Duke beats Koivuniemi to win 24th career Denny's PBA Tour title
11/20/06
In an epic battle between the Big Fin and the Little Texan, five-foot-six, 128-pound Norm Duke turned out to be the giant on Sunday.
Duke moved into a tie for ninth on the all-time Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour titles list by defeating six-foot-four Finland native Mika Koivuniemi, 236-233, to capture the 2006 Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I for his 24th career Tour title.
The 42-year-old also became the first bowler to go 14-0 in winning a Denny's PBA Tour title. He went 12-0 in match play Friday, and won two matches Sunday to surpass the previous record held by Chris Hayden (2003) and Randy Pedersen (2002), who both went 10-0 in match play and won two matches in the finals to go 12-0.
"I was 35 pins down when I switched to a ball I hadn't doubled with all week, but I had to make a change," said the Texas native, who changed balls and moved inside in the fifth frame after throwing straight all week. "I made an errant shot in the 10th frame, but the one in the 11th was pure as the driven snow.
Duke came back from a big deficit in the title match, falling behind early with just one strike in the first five frames, while Koivuniemi struck in the first three frames. After the 2003-04 PBA Player of the Year had spares in frames 4-7, Duke responded with six consecutive strikes to force Koivuniemi to double in the 10th. Koivuniemi struck with his first ball in the 10th, but left a 9-pin on his next shot to give Duke the win.
Both Koivuniemi and Duke just missed out on history in their respective semifinal matches as each came close to becoming the first bowler ever to shoot two televised 300 games in their career.
Koivuniemi had the first eight strikes in his match against Steve Rogers, who at 42 years old was making his first career TV appearance after qualifying for the event through Wednesday's Tour Qualifying Round. A spare in the 9th frame after leaving the 3-6-9-10 was all that kept Koivuniemi from perfection, as he closed out the match with three strikes for a 276-194 win.
Duke, meanwhile, struck in 11 of 12 frames in defeating Michael Haugen Jr., 279-233. The 23-time titlist started the match with two strikes before leaving a 10-pin and converting the spare in the third frame. Haugen started with four consecutive strikes, but a 4-7-9 split and an open in the fifth frame was all Duke needed. He closed out the match with nine consecutive strikes to advance to the title match.
Duke (Clermont, Fla.) earned $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 season. Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) took home $13,000 for second, Haugen (Cave Creek, Ariz.) earned $6,500 for third and Rogers (Bourbonnais, Ill.) earned $5,500 for fourth.
The Denny's PBA Tour moves to Vernon Hills, Ill., for the 2006 Discover® Card Windy City Classic, Nov. 23-27, at Hawthorn Lanes. The live ESPN televised finals take place Sunday, Nov. 27, at 1 p.m. EST.
Stardust Bowl I in Hammond, Ind. (Nov. 15-19, 2006)
Championship Round:
1. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 515 (2 games), $25,000
2. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. 509 (2 games), $13,000
3. Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz. 233 (1 game), $6,500
4. Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill. 194 (1 game), $5,500
Playoff Results:
First match: Duke def. Haugen, 279-233
Second Match: Koivuniemi defeated Rogers, 276-194
Championship Match: Duke def. Koivuniemi, 236-233.
This is Duke's 24th career Denny's PBA Tour title.
Picture courtesy of PBA LLC/Katopodis.
Two words can describe Norm Duke's performance heading into the finals of the Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I: On fire.
After leading Thursday's Round of 64 with a 14-game pinfall of 3,383, Duke (Clermont, Fla.) put on a show in Friday's best-of-seven match play rounds, sweeping No. 32 Michael Fagan (Greenlawn, N.Y.), No. 17 Chris Barnes (Flower Mound, Texas) and No. 24 Riga Kalfas (Florence, Ky.), becoming just the third man in Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) history to finish 12-0 in single-elimination match play. Duke posted a 300 in his third win over Kalfas.
"I've been in a zone before, but I didn't feel like I was in a zone today," said Duke, who joins Randy Pedersen and Chris Hayden as the only bowlers to accomplish the 12-0 feat. "I'm fresh mentally after taking last week off and I feel driven because I haven't been happy with my start."
Duke, who is a part of the ESPN announcing crew for the Denny's PBA Tour when he doesn't make the finals, will step out of the booth to face No. 5 Michael Haugen Jr. in Sunday's first semifinal.
Haugen (Cave Creek, Ariz.) put an end to No. 4 Pete Weber's quest to win back-to-back titles after winning last week's Etonic Championship in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Haugen dropped his first game to Weber (St. Ann, Mo.) before rebounding for four straight wins.
The other half of the bracket will feature No. 2 Mika Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) taking on No. 22 Steve Rogers (Bourbonnais, Ill.).
Koivuniemi advanced after splitting the first two games with Tommy Delutz Jr. (Flushing, N.Y.). He responded with three straight wins, topping the 240 mark in all four games.
Rogers, who advanced through the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round (TQR), defeated No. 3 Jack Jurek, 4-2. Rogers fell in a 2-1 hole to Jurek (Lackawanna, N.Y.) before posting three consecutive wins, finishing with a 244-222 win in game six. He is the fourth bowler ever to advance from the TQR to the championship round.
The four bowlers advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Stardust Bowl I. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.
#22 Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., def. #3 Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 4-2
(163-199, 212-188, 207-230, 234-214, 269-203, 244-222), $5,000
#5 Michael Haugen Jr, Cave Creek, Ariz., def. #4 Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 4-1
(215-227, 289-247, 223-166, 226-146, 258-241), $3,700
#1 Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. #24 Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 4-0
(256-198, 236-213, 300-210, 253-166), $3,500
#2 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def. #10 Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 4-1
(252-239, 202-245, 241-215, 254-195, 247-238), $4,000
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.
#5 Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., def. #12 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, 4-3
(203-224, 197-204, 215-227, 258-193, 236-181, 219-212, 216-209), $3,000
#3 Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., def. #14 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 4-1
(226-207, 248-201, 217-230, 160-158, 226-211), $2,550
#1 Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. #17 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 4-0
(246-210, 239-214, 278-199, 216-181), $2,500
#10 Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., def. #26 Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 4-1
(202-186, 205-256, 212-186, 207-184, 212-207), $2,650
#22 Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., def. #6 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 4-2
(199-172, 170-265, 201-193, 178-214, 237-231, 216-196), $2,900
#4 Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., def. #20 Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 4-1
(224-179, 225-215, 232-252, 227-219, 225-165), $2,600
#2 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def. #18 Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 4-1
(249-239, 257-256, 198-231, 279-220, 228-185), $2,700
#24 Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., def. #25 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 4-2
(255-180, 188-257, 215-182, 196-217, 254-202, 221-203), $2,800
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, earn $2,200.
#18 Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., def. #15 Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 4-1
(237-214, 234-213, 214-197, 243-257, 256-248)
#20 Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, def. #13 Wes Malott, Dallas, 4-3
(179-235, 220-224, 246-237, 245-231, 227-205, 184-214, 229-227)
#22 Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., def. #11 Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 4-0
(214-199, 244-234, 279-217, 261-232)
#24 Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., def. #9 Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 4-0
(224-201, 236-209, 231-223, 223-204)
#26 Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, def. #7 Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 4-1
(255-176, 246-300, 253-220, 268-256, 231-158)
#5 Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., def. #28 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 4-3
(245-220, 214-237, 256-245, 201-231, 195-215, 257-210, 239-225)
#3 Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., def. #30 Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 4-0
(233-169, 199-197, 183-160, 205-195)
#1 Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. #32 Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 4-0
(217-148, 247-206, 289-182, 260-204)
#2 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def. #31 Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 4-3
(185-196, 276-259, 231-205, 279-204, 203-248, 217-247, 242-232)
#4 Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., def. #29 Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 4-1
(227-207, 190-224, 176-161, 217-215, 237-228)
#6 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, def. #27 Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 4-3
(254-192, 209-197, 224-267, 186-208, 224-226, 289-234, 197-192)
#25 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. #8 Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 4-2
(222-219, 224-258, 221-245, 264-246, 248-173, 225-176)
#10 Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., def. #23 Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 4-1
(201-213, 258-197, 243-171, 256-170, 209-200)
#12 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, def. #21 Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 4-1
(190-182, 207-188, 224-158, 205-223, 266-202)
#14 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, def. #19 Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 4-1
(190-190, 226-193, 221-199, 192-239, 238-234)
#17 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, def. #16 Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 4-1
(219-183, 290-166, 213-228, 205-188, 256-229)
300 games - Troy Wollenbecker, Norm Duke.
Despite a slow start by his standards, 23-time Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour titlist Norm Duke wants to make it perfectly clear he's not going away.
Duke fired a 247 in his final game Thursday night to finish the Round of 64 as the overall leader with a 3,383 14-game pinfall to earn the top seed for match play in the Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I.
The 42-year-old led the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings and made a Tour-high seven championship round appearances last season while capturing his 23rd career title. He had to withdraw from last week's Etonic Championship with a neck injury, however, and is 33rd in the 2006-07 PBA World Point Rankings.
"I have a little motivation this week because my year so far has been sub-standard. It's only a month into the season, but it's not my best," said Duke (Clermont, Fla.). "If you're going to come out and play against the best in the world, you want to be included in the top and my play the first month is definitely a source of motivation. I will certainly improve on my first month's play."
Duke will face No. 32 Michael Fagan (Greenlawn, N.Y.), who defeated Mike Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.) in a one-game roll-off, 201-179, after the two tied for 32nd with 3,096.
Mika Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.), who fired two 300 games in the first seven-game block, finished second with 3,381 and will face No. 31 Steve Jaros (Yorkville, Ill.).
Defending champion Pete Weber (St. Ann, Mo.), who is also looking to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1991 after winning last week's Etonic Championship, finished fourth with 3,327. He will face No. 29 Jeff Lizzi (Sandusky, Ohio), who fired a 278 his final game to jump into the top 32.
Lizzi is one of four bowlers who qualified through Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round to make match play, joining Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas) who finished sixth, Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio), who finished seventh and Steve Rogers (Bourbonnais, Ill.), who finished 22nd.
Among those failing to advance were Walter Ray Williams Jr. (37th, 3,067), Kelly Kulick (51st, 2,956) and Jen Petrick (59th, 2,753).
Match play gets underway Friday morning at 9 a.m. EST with the Round of 32, followed by the Rounds of 16 and 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
The final four will advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Stardust Bowl I. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.
Players with position, hometown and seven-game pinfall. Top 32 advance. Place 33-64 earn $1,800.
1, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 3,383
2, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 3,381
3, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 3,330
4, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,327
5, Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., 3,283
6, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 3,255
7, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 3,253
8, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 3,236
9, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 3,220
10, Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 3,211
11, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 3,204
12, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 3,199
13, Wes Malott, Dallas, 3,179
14, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 3,176
15, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3,171
16, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 3,167
17, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 3,164
17, Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 3,164
19, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 3,159
20, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 3,158
21, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 3,154
22, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 3,150
23, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 3,149
23, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 3,149
25, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 3,143
26, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 3,131
27, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 3,129
28, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 3,117
29, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 3,112
30, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 3,101
31, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 3,098
32, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 3,096
Fagan def. Edwards in roll-off, 201-179.
Missed Cut:
32, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 3,096, $1,800
34, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 3,075, $1,800
35, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 3,074, $1,800
36, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 3,068, $1,800
37, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,067, $1,800
38, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 3,062, $1,800
39, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 3,053, $1,800
40, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 3,051, $1,800
41, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 3,046, $1,800
42, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 3,036, $1,800
43, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3,033, $1,800
44, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 3,029, $1,800
44, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 3,029, $1,800
46, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 3,014, $1,800
47, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 3,005, $1,800
48, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 2,996, $1,800
49, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 2,988, $1,800
50, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 2,984, $1,800
51, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 2,956, $1,800
52, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 2,938, $1,800
53, Patrick Healey Jr., Flower Mound, Texas, 2,922, $1,800
54, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 2,907, $1,800
55, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 2,905, $1,800
56, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 2,902, $1,800
57, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 2,865, $1,800
58, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 2,776, $1,800
59, Jen Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 2,753, $1,800
60, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 2,692, $1,800
61, Gene Vincent, Decatur, Ill., 2,683, $1,800
62, Mark Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 2,215, $1,800, WD
63, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,139, $1,800, WD
64, Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., 331, $1,800, WD
300 games - Mika Koivuniemi (2), Chris Loschetter.
After throwing two 300s in his first four games in the Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I, Mika Koivuniemi had a sizeable lead that allowed him to experiment on the Chameleon oil pattern.
Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) finished the first seven-game qualifying round with a total pinfall of 1,708. The Finland native opened the day by sandwiching his first 300 between scores of 246 and 218 before following up with a second perfect game.
"I bowled really well the first game," said Koivuniemi, who threw a Brunswick Ultimate Inferno. "I was able to get a good read of the lanes from the guys who bowled in front of me. I made a couple of changes and got a break in the 11th frame to pick up my first 300. I had a little bit of room with my lead and I was able to move around and test different parts of the lanes."
Koivuniemi became only the third bowler in PBA Tour history to finish with two 300s in a seven-game qualifying block. Koivuniemi joined Jason Couch (Clermont, Fla.) and Michael Haugen Jr. (Cave Creek, Ariz.), who both accomplished the feat last season in the 2005 Greater Omaha Classic in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas), who qualified for the event through the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round, is in second with a 1,687, topping the 200 mark in all seven games.
United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Masters runner-up Jack Jurek (Lackawanna, N.Y.) sits in third place, just nine pins behind Castillo with a 1,678. Kelly Kulick (Union, N.J.), who predicted Wednesday this event would be her breakout stop, is in seventh with 1,654.
All 64 bowlers return at 6 p.m. EST for another seven games. The top 32 from today's rounds advance to Friday's match play.
The top four bowlers will advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Stardust Bowl I. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.
Players with position, hometown and seven-game pinfall
1, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1,708
2, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,687
3, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1,678
4, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,673
5, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 1,665
5, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,665
7, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,654
8, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1,650
8, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 1,650
10, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1,645
11, Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 1,631
11, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1,631
13, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 1,628
14, Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., 1,627
15, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 1,609
16, Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 1,605
17, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 1,602
18, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 1,601
19, Michael Haugen Jr, Cave Creek, Ariz., 1,594
20, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,592
21, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,587
22, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,577
23, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,575
24, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,574
25, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1,572
25, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 1,572
25, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 1,572
28, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 1,569
29, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 1,563
30, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 1,560
31, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 1,559
32, Wes Malott, Dallas, 1,551
33, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 1,541
34, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 1,540
35, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,536
36, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 1,532
36, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,532
38, Patrick Healey Jr, Flower Mound, Texas., 1,527
38, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 1,527
40, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 1,524
41, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 1,522
42, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 1,517
43, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 1,514
44, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 1,512
45, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1,509
46, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 1,507
46, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 1,507
48, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,499
49, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,493
50, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 1,479
51, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 1,476
52, Jen Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 1,470
53, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,457
54, Del Ballard Jr, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 1,452
55, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,445
56, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,444
57, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 1,434
58, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 1,428
59, Mark Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,382
60, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 1,378
61, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1,372
62, Gene Vincent, Decatur, Ill., 1,326
63, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,139, WD
64, Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., 331, WD
300 games - Mika Koivuniemi (2)
Jennifer Petrick became the fifth woman to advance to a Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour standard event as she finished as the high amateur in Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round (TQR) for the 2006 Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I.
The PBA opened its membership to women after the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) folded in 2004. Since the 2004-05 season when the PBA first started allowing women to qualify for Tour events, five women – Cathy Dorin-Lizzi, Michelle Feldman, Liz Johnson, Kelly Kulick and Petrick – have qualified for standard events through the weekly TQRs.
A three-time Team USA member, Petrick (Canton, Ohio) finished 15th overall with a 1,551 seven-game pinfall. The top amateur and top six PBA members advanced to Thursday's Round of 64. Normally the top four PBA members advance, but exempt bowlers Amleto Monacelli and Robert Smith withdrew from this week's event.
Petrick came on strong in the middle games of the block, firing a 247 in game four, a 237 in game five and a 247 in game six to lead the closest amateur, Rick Hara (Skokie, Ill.), by 47 pins.
Leading the field with 1,627 was Walter Schaub II (Schaumberg, Ill.), followed by four-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist David Traber (Hebron, Ill.) with 1,619.
"I had a 267 the first game and a 239 the last game but other than that I really didn't string a lot of strikes together," Schaub said. "I just tried to keep it in a zone and not move off that spot. I've been in the position before where I've been in the cut and I've bowled a bad game to drop out of the cut so I didn't want to do anything drastic."
Jeff Lizzi (Sandusky, Ohio) finished third with 1,615 to qualify for the second time this season, while Steve Rogers (Bourbonnais, Ill.) finished fourth with 1,599. Rounding out the group of qualifiers was Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio), who bowled a 239 the final game to make the cut, and Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas), who averaged 249 over the final three games to advance. Both are making their second consecutive Round of 64 appearance.
Thursday's Round of 64 features two seven-game qualifying blocks, the first of which gets underway at 11 a.m. EST. The top 32 will advance to match play on Friday.
The final four will bowl for the $25,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season Sunday, Nov. 19. The live ESPN televised finals get underway at 1 p.m. EST.
Players with position, hometown and seven-game pinfall. Top six PBA members and top amateur advance. Places 7-14 and 16-21 cash.
1, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,627
2, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1,619
3, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,615
4, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 1,599
5, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1,597
6, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,596
7, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1,592, $1,000
8, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1,590, $800
9, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 1,584, $600
10, Mike Mineman, Belleville, Ill., 1,574, $500
11, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 1,571, $450
12, John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,556, $390
12, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 1,556, $390
14, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 1,553, $360
15, Jen Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 1,551
16, Gregory Thompson Jr., Dayton, Ohio, 1,550, $350
17, Jason Wojnar, Chicago, 1,547, $340
18, Billy Plane, Springfield, Mich., 1,545, $330
19, John Nolen, Waterford, Mich., 1,542, $320
20, Robert Flunder IV, Toledo, Ohio, 1,539, $310
21, Chip Collins, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,520, $300
22, Rick Hara, Skokie, Ill., 1,504
23, Steve Harman, Camby, Ind., 1,502
23, Gregg Zicha, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 1,502
25, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 1,498
26, Chris Curry, Greenwood Ind., 1,495
27, Peter Dohan Jr., Tampa, Fla., 1,485
28, Neil Kassel, Beavercreek, Ohio, 1,482
29, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 1,479
30, Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 1,477
31, Bob Kammer Jr., Crown Point, Ind., 1,476
32, Christopher Muldrow, Chicago, 1,473
33, Michael Zicha, Streamwood, Ill., 1,470
34, Fero Williams, Miamisburg, Ohio, 1,466
35, Mike Dugan, Summit, Ill., 1,462
36, Keith DeCambra, Quincy, Mass, 1,461
37, Aaron Jones, Chicago, 1,460
38, George Gohagan III, Dayton, Ohio, 1,458
39, Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 1,457
40, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,452
41, Michael Norris, Melvindale, Mich., 1,451
42, Brad Snell, Mount Prospect, Ill., 1,448
43, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 1,447
44, Paul Gibson, Brunswick, Ohio, 1,446
45, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 1,442
46, Kenneth Jessee, Huber Heights, Ohio, 1,441
47, Jonathan Van Hees, Providence, R.I., 1,440
48, Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 1,435
49, Chris Cundiff, Hammond, Ind., 1,432
50, Brian Gunn, Chicago, 1,430
51, Jason Poli, West Des Moines, Iowa, 1,422
52, Adam Monks, Oakland, N.J., 1,419
53, Robert Carlson, Dyer, Ind., 1,400
53, Daniel Puerto, St. Charles, Mo., 1,400
55, Christopher Glaz, Elmwood Park, Ill, 1,397
56, Eric Martin, Cedar Lake, Ind., 1,387
57, John Riffle, Highland, Ind., 1,386
58, Tim Lockett, Louisville, Ky., 1,385
59, Brandon Balsis, Tinley Park, Ill, 1,370
60, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Oxon Hill, Md., 1,369
60, Marlin Cox, Chicago, 1,369
62, Lemire Schmeglar, Chicago, 1,364
63, Jeffrey Snuffer, Valparaiso, Ind., 1,361
63, Derek Sapp, Keokuk, Iowa, 1,361
65, Kevin Mikalouski, Hebron, Ind., 1,354
66, Ed OlszewskiI II, Griffith, Ind., 1,339
67, Shawn Evans, Satellite Beach, Fla., 1,337
68, Dale Laurinas, St. John, Ind., 1,336
69, Shaun Ciesielski, Hobart, Ind., 1,329
70, Andrew Horodecki, Jackson, Mich, 1,328
71, Dustin Hubert, Kankakee, Ill., 1,322
72, Richard Horodecki Jr., Jackson, Mich, 1,321
73, Bryan Miloshoff, Highland, Ind., 1,319
74, Kevin Kullman, Lansing, Ill., 1,311
75, Mike Eaton Jr., Wyoming, Mich., 1,310
75, Frank Ensweiler, Lowell, Ind., 1,310
77, James Helmecy Sr., Portage, Ind., 1,300
78, Thomas Finnen Jr., Orland Hills, Ill., 1,299
79, Josh Adams, Kankakee, Ill., 1,296
80, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 1,277
80, Ryne Hamblin, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1,277
82, Tom Seliger, Highland, Ind., 1,258
83, Eric Floyhar Jr., Crown Point, Ind., 1,256
84, Ryan Docherty, Avon, Ohio, 1,236
85, Gene Kanak, Bonfield, Ill., 1,222
86, Paul Lundahl, Chicago, 1,212
87, Sam Rolph, Oak Forest, Ill., 1,194
300 games - None.
2006-07 PBA Tour #4
Stardust Bowl I in Hammond, Ind. (Nov. 15-19, 2006)
In an epic battle between the Big Fin and the Little Texan, five-foot-six, 128-pound Norm Duke turned out to be the giant on Sunday. Duke moved into a tie for ninth on the all-time Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour titles list by defeating six-foot-four Finland native Mika Koivuniemi, 236-233, to capture the 2006 Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I for his 24th career Tour title.
The 42-year-old also became the first bowler to go 14-0 in winning a Denny's PBA Tour title. He went 12-0 in match play Friday, and won two matches Sunday to surpass the previous record held by Chris Hayden (2003) and Randy Pedersen (2002), who both went 10-0 in match play and won two matches in the finals to go 12-0.
"I was 35 pins down when I switched to a ball I hadn't doubled with all week, but I had to make a change," said the Texas native, who changed balls and moved inside in the fifth frame after throwing straight all week. "I made an errant shot in the 10th frame, but the one in the 11th was pure as the driven snow.
Duke came back from a big deficit in the title match, falling behind early with just one strike in the first five frames, while Koivuniemi struck in the first three frames. After the 2003-04 PBA Player of the Year had spares in frames 4-7, Duke responded with six consecutive strikes to force Koivuniemi to double in the 10th. Koivuniemi struck with his first ball in the 10th, but left a 9-pin on his next shot to give Duke the win. Both Koivuniemi and Duke just missed out on history in their respective semifinal matches as each came close to becoming the first bowler ever to shoot two televised 300 games in their career.
Koivuniemi had the first eight strikes in his match against Steve Rogers, who at 42 years old was making his first career TV appearance after qualifying for the event through Wednesday's Tour Qualifying Round. A spare in the 9th frame after leaving the 3-6-9-10 was all that kept Koivuniemi from perfection, as he closed out the match with three strikes for a 276-194 win.
Duke, meanwhile, struck in 11 of 12 frames in defeating Michael Haugen Jr., 279-233. The 23-time titlist started the match with two strikes before leaving a 10-pin and converting the spare in the third frame. Haugen started with four consecutive strikes, but a 4-7-9 split and an open in the fifth frame was all Duke needed. He closed out the match with nine consecutive strikes to advance to the title match.
Duke (Clermont, Fla.) earned $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 season. Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) took home $13,000 for second, Haugen (Cave Creek, Ariz.) earned $6,500 for third and Rogers (Bourbonnais, Ill.) earned $5,500 for fourth.
The Denny's PBA Tour moves to Vernon Hills, Ill., for the 2006 Discover® Card Windy City Classic, Nov. 23-27, at Hawthorn Lanes. The live ESPN televised finals take place Sunday, Nov. 27, at 1 p.m. EST.
Lake County Indiana Classic
Stardust Bowl I in Hammond, Ind. (Nov. 15-19, 2006)
Championship Round:
1. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 515 (2 games), $25,000
2. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. 509 (2 games), $13,000
3. Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz. 233 (1 game), $6,500
4. Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill. 194 (1 game), $5,500
Playoff Results:
First match: Duke def. Haugen, 279-233
Second Match: Koivuniemi defeated Rogers, 276-194
Championship Match: Duke def. Koivuniemi, 236-233.
This is Duke's 24th career Denny's PBA Tour title.
Picture courtesy of PBA LLC/Katopodis.
Two words can describe Norm Duke's performance heading into the finals of the Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I: On fire. After leading Thursday's Round of 64 with a 14-game pinfall of 3,383, Duke (Clermont, Fla.) put on a show in Friday's best-of-seven match play rounds, sweeping No. 32 Michael Fagan (Greenlawn, N.Y.), No. 17 Chris Barnes (Flower Mound, Texas) and No. 24 Riga Kalfas (Florence, Ky.), becoming just the third man in Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) history to finish 12-0 in single-elimination match play. Duke posted a 300 in his third win over Kalfas.
"I've been in a zone before, but I didn't feel like I was in a zone today," said Duke, who joins Randy Pedersen and Chris Hayden as the only bowlers to accomplish the 12-0 feat. "I'm fresh mentally after taking last week off and I feel driven because I haven't been happy with my start."
Duke, who is a part of the ESPN announcing crew for the Denny's PBA Tour when he doesn't make the finals, will step out of the booth to face No. 5 Michael Haugen Jr. in Sunday's first semifinal.
Haugen (Cave Creek, Ariz.) put an end to No. 4 Pete Weber's quest to win back-to-back titles after winning last week's Etonic Championship in Cheektowaga, N.Y. Haugen dropped his first game to Weber (St. Ann, Mo.) before rebounding for four straight wins.
The other half of the bracket will feature No. 2 Mika Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) taking on No. 22 Steve Rogers (Bourbonnais, Ill.).
Koivuniemi advanced after splitting the first two games with Tommy Delutz Jr. (Flushing, N.Y.). He responded with three straight wins, topping the 240 mark in all four games.
Rogers, who advanced through the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round (TQR), defeated No. 3 Jack Jurek, 4-2. Rogers fell in a 2-1 hole to Jurek (Lackawanna, N.Y.) before posting three consecutive wins, finishing with a 244-222 win in game six. He is the fourth bowler ever to advance from the TQR to the championship round.
The four bowlers advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Stardust Bowl I. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.
Round of 8
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.
#22 Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., def. #3 Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 4-2
(163-199, 212-188, 207-230, 234-214, 269-203, 244-222), $5,000
#5 Michael Haugen Jr, Cave Creek, Ariz., def. #4 Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 4-1
(215-227, 289-247, 223-166, 226-146, 258-241), $3,700
#1 Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. #24 Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 4-0
(256-198, 236-213, 300-210, 253-166), $3,500
#2 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def. #10 Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 4-1
(252-239, 202-245, 241-215, 254-195, 247-238), $4,000
Round of 16
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.
#5 Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., def. #12 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, 4-3
(203-224, 197-204, 215-227, 258-193, 236-181, 219-212, 216-209), $3,000
#3 Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., def. #14 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 4-1
(226-207, 248-201, 217-230, 160-158, 226-211), $2,550
#1 Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. #17 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 4-0
(246-210, 239-214, 278-199, 216-181), $2,500
#10 Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., def. #26 Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 4-1
(202-186, 205-256, 212-186, 207-184, 212-207), $2,650
#22 Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., def. #6 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 4-2
(199-172, 170-265, 201-193, 178-214, 237-231, 216-196), $2,900
#4 Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., def. #20 Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 4-1
(224-179, 225-215, 232-252, 227-219, 225-165), $2,600
#2 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def. #18 Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 4-1
(249-239, 257-256, 198-231, 279-220, 228-185), $2,700
#24 Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., def. #25 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 4-2
(255-180, 188-257, 215-182, 196-217, 254-202, 221-203), $2,800
Round of 32
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, earn $2,200.
#18 Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., def. #15 Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 4-1
(237-214, 234-213, 214-197, 243-257, 256-248)
#20 Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, def. #13 Wes Malott, Dallas, 4-3
(179-235, 220-224, 246-237, 245-231, 227-205, 184-214, 229-227)
#22 Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., def. #11 Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 4-0
(214-199, 244-234, 279-217, 261-232)
#24 Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., def. #9 Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 4-0
(224-201, 236-209, 231-223, 223-204)
#26 Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, def. #7 Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 4-1
(255-176, 246-300, 253-220, 268-256, 231-158)
#5 Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., def. #28 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 4-3
(245-220, 214-237, 256-245, 201-231, 195-215, 257-210, 239-225)
#3 Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., def. #30 Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 4-0
(233-169, 199-197, 183-160, 205-195)
#1 Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., def. #32 Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 4-0
(217-148, 247-206, 289-182, 260-204)
#2 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def. #31 Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 4-3
(185-196, 276-259, 231-205, 279-204, 203-248, 217-247, 242-232)
#4 Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., def. #29 Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 4-1
(227-207, 190-224, 176-161, 217-215, 237-228)
#6 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, def. #27 Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 4-3
(254-192, 209-197, 224-267, 186-208, 224-226, 289-234, 197-192)
#25 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. #8 Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 4-2
(222-219, 224-258, 221-245, 264-246, 248-173, 225-176)
#10 Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., def. #23 Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 4-1
(201-213, 258-197, 243-171, 256-170, 209-200)
#12 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, def. #21 Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 4-1
(190-182, 207-188, 224-158, 205-223, 266-202)
#14 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, def. #19 Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 4-1
(190-190, 226-193, 221-199, 192-239, 238-234)
#17 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, def. #16 Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 4-1
(219-183, 290-166, 213-228, 205-188, 256-229)
300 games - Troy Wollenbecker, Norm Duke.
Duke grabs top seed for match play in Lake County Indiana Classic
Despite a slow start by his standards, 23-time Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour titlist Norm Duke wants to make it perfectly clear he's not going away. Duke fired a 247 in his final game Thursday night to finish the Round of 64 as the overall leader with a 3,383 14-game pinfall to earn the top seed for match play in the Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I.
The 42-year-old led the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings and made a Tour-high seven championship round appearances last season while capturing his 23rd career title. He had to withdraw from last week's Etonic Championship with a neck injury, however, and is 33rd in the 2006-07 PBA World Point Rankings.
"I have a little motivation this week because my year so far has been sub-standard. It's only a month into the season, but it's not my best," said Duke (Clermont, Fla.). "If you're going to come out and play against the best in the world, you want to be included in the top and my play the first month is definitely a source of motivation. I will certainly improve on my first month's play."
Duke will face No. 32 Michael Fagan (Greenlawn, N.Y.), who defeated Mike Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.) in a one-game roll-off, 201-179, after the two tied for 32nd with 3,096.
Mika Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.), who fired two 300 games in the first seven-game block, finished second with 3,381 and will face No. 31 Steve Jaros (Yorkville, Ill.).
Defending champion Pete Weber (St. Ann, Mo.), who is also looking to win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1991 after winning last week's Etonic Championship, finished fourth with 3,327. He will face No. 29 Jeff Lizzi (Sandusky, Ohio), who fired a 278 his final game to jump into the top 32.
Lizzi is one of four bowlers who qualified through Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round to make match play, joining Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas) who finished sixth, Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio), who finished seventh and Steve Rogers (Bourbonnais, Ill.), who finished 22nd.
Among those failing to advance were Walter Ray Williams Jr. (37th, 3,067), Kelly Kulick (51st, 2,956) and Jen Petrick (59th, 2,753).
Match play gets underway Friday morning at 9 a.m. EST with the Round of 32, followed by the Rounds of 16 and 8 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
The final four will advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Stardust Bowl I. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.
Round of 64 - Second Block
Players with position, hometown and seven-game pinfall. Top 32 advance. Place 33-64 earn $1,800.
1, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 3,383
2, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 3,381
3, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 3,330
4, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,327
5, Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., 3,283
6, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 3,255
7, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 3,253
8, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 3,236
9, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 3,220
10, Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 3,211
11, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 3,204
12, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 3,199
13, Wes Malott, Dallas, 3,179
14, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 3,176
15, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 3,171
16, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 3,167
17, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 3,164
17, Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 3,164
19, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 3,159
20, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 3,158
21, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 3,154
22, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 3,150
23, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 3,149
23, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 3,149
25, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 3,143
26, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 3,131
27, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 3,129
28, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 3,117
29, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 3,112
30, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 3,101
31, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 3,098
32, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 3,096
Fagan def. Edwards in roll-off, 201-179.
Missed Cut:
32, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 3,096, $1,800
34, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 3,075, $1,800
35, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 3,074, $1,800
36, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 3,068, $1,800
37, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,067, $1,800
38, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 3,062, $1,800
39, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 3,053, $1,800
40, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 3,051, $1,800
41, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 3,046, $1,800
42, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 3,036, $1,800
43, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3,033, $1,800
44, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 3,029, $1,800
44, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 3,029, $1,800
46, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 3,014, $1,800
47, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 3,005, $1,800
48, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 2,996, $1,800
49, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 2,988, $1,800
50, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 2,984, $1,800
51, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 2,956, $1,800
52, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 2,938, $1,800
53, Patrick Healey Jr., Flower Mound, Texas, 2,922, $1,800
54, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 2,907, $1,800
55, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 2,905, $1,800
56, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 2,902, $1,800
57, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 2,865, $1,800
58, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 2,776, $1,800
59, Jen Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 2,753, $1,800
60, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 2,692, $1,800
61, Gene Vincent, Decatur, Ill., 2,683, $1,800
62, Mark Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 2,215, $1,800, WD
63, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,139, $1,800, WD
64, Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., 331, $1,800, WD
300 games - Mika Koivuniemi (2), Chris Loschetter.
Koivuniemi shoots two perfecto en route to take the lead in Lake County Indiana Classic
After throwing two 300s in his first four games in the Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I, Mika Koivuniemi had a sizeable lead that allowed him to experiment on the Chameleon oil pattern. Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) finished the first seven-game qualifying round with a total pinfall of 1,708. The Finland native opened the day by sandwiching his first 300 between scores of 246 and 218 before following up with a second perfect game.
"I bowled really well the first game," said Koivuniemi, who threw a Brunswick Ultimate Inferno. "I was able to get a good read of the lanes from the guys who bowled in front of me. I made a couple of changes and got a break in the 11th frame to pick up my first 300. I had a little bit of room with my lead and I was able to move around and test different parts of the lanes."
Koivuniemi became only the third bowler in PBA Tour history to finish with two 300s in a seven-game qualifying block. Koivuniemi joined Jason Couch (Clermont, Fla.) and Michael Haugen Jr. (Cave Creek, Ariz.), who both accomplished the feat last season in the 2005 Greater Omaha Classic in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas), who qualified for the event through the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round, is in second with a 1,687, topping the 200 mark in all seven games.
United States Bowling Congress (USBC) Masters runner-up Jack Jurek (Lackawanna, N.Y.) sits in third place, just nine pins behind Castillo with a 1,678. Kelly Kulick (Union, N.J.), who predicted Wednesday this event would be her breakout stop, is in seventh with 1,654.
All 64 bowlers return at 6 p.m. EST for another seven games. The top 32 from today's rounds advance to Friday's match play.
The top four bowlers will advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Stardust Bowl I. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.
Round of 64 – First Block
Players with position, hometown and seven-game pinfall
1, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1,708
2, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,687
3, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1,678
4, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,673
5, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 1,665
5, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,665
7, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,654
8, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1,650
8, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 1,650
10, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1,645
11, Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 1,631
11, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1,631
13, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 1,628
14, Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., 1,627
15, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 1,609
16, Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 1,605
17, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 1,602
18, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 1,601
19, Michael Haugen Jr, Cave Creek, Ariz., 1,594
20, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,592
21, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,587
22, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,577
23, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,575
24, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,574
25, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1,572
25, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 1,572
25, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 1,572
28, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 1,569
29, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 1,563
30, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 1,560
31, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 1,559
32, Wes Malott, Dallas, 1,551
33, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 1,541
34, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 1,540
35, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,536
36, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 1,532
36, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,532
38, Patrick Healey Jr, Flower Mound, Texas., 1,527
38, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 1,527
40, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 1,524
41, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 1,522
42, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 1,517
43, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 1,514
44, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 1,512
45, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1,509
46, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 1,507
46, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 1,507
48, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,499
49, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,493
50, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 1,479
51, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 1,476
52, Jen Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 1,470
53, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,457
54, Del Ballard Jr, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 1,452
55, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,445
56, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,444
57, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 1,434
58, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 1,428
59, Mark Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,382
60, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 1,378
61, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1,372
62, Gene Vincent, Decatur, Ill., 1,326
63, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,139, WD
64, Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., 331, WD
300 games - Mika Koivuniemi (2)
Petrick advances to Lake County Indiana Classic
Jennifer Petrick became the fifth woman to advance to a Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour standard event as she finished as the high amateur in Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round (TQR) for the 2006 Lake County Indiana Classic at Stardust Bowl I. The PBA opened its membership to women after the Professional Women's Bowling Association (PWBA) folded in 2004. Since the 2004-05 season when the PBA first started allowing women to qualify for Tour events, five women – Cathy Dorin-Lizzi, Michelle Feldman, Liz Johnson, Kelly Kulick and Petrick – have qualified for standard events through the weekly TQRs.
A three-time Team USA member, Petrick (Canton, Ohio) finished 15th overall with a 1,551 seven-game pinfall. The top amateur and top six PBA members advanced to Thursday's Round of 64. Normally the top four PBA members advance, but exempt bowlers Amleto Monacelli and Robert Smith withdrew from this week's event.
Petrick came on strong in the middle games of the block, firing a 247 in game four, a 237 in game five and a 247 in game six to lead the closest amateur, Rick Hara (Skokie, Ill.), by 47 pins.
Leading the field with 1,627 was Walter Schaub II (Schaumberg, Ill.), followed by four-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist David Traber (Hebron, Ill.) with 1,619.
"I had a 267 the first game and a 239 the last game but other than that I really didn't string a lot of strikes together," Schaub said. "I just tried to keep it in a zone and not move off that spot. I've been in the position before where I've been in the cut and I've bowled a bad game to drop out of the cut so I didn't want to do anything drastic."
Jeff Lizzi (Sandusky, Ohio) finished third with 1,615 to qualify for the second time this season, while Steve Rogers (Bourbonnais, Ill.) finished fourth with 1,599. Rounding out the group of qualifiers was Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio), who bowled a 239 the final game to make the cut, and Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas), who averaged 249 over the final three games to advance. Both are making their second consecutive Round of 64 appearance.
Thursday's Round of 64 features two seven-game qualifying blocks, the first of which gets underway at 11 a.m. EST. The top 32 will advance to match play on Friday.
The final four will bowl for the $25,000 top prize and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season Sunday, Nov. 19. The live ESPN televised finals get underway at 1 p.m. EST.
Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round
Players with position, hometown and seven-game pinfall. Top six PBA members and top amateur advance. Places 7-14 and 16-21 cash.
1, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,627
2, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1,619
3, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,615
4, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 1,599
5, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1,597
6, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,596
7, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1,592, $1,000
8, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1,590, $800
9, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 1,584, $600
10, Mike Mineman, Belleville, Ill., 1,574, $500
11, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 1,571, $450
12, John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,556, $390
12, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 1,556, $390
14, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 1,553, $360
15, Jen Petrick, Canton, Ohio, 1,551
16, Gregory Thompson Jr., Dayton, Ohio, 1,550, $350
17, Jason Wojnar, Chicago, 1,547, $340
18, Billy Plane, Springfield, Mich., 1,545, $330
19, John Nolen, Waterford, Mich., 1,542, $320
20, Robert Flunder IV, Toledo, Ohio, 1,539, $310
21, Chip Collins, Fayetteville, N.C., 1,520, $300
22, Rick Hara, Skokie, Ill., 1,504
23, Steve Harman, Camby, Ind., 1,502
23, Gregg Zicha, Glen Ellyn, Ill., 1,502
25, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 1,498
26, Chris Curry, Greenwood Ind., 1,495
27, Peter Dohan Jr., Tampa, Fla., 1,485
28, Neil Kassel, Beavercreek, Ohio, 1,482
29, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 1,479
30, Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, 1,477
31, Bob Kammer Jr., Crown Point, Ind., 1,476
32, Christopher Muldrow, Chicago, 1,473
33, Michael Zicha, Streamwood, Ill., 1,470
34, Fero Williams, Miamisburg, Ohio, 1,466
35, Mike Dugan, Summit, Ill., 1,462
36, Keith DeCambra, Quincy, Mass, 1,461
37, Aaron Jones, Chicago, 1,460
38, George Gohagan III, Dayton, Ohio, 1,458
39, Kenny Parks, Hammond, Ind., 1,457
40, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,452
41, Michael Norris, Melvindale, Mich., 1,451
42, Brad Snell, Mount Prospect, Ill., 1,448
43, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 1,447
44, Paul Gibson, Brunswick, Ohio, 1,446
45, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 1,442
46, Kenneth Jessee, Huber Heights, Ohio, 1,441
47, Jonathan Van Hees, Providence, R.I., 1,440
48, Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 1,435
49, Chris Cundiff, Hammond, Ind., 1,432
50, Brian Gunn, Chicago, 1,430
51, Jason Poli, West Des Moines, Iowa, 1,422
52, Adam Monks, Oakland, N.J., 1,419
53, Robert Carlson, Dyer, Ind., 1,400
53, Daniel Puerto, St. Charles, Mo., 1,400
55, Christopher Glaz, Elmwood Park, Ill, 1,397
56, Eric Martin, Cedar Lake, Ind., 1,387
57, John Riffle, Highland, Ind., 1,386
58, Tim Lockett, Louisville, Ky., 1,385
59, Brandon Balsis, Tinley Park, Ill, 1,370
60, Kenneth Lowe Jr., Oxon Hill, Md., 1,369
60, Marlin Cox, Chicago, 1,369
62, Lemire Schmeglar, Chicago, 1,364
63, Jeffrey Snuffer, Valparaiso, Ind., 1,361
63, Derek Sapp, Keokuk, Iowa, 1,361
65, Kevin Mikalouski, Hebron, Ind., 1,354
66, Ed OlszewskiI II, Griffith, Ind., 1,339
67, Shawn Evans, Satellite Beach, Fla., 1,337
68, Dale Laurinas, St. John, Ind., 1,336
69, Shaun Ciesielski, Hobart, Ind., 1,329
70, Andrew Horodecki, Jackson, Mich, 1,328
71, Dustin Hubert, Kankakee, Ill., 1,322
72, Richard Horodecki Jr., Jackson, Mich, 1,321
73, Bryan Miloshoff, Highland, Ind., 1,319
74, Kevin Kullman, Lansing, Ill., 1,311
75, Mike Eaton Jr., Wyoming, Mich., 1,310
75, Frank Ensweiler, Lowell, Ind., 1,310
77, James Helmecy Sr., Portage, Ind., 1,300
78, Thomas Finnen Jr., Orland Hills, Ill., 1,299
79, Josh Adams, Kankakee, Ill., 1,296
80, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 1,277
80, Ryne Hamblin, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1,277
82, Tom Seliger, Highland, Ind., 1,258
83, Eric Floyhar Jr., Crown Point, Ind., 1,256
84, Ryan Docherty, Avon, Ohio, 1,236
85, Gene Kanak, Bonfield, Ill., 1,222
86, Paul Lundahl, Chicago, 1,212
87, Sam Rolph, Oak Forest, Ill., 1,194
300 games - None.