Las Vegas woke up Saturday morning to a blanket of dust courtesy of some northerly winds carrying the particles all the way from Arizona.  As I drove I-15 North, the hotels on the strip were gone as were the mountains.  Those Members that opted to venture out and brave the low air quality mustered up enough entries and re-entries for a total entry count of 44.  Being that this was our first attempt "experimenting" with a longer oil pattern, the results we got were expected, with some much higher scores.  Our bowlers appreciated the opportunity to shoot the 'feel good' bigger scores, without 'paying for it' and without having an impact on their averages.  9 Members made the 'Cash List' with a very high cut line of 1011.  The 9-Tap Jackpot got tagged by Leon Pitcher, Sharon Balboa, Don Nagamine and Ellena Dominguez.  They all received $25 apiece for their 3 Taps.  The Jackpot now stands at $2,762.00!   Texas Station also sponsors a No-Tap 300 and Natural 300 award.  Originally, the No Tap 300 award was a $25 gift certificate to the Pro Shop.  However, the Pro Shop has changed ownership recently so that award needed to be changed.  Jerry Francomano, a manager of the bowling center, replaced it with a BIGGER AND BETTER PRIZE!  Since Alex Watanabe had a No-Tap 300 he was awarded a 30-day open bowling pass to any of the Station centers entitling him to 4 FREE games a day!  Depending on when you bowl and how much you want to bowl, this prize is worth over $450!  What an AWESOMEaward!  Thanks Jerry! 

Our 11 am squad got off to a slow start with only 9 bowlers taking part. Sammy Goss, Sunset Champion, posted a 1026 to take the Top Spot.  This score normally would be a Top 3 cash, however, on this longer shot, it did not hold up as Sammy finished in 5th at the end of the day.  Greg Mamac, our 2nd quarter champion and finishing in 3rd place, had a chance on his re-entry to post a potential winning set but needed a BIG final game to do it.  He fell short and posted a 1057 series cashing for $280.00.  Sharon Balboa posted her score of 1087 in the middle squad at 1pm and held the lead going into the last squad.  As per normal, the last squad of the day had the most entries taking aim at the leader.  One of those entries, was Ryan Bisnar.  Ryan was able to get 'dialed in' on the shot and storm past Sharon into 1st place with his INCREDIBLE 1126.  Sharon would hold onto second and bring home $315.00.  We heard Sharon did some online research on long oil patterns, apparently it paid off.  The newest Tour Champion would receive $900.00!  Congratulations to our Top 3 and to the entire field for making the day successful!

Ryan Bisnar, not to be confused with his brothers, Roland and Ric, joined the Tour on April 9th.  He has been bowling for 6 years, but took a breakfrom the game and only recently started bowling again six months ago.  Using a Storm Gravity ball drilled byK & K Bowling Services, Ryan commented that he was getting lucky but also felt being in the "zone".  He recalled some shots leaving him staring at a 7 - 10 split and somehow the 7 pin would "luckily" fall over giving him that No-Tap strike!  He was bowling with his sister,Ellena Dominguez and his brother Roland, both cheering him on to victory while secretly trying to beat him at the same time.  Ryan intends to buy more bowling equipment as the ball he used is quite old.  He also told us the 9-Tap Tour is the BEST local tournament in Las Vegas.  It would be difficult for us to disagree Ryan!  Congratulations on becoming the newest Tour Champion and the second sibling in the Bisnar family to wear the Blue Champion shirt!  

Next week the Tour is at a new location.  Wildfire Casino and Lanes, located at 4451 E Sunset Rd in Henderson.  Their phone number is 702-736-2695.  Intimate and small with just 18 lanes it is the perfect size for the Tour! So lets pack em in next week! Squad times are 12 Noon, 2:30 pm and 5 pm.