It has been said by some of our South Sound bowlers that Imperial Lanesin Seattle is too far for them to travel to...Tell that to Greg Hector(Moses Lake), Judy Buchanan & Ron Rice (Yakima) and Reuben Laloata (Friday Harbor) as it is a collective appx. 900 miles for them to travel round trip.  In fact, Mr. Hector had about a two hour wait on Snoqualmie Pass due to snow removal activities.  How about that for some dedicated bowlers?

 

While Donna Columbo, James Strand and Gary VanNess were all tied with 3-Taps and looking to take advantage of the new 'Ties Paid in Full', it was Tong Nguyen who spoiled the party as he was able to hit the front 4-Taps and took the $100.00 consolation prize for himself.  In doing so, Tong saved the 9-Tap Jackpot $50.00 as it again increased and now sits at $6,355.00 for our next Regular Tour Event at Bowlero Lanes in TWO WEEKS.  Remember, next week the Tour is at HiJoy Bowl in Port Orchard for our final Satellite Tournament of 2014.  The Satellite 9-Tap Jackpot stands at $1,571.00.

 

Saturday's visit to Imperial Lanes featured the popular 'Best 3 of 4' where bowlers get to throw out the worst game.  As the scores were right on target for this format ranging from 824 to a Cut-Line of 743, there were 19 on the Cash List.Divina Novelo, who was going for her 2nd Tour Title (her first was at Imperial), actually had the lead when the 2nd Squad came to a close as she fired an awesome 808!  Meanwhile, after her first three games, Kathy Johnson actually tied Divina by firing an808 of her own and was on a mission to fire an even bigger 4th game but came up short.  Unfortunatley for these two, an all Lady Tie for 1st Place was not in the cards as two other bowlers were 'In the Zone'.  The dual 808's by Divina and Kathy put them in a tie for 3rd place as both took home $339.00.   For Kathy, who has been trying hard to crack into the Top 10 in the 'Bowler of the Year' Standings, the 8th Top 10 this year will certainly help.  Additionally, this was Divina's 6th Top 10 of the year and adds to what has already been her best year on the Tour since rejoining in 2011.

 

This week's runner up is Gomer Braganza who shot an impressive 823, missing his 1st Title by "THAT ONE LOUSY PIN"!  Gomer joined the Tour in July and now has a 2nd Place to go with his previous best 3rd Place back in October.  The $950.00 pay day will help ease the pain of coming so close!  Great shooting, Gomer!

 

After THREE 2nd and FOUR 3rd Place finishes this year, this week's winner, Mark Hitchcock has claimed his 3rd Career Title and the coveted White Winner's Shirt.  With his last win coming at Secoma Lanes 18 months ago, Mark skipped his regular Saturday night league to bowl this week and it obviously paid off as he tossed an incredible 834 to take home a lofty $2,138.00check.  After winning, Mark said that he had earlier congratulated Will Cotton for his BIG lead in the 'Bowler of the Year' standings by what was thought to be an insurmountable margin.  Now, with Mark's HUGE win, the "insurmountable lead" is suddenly very reachable as the year winds down and into the last couple of chances to earn points.  Mark used his Track 'MX16' ball which was drilled byMatt Surina from Daffodil Bowl and says "Christmas comes early" when asked what his plans are for the 1st Place prize.  Mark wanted to thank Bob Berryman as the two of them had a short conversation before the Final Squad which motivated him into thinking to himself "I had a feeling that I was going to win this one."  Congratulations, Mark!