The TOP 10 on the Cash List, were ALL looking for their 1st Tour Title.  The closest finish of the year, so far, left the Top 4Finishers within FIVE PINS, sandwiched between 798 & 793.  The lower than usual scores even made it tight at the bottom of the Cash List, with the last 9 spots fitting between 711 & 718.  The 'Best 3 of 4' format often makes for a tight competition and the best part is the larger number of bowlers who have a shot at the Top going into their final game.  Saturday was no different, when one more big game could have pushed many bowlers way up the Cash List or all the way to the Top.  The 9-Tap Jackpotsaw Jimmie Suarez initially leading the way with a mere 3-Taps, until he surpassed himself with the front 5-Taps, boosting his Consolation Bonus to a nice $250.00, which went well with his 4th Place finish, just 5 pins off the lead.  Magic Bristol had Six-in-a-Row in the middle of one game, but came up ONE-PIN short on his 7th shot.  We were disappointed that nobody caught that 7th shot on their cell phone, we could have started a section in our new Video Library, titled the "Hall of Close Calls".  With the Winner having $10 in the Progressive Pot Saturday, that carries-over to push the Pot to a healthy $2,791.00 for next weeks$1,000.00 Added - Denny's 'Grand Slam' Classic.

 

At Kent, we had our 5th straight First-Time Champion, as Mike Tobin held on to Win in a 'Photo Finish'.  His narrow Two-Pin Victory came as a total shock to him.  When Kevin Nagasawacalled him to tell him that he'd won, he thought it was a practical joke.  Even when he returned to Kent Bowl, he still thought wewere pulling his leg saying, "Are you sure you counted the scores correctly?"  Since the normal winning score for this format is around 820, he really did expect somebody to top his 798, but they all fell just a few pins short.  This Win easily surpasses his best previous finish of 23rd, from when he first joined the Tour last year.  He said that the $1,607.00 in winnings ($10 Pro. Pot) will come in handy, maybe a new ball, definitely taking his wife out to dinner and the rest can go toward rent for his Maple Valley Computer store.  He used his Brunswick 'C-System Alpha Max', drilled by Eric Akioka at Acme Bowl, for his first Title.  Mike bowls several leagues at Kent Bowl as well as working with the Junior bowlers.  He asked us to thank his friend and supporter, Kevin Nagasawa who was working the Front Desk during the Tournament.  CONGRATS Mike on Win #1.

 

Tour Veteran Malou Aninion came SOOOO Close, with her 796, matching her best previous finish, a 2nd Place at HiLine.  The$985.00 is Malou's biggest career payday and her 4 game total nearly beat her best series.  Another TWO-PINS back was Keith Huntoon earning a very nice $560.00 for 3rd Place.  Keith hada 2nd Place last June, for his best previous finish.  ONE-PIN back in 4th Place and just 5-Pins off the lead, was Jimmie Suarez.  Jimmie took the biggest financial hit, since the difference between 1st & 4th was substancial, but the $250.00 he earned from the Jackpot helped a little.  Congrats also to Rody Sumandig who collected his $750.00 in Jackpot Winnings Saturday (picture).