If you appreciate a GREAT BATTLE, then you had to enjoy this Tournament, but... We had THREE GREAT BATTLES. The competition was tight all-day, with the scores just slightly lower than normal. How tight was it? Only 64 pins separated 2nd thru 22nd place!

Battle #1: Char (General) Patton started the day, in the 1st squad, with the first 6-No Taps. Unfortunately, she threw a perfect shot on #7 getting a real strike. She still looked like a "Lock" to take home $250 as a Consolation. Earl Kleist then ran off 5-No Taps in the 2nd squad, before he was felled by a split. Then in the Last game of the Last squad, Alfredo Oriza also got the first 6-No Taps and on the 7th shot, he pulled it left, but caught enough of the head pin to come through with Tap #7 and he takes down the 9-Tap Jackpot for a hefty $2,074.00. That's TWICE this year that the Jackpot has been hit, with a total of $6,068.00 already paid out of the Pot.

Cupid's Battle #2: True Valentine's, Lefear and Nida Richardson took the early lead in the Doubles Side Pot., with a strong combined 1807 score. That held up until LeFear re-entered, teaming up with Christina Miller in the last squad, finishing with a winning 1834 good for $170 to go with the $80 he and Nida got for 2nd. In 3rd place, sweethearts Kathy Johnson & Bruce Gorr shot 1782 for $40.

Battle Royale #3: LeFear's 975 shot in the 1st round, looked like it might hold up for his 1st Title. Many got close in the 2nd squad, coming within a 'Bad Frame' of the Top Spot, but no one getting there. In the last squad, Earl Kleist, seeking his 7th Tour Title, reeled him in by just 3 pins, but... he left room for our Champ to squeeze by him.

Our Bowl Arena Champion is Bob Rouse, who finally earns his 4th Title and the Gold shirt that comes with it. Bob is an original Tour Member (#35), having started back in 2002 and has been a consistent competitor over the years. He was the ONLY bowler to crack 1000 this week and he did it wearing "House Shoes"! Now the "Rest of the Story" gets more interesting. Bob started finding his shot, late in his 1st entry. He wanted to re-enter, but hadn't brought enough money with him. He borrowed enough to cover the entry and he certainly made it count, coming through with his winning score of 1005. Oh yea, the nice person who loaned him the cash... of course, it was EARL KLEIST, who he beat for the Title!!! This win gets Bob close to $15,000.00 in career earnings, one week after Earl passed the $20,000.00 career mark. Bob said that he will use some of his $2,093.00 winners share, to buy new bowling shoes and maybe a new ball as well. He used a "Red Storm" for this win, drilled by Pat Johns at HiLine. CONGRATULATIONS Bob for win #4.

Earl Kleist did get some rewards for his fine bowling, in his home house (he works at Ft Lewis). He not only earns $937.00 for 2nd place, but those Bowler of the Year points are enough to boost him into the #1 spot in the standings. Likewise, LeFear was picking up cash from everywhere, 4 High-Game Pots, 2 Doubles Side-Pots, $100 from the Scratch High Series Pot, 3rd place money of $499.00 and he jumped to 2nd place in the B.O.Y. standings.

OTHER PAYOUTS

NEW PROGRESSIVE POT TOTAL: $1,686.00
NEW 9-TAP JACKPOT TOTAL: $914.00

STRIKEPOT CONSOLATION WINNER:
7 - No Taps Alfredo Oriza ($2,074.00)

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION