Last August at Secoma, the Tour set the one-day Record of 178 entries, but that day had 4 squads, averaging 44.5 bowlers per squad.  This week, with only 3 squads, we averaged nearly 50 (49.3) bowlers per squad to reach 148 entries.  We also had the biggest assault on the 9-Tap Jackpot that we've seen in years.  It started in the 1st squad, with at least 3 bowlers stringing 6 out of 7 Taps.  Curt Sanborn had the 1st FIVE before throwing a real strike, David Hoekman strung 6 in-a-row in the middle of his 2nd game before getting a strike on #7, and that was all in the 1st squad.  The 2nd squad was more of the same, with strings of Taps everywhere, and for the 2nd straight week we had a Member with the first SIX Taps.  Roland Jarata brought the house to a standstill when he got #6.  As he waited for his 7th shot, his wife, Emma, was nervously crossing her fingers.  You could hear a pin drop when he got up, unfortunately the 7th ball went high ending in a split, but he took maximum advantage of the 50% Consolation Bonus increase, taking $750 from the Pot.  The way people were racking up the Taps we thought Roland's SIX could still be in danger, but it did manage to hold on.  The Pot's still at a huge $8,754.00 for Skyway in two weeks.

 

Our Secoma Champion is Duke Lee, winning his first Tour Title with a fantastic 1074 score.  Duke shot in the 12:00 squad, struggling early but getting lined-up in the end.  Re-entering the 2:30 squad, Duke 'Caught Fire', ripping-off 3 BIG games and coasting home for the win.  He admitted that he got a little nervous in the last game, which is understandable when you discover that Duke has only been bowling for 2 years.  Obviously he's been learning the game very quickly!  He started bowling with a large Korean group of friends on Monday nights at Pacific Lanes, improving all the way to a 196 average in the summer Ohana League.  Several of those friends were bowling with him Saturday when he got HOT.  Dave Hansen at Pacific Lanes drilled the Ebonite Maxim he used for his win.  Duke works in an Orthodontic Lab, and he was enthusiastic about the unique use that he has for his hefty payday of $2,011.00.  He said that he needs a new 'Crown' for his tooth, and now he has the cash to cover it.  In addition to his bowling, Duke also enjoys playing Golf.  CONGRATS Duke on win #1!

 

Just 9 pins back in 2nd Place was Del Wiggins, who also had a frustrating 1st entry, then 'Catching Fire' on his re-entry, shooting a scorching 1065.  Del had been in a bit of a slump, but picked a great day to Break-Out picking-up a payday worth $909.00.  In 3rd Place, Rich Eaton slipped by two other bowlers by ONE PIN.  Saturday's earnings of $532.00, pushed Rich's Career Earnings past the $15,000.00 mark.  Two ladies finished in a tie, just one pin back.  Dorrie Quirante and Char Patton each took home $285.00 for their 1007 series.