After our recent streak of 10 straight Tournaments with 1st Time Champions, this was a week for multiple Title winners, with the Top 3 all having won Titles before, and the Top 2 both joining the Tour back in 2002.  FIVE bowlers got very 'Hot' Saturday, turning in strong series ranging from 1017 to 1060.  On the other hand, the Cut-Line remained quite reachable, starting the day at 911 (1st squad) and finishing the day at exactly the same spot.  The 9-Tap Jackpot survived two bowlers who got 6 out of 7 Taps in the middle of their game. Skip Shear missed a chance on his 7th shot and Mark Hitchcock had a late 10-pin fall in the middle of a string of 7 Taps, costing both $1,000.00.  Instead, Denise Thrush & Raymond Sedeno earned the Consolation Bonus for their front 4-Taps, worth $150.00 each.  That allowed the Jackpot to grow to the 2nd largest in Tour history.  In August 2011, the Pot reached it's high, which was only $95 higher than the current$9,752.00.  That sets-up an interesting convergence next week... The Gigantic Jackpot combined with Paradise having their NEW synthetic lanes installed.  We'll be using those lanes for the first time at Paradise.  However, we had six Tournaments on those lanes in 2010/11, when they were at Hooters Bowl.  TWO TIMES in those six Tourneys, bowlers had the Front 6 Taps, each getting that one 'Dream Shot' for the Jackpot, on those same lanes. 

 

Joe Fincher Jr got the Hottest of this week's Hot bowlers, winning his 2nd Title of 2012.  Joe originally joined the Tour in 2002 (Member #163), after being away for a five years, he re-joined in 2009.  His tenacity has paid off handsomely, with 2012 obviously being his year!  He was the Top Qualifier in April at Narrows Plaza, then his 1st Tour Title at Skyway in June, now Title #2 at Daffodil this week.  Joe supports our Tour Sponsor 900 Global, using his new 'Bank-Roll', drilled by Pat Johns at HiLine, to capture this win.  After a decent starting game of 227 (253), Joe said that he thought he had a solid line and just tried to stay focused.   That worked up until the last game, when he confessed to getting nervous.  He fought through those nerves to post a nice 231 game and win it by a solid 12 pins.  Joe asked us to pass his THANKS to his wife, who is usually attends, for letting him bowl Saturday.  Joe has worked for Sysco Foods for 24 years and also enjoys spectator sports, both professional, as well his sons games.  CONGRATS Joe on win #2!!

 

Leading after the 2nd squad and gunning for his 14th Title, CareerTitles leader and Hall of Famer Samson Ibale (Member #11) settles for 2nd Place and an $875.00 payday.  His winnings push his Career Earnings to an impressive $39,819.00, #2 on the All-Time Cash List.  In 3rd Place, Pen Hagen was looking for her 2nd 2012 Title.  She currently sits #2 in the 2012 Bowler of the Year standings, closing that gap with 3rd Place points and also earning a nice check for $488.00.