Jones wins his ninth career PBA Title by the closest possible margin
12/04/06
It's been a slow start to the 2006-07 Denny's Professional Bowler Association (PBA) Tour season for Tommy Jones by his recent standards, but the reigning PBA Player of the Year showed he's not going anywhere.
Jones won his ninth title in a little over two seasons, knocking off Wes Malott, 222-221, to squeak out a win in the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.
Jones struck six consecutive times in frames 4-9 to take the lead and needed a double in the 10th frame to shut out Malott. Jones, however, left a 7-10 split and opened, the same split Malott left in the 7th frame to give Jones the lead.
Malott then needed a strike with his first ball in the 10th to win, but a 9-pin forced him to strike for the tie. He got nine on his last shot, however, letting Jones escape with a one-pin win.
"I have mixed emotions. Wes is my roommate and one of my best friends on Tour, and you never want to win that way," said Jones (Simpsonville, S.C.). "That right lane was tricky and fortunately I had lane choice so (Malott) had to finish on that lane. He got a bad break on his first shot (in the 10th), made a move and threw a good shot, but he just didn't get the break."
Jones, who has won four titles in each of the last two seasons, denied Malott the chance to win back-to-back titles for the first time in his career.
The 28-year-old (pictured left) advanced to the title match with a 226-216 win over Walter Ray Williams Jr. The PBA Hall of Famer held a one-pin lead after six frames before chopping the 4-8 to give Jones the lead. Jones could have shut Williams out with a double in the 10th, but he left a 4-pin giving Williams the opportunity to double to win the match. Williams left an 8-pin with his first shot, however, giving Jones his first-ever win on TV against the Tour's all-time title holder.
Malott advanced to the title match with a 257-202 win over Ryan Shafer. Last week's Discover® Card Windy City Classic winner struck in five of the first six frames, while Shafer failed to strike in frames 6-9, including an open in the 7th.
Jones earned $25,000 while Malott (Argyle, Texas) took home $13,000 for second. Williams (Ocala, Fla.) earned $6,500 for third and Shafer (Horseheads, N.Y.) earned $5,500 for fourth.
The Denny's PBA Tour moves to Baltimore for the 2006 Beltway Classic, Dec. 6-10, at AMF Country Club Lanes. The live ESPN televised finals take place Sunday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. EST.
Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe in Wickliffe, OH (Nov. 29-Dec., 3, 2006)
Championship Round:
1. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. 448 (2 games), $25,000
2. Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas 478 (2 games), $13,000
3. Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 216 (1 game), $6,500
4. Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y. 202 (1 game), $5,500
Playoff Results:
Semifinal Match 1: Jones def. Williams, 226-216
Semifinal Match 2: Malott defeated Shafer, 257-202
Championship Match: Jones def. Malott, 222-221.
This is Jones' ninth career Denny's PBA Tour title. Pictures courtesy of PBA LLC/Harrison.
After making a career-high four championship rounds in the first four events of the 2005-06 Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, Wes Malott has already matched the total on the 2006-07 Tour after defeating Chris Barnes, four-games-to-none, in the Round of 8 in the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.
Malott (Argyle, Texas), who won his second career PBA title last week (pictured), opened with a 233-195 win in game one before squeezing by Barnes in the second game, 207-205. The Big Texan followed with wins of 208-184 and 224-216 to advance to Sunday's finals.
"In the match against Barnes, the lanes were a little drier and it forced me to play farther left," said Malott. "When I have to go left and be real soft with my hands, sometimes I lose the ball and I don't throw the ball very well. I got a lot of breaks, and fortunately for me, he didn't get a lot of breaks. You have to take advantage of any break you get, which is what I did."
Malott, who entered Friday's match play seeded No. 2 after 14 games of qualifying on Thursday, went through match play with a 12-4 record, defeating No. 7 Barnes, No. 18 Mike Scroggins (4-2) and No. 31 Joe Ciccone (4-2).
Malott will face No. 22 Ryan Shafer (Elmira, N.Y.), left, who defeated No. 3 Bill O'Neill (Levittown, Pa.) in seven games. O'Neill rolled a 300 game in the second to take a 2-0 lead but Shafer rebounded by winning the next three games. O'Neill tied the match up in game six, before falling in the final game, 219-173.
The other semifinal will feature a PBA Hall of Famer and a potential Hall of Famer in No. 21 Walter Ray Williams Jr. (Ocala, Fla.), right, and No. 1 Tommy Jones (Simpsonville, S.C.), respectively.
Jones, left, advanced by defeating No. 24 Chris Warren (Grants Pass, Ore.), 4-1. Jones only loss came in game two after tying Warren, 202-202, before losing in the third sudden-death one-ball roll-off, 10-9.
Williams, who holds the all-time record for career PBA Tour titles after winning his 42nd in the season-opening Dydo Japan Cup 2006, defeated No. 4 Jason Couch (Clermont, Fla.), 4-1, after going a full seven games with Tommy Delutz Jr. (Flushing, N.Y.) in the Round of 16.
The four bowlers advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe. 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 Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def. #3 Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 4-3
(203-235, 197-300, 278-191, 244-233, 224-211, 199-211, 219-173) $5,000
#2 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def. #7 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 4-0
(233-195, 207-205, 208-184, 224-216) $3,500
#21 Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., def. #4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 4-1
(246-212, 217-245, 257-249, 265-223, 247-181) $4,000
#1 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. #24 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 4-1
(217-214, 202-202 [9-10], 237-186, 231-178, 222-167) $3,700
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.
#21 Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., def. #5 Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 4-3
(215-208, 204-268, 209-226, 289-203, 235-184, 206-210, 248-228) $3,000
#3 Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., def. #14 Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 4-1
(221-217, 222-203, 246-227, 215-235, 232-175) $2,600
#1 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. #17 Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 4-2
(189-171, 225-214, 212-267, 244-226, 177-214, 249-225) $2,650
#7 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, def. #23 Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, 4-0
(258-188, 234-170, 205-192, 213-165) $2,500
22 Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def. #27 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, 4-1
(207-200, 230-205, 202-217, 213-187, 208-199) $2,550
#4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def. #20 Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 4-2
(196-191, 192-179, 225-255, 266-191, 182-206, 243-174) $2,700
#2 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def. #18 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 4-2
(279-187, 194-223, 276-202, 195-237, 233-203, 235-234) $2,900
#24 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, def. #25 Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 4-2
(251-213, 228-182, 177-211, 160-207, 245-215, 215-182) $2,800
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.
#18 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, def. #15 Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 4-1
(225-155, 244-214, 243-206, 210-244, 205-186)
#20 Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., def. #13 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 4-2
(225-231, 214-192, 177-246, 266-203, 237-193, 279-215)
#22 Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def. #11 Tom Baker, King, N.C., 4-2
(177-256, 223-169, 243-179, 184-172, 183-254, 275-184)
#24 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, def. #9 Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 4-0
(236-224, 256-211, 237-192, 279-201)
#7 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, def. #26 Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 4-0
(214-193, 213-181, 225-211, 268-246)
#5 Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., def. #28 Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 4-2
(208-217, 267-213, 248-185, 251-245, 195-246, 178-169)
#3 Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., def. #30 Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 4-1
(203-188, 225-204, 229-189, 194-211, 207-200)
#1 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. #32 Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 4-0
(188-161, 268-205, 227-208, 251-210)
#2 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def. #31 Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 4-2
(258-146, 215-197, 289-213, 222-255, 156-179, 248-192)
#4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def. #29 Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 4-3
(235-212, 218-194, 227-233, 204-259, 138-257, 256-210, 219-184)
#27 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, def. #6 Edward VanDaniker JR, Essex, Md, 4-3
(202-208, 180-168, 168-200, 214-184, 194-201, 228-191, 258-200)
#25 Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., def. #8 Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 4-2
(286-190, 249-298, 224-211, 201-216, 279-257, 223-165)
#23 Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, def. #10 Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 4-2
(190-199, 223-204, 202-174, 205-173, 232-245, 182-181)
#21 Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., def. #12 Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 4-0
(224-215, 260-221, 258-197, 279-204)
#14 Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., def. #19 Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 4-2
(205-232, 194-190, 212-186, 218-259, 217-190, 206-178)
#17 Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, def. #16 Billy Oatman, Chicago, 4-2
(182-186, 194-154, 211-198, 203-178, 209-212, 201-181)
Despite winning an emotional second career Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour title last week, Wes Malott won't admit to feeling more relaxed.
Malott bowled like someone feeling no pressure, however, finishing second in the Round of 64 in Thursday's Ace Hardware Championship with a 3,288 14-game pinfall to earn the No. 2 seed for Friday's match play at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.
"You have to be very nice to the ball at the release this week because there is a lot of friction and if you touch the fingers, the ball will react to the dry part of the lane more than usual," said Malott (Argyle, Texas).
"If I ever had a chance to repeat this would be the week because we're bowling on wood. Because I throw the ball so hard, I normally have a decent ball reaction on this surface. It's a matter of me performing after that." Malott will face Joe Ciccone (Buffalo, N.Y.), who finished 31st with 2,950.
Maintaining the overall lead from the morning block was 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones, who earned the top seed with 3,288. He will face No. 32 Jason Hurd (Titusville, Fla.), who finished with 2,945, just 11 pins ahead of Doug Kent (Newark, N.Y.).
Advancing to match play for the first time in her career in a standard Denny's PBA Tour event was Kelly Kulick (Union, N.J.), who finished 26th with 2,961. Kulick will face last week's Discover® Card Windy City Classic runner-up Chris Barnes (Flower Mound, Texas), who finished seventh with 3,129.
Defending champion Walter Ray Williams Jr. (Ocala, Fla.) finished 21st with 3,021 and will face No. 12 Chris Hayden (Orlando, Fla.). Williams captured his 40th career title at Freeway Lanes in November 2004, and his since gone on to win two titles since then to become the Tour's all-time titles leader.
Match play gets underway Friday morning at 9 a.m. EST with the Round of 32, followed by the Rounds of 16 and 8.
The final four will advance to Sunday's live ESPN-televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Freeway Lanes. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.
Players with position, hoemtwon and 14-game pinfall. Top 32 advance. Place 33-64 earn $1,800.
1, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 3,288
2, Wes Malott, Dallas, 3,234
3, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 3,219
4, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 3,191
5, Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 3,157
6, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 3,142
7, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 3,129
8, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 3,121
9, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 3,106
10, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 3,099
11, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3,088
12, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 3,082
13, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 3,070
14, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 3,068
15, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 3,064
16, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 3,059
17, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3,053
18, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 3,052
19, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,024
19, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 3,024
21, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,021
22, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 2,988
23, Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, 2,987
24, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 2,975
25, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 2,963
26, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 2,961
27, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, 2,958
28, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 2,957
29, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 2,952
29, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 2,952
31, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 2,950
32, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 2,945
Missed Cut:
33, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 2,934,
34, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 2,932,
35, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 2,931,
36, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 2,928,
37, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2,914,
38, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 2,912,
38, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 2,912,
40, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 2,911,
41, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 2,904,
42, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 2,903,
43, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 2,900,
44, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 2,894,
45, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 2,884,
46, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 2,877,
47, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 2,874,
48, Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 2,859,
49, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 2,855,
50, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 2,852,
51, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 2,851,
52, Patrick Healey Jr., Flower Mound, Texas, 2,838,
53, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fl, 2,835,
54, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 2,818,
55, Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., 2,815,
56, Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., 2,811,
57, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 2,801,
58, Kenneth Kolberg Jr., Parma Hts., Ohio, 2,790,
59, Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 2,747,
60, Paul Ashby, Madison Township, Ohio, 2,722,
61, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 2,698,
62, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 2,633,
63, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 2,565,
64, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 575, , WD
300 games - Danny Wiseman, Wes Malott.
A simple thumb grip change and motivation from the previous week's tournament helped Tommy Jones capture the lead after the first seven games of the Round of 64 in the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.
Jones (Simpsonville, S.C.), who finished 58th in last week's Discover® Card Windy City Classic, threw a 279 in his final game for a seven-game total pinfall of 1,731.
"I bowled pretty bad last week, so I had a little motivation coming in this week," said Jones, who was the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Player of the Year in 2005-06. "I changed up my thumb grip this week. I used one at the Masters and changed to a different one thinking it felt better, but the angle was off, so I switched back today and it worked out for me."
Jones has had previous success on this week's Viper oil pattern, winning the 2006 Bayer Atlanta Classic on Feb. 5, 2006.
Jason Couch (Clermont, Fla.), who was jumped by Jones in the final game, finished second with a 1,673, an average score of 239 per game. Chris Hayden (Orlando, Fla.) ended the first block with games of 232, 234 and 258 to jump up to third with a total pinfall of 1,632.
Three pins back was Bill O'Neill (Levittown, Pa.), who finished with a 277 in his final game for a 1,629. 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 Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.
1, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,731
2, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 1,673
3, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 1,632
4, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 1,629
5, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1,605
6, Wes Malott, Dallas, 1,602
7, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 1,590
7, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,590
9, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,586
10, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 1,582
11, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 1,580
12, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 1,569
13, Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 1,567
14, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 1,566
15, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 1,564
16, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 1,547
17, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,536
18, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 1,534
18, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 1,534
20, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 1,528
20, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1,528
22, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1,527
23, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 1,525
24, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 1,518
24, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,518
24, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, 1,518
24, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 1,518
28, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,507
29, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,506
30, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,503
31, Edward VanDaniker Jr, Essex, Md, 1,500
32, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,498
33, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 1,488
34, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,487
35, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,482
36, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 1,478
37, Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., 1,473
38, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 1,472
39, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fl, 1,471
39, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,471
41, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 1,468
42, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 1,463
43, Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., 1,460
44, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1,454
45, Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 1,452
46, Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, 1,450
47, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 1,442
48, Patrick Healey Jr, Flower Mound, Texas., 1,436
49, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 1,429
50, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1,417
51, Paul Ashby, Madison Township, Ohio, 1,410
51, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1,410
53, Kenneth Kolberg Jr, Parma Hts., Ohio, 1,409
54, Jim Tomek Jr, Camp Hill, Pa., 1,399
55, Michael Haugen Jr, Cave Creek, Ariz., 1,398
56, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 1,390
57, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 1,389
58, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,379
59, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 1,362
60, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,334
61, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 1,326
61, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 1,326
63, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 1,296
64, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 575, WD.
300 games - Wes Malott, Danny Wiseman.
Players with position, hometown and seven-game total. Places 1-6 and 11 advance. Places 7-10 and 12-23 cash.
1, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 1,680
2, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 1,638
3, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 1,578
4, Paul Ashby, Madison Township, Ohio, 1,574
5, Kenneth Kolberg Jr., Parma Hts., Ohio, 1,541
6, Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 1,533
7, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1,527, $1,000
8, Peter Dohan Jr., Tampa, Fla., 1,521, $700
8, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 1,521, $700
10, Michael Clark Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, 1,493, $500
11, Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, 1,487
12, Cassidy Schaub, Polk, Ohio, 1,486, $420
12, John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,486, $420
12, DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 1,486, $420
15, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 1,484, $380
16, Gregory Thompson Jr., Dayton, Ohio, 1,481, $370
17, Tim Mack, Indianapolis, Ind., 1,479, $360
18, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,474, $350
19, Jason Wojnar, Chicago, 1,473, $340
20, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 1,461, $325
20, Mike Mineman, Belleville, Ill., 1,461, $325
22, Adam Monks, Oakland, N.J., 1,457, $310
23, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 1,456, $300
24, Ronnie Horton, Christiansburg, Va., 1,451
25, George Gohagan III, Dayton, Ohio, 1,432
26, Jimmy Johnson, Pataskala, Ohio, 1,429
27, Jerry Rich, Fairport Harbor, Ohio, 1,425
28, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1,423
29, Donald Hogue, Akron, Ohio, 1,416
30, Vincent Yoder, Wooster, Ohio, 1,414
31, Michael Norris, Melvindale, Mich., 1,410
32, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,409
32, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,409
34, Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y., 1,405
35, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 1,399
36, Paul Gibson, Brunswick, Ohio, 1,397
37, Matthew Day, Parma, Ohio, 1,394
38, Neil Kassel, Beavercreek, Ohio, 1,391
39, Paul Sedar, Parma Heights, Ohio, 1,388
40, Cathy Dorin-Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,387
40, Russell Bowers, Akron, Ohio, 1,387
42, Bobby Duvall, Bloomington, Ind., 1,381
43, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 1,374
44, Dennis Zakutny, Sheffield Village, Ohio, 1,371
45, Eric Jarjabka, Cleveland, 1,370
46, Jeff Zaffino, Warren, Pa., 1,366
46, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 1,366
48, Dean Billings, Rootstown, Ohio, 1,363
49, Mark Hooks, Erie, Pa., 1,359
50, Matthew Zasowski, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,356
51, William Johnson, Atlanta, Ga., 1,350
52, Judge Abruzzese, Bronx, N.Y., 1,347
53, Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 1,345
54, Michael Malone, Canton, Ohio, 1,339
55, Michael King, Garfield Heights, Ohio, 1,332
56, Robert Bumbarger, Euclid, Ohio, 1,330
57, Chris Moses, Mentor, Ohio, 1,324
58, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1,313
59, Jermaine Allen, Cleveland, 1,312
60, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1,311
60, Jason Bowles, Euclid, Ohio, 1,311
62, Chuck Heath, Jefferson, Ohio, 1,310
63, Teroy Wade, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, 1,307
64, Tim Lockett, Louisville, Ky., 1,305
65, Brad Carr, Toms River, N.J., 1,302
65, Bill Huepenbecker, Huron, Ohio, 1,302
67, Carmen Miozzi, Maxfield Village, Ohio, 1,294
68, Billy Woods, East Canton, Ohio, 1,288
69, Brian Lake, Warren, Mich., 1,284
70, Mike Eaton Jr., Wyoming, Mich., 1,269
71, Brandon Harris, Akron, Ohio, 1,262
72, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,260
73, Bill Oravecz, Mentor, Ohio, 1,258
74, Ronnie Montgomery, Bedford Heights, Ohio, 1,255
75, Keith DeCambra, Quincy, Mass, 1,249
76, Paul Christopher, Tonawanda, N.Y., 1,246
77, Ward Rauch, Cheboygan, Mich., 1,243
78, Terrance Baideme, Painesville, Ohio, 1,239
79, Gary Kiss, Tallmadge, Ohio, 1,228
80, Mark Long, St. Clairsville, Ohio, 1,223
81, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 1,219
82, Robert Flunder IV, Toledo, Ohio, 1,215
83, Joshua Ormsbee, Afton, Mich., 1,203
84, Dale Grill, Wickliffe, Ohio, 1,195
85, Lance Harris, Canton, Ohio, 1,194
86, Dempsey Miller, Lorain, Ohio, 1,192
87, Lewis Sims, Willard, Ohio, 1,185
88, Harold Tolbert, N. Royalton, Ohio, 1,177
89, Ryan Docherty, Avon, Ohio, 1,174
90, Kenneth Karosy, Brookpark, Ohio, 1,097
91, Joe Aznar, Toms River, N.J., 1,066
92, Frank Cole, Ashtabula, OH, 1,018
93, Thomas Todaro, Maple Heights, Ohio, 920
300 games - Chuck Heath.
2006-07 PBA Tour #6
Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe in Wickliffe, OH (Nov. 29-Dec., 3, 2006)
It's been a slow start to the 2006-07 Denny's Professional Bowler Association (PBA) Tour season for Tommy Jones by his recent standards, but the reigning PBA Player of the Year showed he's not going anywhere. Jones won his ninth title in a little over two seasons, knocking off Wes Malott, 222-221, to squeak out a win in the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.
Jones struck six consecutive times in frames 4-9 to take the lead and needed a double in the 10th frame to shut out Malott. Jones, however, left a 7-10 split and opened, the same split Malott left in the 7th frame to give Jones the lead.
Malott then needed a strike with his first ball in the 10th to win, but a 9-pin forced him to strike for the tie. He got nine on his last shot, however, letting Jones escape with a one-pin win. "I have mixed emotions. Wes is my roommate and one of my best friends on Tour, and you never want to win that way," said Jones (Simpsonville, S.C.). "That right lane was tricky and fortunately I had lane choice so (Malott) had to finish on that lane. He got a bad break on his first shot (in the 10th), made a move and threw a good shot, but he just didn't get the break."
Jones, who has won four titles in each of the last two seasons, denied Malott the chance to win back-to-back titles for the first time in his career.
The 28-year-old (pictured left) advanced to the title match with a 226-216 win over Walter Ray Williams Jr. The PBA Hall of Famer held a one-pin lead after six frames before chopping the 4-8 to give Jones the lead. Jones could have shut Williams out with a double in the 10th, but he left a 4-pin giving Williams the opportunity to double to win the match. Williams left an 8-pin with his first shot, however, giving Jones his first-ever win on TV against the Tour's all-time title holder. Malott advanced to the title match with a 257-202 win over Ryan Shafer. Last week's Discover® Card Windy City Classic winner struck in five of the first six frames, while Shafer failed to strike in frames 6-9, including an open in the 7th.
Jones earned $25,000 while Malott (Argyle, Texas) took home $13,000 for second. Williams (Ocala, Fla.) earned $6,500 for third and Shafer (Horseheads, N.Y.) earned $5,500 for fourth.
The Denny's PBA Tour moves to Baltimore for the 2006 Beltway Classic, Dec. 6-10, at AMF Country Club Lanes. The live ESPN televised finals take place Sunday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. EST.
Ace Hardware Championship
Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe in Wickliffe, OH (Nov. 29-Dec., 3, 2006)
Championship Round:
1. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. 448 (2 games), $25,000
2. Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas 478 (2 games), $13,000
3. Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla. 216 (1 game), $6,500
4. Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y. 202 (1 game), $5,500
Playoff Results:
Semifinal Match 1: Jones def. Williams, 226-216
Semifinal Match 2: Malott defeated Shafer, 257-202
Championship Match: Jones def. Malott, 222-221.
This is Jones' ninth career Denny's PBA Tour title. Pictures courtesy of PBA LLC/Harrison.
Malott targets to win back-to-back PBA titles
After making a career-high four championship rounds in the first four events of the 2005-06 Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, Wes Malott has already matched the total on the 2006-07 Tour after defeating Chris Barnes, four-games-to-none, in the Round of 8 in the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe. Malott (Argyle, Texas), who won his second career PBA title last week (pictured), opened with a 233-195 win in game one before squeezing by Barnes in the second game, 207-205. The Big Texan followed with wins of 208-184 and 224-216 to advance to Sunday's finals.
"In the match against Barnes, the lanes were a little drier and it forced me to play farther left," said Malott. "When I have to go left and be real soft with my hands, sometimes I lose the ball and I don't throw the ball very well. I got a lot of breaks, and fortunately for me, he didn't get a lot of breaks. You have to take advantage of any break you get, which is what I did."
Malott, who entered Friday's match play seeded No. 2 after 14 games of qualifying on Thursday, went through match play with a 12-4 record, defeating No. 7 Barnes, No. 18 Mike Scroggins (4-2) and No. 31 Joe Ciccone (4-2).
Malott will face No. 22 Ryan Shafer (Elmira, N.Y.), left, who defeated No. 3 Bill O'Neill (Levittown, Pa.) in seven games. O'Neill rolled a 300 game in the second to take a 2-0 lead but Shafer rebounded by winning the next three games. O'Neill tied the match up in game six, before falling in the final game, 219-173. The other semifinal will feature a PBA Hall of Famer and a potential Hall of Famer in No. 21 Walter Ray Williams Jr. (Ocala, Fla.), right, and No. 1 Tommy Jones (Simpsonville, S.C.), respectively. Jones, left, advanced by defeating No. 24 Chris Warren (Grants Pass, Ore.), 4-1. Jones only loss came in game two after tying Warren, 202-202, before losing in the third sudden-death one-ball roll-off, 10-9. Williams, who holds the all-time record for career PBA Tour titles after winning his 42nd in the season-opening Dydo Japan Cup 2006, defeated No. 4 Jason Couch (Clermont, Fla.), 4-1, after going a full seven games with Tommy Delutz Jr. (Flushing, N.Y.) in the Round of 16.
The four bowlers advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe. 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 Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def. #3 Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 4-3
(203-235, 197-300, 278-191, 244-233, 224-211, 199-211, 219-173) $5,000
#2 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def. #7 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 4-0
(233-195, 207-205, 208-184, 224-216) $3,500
#21 Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., def. #4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 4-1
(246-212, 217-245, 257-249, 265-223, 247-181) $4,000
#1 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. #24 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 4-1
(217-214, 202-202 [9-10], 237-186, 231-178, 222-167) $3,700
Round of 16
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.
#21 Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., def. #5 Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 4-3
(215-208, 204-268, 209-226, 289-203, 235-184, 206-210, 248-228) $3,000
#3 Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., def. #14 Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 4-1
(221-217, 222-203, 246-227, 215-235, 232-175) $2,600
#1 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. #17 Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 4-2
(189-171, 225-214, 212-267, 244-226, 177-214, 249-225) $2,650
#7 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, def. #23 Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, 4-0
(258-188, 234-170, 205-192, 213-165) $2,500
22 Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def. #27 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, 4-1
(207-200, 230-205, 202-217, 213-187, 208-199) $2,550
#4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def. #20 Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 4-2
(196-191, 192-179, 225-255, 266-191, 182-206, 243-174) $2,700
#2 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def. #18 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 4-2
(279-187, 194-223, 276-202, 195-237, 233-203, 235-234) $2,900
#24 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, def. #25 Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 4-2
(251-213, 228-182, 177-211, 160-207, 245-215, 215-182) $2,800
Round of 32
Single elimination, best-of-seven-games match play. Losers eliminated, cash.
#18 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, def. #15 Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 4-1
(225-155, 244-214, 243-206, 210-244, 205-186)
#20 Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., def. #13 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 4-2
(225-231, 214-192, 177-246, 266-203, 237-193, 279-215)
#22 Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def. #11 Tom Baker, King, N.C., 4-2
(177-256, 223-169, 243-179, 184-172, 183-254, 275-184)
#24 Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, def. #9 Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 4-0
(236-224, 256-211, 237-192, 279-201)
#7 Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, def. #26 Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 4-0
(214-193, 213-181, 225-211, 268-246)
#5 Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., def. #28 Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 4-2
(208-217, 267-213, 248-185, 251-245, 195-246, 178-169)
#3 Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., def. #30 Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 4-1
(203-188, 225-204, 229-189, 194-211, 207-200)
#1 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def. #32 Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 4-0
(188-161, 268-205, 227-208, 251-210)
#2 Wes Malott, Argyle, Texas, def. #31 Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 4-2
(258-146, 215-197, 289-213, 222-255, 156-179, 248-192)
#4 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def. #29 Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 4-3
(235-212, 218-194, 227-233, 204-259, 138-257, 256-210, 219-184)
#27 Mike DeVaney, Temecula, def. #6 Edward VanDaniker JR, Essex, Md, 4-3
(202-208, 180-168, 168-200, 214-184, 194-201, 228-191, 258-200)
#25 Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., def. #8 Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 4-2
(286-190, 249-298, 224-211, 201-216, 279-257, 223-165)
#23 Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, def. #10 Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 4-2
(190-199, 223-204, 202-174, 205-173, 232-245, 182-181)
#21 Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., def. #12 Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 4-0
(224-215, 260-221, 258-197, 279-204)
#14 Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., def. #19 Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 4-2
(205-232, 194-190, 212-186, 218-259, 217-190, 206-178)
#17 Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, def. #16 Billy Oatman, Chicago, 4-2
(182-186, 194-154, 211-198, 203-178, 209-212, 201-181)
Jones maintains lead; Kulick makes the cut to Match Play
Despite winning an emotional second career Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour title last week, Wes Malott won't admit to feeling more relaxed. Malott bowled like someone feeling no pressure, however, finishing second in the Round of 64 in Thursday's Ace Hardware Championship with a 3,288 14-game pinfall to earn the No. 2 seed for Friday's match play at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.
"You have to be very nice to the ball at the release this week because there is a lot of friction and if you touch the fingers, the ball will react to the dry part of the lane more than usual," said Malott (Argyle, Texas).
"If I ever had a chance to repeat this would be the week because we're bowling on wood. Because I throw the ball so hard, I normally have a decent ball reaction on this surface. It's a matter of me performing after that." Malott will face Joe Ciccone (Buffalo, N.Y.), who finished 31st with 2,950.
Maintaining the overall lead from the morning block was 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones, who earned the top seed with 3,288. He will face No. 32 Jason Hurd (Titusville, Fla.), who finished with 2,945, just 11 pins ahead of Doug Kent (Newark, N.Y.). Advancing to match play for the first time in her career in a standard Denny's PBA Tour event was Kelly Kulick (Union, N.J.), who finished 26th with 2,961. Kulick will face last week's Discover® Card Windy City Classic runner-up Chris Barnes (Flower Mound, Texas), who finished seventh with 3,129. Defending champion Walter Ray Williams Jr. (Ocala, Fla.) finished 21st with 3,021 and will face No. 12 Chris Hayden (Orlando, Fla.). Williams captured his 40th career title at Freeway Lanes in November 2004, and his since gone on to win two titles since then to become the Tour's all-time titles leader.
Match play gets underway Friday morning at 9 a.m. EST with the Round of 32, followed by the Rounds of 16 and 8.
The final four will advance to Sunday's live ESPN-televised finals at 1 p.m. EST at Freeway Lanes. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.
Round of 64
Players with position, hoemtwon and 14-game pinfall. Top 32 advance. Place 33-64 earn $1,800.
1, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 3,288
2, Wes Malott, Dallas, 3,234
3, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 3,219
4, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 3,191
5, Tommy Delutz Jr., Flushing, N.Y., 3,157
6, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 3,142
7, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 3,129
8, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 3,121
9, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 3,106
10, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 3,099
11, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 3,088
12, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 3,082
13, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 3,070
14, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 3,068
15, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 3,064
16, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 3,059
17, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 3,053
18, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 3,052
19, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 3,024
19, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 3,024
21, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 3,021
22, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 2,988
23, Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, 2,987
24, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 2,975
25, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 2,963
26, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 2,961
27, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, 2,958
28, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 2,957
29, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 2,952
29, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 2,952
31, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 2,950
32, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 2,945
Missed Cut:
33, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 2,934,
34, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 2,932,
35, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 2,931,
36, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 2,928,
37, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 2,914,
38, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 2,912,
38, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 2,912,
40, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 2,911,
41, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 2,904,
42, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 2,903,
43, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 2,900,
44, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 2,894,
45, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 2,884,
46, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 2,877,
47, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 2,874,
48, Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 2,859,
49, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 2,855,
50, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 2,852,
51, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 2,851,
52, Patrick Healey Jr., Flower Mound, Texas, 2,838,
53, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fl, 2,835,
54, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 2,818,
55, Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., 2,815,
56, Michael Haugen Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., 2,811,
57, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 2,801,
58, Kenneth Kolberg Jr., Parma Hts., Ohio, 2,790,
59, Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 2,747,
60, Paul Ashby, Madison Township, Ohio, 2,722,
61, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 2,698,
62, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 2,633,
63, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 2,565,
64, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 575, , WD
300 games - Danny Wiseman, Wes Malott.
Jones captures first block lead in Ace Hardware Championship
A simple thumb grip change and motivation from the previous week's tournament helped Tommy Jones capture the lead after the first seven games of the Round of 64 in the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe. Jones (Simpsonville, S.C.), who finished 58th in last week's Discover® Card Windy City Classic, threw a 279 in his final game for a seven-game total pinfall of 1,731.
"I bowled pretty bad last week, so I had a little motivation coming in this week," said Jones, who was the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Player of the Year in 2005-06. "I changed up my thumb grip this week. I used one at the Masters and changed to a different one thinking it felt better, but the angle was off, so I switched back today and it worked out for me."
Jones has had previous success on this week's Viper oil pattern, winning the 2006 Bayer Atlanta Classic on Feb. 5, 2006.
Jason Couch (Clermont, Fla.), who was jumped by Jones in the final game, finished second with a 1,673, an average score of 239 per game. Chris Hayden (Orlando, Fla.) ended the first block with games of 232, 234 and 258 to jump up to third with a total pinfall of 1,632.
Three pins back was Bill O'Neill (Levittown, Pa.), who finished with a 277 in his final game for a 1,629. 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 Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe. 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 pinfall1, Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 1,731
2, Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 1,673
3, Chris Hayden, Orlando, Fla., 1,632
4, Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., 1,629
5, Danny Wiseman, Baltimore, 1,605
6, Wes Malott, Dallas, 1,602
7, Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, 1,590
7, Tom Baker, King, N.C., 1,590
9, Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 1,586
10, Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, 1,582
11, Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., 1,580
12, Jeff Carter, Springfield, Ill., 1,569
13, Tommy Delutz Jr, Flushing, N.Y., 1,567
14, Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, 1,566
15, Chris Barnes, Flower Mound, Texas, 1,564
16, Michael Fagan, Greenlawn, N.Y., 1,547
17, Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, 1,536
18, Mike Wolfe, New Albany, Ind., 1,534
18, Jason Hurd, Titusville, Fla., 1,534
20, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 1,528
20, Jack Jurek, Lackawanna, N.Y., 1,528
22, Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., 1,527
23, Brian Voss, Alpharetta, Ga., 1,525
24, Brian LeClair, Athens, N.Y., 1,518
24, Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,518
24, Mike DeVaney, Temecula, 1,518
24, Chris Warren, Grants Pass, Ore, 1,518
28, Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., 1,507
29, Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 1,506
30, Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 1,503
31, Edward VanDaniker Jr, Essex, Md, 1,500
32, Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio, 1,498
33, Billy Oatman, Chicago, 1,488
34, Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 1,487
35, Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., 1,482
36, Richard Wolfe, Vienna, Va., 1,478
37, Walter Ray Williams Jr, Ocala, Fla., 1,473
38, Brian Himmler, Cincinnati, 1,472
39, Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fl, 1,471
39, Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 1,471
41, Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., 1,468
42, Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., 1,463
43, Jim Pratt, Glendale, Ariz., 1,460
44, Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., 1,454
45, Paul Fleming, Bedford, Texas, 1,452
46, Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, 1,450
47, David Tessman, Lake Placid, Fla., 1,442
48, Patrick Healey Jr, Flower Mound, Texas., 1,436
49, Patrick Girard, Jonquiere, Quebec, 1,429
50, Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 1,417
51, Paul Ashby, Madison Township, Ohio, 1,410
51, Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 1,410
53, Kenneth Kolberg Jr, Parma Hts., Ohio, 1,409
54, Jim Tomek Jr, Camp Hill, Pa., 1,399
55, Michael Haugen Jr, Cave Creek, Ariz., 1,398
56, Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan., 1,390
57, Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y., 1,389
58, Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 1,379
59, Riga Kalfas, Florence, Ky., 1,362
60, Dale Traber, Cedarburg, Wis., 1,334
61, Christopher Collins, Savannah, Ga., 1,326
61, John May, Lincolnton, N.C., 1,326
63, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 1,296
64, Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela, 575, WD.
300 games - Wes Malott, Danny Wiseman.
VanDaniker sets the pace in Ace Hardware Championship Qualifying Round
At just 21 years old, Edward VanDaniker is proving he has a bright future ahead of him on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.
VanDaniker fired a 259 in his final game Wednesday to finish as the overall leader in the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round (TQR) for the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship with a 1,680 seven-game pinfall at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.
The Baltimore native made his second Round of 64 this season after finishing third in the TQR for the Motor City Classic.
"I felt like I bowled pretty well, although there were a couple games in the middle of the block where I didn't bowl as well," said VanDaniker (Essex, Md.), who became a PBA member in April 2006. "I'm just trying to get out on Tour full time."
VanDaniker started strong with games of 247 and 266, before games of 215, 211 and 203 dropped him down the standings. He made a late charge to the with a 279 in game six and a 259 in game seven.
Finishing second with 1,638 was Robert Bailey (Doylestown, Ohio), followed by Bruce Falcon (Bay City, Mich.) with 1,578. Paul Ashby (Madison Township, Ohio) finished fourth with 1,574 and Kenneth Kolberg Jr. (Parma Hts., Ohio) was fifth with 1,541. Bailey, Falcon and Kolberg all advanced for the first time in their careers.
Earning the final spot in the Round of 64 was Jim Tomek Jr. (Camp Hill, Pa.), who fired a 227 his final game to finish with 1,533, just six pins ahead of Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio). Tomek advanced for the first time this season after advancing six times last season.
Earning a spot in the Round of 64 as the top amateur was Mark Siders (Westerville, Ohio), who finished 11th overall with 1,487. Liz Johnson (Cheektowaga, N.Y.), who made history at Freeway Lanes in November 2004 when she became the first woman to advance from the TQR, finished 18th with 1,474.
This week, six PBA members advanced to the Round of 64 as no Commissioner's Exemption was awarded and exempt bowler Mark Scroggins withdrew.
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 single elimination match play on Friday. The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.
VanDaniker fired a 259 in his final game Wednesday to finish as the overall leader in the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round (TQR) for the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship with a 1,680 seven-game pinfall at Freeway Lanes of Wickliffe.
The Baltimore native made his second Round of 64 this season after finishing third in the TQR for the Motor City Classic.
"I felt like I bowled pretty well, although there were a couple games in the middle of the block where I didn't bowl as well," said VanDaniker (Essex, Md.), who became a PBA member in April 2006. "I'm just trying to get out on Tour full time."
VanDaniker started strong with games of 247 and 266, before games of 215, 211 and 203 dropped him down the standings. He made a late charge to the with a 279 in game six and a 259 in game seven.
Finishing second with 1,638 was Robert Bailey (Doylestown, Ohio), followed by Bruce Falcon (Bay City, Mich.) with 1,578. Paul Ashby (Madison Township, Ohio) finished fourth with 1,574 and Kenneth Kolberg Jr. (Parma Hts., Ohio) was fifth with 1,541. Bailey, Falcon and Kolberg all advanced for the first time in their careers.
Earning the final spot in the Round of 64 was Jim Tomek Jr. (Camp Hill, Pa.), who fired a 227 his final game to finish with 1,533, just six pins ahead of Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio). Tomek advanced for the first time this season after advancing six times last season.
Earning a spot in the Round of 64 as the top amateur was Mark Siders (Westerville, Ohio), who finished 11th overall with 1,487. Liz Johnson (Cheektowaga, N.Y.), who made history at Freeway Lanes in November 2004 when she became the first woman to advance from the TQR, finished 18th with 1,474.
This week, six PBA members advanced to the Round of 64 as no Commissioner's Exemption was awarded and exempt bowler Mark Scroggins withdrew.
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 single elimination match play on Friday. The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. EST. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.
Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round
Players with position, hometown and seven-game total. Places 1-6 and 11 advance. Places 7-10 and 12-23 cash.
1, Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., 1,680
2, Robert Bailey, Doylestown, Ohio, 1,638
3, Bruce Falcon, Bay City, Mich., 1,578
4, Paul Ashby, Madison Township, Ohio, 1,574
5, Kenneth Kolberg Jr., Parma Hts., Ohio, 1,541
6, Jim Tomek Jr., Camp Hill, Pa., 1,533
7, Troy Wollenbecker, Toledo, Ohio, 1,527, $1,000
8, Peter Dohan Jr., Tampa, Fla., 1,521, $700
8, James Wallace, Hicksville, N.Y., 1,521, $700
10, Michael Clark Jr., Cleveland, Ohio, 1,493, $500
11, Mark Siders, Westerville, Ohio, 1,487
12, Cassidy Schaub, Polk, Ohio, 1,486, $420
12, John Slavich IV, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,486, $420
12, DJ Archer, Mineral Wells, Texas, 1,486, $420
15, Chad Kloss, Greenfield, Wis., 1,484, $380
16, Gregory Thompson Jr., Dayton, Ohio, 1,481, $370
17, Tim Mack, Indianapolis, Ind., 1,479, $360
18, Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 1,474, $350
19, Jason Wojnar, Chicago, 1,473, $340
20, Jimmy Levendosky, Hudsonville, Mich., 1,461, $325
20, Mike Mineman, Belleville, Ill., 1,461, $325
22, Adam Monks, Oakland, N.J., 1,457, $310
23, Ronnie Russell, Indianapolis, 1,456, $300
24, Ronnie Horton, Christiansburg, Va., 1,451
25, George Gohagan III, Dayton, Ohio, 1,432
26, Jimmy Johnson, Pataskala, Ohio, 1,429
27, Jerry Rich, Fairport Harbor, Ohio, 1,425
28, David Traber, Hebron, Ill., 1,423
29, Donald Hogue, Akron, Ohio, 1,416
30, Vincent Yoder, Wooster, Ohio, 1,414
31, Michael Norris, Melvindale, Mich., 1,410
32, Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, 1,409
32, Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,409
34, Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y., 1,405
35, Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Heights, Ohio, 1,399
36, Paul Gibson, Brunswick, Ohio, 1,397
37, Matthew Day, Parma, Ohio, 1,394
38, Neil Kassel, Beavercreek, Ohio, 1,391
39, Paul Sedar, Parma Heights, Ohio, 1,388
40, Cathy Dorin-Lizzi, Sandusky, Ohio, 1,387
40, Russell Bowers, Akron, Ohio, 1,387
42, Bobby Duvall, Bloomington, Ind., 1,381
43, Eddie Graham, Centerville, Ohio, 1,374
44, Dennis Zakutny, Sheffield Village, Ohio, 1,371
45, Eric Jarjabka, Cleveland, 1,370
46, Jeff Zaffino, Warren, Pa., 1,366
46, Steve Rogers, Bourbonnais, Ill., 1,366
48, Dean Billings, Rootstown, Ohio, 1,363
49, Mark Hooks, Erie, Pa., 1,359
50, Matthew Zasowski, Buffalo, N.Y., 1,356
51, William Johnson, Atlanta, Ga., 1,350
52, Judge Abruzzese, Bronx, N.Y., 1,347
53, Rudy Kasimakis, Tupelo, Miss., 1,345
54, Michael Malone, Canton, Ohio, 1,339
55, Michael King, Garfield Heights, Ohio, 1,332
56, Robert Bumbarger, Euclid, Ohio, 1,330
57, Chris Moses, Mentor, Ohio, 1,324
58, Nathan Bohr, Wichita, Kan., 1,313
59, Jermaine Allen, Cleveland, 1,312
60, Matt Freiberg, Somerset, N.J., 1,311
60, Jason Bowles, Euclid, Ohio, 1,311
62, Chuck Heath, Jefferson, Ohio, 1,310
63, Teroy Wade, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, 1,307
64, Tim Lockett, Louisville, Ky., 1,305
65, Brad Carr, Toms River, N.J., 1,302
65, Bill Huepenbecker, Huron, Ohio, 1,302
67, Carmen Miozzi, Maxfield Village, Ohio, 1,294
68, Billy Woods, East Canton, Ohio, 1,288
69, Brian Lake, Warren, Mich., 1,284
70, Mike Eaton Jr., Wyoming, Mich., 1,269
71, Brandon Harris, Akron, Ohio, 1,262
72, Walter Schaub II, Schaumburg, Ill., 1,260
73, Bill Oravecz, Mentor, Ohio, 1,258
74, Ronnie Montgomery, Bedford Heights, Ohio, 1,255
75, Keith DeCambra, Quincy, Mass, 1,249
76, Paul Christopher, Tonawanda, N.Y., 1,246
77, Ward Rauch, Cheboygan, Mich., 1,243
78, Terrance Baideme, Painesville, Ohio, 1,239
79, Gary Kiss, Tallmadge, Ohio, 1,228
80, Mark Long, St. Clairsville, Ohio, 1,223
81, Gary Zwiezinski, Elyria, Ohio, 1,219
82, Robert Flunder IV, Toledo, Ohio, 1,215
83, Joshua Ormsbee, Afton, Mich., 1,203
84, Dale Grill, Wickliffe, Ohio, 1,195
85, Lance Harris, Canton, Ohio, 1,194
86, Dempsey Miller, Lorain, Ohio, 1,192
87, Lewis Sims, Willard, Ohio, 1,185
88, Harold Tolbert, N. Royalton, Ohio, 1,177
89, Ryan Docherty, Avon, Ohio, 1,174
90, Kenneth Karosy, Brookpark, Ohio, 1,097
91, Joe Aznar, Toms River, N.J., 1,066
92, Frank Cole, Ashtabula, OH, 1,018
93, Thomas Todaro, Maple Heights, Ohio, 920
300 games - Chuck Heath.