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.