Curiosity was probably the main ingredient which brought Tour Members from as far away as Yakima, Wenatchee, Blaine, Bellingham, and even further as Rob White & Lisa Ohm came all the way up from Arizona. What was the curiosity about, you ask? The answer was in the scores Saturday as The Tour and Narrows Plaza Bowl provided a 'House Shot' which had been asked for by many Tour Members over the past couple of years. As it turns out, Thank Goodness that the scores will not count against averages because many bowler averages would have gotten clobbered this weekend! As was fairly predictable & advertised, Saturday was a complete Shootout providing The Tour with The Highest Scoring Tournament EVER! Highest Cut-Line EVER at 1060! Had the Most 1100's EVER at 10! In addition to all of the mayhem, it was thought that the 9-Tap Jackpot might be in danger this week as well...This was one prediction that failed to come true as for the first time EVER, we entered the Final game of the Final Squad without even having a qualifier for the minimum 3-Taps to get the Consolation prize. It is estimated that throughout the day approximately 30-35 bowlers started a game with two taps only to somehow miss or get a real strike in the 3rd frame. It all came down to one of the last 4 or 5 bowlers of the day and, in the end, it was James Strand who pulled off a minor miracle by not only hitting the front 3-Taps so late in the day, but adding a 4th for good measure and taking home the consolation of $100.00. The 9-Tap Jackpot for next week at West Seattle Bowl makes a solid jump to $4,711.00 while the Progressive Pot also takes a healthy leap and is over $2,000.00 for the first time in a few weeks at $2,221.00.

Donna Columbo continued her amazing Hot Streak as she fired an 1143, grasping her THIRD 3rd Place finish since August and yet another close call in an obvious determined effort to get her first win. Speaking of Hot Streaks, Patrick Dennis finished in 2nd place, 11 pins shy of his 2nd win in as many weeks. Before he started bowling Saturday, a confident Patrick said that he was going "Where no man has gone before" and nearly did!

 

This week's Champion Leon Bemis had some bold predictions of his own long before the week even started as he had mentioned on several occasions that he was "Going to Win at Narrows!"  We're not really sure if Leon has ties to Nostradamus and his ability to predict but the 81-year old's ability to bowl is not in question as he has been on fire as of late.  With the win and $1,451.00 in earnings, Mr. Bemis now makes his way into the $20,000 Club as he had been on that doorstep for quite awhile.  This is Leon's 6th Career Title but his first in THREE years.  Leon shot 1181 (includingtwo 300 games) during the 1st Squad and then with all of the big scores on the day, had to wait some 6 1/2 hours to see if his score would hold.   Leon said that he primarily used his Storm 'Tropical Heat' ball drilled by Robert Kelly from Secoma Lanes and says that he was absolutely "worn out" in his last game and thanks his regular Tour bowling partner, Stu Gallagher for his support and also Donna Columbo who bowled with him as well and because she was doing so well it kept him focused.  Leon is super excited about this win and said that he could not wait until this Newsletter was posted so that he could share it with his son, Mike in Indiana.  Congrats & WAY TO GO, LEON!!!