We THANK all our Sponsors for their part in making this weekend a really GREAT Tournament.  There was certainly no shortage of excitement from beginning to end.  The moderate scores kept the Qualifying very tight on both days, causing a number of 'close calls', as well as 'near misses'.  Only one series topped 985 all weekend, with Jeff DuRussel's 1022 earning the Top Qualifier honors and the 900 Global'Freight Train' and Tour Jacket.  The Cut-Line score on Sunday (907), also remained tantalizingly within reach, just like Saturday's qualifying scores, which reached as low as 899.  We presentedCarl Nichols with a 6 foot section of Lane #17, from Paradise Bowl, to commemorate his 7/10 split conversion in July and we also presented Osmond Green a special patch to recognize the 7/10 he picked-up on Saturday.  Stu Gallagher nearly pulled off 7 Middle Taps for $1,000.00 on Sunday (see the video of his 7th shot).  So, Martin McElroy's 5-Taps held on to earn him$375.00 from the 9-Tap Jackpot Consolation.  That was all before we even got to the Fantastic Finals!  One huge Finals highlight was when 77 year old Irene Stadel tried to keep the Ladies 3 Tournament winning streak alive, making it to the semi-final match vs a hot Tom Briskey.  She then shot her high game of the day, but it wasn't enough to outlast Tom, in an all out war that ended up 291 to 281.

 

Carl's Piece of Lane 17	Stu goes for #7 (click to watch)

 

Our newest 'First-Time' Champion, LeRoy Cofield, is an Air Force retiree, who first joined the Tour at the McChord AFB Tournament in Feb. 2011.  He's come close to winning several times with NINE Top 10 finishes, which include finishes as high as 2nd & 3rd Place.  He was really 'Tested' in 2011 when he endured some early struggles before turning-the-corner, with ALL NINE of those Top 10 finishes coming in 2012!  Packing all those high finishes into 2012, also has LeRoy solidly in the Top 5 of the Bowler of the Year standings.  Although LeRoy began bowling 30 years ago, he took an extended break for 15 years, only returning to the game in 2008.  His steady improvement and positive attitude have made him a pleasure be around & to bowl with.  He admitted to some nerves in the Final Match, but he said that converting a difficult spare in the 9th frame was his turning point.  On Sunday, everyone could see the 'Joy' on the face of someone who had 'Climbed the Mountain', and now enjoyed the view from the Top.  LeRoy said his 'secret' was BLUEBERRIES... he and wife Michelle had gone wild blueberry picking on Saturday morning.  He also asked us to thank Wayne Liddy, Pen Hagen and all the Tour Members for their friendships and support.  Plans for his large $2,534.00 Winner's share, are for it to go towards some home remodeling.  LeRoy's ball of choice, was his Storm 'Crossroad', which was drilled at the Secoma Pro Shop by Robert Kelly.  Since retiring from the Air Force, he's worked for the U.S. Immigration Service over the last 17 years.  CONGRATS LeRoy on Win #1!!

 

The HOTTEST bowler in the Final Matches was definitely Tom Briskey Jr, who had a string of HUGE games to get to the Championship Match.  An impressive $1,134.00 payday for 2nd Place, should soothe the sting of coming so close to his 2nd Title.  Tied for 3rd Place was Irene Stadel & Patrick Dennis, each taking home a healthy $473.00.  Irene (#82) joined the Tour together with her late husband Jerry in 2002, while Patrick joined this last March.  All four of the 5th Place finishers (M.Hardy-B.Berryman-J.Guerrero-Rick Jack) were all seeking their first Tour Titles.