PBA stars visit "Petersen Classic" for a dose of humility
08/14/10
Most Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour players have been active this summer bowling in PBA Regionals, international tournaments, and conducting clinics and exhibitions. And a handful have visited the "home of humility," the Petersen Classic at AMF Hoffman Lanes in suburban Chicago, where averaging 200 for eight games across 16 lanes is a feat even the greatest players cherish.
In 2009, PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke (pictured left) tried the Petersen Classic for the first time and posted a 1,448 total – a 181 average. In late July, he returned with golfing buddy Ken Smith and missed the magical 200 average milestone by a single pin, shooting 1,599 with a 171 final game.
"I was pretty stoked to have a chance to take the lead with a game to go," Duke said, "especially after what I did the first year."
As of Aug. 10, only three players had topped 1,600 pins and PBA Central Region competitor Jeff Roche of Dearborn, Mich., was the leader with a whopping 1,648. Duke was tied for fourth, but some other familiar names were further down the list: Eddie Van Daniker of Essex, Md., was 13th at 1,560; PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., was 40th at 1,513, and Mika Koivuniemi was tied for 77th at 1,480. A handful of additional exempt tour players are expected to bowl before the tournament ends on Labor Day weekend.
The Petersen Classic – a legendary event known for its nearly impossible lane conditions, absence of marker arrows and dots, off-set racks and "mysterious" breakdowns just when a bowler thinks he's bowling well – is open to whomever wants to try.
It was founded by proprietor Louis P. Petersen in 1921 and held more than once a year in its early years. "The Pete" was conducted for years at Petersen's second-floor bowling center, 35th and Archer Recreation, until it was sold in 1994 and moved to Hoffman Estates. The 2010 Petersen Classic is the 100th edition.
Bowling Proprietors' Association of America Executive Director Steve Johnson (pictured left) has announced the sport's leading trade organization has moved its annual Mid-Winter Summit from Phoenix to Red Rock Resort and Casino in Las Vegas in January where participants will be invited to attend the Professional Bowlers Association's historic $1 million Tournament of Champions along with the 2011 PBA Hall of Fame ceremonies.
The Mid-Winter Summit, scheduled for Jan. 19-22, involves meetings among industry leaders and seminars for bowling center owners. BPAA has arranged for discounted room rates and transportation services have been set up for attendees, and the PBA will offer ticket packages to attend the Tournament of Champions TV finals on Jan. 22, where a $250,000 first prize will be decided, as well as the PBA Hall of Fame dinner that evening.
"BPAA's decision to become a part of our historic Tournament of Champions is terrific gesture," said PBA CEO and Commissioner Fred Schreyer. "Having all of the industry's decision-makers and key leadership in attendance at our signature event, as well as our hall of fame ceremonies, is the kind of cooperative effort that will help all of us re-energize the sport."
BPAA's Johnson agreed. "The move to Red Rock and the date change makes infinite sense for the BPAA and the industry in a show of partnership and solidarity," he said. "Bowling industry leaders are encouraged to mark their calendars and to plan on attending this momentous industry-wide event to kick-off an outstanding and successful 2011."
Mike Scroggins (pictured left) made a long journey from his home in Amarillo, Texas, to York, Pa., for the PBA East Region Bowlers Supply/Storm Products Open pay off Sunday when he defeated Danny Wiseman of Baltimore, 247-224, to win his 34th career PBA Regional title at Colony Park Lanes North.
Scroggins, who earned $2,800, turned back Wiseman's bid for a third PBA East title in a span of five weeks. PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo. and exempt player Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio each earned $1,100 after losing to Scroggins and Loschetter, respectively, in the semifinal round.
Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. finished sixth and Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y. finished 10th in the 129-player field.
PBA.com's Xtra Frame fans got a chance to see Lennie Boresch Jr. of Kenosha, Wis., a "new" Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Exempt player for 2010-11, pick up his 23rd career regional title in the joint Midwest/Central Region Terre Haute (Ind.) Open in Terre Haute, Ind., on Sunday.
Boresch defeated Jeffery Roche of Dearborn, Mich., by 160 pins in the 20-game round-robin match play event, covered live on Xtra Frame, for a $2,500 top prize. Former exempt player and four-time PBA Tour title winner David Traber of Hebron, Ill. finished third, just ahead of 2009-10 Harry Golden Rookie of the Year Anthony LaCaze of Melrose Park, Ill., and Ronnie Russell of Marion, Ind.
In another joint PBA Midwest/Central senior event, Kenny Parks (right) of Hammond, Ind., tuned up for this week's PBA Senior Lake County Indiana Open with a 277-187 victory over Robert Harvey of Boise, Idaho, Sunday to win the Anodizing Specialists Senior Open at Les Zikes' Beverly Lanes in Arlington Heights, Ill.
In the West Region, super senior Kerry Painter of Henderson, Nev., teamed with David Haynes of Las Vegas to win the Junior/Senior Doubles at Virgin River Bowling Center in Mesquite, Nev. Former exempt player P.J. Haggerty, Clovis. Calif. and super senior partner Ty Dawson finished second. Painter earned his second PBA Senior Regional win and Haynes notched his third PBA Regional title.
In the PBA South, Rick Langton of Alpharetta, Ga., got help from a "messenger" to strike in the 10th frame and nip James Roberts of Richmond, Va., 246-236, in the championship match of the Spring Hill Florida Open at Spring Hill Lanes. Langton picked up $2,500 and his third PBA Regional title. Former exempt player Jason Sterner of McDonough, Ga., finished eighth in the 92-player field.
All PBA title holders (National, Senior, Regional, Senior Regional, Women's Series champions) who are PBA members in good standing as of Sept. 1 are eligible for the 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions.
Walter Ray Williams Jr.(pictured left)Â isn't playing horseshoes at the same level he was when he won six World Horseshoe Pitching Association championships, but a champion always seems to show his stripes.
The reigning PBA Player of the Year finished a disappointing 11th in the 2010 World Horseshoe Pitching Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Aug. 6, posting a 9-10 "match" record. But in the process, he handed horseshoe superstar Alan Francis of Defiance, Ohio, his only loss of the competition – a 41-36 decision that forced Francis into a playoff with Vermont's Brian Simmons for the title. Francis won the playoff, 40-12, for his eighth consecutive world title and his 16th overall.
"Alan had about his worst game in five years against me with an unbelievable amount of bad luck, kind of like someone getting pocket splits and taps as he had about nine ringers bounce off of the stake," Williams said.
"I pitched a decent game against him, but still quite a bit less than what I am capable of. I basically pitched the worst I have ever pitched at the world tournament having two of the worst games I have pitched since I was 10 years old."
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Most Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour players have been active this summer bowling in PBA Regionals, international tournaments, and conducting clinics and exhibitions. And a handful have visited the "home of humility," the Petersen Classic at AMF Hoffman Lanes in suburban Chicago, where averaging 200 for eight games across 16 lanes is a feat even the greatest players cherish. In 2009, PBA Hall of Famer Norm Duke (pictured left) tried the Petersen Classic for the first time and posted a 1,448 total – a 181 average. In late July, he returned with golfing buddy Ken Smith and missed the magical 200 average milestone by a single pin, shooting 1,599 with a 171 final game.
"I was pretty stoked to have a chance to take the lead with a game to go," Duke said, "especially after what I did the first year."
As of Aug. 10, only three players had topped 1,600 pins and PBA Central Region competitor Jeff Roche of Dearborn, Mich., was the leader with a whopping 1,648. Duke was tied for fourth, but some other familiar names were further down the list: Eddie Van Daniker of Essex, Md., was 13th at 1,560; PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., was 40th at 1,513, and Mika Koivuniemi was tied for 77th at 1,480. A handful of additional exempt tour players are expected to bowl before the tournament ends on Labor Day weekend.
The Petersen Classic – a legendary event known for its nearly impossible lane conditions, absence of marker arrows and dots, off-set racks and "mysterious" breakdowns just when a bowler thinks he's bowling well – is open to whomever wants to try.
It was founded by proprietor Louis P. Petersen in 1921 and held more than once a year in its early years. "The Pete" was conducted for years at Petersen's second-floor bowling center, 35th and Archer Recreation, until it was sold in 1994 and moved to Hoffman Estates. The 2010 Petersen Classic is the 100th edition.
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BPAA Mid-Winter attendees invited to PBA Tournament of Champions, Hall of Fame dinner
Bowling Proprietors' Association of America Executive Director Steve Johnson (pictured left) has announced the sport's leading trade organization has moved its annual Mid-Winter Summit from Phoenix to Red Rock Resort and Casino in Las Vegas in January where participants will be invited to attend the Professional Bowlers Association's historic $1 million Tournament of Champions along with the 2011 PBA Hall of Fame ceremonies. The Mid-Winter Summit, scheduled for Jan. 19-22, involves meetings among industry leaders and seminars for bowling center owners. BPAA has arranged for discounted room rates and transportation services have been set up for attendees, and the PBA will offer ticket packages to attend the Tournament of Champions TV finals on Jan. 22, where a $250,000 first prize will be decided, as well as the PBA Hall of Fame dinner that evening.
"BPAA's decision to become a part of our historic Tournament of Champions is terrific gesture," said PBA CEO and Commissioner Fred Schreyer. "Having all of the industry's decision-makers and key leadership in attendance at our signature event, as well as our hall of fame ceremonies, is the kind of cooperative effort that will help all of us re-energize the sport."
BPAA's Johnson agreed. "The move to Red Rock and the date change makes infinite sense for the BPAA and the industry in a show of partnership and solidarity," he said. "Bowling industry leaders are encouraged to mark their calendars and to plan on attending this momentous industry-wide event to kick-off an outstanding and successful 2011."
Â
Scroggins slows Wiseman express in PBA East
Mike Scroggins (pictured left) made a long journey from his home in Amarillo, Texas, to York, Pa., for the PBA East Region Bowlers Supply/Storm Products Open pay off Sunday when he defeated Danny Wiseman of Baltimore, 247-224, to win his 34th career PBA Regional title at Colony Park Lanes North. Scroggins, who earned $2,800, turned back Wiseman's bid for a third PBA East title in a span of five weeks. PBA Hall of Famer Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo. and exempt player Chris Loschetter, Avon, Ohio each earned $1,100 after losing to Scroggins and Loschetter, respectively, in the semifinal round.
Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. finished sixth and Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y. finished 10th in the 129-player field.
PBA.com's Xtra Frame fans got a chance to see Lennie Boresch Jr. of Kenosha, Wis., a "new" Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour Exempt player for 2010-11, pick up his 23rd career regional title in the joint Midwest/Central Region Terre Haute (Ind.) Open in Terre Haute, Ind., on Sunday.
Boresch defeated Jeffery Roche of Dearborn, Mich., by 160 pins in the 20-game round-robin match play event, covered live on Xtra Frame, for a $2,500 top prize. Former exempt player and four-time PBA Tour title winner David Traber of Hebron, Ill. finished third, just ahead of 2009-10 Harry Golden Rookie of the Year Anthony LaCaze of Melrose Park, Ill., and Ronnie Russell of Marion, Ind.
In another joint PBA Midwest/Central senior event, Kenny Parks (right) of Hammond, Ind., tuned up for this week's PBA Senior Lake County Indiana Open with a 277-187 victory over Robert Harvey of Boise, Idaho, Sunday to win the Anodizing Specialists Senior Open at Les Zikes' Beverly Lanes in Arlington Heights, Ill. In the West Region, super senior Kerry Painter of Henderson, Nev., teamed with David Haynes of Las Vegas to win the Junior/Senior Doubles at Virgin River Bowling Center in Mesquite, Nev. Former exempt player P.J. Haggerty, Clovis. Calif. and super senior partner Ty Dawson finished second. Painter earned his second PBA Senior Regional win and Haynes notched his third PBA Regional title.
In the PBA South, Rick Langton of Alpharetta, Ga., got help from a "messenger" to strike in the 10th frame and nip James Roberts of Richmond, Va., 246-236, in the championship match of the Spring Hill Florida Open at Spring Hill Lanes. Langton picked up $2,500 and his third PBA Regional title. Former exempt player Jason Sterner of McDonough, Ga., finished eighth in the 92-player field.
All PBA title holders (National, Senior, Regional, Senior Regional, Women's Series champions) who are PBA members in good standing as of Sept. 1 are eligible for the 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions.
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Walter Ray Williams Jr. 11th in world horseshoe championships, but wins a big one
Walter Ray Williams Jr.(pictured left) isn't playing horseshoes at the same level he was when he won six World Horseshoe Pitching Association championships, but a champion always seems to show his stripes. The reigning PBA Player of the Year finished a disappointing 11th in the 2010 World Horseshoe Pitching Championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Aug. 6, posting a 9-10 "match" record. But in the process, he handed horseshoe superstar Alan Francis of Defiance, Ohio, his only loss of the competition – a 41-36 decision that forced Francis into a playoff with Vermont's Brian Simmons for the title. Francis won the playoff, 40-12, for his eighth consecutive world title and his 16th overall.
"Alan had about his worst game in five years against me with an unbelievable amount of bad luck, kind of like someone getting pocket splits and taps as he had about nine ringers bounce off of the stake," Williams said.
"I pitched a decent game against him, but still quite a bit less than what I am capable of. I basically pitched the worst I have ever pitched at the world tournament having two of the worst games I have pitched since I was 10 years old."
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