Barnes Wins in Second Chris Barnes Challenge
Back in December, Chris Barnes took on Derek Hartnell in the first Chris Barnes Challenge. Hartnell came from behind to beat Barnes and win the $3200 on the table. This time Barnes took on Shawn Lee from Centennial, Colorado. Lee didn’t have as much luck as Hartnell. Chris Barnes posted a 590 series to beat Shawn Lee’s 480 and win the $2000. Both bowlers had problems playing the lanes, saying that they had to play each lane differently. Barnes used this to his advantage and says that it was also good practice for next week’s U.S. Open.
Bidder Found for Second Chris Barnes Challenge
The second Chris Barnes Challenge presented by Columbia 300 will take place this Saturday, February 19, 2010 at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. Shawn Lee of Centennial, Colorado put up a bid of $1000. Shawn Lee’s $1000 bid will be matched by Chris Barnes in a three game total pins match. Shawn is a former collegiate bowler from the University of Nebraska, so he knows all about bowling under pressure on difficult patterns. Good luck to both bowlers!
USBC to Allow Alcohol at Open Championships?
In an article written by Jeff Richgels on his “11th Frame” blog, Jeff mentions that the USBC may be allowing alcohol at the USBC Open Championships. Jeff’s full article can be found here. The article mentions that the USBC could definitely use the extra money that selling alcohol could bring in. Not only that, this could also bring more bowlers that were turned away because of the “no alcohol” rules. The USBC recently laid off 10% of their workers and also announced that they were canceling the “Clash of Champions.” Like Jeff said, if this brings more entries, it’s very hard to oppose it. No official announcement has been made yet. The full article can be found on the 11th Frame Blog.
Second Chris Barnes Challenge Set to Take Place
The second Chris Barnes Challenge is set to take place on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 6:00 PM Eastern Time. Chris Barnes will take on the highest bidder (Up to $5,000). This event will take place at Brunswick Zone-Wheat Ridge in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Challengers have until 7:00 PM Eastern Time to post their bids. The match will be aired on PBA Xtra Frame.
The first Chris Barnes Challenge took place in Wichita, Kansas in December of 2009. Derek Hartnell was the winning bidder and bowled against Barnes. Hartnell won the match and the $3,200 ($1600 each).
Tony Reyes Ramp Shot (Bowling Tricks)
Tony Reyes makes a perfect shot using a ramp to jump the ball over two other bowling balls. Somehow, Tony manages to still get a strike to win!
Walter Ray Wins USBC Masters
Walter Ray Williams, Jr. has won his second career USBC Masters title. Walter Ray defeated top qualifier Chris Barnes by a score of 290-217. His first Masters title also came at the hands of Chris Barnes, in 2004. Walter Ray now has eight major titles, tied with Mike Aulby and Pete Weber. Earl Anthony is the only bowler with more, which he has 10 major titles.
To start of the TV finals, Ryan Ciminelli took on Mike Scroggins. Ciminelli won the match, 246-229, and went on to take on Walter Ray Williams, Jr. Walter Ray won that match, 258-224, to go on and face Chris Barnes. In winning the Masters, Walter Ray also takes home $50,000.
See which equipment the pros were using on my InTheBag page for the USBC Masters.
Chris Barnes Earns #1 Seed for USBC Masters TV Finals
Chris Barnes went undefeated in matchplay this week to earn the #1 seed for the TV finals of the USBC Masters. Barnes defeated Walter Ray Williams, Jr. to earn the top seed. Walter Ray earned the #2 seed by winning all of his matches until facing Barnes. Ryan Ciminelli and Mike Scroggins earned the #3 and #4 seeds by winning their ways out of the losers bracket.
In the opening match of the stepladder TV finals, Ciminelli and Scroggins will face off. The winner of that match will go on to bowl against Walter Ray Williams, Jr. This winner will face Barnes in the final round.
Norm Duke Spinning Ball Spare Conversion (Bowling Tricks)
Here Norm Duke converts on a very difficult trick shot. He spins a ball and pushes it down the lane. Meanwhile, he throws his strike shot and leaves a pin. The spinning ball converts the spare. This trick is really unbelievable.
Loschetter Leads Going into Matchplay of USBC Masters
Chris Loschetter has retained the lead in the USBC Masters with a third block score of 1155 to bring his 15 game total score to 3498 (+498, 233.2 Average). Jason Belmonte has moved into second place with a score of 3421. Patrick Allen moved up into third at 3404. Chris Barnes and Ryan Shafer are in fourth and fifth with 3377 and 3369.
The field has been cut to the top 63 bowlers plus last year’s champion John Nolen. The cut score for the top 63 is 3068 (+68, 204.53 Average). Double Elimination matchplay will begin this evening at 4:00 Pacific Time, 7:00 Eastern Time. Matchplay will continue tomorrow (Friday) throughout the day. The TV Finals will be bowled Sunday afternoon on ESPN at 3:00 Eastern Time, 12:00 Pacific Time.
Chris Loschetter Takes Over Lead in USBC Masters
Chris Loschetter had a score of 1143 (+143, 228.6 Average) in the second block of the USBC Masters to take over the lead. Loschetter’s leading 10 game score is 2343 (+343, 234.3 Average). Wes Malott had the highest block 2 score of 1215 to move him into third place with a total of 2268. Chris Barnes is currently in second place at 2329. Jason Belmonte and Patrick Allen are in fourth and fifth with 2285 and 2268.
The field has been cut to the top 25% (67 bowlers) with the cut score at 2063 (+63, 206.3 Average). Today the bowlers will bowl 5 more games of qualifying. The field will be cut to the top 63 bowlers and last year’s champion John Nolen will be added as the 64th bowler to begin matchplay.
DV8 Hell Raiser