Hopefully a Grand time to be had...

By Gary BondThe Grand Rapids Press
The 1993 Professional Bowler's Association tour season will always be special to Walter Ray Williams Jr. It was the second time the Ocala, Fla., native was named the PBA player of the year and one of the seven tournament wins Williams rolled that season was the inaugural Great Grand Rapids Open, renamed the Great Lakes Classic a few seasons ago.
"Grand Rapids is a good bowling area and Spectrum Lanes has an excellent restaurant," Williams said. Even though Williams failed to reach the ESPN-broadcast finals of the CLR Windy City Classic in Vernon Hills, Ill., last Sunday, he will be closely eyed this week in Grand Rapids.
Williams, 48, has made three television appearances this season and has captured one title, the Motor City Classic, making him the first bowler in PBA history to win a title in 15 consecutive seasons.
"I'm bowling well this season and felt good last week, that's why I'm disappointed I didn't bowl better," Williams said. "The PBA Tour is kind of a grind, and every week is a new week, and I'm looking forward to getting back on track."
When asked what meant more to him, winning tournaments or being named the player of the year, Williams said the two go together.
"Player of the year honor means more, but you're not going to be the player of the year if you don't win a few tournaments," he said. "Bowling is a (lane) condition sport, and this week we'll be bowling on the cheetah (short oil) pattern, which typically provides high scoring."
Williams, who is currently first in points and fourth in money earned this season ($60,900), is averaging a tournament-best 232.18 per game. Chris Barnes (Flower Mound, TX) is second with a 228.16 average. Sean Rash (Wichita, Kan.), who won the USBC Master in Milwaukee, Wis., the first major of the season, won $100,000 for the victory and is the tour's current money leader having earned $112,700.
Last year's Great Lake Classic winner, Doug Kent (Newark, N.Y.), is averaging 219.89 per game (22nd on tour) and has earned $10,100 in prize money.
FACT SHEET
PBA Tour in Wyoming
What: The Denny's Professional Bowler's Association Tour Great Lakes Classic.
Where: Spectrum Lanes, 5656 Clyde Park Ave. SW, Wyoming.
When: Wednesday-Sunday.
TV: 1 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.
Tickets: $10-$75
For more information: Spectrumlanes.com or pbatour.com.