Jason Couch Wins PBA Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship
The PBA Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship took place this past week, at AMF Thruway Lanes in Cheektowaga, New York. The four TV finalists included Jason Couch, Tom Smallwood, Parker Bohn III, and Ryan Ciminelli. The first stepladder match had Parker Bohn III up against Tom Smallwood. Parker won a close match, 201-197, and advanced to face Ryan Ciminelli. In another close match, Bohn was able to win, 213-207, and advance to the final match against Jason Couch. Parker was not able to continue his success, and bowed out as Jason Couch overpowered him with a 219 game to beat Parker’s 175.
In winning the Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship, Couch took home the $20,000 first prize and his 16th career PBA title. This title ended Couch’s 4 year drought and earns him a continuation on his exemption.
Mika Koivuniemi Wins 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions
Several records were set in the 2011 PBA Tournament of Champions this past weekend. Along with the highest prize in a PBA event with $250,000 for first place, the lowest nationally televised game in PBA history.
The telecast started with Mika Koivuniemi taking on Andres Gomez. Mika won a close match, 224-220, to move onto his next match against Tom Daugherty. Daugherty struggled to get going and never gave Mika much of a challenge. On the other hand, Mika Koivuniemi used his great ball reaction and ran the front 11 strikes for a 299 game. Mika won the match, 299 to Daugherty’s record low 100, and moved on to the final match against Tom Smallwood. Mika kept his scoring pace up, throwing 10 of 12 strikes for a 269 game, which was plenty to beat Smallwood’s 207.
In winning the PBA Tournament of Champions, Mika Koivuniemi earned his 3rd PBA major title and his 9th overall PBA title.
Osku Palermaa Wins Shark Championship
Osku Palermaa came from the #3 spot in the TV finals to win the PBA GEICO Shark Championship. It looked as Jason Belmonte was going to run the table to win the tournament, but he ran into Palermaa in the third round. Belmonte started the TV finals against Mike Fagan, winning 248-223. Belmonte went on to bowl against Tom Smallwood. Belmonte was able to overpower Smallwood and won the match, 208-192, to move on and bowl against fellow two-hander Osku Palermaa. Palermaa won the grueling match, 182-176, and went on to bowl against tournament leader Dan MacLelland as the lanes continued to get tougher. Palermaa was able to win the match, 173-149, as both bowlers struggled on the tough lane conditions. This win gave Osku Palermaa his first PBA Title.
Voss/Asbaty Win in PBA Mixed Doubles
Brian Voss and Diandra Asbaty came from the final qualifying position to run the ladder and win the PBA Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles tournament. Voss and Asbaty took on Tom Smallwood and Jodi Woessner in their first match, winning by a score of 276-224. The went on to face Rhino Page and Shannon Pluhowsky in the second match. Voss and Asbaty threw another big 276 game to beat their opponents’ 227 to go on and face Wes Malott and Shannon O’Keefe. Voss and Asbaty won the match 224-202 to earn their spot in the championship match against Jason Belmonte and Michelle Feldman. Voss and Asbaty were victorious, winning the match 234-212. See the equipment used by the pros on my InTheBag page for the PBA Don and Paula Johnson Mixed Doubles event.
In winning this tournament, Brian and Diandra won the first place prize of $50,000. This coming week, bowlers are headed to Indianapolis, Indiana for the U.S. Open. Good luck to everyone this week!
Tom Smallwood Wins PBA World Championship
Tom Smallwood won the PBA World Championship by defeating Wes Malott in the finals, 244-228. Malott beat Rhino Page in the semifinals, 203-191, to move on to bowl against Smallwood. Smallwood defeated Bill O’Neill, 211-159, to move on to the finals. The PBA World Championship is Smallwood’s first PBA Tour title, coming after a third place finish in the Scorpion Championship earlier this season.
The PBA World Championship was bowled on the PBA World Championship pattern, which is a modified version of the 41′ pattern D from the 2002-2003 season. Tom was throwing the Columbia 300 Pure Swing to win the World Championship. You can pre-order the full swing from BowlingBall.com. For the full list of equipment used in the PBA World Championship, see InTheBag.
Congrats to Tom Smallwood!
Americans Bowling Well in 7th Euro-Med Storm International Masters Challenge
Six U.S. bowlers have made the cut to the second round of the 7th Euro-Med Storm International Masters Challenge. Malaysia’s Zulmazran Zulkifli led round 1 with a score of 1957 (+357, 244.63 Average). The top 24 bowlers advance to round 2. The cut score was 1753 (+153, 219.13 Average). The six Americans making the cut are Doug Kent (2nd), Mike Wolfe (4th), Tom Smallwood (9th), Rhino Page (15th), Jeffrey Butler (17th), and John Nolen (19th). Lonnie Waliczek and Tim Mack fell short of the cut. 15-year-old Michael Mak of Hong Kong continues to bowl well finishing 5th in round one.
After round 2, the top 8 bowlers qualify for round 3, then the top 4 qualify for the stepladder finals. Two Michigan bowlers continue to prove themselves by making the top 24. Tom Smallwood continues to bowl well after making the TV finals in the PBA Scorpion Championship and the PBA World Championship. John Nolen is continuing to prove himself after winning the 2009 USBC Masters last year.
View the full results at abf-online.org
Mike DeVaney Wins Scorpion Championship
In the finals, Mike DeVaney defeated Jason Belmonte, 189-170, to win the PBA Scorpion Championship. On the way to the finals, DeVaney beat Sean Rash, 182-162. Belmonte defeated Tom Smallwood, 222-175.
This is DeVaney’s first PBA title of the season and second of his career.
See PBA.com for the full results.
PBA World Championship Results
The finals are set for the PBA World Championship. The four finalists are Wes Malott, Rhino Page, Bill O’Neill, and Tom Smallwood.
In the Women’s World Championship, the finalists are Kelly Kulick and Shannon Pluhowsky. The finalists in the Senior World Championship are Hugh Miller and Harry Sullins.
The Women’s and Senior World Championship title matches will be contested Saturday at noon for delayed telecast to open the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour season on ESPN on Sunday, Oct. 25. The men’s finals will be contested live on ESPN on Dec. 13 at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Kan.
PBA Scorpion Championship Update
The TV finals field is set for the PBA Scorpion Championship. For the men, the four finalists are Tom Smallwood, Mike DeVaney, Jason Belmonte, and Sean Rash. For the women, the two finalists are Liz Johnson and Shannon Pluhowsky.
This tournament is Smallwood’s first TV finals appearance, coming after winning his exemption in the tour trials back in May.
For the full results, see PBA.com
DV8 Hell Raiser