Mike Bumpus is the Tour's newest Champion, winning a hefty$2,959.00 and his first Title since joining in 2010.  Mike and wifeCheryl both made the Sunday Finals and could have gone head-to-head in the semi-final match, if she hadn't had a tough loss earlier, ending up in 9th.  Mike's story is another example of a lesson that we keep seeing over and over... "You NEVER know when you're going to get HOT".  Just last week at Skyway, Mike had his worst series since joining the Tour.  In frustration, he told Cheryl that he'd wasn't going to bowl on the Tour anymore.  Since Cheryl was doing well (6th Skyway), he agreed to give it another try at Daffodil.  After bowling quite a bit better on Saturday, he even re-entered on Sunday, getting into the Finals with a 972.  Then he got REALLY hot, winning 5 straight matches in the Finals, with the only close margin being the Championship match that he won by 9 pins.  A split in the 9th frame looked like it might derail his run, but he held on for a 261-252 victory.  Mike bowls league at HiLine and credits Pat Johns and the challenging conditions (sport shot), for helping to improve his game.  Mike used his HAMMER 'Epidemic', drilled by Pat, for his win.  The 10 year employee of United Parcel Service, was obviously proud of his Title, he was even prouder introducing his son Donnie, who leaves for the Navy on Monday.  CONGRATS Mike on Win #1!

   

In 2nd Place, Gina Jason came within 5 pins of being the #1 Qualifier and within 9 pins of winning the Title.  The split that Mike had in the 9th frame, was followed by a split from Gina in the 9th as well.  She still had a shot to win by striking out in the 10th, but came up just short.  She earned a healthy $1,293.00 for her efforts.  Tied for 3rd Place was James Black & Thang Duc Thai, who each won $561.00.  Both shot well in the Bracket Finals.  James dominated winning by 42, 32, & 36 pins until matching up with a Hot Mike Bumpus.  Thang also had several big games but closer margins, losing in the Semi's by just 7 pins.