Remember??

This Date in Denny’s PBA Tour History February 26 1972 Bobby Meadows picks up his first PBA title in Springfield, Va. with a 195-187 win over Johnny Petraglia in the 1972 Fair Lanes Open. Skee Foremsky cruises to his first Tour title with a 211-204 win over Dave Davis at the 1966 Las Vegas Open. February 28 1970 Nelson Burton Jr. becomes the first bowler on the 1970 Tour to win two titles, defeating Ray Bluth, 243-215 in the 1970 Buckeye Open in Toledo, Ohio. Three weeks earlier Burton defeated Jim Stefanich, 203-175 in the 1970 Denver Open. March 2 1968 Jim Stefanich wins two straight Tour titles, capped by the 1968 Buckeye Open in Toledo, Ohio, where Stefanich defeats Keith Wiltse, 235-231, in the finals. The previous week, Stefanich takes down Tim Harahan, 233-185, in the finals of the 1968 Tampa Bay-Sertoma Open. March 3 2002 Doug Kent wins the PBA’s first-ever $120,000 top-prize, defeating Lonnie Waliczek in the finals of the 2002 PBA World Championship. 1990 Danny Wiseman captures his first career title in his hometown of Baltimore defeating Don Moser, 255-201 in the finals of the 1990 Fair Lanes Open. 1973 Don McCune secures back-to-back victories after taking the title at the 1973 Miller High Life Open by downing Jim Stefanich, 248-184.

Couch Potato Heaven!

Here's the ESPN Classic schedule for this week: 2/26 –3/4

Monday, Feb. 26 1999 Albuquerque Open (Brian Himmler) 9–10am
Mon, Feb. 26 1994 AMF Dick Weber Classic(John Mazza)12-1pm
Tuesday, Feb. 27 1999 Chattanooga Open (Steve Jaros) 9–10am
Tues, Feb.27 '94 Touring Players Championship(W.R. Williams)12–1
Wed, Feb. 28 1999 Indianapolis Open(Randy Pedersen) 9–10am
Wed, Feb. 28 1994 Greater Detroit Open (Bryan Goebel) 12-1pm
Thurs, March 1 1999 Brunswick World TOC(Jason Couch) 9–10am
Thursday, March 1 1994 Rochester Open (Norm Duke) 12–1pm
Friday, March 2 1999 Don Carter Classic (Mike Miller) 9–10pm
Friday, March 2 1994 Great Lakes Classic (Dave Ferraro) 12-1pm
Saturday, March 3 2006 PBA Skills Challenge 12–12:30pm
Sunday, March 4 2005 PBA Skills Challenge 11–11:30am
Sun, March 4 2007 Bayer Classic(Mike Mineman) 11:30am–12:30

Atta Boy!

They say lightning never strikes twice in the same place, but on the Denny’s PBA Tour, Emerson Lanes has been hit with a historic lightning bolt two years running. Mike Mineman became just the second bowler in Tour history to win a title after advancing through the Denny’s PBA Tour Qualifying Round, joining Sean Rash who became the first in last year’s West Virginia Championship at Emerson Lanes. Mineman, a 48-year-old journeyman who is a stark contrast to the 24-year-old Rash who won as a virtual unknown on Tour last year, defeated Mike Machuga, 223-202, Sunday to win the 2007 Bayer Classic for his first career title. “It’s tough to go through that (Qualifying Round) on Wednesdays, but the gentlemen did it last year and paved the way and proved it could be done,” said Mineman (Belleville, Ill.), who didn’t even cash at Emerson Lanes last year. “It’s just been a magical week. It’s everything I ever thought it would be.” Next week the Denny’s PBA Tour heads to North Brunswick, N.J. for the 64th U.S. Open, the second of four Majors this season, Feb. 26–March 4. The live ESPN-televised finals take place Sunday, March 4 at Noon EST at Brunswick Zone Carolier.

Be Like Mike!

Mike Mineman knew coming into the 2007 Bayer Classic that Emerson Lanes might contain some magic. After watching Sean Rash become the first-ever non-exempt bowler on the Denny’s Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour to win a title in the building last year, Mineman knew there might be something special about the center.The right-hander from Belleville, Ill., wasn’t the only bowler to think so as a Denny’s PBA Tour record 114 bowlers entered Wednesday’s Tour Qualifying Round. Mineman finished fifth in Wednesday’s seven-game qualifying round and advanced to Thursday’s Round of 64, where he finished 12th.Mineman followed Thursday’s finish by knocking off 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones and 16-year Tour veteran Mike Scroggins before eliminating Eugene McCune, four-games-to-one, Friday to advance to Sunday’s finals.“I was here for Sean Rash’s win last year. It was awesome. He paved the way and showed it’s possible. Mineman will face Dale Traber in one of two Sunday semifinals. The first semifinal will feature Mike Machuga taking Denny’s PBA Tour all-time titles leader Walter Ray Williams Jr. Williams owns 42 career titles compared to the other three bowlers’ combined one title. The four bowlers advance to tomorrow's live ESPN televised finals at 12:30 p.m. EST at Emerson Lanes. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny’s PBA Tour exemption.

The Real Super Bowl!

The PBA announced that tickets for the finals of the 2007 Denny’s World Championship are now available for purchase.Tickets for the event, which will be held Sunday, March 25 at 2 p.m. EST at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, Mich. are available online at www.ticketmaster.com and www.pba.com, by phone at 616-456-3333 and in person at DeVos Place and Spectrum Lanes in Wyoming, Mich. All seats are reserved with tickets ranging from $10-$70. Fans can also purchase PBA Pro-Am package for the March 24 Pro-Am at Spectrum Lanes in Wyoming, Mich. Tickets for the Denny’s World Championship, the third of four PBA Major events, are also good for entry to the inaugural Denny’s All-American High School Championships slated to begin 45 minutes after the completion of the Denny’s World Championship in DeVos Place. The 2007 Denny’s World Championship will feature the second of three arena finals on the 2006-07 Denny’s PBA Tour. The finals at DeVos Place will mark the first-ever event for the PBA in the arena in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids. In the 2006 Denny’s World Championship in Indianapolis, Walter Ray Williams Jr. took one step closer to making history by winning his 41st career Denny’s PBA Tour title, tying Earl Anthony for the all-time lead. He claimed the lead by winning his 42nd title in the Dydo Japan Cup 2006.

Golden Oldies!

The Generations Pro Bowling Tour, which debuted last fall with tournaments in Bay City, Clinton Township, Jackson and Toledo, will be back March 2-5 for the GBT Michigan Open at Royal Scot Lanes in Lansing. The total purse is $66,000. PBA Hall of Famer David Ozio, who won twice on the first swing, leads the money list with $63,300.
The pro-am is March 2, pro qualifying starts March 3, and the stepladder finals are March 5. The pro-am entry fee is $40 for children and seniors, $60 for adults. For an additional $100, bowlers can choose a ball from any of the major manufacturers. For information on entering the tournament or the pro-am, call 517-321-3071 or go to www.gbtour.com.

FYI...

There's a Bowl for the Cure Event (sponsored by the MDUSBC) at Fairlanes Bowl in Madison Heights this Saturday February 24th at 1pm. Fairlanes is located at 29600 Stephenson Highway Madison Heights, Mi (248) 548-9333 fairlanesbowl@aol.com. Go out and support your fellow bowlers!

Why not you?

The 2007 USBC Open Championships have begun in Reno, Nev. More than 80,000 bowlers make their way to the National Bowling Stadium from Feb. 17 until July 1. The 2007 Open Championships officially will run for 135 consecutive days, concluding on July 1. The tournament is open to all USBC Adult members, who may still enter until March 30.

The 2007 USBC Women’s Championships will make its first visit to Charlotte, N.C., April 12 - July 1. With entries continuing to come in at a steady pace, the deadline for entering the tournament has been extended until March 30. More than 8,500 teams already have signed up for the world's largest participatory sporting event for women.

Snow Storm!

Lee Snow of Wixom won his first MDUSBC Senior Masters title remaining in the winner’s bracket and beating George (Mike) Lee of Dearborn Heights 471-431 to win the top prize of $2,000 at Airway Lanes in Waterford Township. Lee settled for the second place prize of $1,500. Snow qualified 10th in the field of 158 with an eight-game total of 1,858. “I thought I’d never get a chance to compete at this level again due to the health issues I’ve gone through the last two years.” said Snow. “This is the most rewarding win I’ve ever had”. Snow’s previous best finish in the Senior Masters was fourth in 2003. Snow, a diabetic and a member of the Detroit Bowling Hall of Fame, suffers from Charot foot, which caused his left foot to collapse and lose all of its structure. He couldn’t walk unassisted for the past year until a month ago. At that time he began practicing a half game a day at Mayflower Lanes in Redford, eventually increasing it to five games a day with his goal being to compete and make the cut in the Senior Masters. He not only made the cut, he won the whole thing, congrats!

Lefty's Rule the RV...

Though the debate over who is the best left-handed bowler on the Denny’s PBA Tour will never end, Patrick Allen can lay stake to that claim for at least one week. In a final round featuring the top three lefties currently on Tour, Allen captured his ninth career Denny’s PBA Tour title and second this season with a 218-169 win over Parker Bohn III Sunday to win the 2007 Go RVing Classic at Thunderbowl. Allen took advantage of some uncharacteristic mistakes by the 30-time titlist and PBA Hall of Famer Bohn, who missed a 7-pin conversion in the 5th frame and left a 6-8 split and opened in the 8th frame to give the top-seeded Allen the breaks he needed. As the top seed, Allen exacted some revenge in stepladder finals. The previous three times a top seed had won in the stepladder format, Allen was the victim in the title match including this season’s 2007 Dick Weber Open where he fell to Jason Couch in the title match. Allen took home $25,000 for the win while Bohn earned $13,000 for second. Couch took home $6,500 for third, Kalfas earned $5,500 for 4th while Edwards earned $5,000 for 5th.The Denny’s PBA Tour heads to Parkersburg, W.Va. next week for the 2007 Bayer Classic at Emerson Lanes, Feb. 21-25. The live ESPN televised finals take place Sunday, Feb. 25 at 12:30 p.m. EST.

Don't Forget...

A Bowl for the Cure event is scheduled at Indian Lanes in Wyandotte tonight 2/16 at 9pm. Indian Lanes is located at 4500 13th street, 734-283-4700 for more info...Be There!

Take the Jersey Turnpike to Exit 9...

Enter the 64th U.S. Open for an Opportunity to win $100,000! The PBA is proud to present the 64th U.S. Open. Returning to Brunswick Zone Carolier in North Brunswick, N.J. This tournament features the largest field of competitors on the Denny’s PBA Tour. Reigning PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones is the defending champion, and this event marks your best opportunity to take on Jones and the other Denny’s PBA Tour stars. Don’t delay, bowlers must register by February 20, 2007. All bowlers with a verifiable 190 league average with a minimum of 21 games in any of the past five USBC certified league seasons are eligible. Bowlers interested in entering the 64th U.S. Open can visit http://www.pba.com/ for more information and entry forms. Tickets for the 64th U.S. Open can be purchased by clicking here.

Maybe you can?

You Could be Next With the 2006-07 Denny’s PBA Tour season in its second swing, it’s time to enter Denny’s PBA Tour events for your chance to earn an exemption for the 2007-08 season. There are several reasons to sign up for Denny’s PBA Tour Qualifying Rounds in 2006-07. Last season, Sean Rash became the first non-exempt bowler to win a Denny’s PBA Tour title when he went from qualifier to champion in the 2006 West Virginia Championship. Eugene McCune consistently entered Denny’s PBA Tour Qualifying Rounds and regained his exemption as the high non-exempt points leader in the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings. But to accomplish either of these feats you have to enter. Members & non-members can now both enter on-line. For a non-member TQR entry form, click here. For a non-member tournament entry form, click here. For a PBA member entry form, click here. Good Luck!

This Day In the PBA...

February 16 1985 David Ozio captures his first PBA victory in the 1985 AMF Angle Open against hometown favorite Steve Giljum, 235-229. February 17 1990 One day before getting married in nearby Boca Raton, Brian Voss captures his ninth career title in the 1990 Budweiser Classic in Sunrise, Fla. February 18 1995 Dave D’Entremont wins his second consecutive Tour event, defeating Mike Aulby for the title in the 1995 Peoria Open a week after winning the 1995 Choice Hotels Classic. 1978 Pete Couture breaks into the winner’s circle for the first time in his PBA career as he defeats veteran Dave Davis, 223-187 in the 1978 Midas Golden Challenge in Gretna, La.

Trick or Treat?!

The PBA announced today the 2007 PBA Skills Challenge will air as two half-hour shows Sunday, Feb. 18 following the championship round of the 2007 Go RVing Classic.The two shows will air back-to-back on ESPN immediately following the conclusion of the Go RVing Classic in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which begins at 12:30 p.m. EST and ends at approximately 2 p.m. The two Skills Challenge shows will run from 2-2:30 p.m. and 2:30-3 p.m. This season’s competition featured eight teams of two bowlers with the winning team taking home $15,000. Highlights from the first round matches, which feature a “Young Guns vs. Legends” theme, will air in the first half-hour show while the second half-hour show features highlights from the two semifinal matches and the title match. First round match-ups include:Bill O’Neill and Sean Rash vs. Norm Duke and Brian Voss, Chris Johnson and Wes Malott vs. Del Ballard Jr. and Chris Barnes, Tommy Jones and Kelly Kulick vs. Parker Bohn III and Jason Couch, Mike Machuga and Tony Reyes vs. Doug Kent and Danny Wiseman. The live ESPN televised finals of the 2007 Go RVing Classic will feature a five-bowler stepladder format. The winner takes home the $25,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2007-08 season.

Radio Waves...

Mike Sarandrea, a youth coach at Taylor Lanes and a coach of the girls and boys teams at Taylor Kennedy High School has launched his Pinheads Radio Network bowling show, which will air at 1 p.m. Saturdays on WDTK-AM (1400). David Banks is his co-host, and Chuck Kellar is behind the scenes. Banks and Kellar are experienced radio producers. The format will feature interviews with notable bowlers and an Ask the Coach call-in segment. Sarandrea can be reached at pinheadsradionetwork@hotmail.com.

Strong field at Senior Masters final

Clarkston kegler is weekend's top seed
BY MATT FIORITO
FREE PRESS BOWLING WRITER
John Bennett of Clarkston, who won the title in 2004, leads a strong field of former champions into this weekend's match-play finals of the Metro Detroit USBC Association's Senior Masters.
Bennett, 59, recorded an eight-game total of 1,990 in qualifying last weekend at Airway Lanes in Waterford Township with four-game blocks of 992 and 998, and finished 84 pins ahead of George Lee of Dearborn Heights. Bennett, who averaged 248.75, was remarkably consistent. His high game was 279, and his low was 227. "Unfortunately, we start from scratch next weekend," said Bennett, who won the regular Masters in 1977. In the opening round of the two-game, double-elimination match play at 10 a.m. Saturday at Airway, Bennett will face George Lane of Chesterfield Township, who qualified 32nd. Other Senior Masters titlists among the qualifiers include defending champion Roy Biggs of Canton, 2005 champion Ed Austreng of Waterford and 1996 and 2002 champion Harley Trumbull of New Boston. Also in the field are two other regular Masters winners: three-time champ Dick Beattie of Dearborn (1974-75-81) and 1987 champion Ken Lang of Eastpointe. A big and pleasant surprise was the reappearance of Lee Snow of Wixom, who was sidelined for 15 months because of surgery on his left foot. Snow shot the only 300 in qualifying and finished in a tie for 10th. "That was my return to competitive bowling," Snow said. "It's been a tough two years. I've been practicing for about a month." The perfect game was a bonus. "That was way beyond my expectations," Snow said. "I didn't know if I'd ever be able to do it again. It was a pretty special moment, and both my kids were there to see it."

Go get 'em!

The Metro Detroit USBC Association Senior Masters tournament qualifying wrapped up Sunday, Feb. 11 with Clarkston resident John Bennett leading the way with an eight-game total of 1,990 at Airway Lanes in Waterford Township. Bennett’s four-game blocks were 992 and 998, which included games of 279-246-245-222-248-275-248-227.

Other notables going into match play on Feb. 17 are defending champion Roy Biggs of Canton; 2005 Senior Masters champion Ed Austreng of Waterford Township; 1996 and 2002 Senior Masters champion Harley Trumbull of New Boston; 1974, 1975 and 1981 Masters champion Richard Beattie of Dearborn; and 1987 Masters champion Kenneth Lang of Eastpointe.

Match play will start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Airway Lanes in Waterford Township. Airway Lanes is located at 4825 Highland Rd., phone (248) 674-0424.

Lee Snow of Wixom recorded the top game of 300. The MDUSBC Masters Tournament is an USBC certified event operated by the Metro Detroit USBC Association, the largest local association of the United States Bowling Congress with more than 80,000 members.

Home Sweet Home!

Chris Barnes has had a lot of heartbreak and disappointment on television throughout his career, but all that seems to go away when he bowls in front of his home crowd. Barnes won his eighth career Denny’s PBA Tour title Sunday – and his second in the Dallas Metroplex, defeating John May, 235-216, to win the 2007 GEICO Classic at AMF Irving Lanes.The nine-year veteran came into the day just 7-15 in title matches, but improved to 2-0 in the Metroplex after winning the 2003 Days Inn Open. He has also won back-to-back Motel 6 Roll to Riches crowns, a special event which has been held in the Dallas area the last two seasons and awards a winner-take-all $200,000 top prize. Barnes earned $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 season for the win. Next week the Denny’s PBA Tour heads to Council Bluffs, Iowa for the 2007 Go RVing Classic, Feb. 14-18 at Thunderbowl. The nationally televised ESPN finals take place Sunday, Feb. 18 at 12:30 pm ET.

Tune in Sunday at 12:30...

A little relaxation and a change in strategy goes a long way on the Denny's PBA Tour, at least that’s the case for Bill O’Neill in the 2007 GEICO Classic at AMF Irving Lanes.O’Neill, the 2005-06 PBA Rookie of the Year, credited relaxing and playing his opponent as opposed to playing the lanes for sending him to his first ESPN finals this season and second in his career. O’Neill will have to relax Sunday if he plans to win his first career title as he faces off with local favorite Chris Barnes (Double Oak, Texas). Barnes, who finished second in last week’s Sun City Classic, knocked off Tim Criss (Bel Air, Md.), 4-2. The second half of the bracket will feature two bowlers looking to make a name for themselves on the 2006-07 Tour. Mike DeVaney (Temecula, Calif.) will take on first-year exempt bowler John May (Iron Station, N.C.). The four bowlers advance to Sunday’s live ESPN televised finals at 12:30 pm EST at AMF Irving Lanes. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny’s PBA Tour exemption.

Respect your elders!

MDUSBC SENIOR MASTERS QUALIFYING SET FOR AIRWAY LANES

The Metro Detroit USBC Association Senior Masters Tournament qualifying is slated to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at Airway Lanes in Waterford Township.

The qualifying will be conducted in two squads on Feb. 10 with the bowlers returning on Sunday to complete the eight games. Those bowlers who bowl the first shift on Saturday will bowl the second shift on Sunday and vice-versa.

After qualifying is complete the field will be cut to the top 31 players plus defending champion Roy Biggs of Canton and return for double elimination match play beginning Saturday, Feb. 17. Matches consist of two games total pins.

First place will pay $1,500 with $1,000 for runner-up.

There are still openings for the event. The cost is $100.

Airway Lanes is located at 4825 Highland Rd. in Waterford, telephone (248) 674-0424.

Sponsors of the MDUSBC Senior Masters are Turbo 2-N-1 Grips, Red Robin Restaurants of Michigan, Ansara's Big Boy Restaurants, Plaza Lanes and Eastown Printing.

The MDUSBC Masters Tournament is an USBC certified event operated by the Metro Detroit USBC Association, the largest local association of the United States Bowling Congress with more than 80,000 members.

FYI...

February is
Bowl for the Cure® Month

Check with your local bowling center or league about hosting a fundraiser to raise funds to fight breast cancer.

Indian Lanes in Wyandotte is hosting a Bowl for the Cure event on Friday, February 16 at 9:30 p.m.
The MDUSBC will host a fundraiser on Saturday, February 24 at 1 p.m. at Fairlanes Bowl in Madison Heights.

Do you still watch the PBA?

Back in the 70's and 80's Chris Schenkel and Bo Burton were a staple on Saturday afternoons on ABC-TV with the Pro Bowlers Tour. I made a date each week at 3PM with my Dad to sit down and watch the pros go at it for 90 minutes in the stepladder finals. I'd even go out and open bowl with my friends when it was done. Obviously times have changed and bowling has been pushed around abit, moving to cable tv now adays. While I commend the guys from Microsoft and ESPN for keeping the tour alive I just wish they'd get their heads screwed on straight and put the PBA back where it belongs...Saturdays at 3PM! Enough already with college hoops, you can watch it any other time, God knows there's 50 games a week to choose from, why not take a chance and push the envelope? Who knows, ya might even find a new generation of PBA addicts out there ready to spend some money. Don't worry you can catch that UC Irvine-Stanford game a little bit later!

Welcome!

I've created this blog for bowlers to share their opinions and concerns about the sport. Post your high scores and tell us how that ringing 10 wrecked your night, in other words just have fun!