We want to let all of our Bowlers at Skyway Saturday, to know how much we appreciate all of their patience.  The day started off with a malfunctioning Oil Machine, which didn't lay down the pattern correctly.  We knew right away that we were going to see some BIG SCORES.  The big surprise was that it ended up being such a fun change-of-pace, with numerous personal records being set. Many bowlers threw their first Tour 300 game, and many who didn't think they could shoot a large enough score to make the Cash List, DID.  A few good examples of the MANY storylines and contrasts at Skyway was our Octogenarian from Yakima,Judy Buchanan, turning in another big score for the 2nd week in-a-row, shooting an impressive 1033, while young Rosalee Ramirez (1003) cashed for her 1st time, and just 4 weeks short of her 'Due-Date'.  There were more than a DOZEN 300's shot throughout the day and we managed to video the final shot on 6 of them (videos above).  Skip Shear had the first 5-Taps to lead the way going into the last squad, then on a re-entry, he got 6-Taps (middle) in-a-row, only to get a real strike on #7 (see video above), leaving himself to take home the $250.00 Consolation for the 5-Taps.  Special recognition to Kenny Tameno who started his first game with a 9-Tap and then strung 11 REAL strikes for aUSBC "290 Honor Score" and Eric Phamfor coming close to another Natural 300, having the first 10 REAL Strikes.  We even had some Long distance guests bowling Saturday, Vince Ebbesen from St. Croix (Caribbean) and David Kaea (and Frances) from Hawaii.

 

Joe Fincher Jr became the Tours' latest 1st Time Champion on Saturday!  Most of the Tour Directors were in agreement all day that it would take an 1100 score to win on the conditions at Skyway.  But, who was going to step-up and pull it off?  We figured that it would be someone that we wouldn't expect and probably a bowler who didn't expect to be able to pull it offthemselves.  Joe 'stepped-up' with four solid games and finished with his biggest game of the day, for an 1102 series.  Joe is a Life Member who originally bowled on the Tour from 2002 to 2005, rejoining us in 2009.  His previous best score (that he just Topped by 40 pins) was when he was the Top Qualifier at Narrows Plaza in April.  As the Top Qualifier, he earned a new 900 GLOBAL'TRAIN', which is what he used to Win this weekends Tournament.  Scott Halverson at Paradise drilled the ball for him and Joe asked us to mention his THANKS to Scott and wife Julia who's often with him at the Tournaments.  Joe said that he'd use his $2,204.00 Winners Check for a family winter vacation and maybe some new equipment.  He's worked at Sysco Foods for 24 years and does his League bowling at Pacific, HiLine and Paradise.  CONGRATS Joe on Win #1!

 

Just 7 pins back of the leader with a 1095, Willie Downing came close to his 4th Tour Title.  His 2nd Place earnings of $1,081.00, pushes him past $11,000.00 in Career Winnings and almost exceeded what he earned in two of his prior Titles.  In 3rd Place,Alfredo Oriza was only ONE PIN back of 2nd Place and was also close to his 4th Championship.  Coincidentally, his $559.00check also pushes Alfredo past $11,000.00 in earnings.