It's rare that we add a 10:00 AM Squad but for some, the decision turned out to be a good one as the Tour returned to Pacific Lanes on Saturday.  The addition of the early squad due to a limited number of available lanes for our final squad brought out a somewhat surprising and record number of bowlers for a 10:00 squad.  This early squad wound up producing the 2nd & 3rd Place finishers for the day and amazingly the range of Cash List scores (828/709) were nearly identical to those from our last Best '3 of 4' Tournament at Pacific (825/705).  

 

The 9-Tap Jackpot was not hit as the highest number of Taps to start a game was 4 by two different bowlers Bronson Etse & Paul Bitzer, each earning $50.00.  With the 'Middle 7' now up for grabs, no less than five bowlers made serious attacks at the available $500.00.  Among the five were Rollie Abella, Donna Columbo, Bob Graeff, Eric Pope & Bill Jones each hitting 6 of 7 with Jones simply running out of frames on his attempt.  Graeff, who returned to the Tour after a nearly decade-long hiatus also shot a 722, unknowingly missing the 'Mystery Score' of 723 by ONE pin which would have won him the Mariners jersey that has been up for grabs for three weeks now.  Pope, who had hit 6 consecutive 9-Taps then a real strike to break his string, was completely caught off guard when Rob told him that had he gotten the 7th tap, he would have taken the $500.00 saying "I didn't know that".  The 9-Tap Jackpot now creeps above the $5,000.00 mark to $5,245.00 for next week at Daffodil Bowl.

 

For the day there were 102 Entries with 20 bowlers making the Cash List.  Gomer Braganza, who joined the Tour in July finished in 3rd Place, firing a 798 also taking 3 of the 4 high game pots in the 'Earlybird'10:00 Squad.  This was Braganza's best finish so far after previously posting two Top 10 finishes.  Shane Thompson, also from the "Earlybird' Squad, came out firing!  He shot his career best 283 scratch in the very 1st game and wound up finishing 2nd overall for the day with an outstanding 814 and takes home $799.00.  Shane joined the Tour in May and with two other Top 10 finishes, this is his best finish yet!

 

It's safe to say that Bronson Etse has arrived on the Tour!  Shooting avery impressive and career best 828, the Army First Sergeant from Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) becomes the 18th First-Time Champ of 2014.  After lining himself in his earlier entry, he got incredibly HOT in the2:00 Squad then finished like a True Champ with a Personal Best 290 game.  In addition to winning FOUR high game pots over two-squad stretch along with the aformentioned 9-tap consolation, Etse takes home the top prize for the day, a check for $1,747.00.  He used his Storm "HyRoad' ball which was drilled by Dave at the Fort Lewis Pro Shop.  Bronson stated "I look forward to every Saturday and bowling with the Tour."  When talking to Etse in preparation for this newsletter it was hard to keep him focused as he was extremely excited about his win saying "It's not about the money, I wanted the winner's jersey!"  He wanted to specifically thank two of his fellow bowlers, Paul Bitzer and Tony Eigenseher for rooting him on, stating that Paul talked him in to "slowing down my ball speed" and then he said "It was ON from there!"  Bronson wanted to especially thank his three biggest fans (and sons) 11-yr old Bronson, Jr. (BJ), and 7-yr old twins Brandon & Brendon.  "The boys (who are usually here to cheer me on) kept calling me, asking how I was doing.  I think they are happier than me for the win and wouldn't stop high fiving me when I got home."  With his winnings, Bronson plans to spend much of it on equipment for his family and their new favorite thing to do, "Go Bowling!"

 

Congrats on your First Win, Bronson!