weber Playoffs Semi-Finals on Sunday
Two-time Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour champion Jack Jurek; 2008-09 PBA Rookie of the Year Jason Belmonte and Chris Barnes, the newest member of the PBA Triple Crown club, advanced to the Conference Championships in the Dick Weber PBA Playoffs after victories in the Lucas Oil Regional Championships Round at Woodland Bowl.
The Lucas Oil Regional Championships Round, which aired Sunday on ESPN, featured three three-player championship matches with the winner of each advancing to the Conference Championship Round while the two lowest scores in each match were eliminated.
The Conference Championships will air Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Jurek, who finished second in the Bayer USBC Masters in February, used a string of four strikes and an otherwise clean game to top Wes Malott, 221-206, to win the Midwest Region championship. Bill O’Neill started with a pair of open frames and never got on track in finishing third with a 178.
Jurek dismissed the notion that his victory helped make up for his loss in the USBC Masters title match. “I did have one guy come up and say that what he saw in the Masters (when Jurek helped calm a noticeably emotional Tom Hess in the 10th frame) was one of the nicest things he’d seen, so maybe good karma comes around,” Jurek said.
“It was a little tense, but when you get to TV and the lights affect the lanes a bit, and everyone is trying to get to that final spot, that all plays into keeping the scores down a bit and the excitement level up. That keeps the matches tight.
“I was pretty relaxed,” he added. “That’s my goal now when I get to TV – just relax and bowl, and let whatever happens happen. Too many times I’ve just been too uptight on TV and haven’t performed well. I don’t mind getting beat if a guy beats me, as long as I give myself a chance to perform. That’s all I’m looking to do now.”
Belmonte, seeking his second career title, had a pair of turkeys to overcome a pair of open frames in topping Brad Angelo, 211-202, in the Southwest Region finale. Dino Castillo’s bid for his first PBA Tour title was derailed by three missed spares in a 160 game for third place.
“I had a really good look,” Belmonte said. “The three bad shots I made were really bad. I got a little rushed and a little ahead of myself. I wanted to close out the match and I should have been a little more patient. I’m a little eager to win, but I think everyone else is as well. I just have to realize that I can’t think too far ahead of myself. I have to focus on what my job is, and that’s frame by frame, as clichéd as that may sound.”
There was a point in the match when Angelo was distracted by a noise Belmonte apparently made with his water bottle, causing a moment of tension. But Belmonte dismissed the issue after talking with Angelo. “There’s no issue,” Belmonte said. “(Brad) said good luck for the next match. We discussed it and we’re good. He and I are going for a drink later on; there are no hard feelings.”
Barnes topped former Wichita State University teammate Lonnie Waliczek, 217-201, with a clean game and a pair of doubles in the West/Northwest championship game. Waliczek’s hopes for a third PBA Tour title, and his first since 2003, ended when he followed a double with a pocket 7-10 in the ninth frame.
Veteran PBA Midwest Region competitor Lennie Boresch Jr., making his PBA Tour television debut, threw only two strikes in finishing third with a 177 game.
“The pair was pretty choppy,” Barnes said. “The right lane had a hook spot in the front of the lane and once you got past that, it didn’t hook much at all. The left lane was better, but it was tighter down lane. I tried to make small moves because in practice, every time I had a bigger move I missed the headpin or left a split. When Lonnie got lined up, I thought I might be in trouble, but he was having some issues, too. But that 7-10 in the ninth was just a terrible break."
“I’ve always believed that good things happen to guys who work hard,” Barnes added. “He’s one of those guys, so I’m not surprised that Lonnie made the show. I’m disappointed for him, but if he had to lose to someone, I’m glad it was me.”
On Sunday, April 10, the Conference Championships telecast at 1 p.m. Eastern will include East Region winner Steve Jaros against South winner Randy Weiss, Central champion Dick Allen vs. Midwest winner Jurek, and Southwest champ Belmonte vs. West/Northwest winner Barnes. The winners of those three matches will return to Woodland Bowl on Sunday, April 17, for the live ESPN finals at 1 p.m. Eastern. First prize in the inaugural Dick Weber PBA Playoffs is $50,000.
LUMBER LIQUIDATORS PBA TOUR DICK WEBER PBA PLAYOFFS
Woodland Bowl, Indianapolis,
Sunday
LUCAS OIL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND
Midwest Region Championship (winner advances to Conference Championships to meet Central Region winner Dick Allen on ESPN on Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. Eastern):
1, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 221.
2, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 206, $6,000.
3, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa., 178, $5,000.
Southwest Region Championship (winner advances to Conference Championships to meet West/Northwest Region winner Chris Barnes on ESPN on Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. Eastern):
1, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 211.
2, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 202, $6,000.
3, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 160, $5,000.
West/Northwest Region Championship (winner advances to Conference Championships to meet Southwest Region winner Jason Belmonte on ESPN on Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. Eastern):
1, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 217.
2, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 201, $6,000.
3, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 177, $5,000.
The Lucas Oil Regional Championships Round, which aired Sunday on ESPN, featured three three-player championship matches with the winner of each advancing to the Conference Championship Round while the two lowest scores in each match were eliminated.
The Conference Championships will air Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. Jurek, who finished second in the Bayer USBC Masters in February, used a string of four strikes and an otherwise clean game to top Wes Malott, 221-206, to win the Midwest Region championship. Bill O’Neill started with a pair of open frames and never got on track in finishing third with a 178.
Jurek dismissed the notion that his victory helped make up for his loss in the USBC Masters title match. “I did have one guy come up and say that what he saw in the Masters (when Jurek helped calm a noticeably emotional Tom Hess in the 10th frame) was one of the nicest things he’d seen, so maybe good karma comes around,” Jurek said.
“It was a little tense, but when you get to TV and the lights affect the lanes a bit, and everyone is trying to get to that final spot, that all plays into keeping the scores down a bit and the excitement level up. That keeps the matches tight.
“I was pretty relaxed,” he added. “That’s my goal now when I get to TV – just relax and bowl, and let whatever happens happen. Too many times I’ve just been too uptight on TV and haven’t performed well. I don’t mind getting beat if a guy beats me, as long as I give myself a chance to perform. That’s all I’m looking to do now.”
Belmonte, seeking his second career title, had a pair of turkeys to overcome a pair of open frames in topping Brad Angelo, 211-202, in the Southwest Region finale. Dino Castillo’s bid for his first PBA Tour title was derailed by three missed spares in a 160 game for third place.
“I had a really good look,” Belmonte said. “The three bad shots I made were really bad. I got a little rushed and a little ahead of myself. I wanted to close out the match and I should have been a little more patient. I’m a little eager to win, but I think everyone else is as well. I just have to realize that I can’t think too far ahead of myself. I have to focus on what my job is, and that’s frame by frame, as clichéd as that may sound.”
There was a point in the match when Angelo was distracted by a noise Belmonte apparently made with his water bottle, causing a moment of tension. But Belmonte dismissed the issue after talking with Angelo. “There’s no issue,” Belmonte said. “(Brad) said good luck for the next match. We discussed it and we’re good. He and I are going for a drink later on; there are no hard feelings.”
Barnes topped former Wichita State University teammate Lonnie Waliczek, 217-201, with a clean game and a pair of doubles in the West/Northwest championship game. Waliczek’s hopes for a third PBA Tour title, and his first since 2003, ended when he followed a double with a pocket 7-10 in the ninth frame.
Veteran PBA Midwest Region competitor Lennie Boresch Jr., making his PBA Tour television debut, threw only two strikes in finishing third with a 177 game.
“The pair was pretty choppy,” Barnes said. “The right lane had a hook spot in the front of the lane and once you got past that, it didn’t hook much at all. The left lane was better, but it was tighter down lane. I tried to make small moves because in practice, every time I had a bigger move I missed the headpin or left a split. When Lonnie got lined up, I thought I might be in trouble, but he was having some issues, too. But that 7-10 in the ninth was just a terrible break."
“I’ve always believed that good things happen to guys who work hard,” Barnes added. “He’s one of those guys, so I’m not surprised that Lonnie made the show. I’m disappointed for him, but if he had to lose to someone, I’m glad it was me.”
On Sunday, April 10, the Conference Championships telecast at 1 p.m. Eastern will include East Region winner Steve Jaros against South winner Randy Weiss, Central champion Dick Allen vs. Midwest winner Jurek, and Southwest champ Belmonte vs. West/Northwest winner Barnes. The winners of those three matches will return to Woodland Bowl on Sunday, April 17, for the live ESPN finals at 1 p.m. Eastern. First prize in the inaugural Dick Weber PBA Playoffs is $50,000.
LUMBER LIQUIDATORS PBA TOUR DICK WEBER PBA PLAYOFFS
Woodland Bowl, Indianapolis,
Sunday
LUCAS OIL REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS ROUND
Midwest Region Championship (winner advances to Conference Championships to meet Central Region winner Dick Allen on ESPN on Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. Eastern):
1, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 221.
2, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas, 206, $6,000.
3, Bill O’Neill, Southampton, Pa., 178, $5,000.
Southwest Region Championship (winner advances to Conference Championships to meet West/Northwest Region winner Chris Barnes on ESPN on Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. Eastern):
1, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 211.
2, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 202, $6,000.
3, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 160, $5,000.
West/Northwest Region Championship (winner advances to Conference Championships to meet Southwest Region winner Jason Belmonte on ESPN on Sunday, April 10, at 1 p.m. Eastern):
1, Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 217.
2, Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan., 201, $6,000.
3, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 177, $5,000.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, April 1, 2011
Couch Bowler of the Month
Jason Couch, Clermont, Florida, has been named the March 2011 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA).
Couch captured the PBA Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship, defeating Parker Bohn III, Jackson, New Jersey, in the title match 219-175. The win is his 16th career PBA title and first since January 2007. After the 2006-07 season, the three-time Tournament of Champions winner faced knee surgery knocking him out of the 2007-08 season.
"It's a big monkey off my back to win. I'm very happy to see that my hard work has paid off and that my body is keeping up with me," Couch said after clutching the trophy.
The 1992 PBA Rookie of the Year took the lead after the 14-game qualifying round and stayed in the top 4 through the remainder of the tournament. He qualified as the top seed in the four-man stepladder TV finals.
Others receiving votes were Chris Loschetter, winner of the 8th Kuwait International Open, Randy Weiss, top 3 finalist in the PBA Dick Weber playoffs, Dick Allen, also a top 3 finalist in the PBA Dick Weber Playoffs and Clara Guerrero, winner of the European Bowling Tour's Brunswick Euro Challenge.
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