The TOUR returned to Bowlero Lanes in Lakewood this weekend.  We'd like to thank Bill and Tina for their great efforts over the last few months, turning the facility around and headed in the right direction.  Their new Scoring System should be installed by our next visit, which will solve many of the minor challenges.  The Tournament brought on some very unusual scoring all day long.  With a 1090 shot right out of the gate, along with a 1058 series, the thought was it's going to be a high scoring weekend.  But actually the scores were mostly normal, except for FIVE beautiful 1050+ totals, all of which normally would have been Winning scores.  Those 5 BIG Scores were spread out over all 3 squads, while the 'Cut-Line' was at 913, right in the sweet spot.  With a total of 114 bowlers this weekend, we had 23 Members reach the Cash List, with $7,032.00 in Payouts.  The scoring pace also saw several bowlers toss the front-9 strikes, going for that perfect No-Tap 300.  Most were foiled in the 10th, but the exceptions were John Moore Jr who earned $140.00 from the Scratch Pot and Jay Pannette who fired his first N/T 300 on the Tour, but wasn't in the Scratch Pot.   We had high hopes for someone to finally hit the Front 7-Taps, but once again it never came to be.  The high this week again was the Front 3-Taps, hit by three players, Pam Sims, Will Twyman & Brian Peters, each collecting $75.00 for their efforts.  With only $225.00 paid out of the 9-Tap Jackpot, the Pot grows from $8,627.00 to a huge amount of $8,837.00 for next week.  So, next weekend at Skyway Bowl, we will be doing our famous 'INSTANT $10'.  Just hit the Front 2-Taps, to get handed $10.00 right on the spot and you can do it in ALL FOUR games.  Our last 'INSTANT $10' was in October when we paid out an extra $520.00 ON TOP of the regular Jackpot payouts.

 

 

This weekends Champion is Dakota James, firing an incredible set of 1090 in the first squad.  After working to improve his game over the last few months, Dakota certainly did impove when he smashed his Personal Best series by a HUGE 129 pins.  Dakota first joined the Tour back in 2019 right out of Junior Bowling.  Having Cashed only once (20th), he had clearly struggled.  What a great way to break out of that long slump, with a Title and a huge PB.  After shooting a 187 first game Dakota just caught fire and blistered the lanes.  Using his Purple Hammer, drilled at Paradise Lanes by Randy Macomber, Dakota stayed lined up and in the pocket for the rest of the day.  Dakota said that as he was bowling, he was getting nervous and felt very lucky on some of his shots.  He also wants to thank Brian Selck for his support and keeping his head in the game.  He plans on saving the money for a special and needed vacation.  Dakota brings home a sizable check of $1,771.00 on a day he'll remember forever!  CONGRATS Dakota on Win #1 

Bowlero-Lakewood Champion Dakota James 

Finishing in second place is our 2021 YEAR-END Champion, Jay Pannette.  After shooting a nice 923 series in the first squad, Jay re-entered and got extremely hot, firing off a beautiful 1063 series.  That total included his first 300 game on the 9-Tap Tour.  Jay has been on quite a Hot Streak, with his SECOND 2nd Place finish already this year, earning him a sweet check of $808.00 for this one.

Third place went to the heart break kid, Mike Crowe.  Over the last few weeks, Mike has been close to the Top 3 places, but always having that one game that foils his effort.  His 1058 series would have been enough for a win most other weeks, but not this one.  His only setback this week was his last game which kept him out of the Winners Circle.  Mike takes home a hefty $404.00 check to help soothe the pain! 

Nine Tap Tour Tidbit:  This weekend we had three generations of the Miller/Schaaf family making the cash list.  Dad/Granddad, Mike Miller finished in 6th, son Brett Schaaf in 4th place, daughter Heather Schaaf  in 22nd and grandson Brandon Miller finishing in 23rd.  A family feast indeed.