The New Year certainly GOT STARTED WITH A BANG on Saturday! Though the turnout was a little smaller than expected, the scores were VERY tight all afternoon, ending with only ONE PIN separating 1st & 2nd Place. Then in the 6:00 squad, Santos Saloy literally shook the building. Those watching Santos going for his 7th 9-Tap, to start his first game, let out a ROAR that got the attention of those at the other end of the building. He thought that he'd thrown such a good ball, he was going to get a real strike, but a solid 10-pin made him instantly $3,546.00 richer. He was so overwhelmed by his feat, that his next shot in the 8th frame ended up in the gutter. 117 bowlers (many shot with multiple partners), combined for 82 Doubles entries. Almost exactly the same numbers as our 2009 Opening Day Doubles Tournament. FIVE Members took advantage of the unique opportunity to Cash more than once. Mark Andersson and Earl Kleist Cashed THREE times each and Chris Pierce, LeFear Richardson & Ajay Jarata, each Cashed twice.

Our 2010 Opening Day Doubles Champs are Bill Smith and Paul Mann. This is Bill's 1st Tournament win, for Paul this is win #2. Both live in Port Orchard and bowl at Hi-Joy lanes, where Paul also works. Bill joined the Tour at our Veterans Day Tournament at Fort Lewis. A Vet himself, after retiring from the Navy with 21 years of service, he currently does security for the Bangor Naval Base. Bill used his Columbia "Full Swing", drilled at Nick's Pro Shop at Hi-Joy, for the win. No surprise, Paul's ball also came from Nick's Pro Shop. His was a Storm Hy-Road. Paul has had quite a year on the Tour, highlighted by his 1st win at HiLine last November and his HUGE bonanza, hitting the Jackpot for $4,757.00, in August. Their 1009 score, that they shot in the 1:30 squad, didn't seem like it would hold up all day. But scores were a bit lower all day, mostly due to a last minute break down of the lane oiling machine, forcing the use of a 'back-up' machine. Paul had his other Doubles partner, and good friend, Christina Miller for support, while Bill had his biggest fan, wife Heather (20 yrs) cheering from the seats. CONGRATULATIONS to Bill & Paul!!

In 2nd Place, missing 1st by ONLY ONE PIN, were Tour newcomers Mario and Janelle Zapata. The Kent Lanes bowlers shot a nice 1008 in the 1st Squad, which held up for $565.00. In 3rd Place, Chris Pierce and Frank Funis were less than a spare behind at 999, good for $295.00. Chris also cashed in 9th Place for an extra $150.

NEXT WEEK: $1,000.00 Money-Added HOOTERS/MILLER-LITE CLASSIC at Hooters Bowl - Sat. 12:00 - 2:30 - 5:00 Sun. 11:00 - 1:00 Directions on website www.9taptour.com go to "Sched." tab

OTHER PAYOUTS

NEW PROGRESSIVE POT TOTAL: $1,824.00
NEW 9-TAP JACKPOT TOTAL: $1,334.00

STRIKEPOT CONSOLATION WINNER:
7 - No Taps SANTOS SALOY ($3,546.00)

TOURNAMENT INFORMATION