“NOTHING BEATS BOWLING!!!”  These three words, as spoken by our newest Champion, Michael Leemoui shortly after his finals victory, describe his obvious passion for the sport of bowling.  Despite the nearly perfect weather outside, we had a great turnout at Kent Bowl for the Denny’s Grand Slam/Miller Lite Open.   After five hard fought qualifying squads, 34 bowlers with skills ranging from +48 to -9 pins per game made their way to the finals.  Pen Hagen again showed her “knack” for making runs at the 9-Tap Jackpot by hitting the Front 5 for a nice $250.00. The 9-Tap Jackpot has again increased and now stands at an impressive $5,343.00 while the Progressive Pot will be $2,011.00as we move to Imperial Lanes in Seattle, site of next week’stournament.  In a rare feat, not only did the aforementioned Michael Leemoui take home this week’s title, he also earned Top Qualifier honors by shooting a nice 1077 on Saturday, earning himself a 900 Global‘Sure Thing’ as well as the ‘Top Qualifier’ jacket, for a Clean Sweep!

 

‘Miracle Mark’ Hitchcock again made a solid run in a 2-Day Event (won our last 2-Day Tourney in May at Secoma Lanes) finishing runner up to an unstoppable Leemoui by a margin of 263 to 220.  Hitchcock took home a ‘cool’ $992.00.  Also making the semi-finals, tied for 3rd place, were Bruce Gorr & James Strand, both heading home with a nice $416.00 pay day.  

As if having his son with him on his 9th birthday Saturday wasn’t enough motivation, Michael Leemoui  returned with Javad and his daughter, Nani, on Sunday for the finals, and after winning, saidthat it was a “blessing to share this victory with them.” He also noted he'd be sharing the $2,205.00 in winnings with them.  Michael joined the tour in May 2011, his previous best finish was 6th place and  he smashed his personal best series by 70 pins!   He mostly used his Ebonite Mission 2.0 ball which was drilled by Scott Halverson at Paradise Lanes .  Michael wanted to thank all those who stuck around and rooted him on.  Congrats to Michael on his first win and hope to see everyone at Imperial Lanes Saturday!

 

It was also nice to welcome and see the 9-Tap Tour Hawaii Region owners, David “Kawika” & Francis Kaea, in town from Oahu, to bowl in this weeks tournament.