Tony Marine becomes first champion at inaugural Classified Mini-Eliminator
02/09/10
Anthony Marine, a senior bowler from Long Island, New York won the first ever Classified 210 & under Mini-Eliminator sponsored by Columbia 300. Marine won $5,000 thanks to a 233 scratch game (251 with handicap) in the final shootout match.
Finishing second was another Long Islander, Damon Gizzi of St. James, who shot a 195 scratch (226 with handicap) worth $2,500. Third place went to an expecting dad, Landon Young of Las Vegas, who received $1,250 for a 164 (197 handicap).
L-R Damon Gizzi, Chad Murphy of Columbia 300, Anthony Marine, Lonnie Waliczek of Columbia 300, and Landon Young.
According to the organizer, the initial Classified Mini attracted a great crowd for its first event. A total of 33 bowlers, almost one-third of the entrants, advanced to the finals and earned a minimum of $200.
To everyone’s surprise, Columbia Brand Manager Chad Murphy announced all finalists would receive a brand new Full Swing High Performance Ball. The event paid over $30,000 in cash and prizes even though entry fees were as low as $75.
The Mini-Eliminator has been running in Las Vegas since 1993 and has paid out over $20 million in prizes. The expansion into the handicap event was created to allow average league bowlers the chance to experience a big money tournament in Las Vegas. With over 330 recorded entries the event considered a huge success and will return in July.
The Classified Mini-Eliminator at South Point was presented by Columbia 300 and sponsored by Kegel, Etonic Shoes, and Virtualtournaments.com.
United States
South Point Casino, Las Vegas, Nev., United States (Feb. 4-7, 2010)
Anthony Marine, a senior bowler from Long Island, New York won the first ever Classified 210 & under Mini-Eliminator sponsored by Columbia 300. Marine won $5,000 thanks to a 233 scratch game (251 with handicap) in the final shootout match. Finishing second was another Long Islander, Damon Gizzi of St. James, who shot a 195 scratch (226 with handicap) worth $2,500. Third place went to an expecting dad, Landon Young of Las Vegas, who received $1,250 for a 164 (197 handicap).
L-R Damon Gizzi, Chad Murphy of Columbia 300, Anthony Marine, Lonnie Waliczek of Columbia 300, and Landon Young.
According to the organizer, the initial Classified Mini attracted a great crowd for its first event. A total of 33 bowlers, almost one-third of the entrants, advanced to the finals and earned a minimum of $200.
To everyone’s surprise, Columbia Brand Manager Chad Murphy announced all finalists would receive a brand new Full Swing High Performance Ball. The event paid over $30,000 in cash and prizes even though entry fees were as low as $75.
The Mini-Eliminator has been running in Las Vegas since 1993 and has paid out over $20 million in prizes. The expansion into the handicap event was created to allow average league bowlers the chance to experience a big money tournament in Las Vegas. With over 330 recorded entries the event considered a huge success and will return in July.
The Classified Mini-Eliminator at South Point was presented by Columbia 300 and sponsored by Kegel, Etonic Shoes, and Virtualtournaments.com.
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