Returning to Daffodil this weekend brought some fun, excitement and the unknown.  As usual the fun is how am i going to bowl this weekend, excitement as always is the Jackpot going to be hit this weekend, could we see a possible THREE-PEAT Winner, and the big unknown of the brand new oil machine used this weekend.  Lets start with the big unknown, our Tour pattern was copied into the new machine, but it's all the new variables that we had no idea how it would play.  The Tour always tries to put out a fair but competitive pattern out each week for an enjoyable experience for all skill levels.  Well the scores don't lie, we hit the sweet spot this weekend.  One 1000 series was shot in each squad and a low to cash of 900.  Perfect!!!!.  With a strong 1039 series shot in the first squad, the race was on.  The 2nd squad produced a close call with a 1027, but that fell short thanks to one bad game.  With the Jackpot at $7,891.00 and bowlers repeatedly getting close to that magical Front-7 Taps, we expected big things this weekend.  The Pot was hit for $500.00 again this week, but the 'hard way'.  We had an unreal number of Front-3 Taps hit, with 10 players each picking up $50.00 each.  Next week at Secoma Lanes should be interesting again with the 9-Tap Jackpot still at a very high $7,785.00.    

For the first-time in the Tour's 19 year history, we had a Three-Peat Champion Matt McLaughin!  After shooting an 811 series in the 2nd squad and knowing that he can't make the next Tourney at Secoma (Rob claimed he was gonna BAN him anyway! lol), Matt decided he would re-enter in the last squad.  Matt just settled in and shot well, but by his 4th game he still needed his high game of the day to pull out a Win.  After starting that last game slowly, he needed to strike out in the his final FIVE frames to do it.  Matt stayed calm and finished in true Champion style, ripping-off the needed strikes to finish with great 1045 series.  Using his Motive Affliction, drilled by Derek Handy, Matt cleared out his first entry blues and pulled out the narrow SIX-PIN Victory. Despite his struggles in his first 12 Tour entries and losing a record 44 pins hdcp per entry in just the last two weeks, Matt persevered.  He's a terrific example that you can reverse those early struggles and turn it into a Hot Streak, if you stick with it!  His third victory brings him home another great payday of $2,101.00.   

 

Leading after the first and second squad, "Hall of Famer", Tong Nguyen takes 2nd place.  After winning in October at Bowlero-Lynnwood, Tong was well on his way to his thirteenth title.  Shooting a nice 1039 series right out of gate in the morning squad, Tong placed that great big target on his back.  You could see him pacing back and forth all day watching the action, and hoping his score would hold up.  What probably derailed him was his 168 scratch second game.  The "Legend" brings home a hefty $940.00 check. 

Trying for her second Tour Title and finishing in 3rd Place this week is Michelle Kornagay.  Firing off a very nice series of 1027 in the second squad, Michelle's final game of 188, kept her from the winners circle this time.  Just 4 pins shy of her Personal Best series, Michelle did beat her highest scratch score by 4 pins. With her third place victory Michelle cashes in at $477.00.