SPECTACULAR weekend, GREAT turnout, BIG scores and numerous UNIQUE side stores, such as Mai-Lee Bowyer (daughter) and Steve Bowyer (dad) finishing with the Top 2 qualifying scores.  The unique postscript to that story, was after Steve posted his big score, he went to the Pro Shop and bought a new ball for Mai-Lee's birthday this week, then she wiped-out his score earning the HAMMER TABOO for being the Top Qualifier.  In another unique story, that couldn't have been scripted any better, the Tournament Champion credited Matt Surina (instructor) for some 'Tips' he received on Saturday at the Instructional Clinic, for making the difference in his run through the Finals.  The scoring was very competitive all weekend, with Cut-Scores staying in the 913 to 919 range except for one of the Saturday squads.  At the top end of the qualifier list, we had some great scores with NINE Finalists posting scores over 1000 to get in.  12 Finalists earned 'byes' for the 1st Round, needing a 988 or better to make it.  The $15,075.00 paid-out this week is the 11th time in the last TWELVE Tournaments we've topped $10,000.00 and the 2nd highest total of the year.  The assault on the 9-Tap Jackpot never materialized, but with EIGHT Members cashing in with just 3-Taps to start a game, we still paid-out $600 ($75 each).  Even without the Jackpot being hit this year, that still pushes the 2011 total paid from the Jackpot Consolation to a huge $10,175.00.  Both Pots remain Giant Sized for next week at Fort Lewis.

  The Memorial Weekend Tournament Champion Pat Govert, captured his 1st Tour Title in DRAMATIC fashion.  Pat had been a regular on the Tour since 2006, until he and wife Setsuko became "Snow Birds" and started spending their winters in Arizona.  He's done very well over the years, with TEN Top 10 finishes, but never putting it all together until this week.  The 'Tips' he picked-up at the Saturday Instructional Clinic, are what he credits with helping him in the Finals.  His Instructor, Matt Surina, was a proud observer watching Pat's march through the Finals, along with Matt's personal friends Stan Tappe and Bryan Minnig, who also had some success in the final rounds.  When Pat's not in Phoenix, he does his league bowling at Secoma Lanes, which is also where his Virtual Gravity was drilled that he used for his win.  He narrowly qualified with a 917, so with no 'byes' and the large number of Finalists, he needed to survive 7 rounds for the win.  Before the Championship Match, he said that he was "Out-of-Gas".  The adrenaline rush must have revitalized the soon to be 67 year old (Wednesday), who after a deflating split in the first frame, came back with strikes in the next 11 frames for a spectacular finish, in a match that was neck and neck until the 9th frame.  Also an AVID golfer and softball player, Pat plans to get a new set of golf clubs with his huge payday of $2,811.00 (maybe even enough left for a new bat).  He asked us to thank his good friends Leon Bemis, Irene Stadel and Mike Martin for being there and supporting him through the Finals.  CONGRATS Pat for finally getting Win #1.

  The scoring throughout the Finals was impressive.  Rob Richards had been on a roll with four HUGE games and was making that Final Match a real battle, until he was derailed by an 8-10 split in the 9th frame.  His 2nd Place check of $1,242.00, plus the $280 he won in the Scratch Pot, made for a very profitable weekend.  Our 3rd Place finishers Del Wiggins and Samson Ibale, both won some great matches on their way to the Semi-Finals, each taking home $596.00.  Del was edged by the eventual Champ 258 to 249, after some big games that included a 290 in the 4th Round.  Samson was coming off three straight big games, until he ran into Rob throwing a near perfect 287 against him.