February 22, 2008

 

By: Mark Martin

 

MDUSBC SENIOR MASTERS

 

Jim Burton of Novi held off two Detroit Bowling Hall of Famers in winning the MDUSBC Senior Masters title at Mayflower Lanes in Redford and taking home the top prize of $2,000.

 

After qualifying fourth with a six-game total of 1,438, Burton beat Terrence Kandes of New Boston 448-439, James Lauricella of Sterling Heights 482-450 and John Masiello of Southgate 495-443. He then sent Hall of Famers David Bernhardt of Bruce Township 426-308 and Larry Walker of Garden City 459-387 to the loser’s bracket in the two-game total pins matches. He then just had to wait for someone to emerge.

 

In the finals Walker beat Burton 510-470 to give both players a loss in the double elimination format. Burton then came back to beat Walker 502-393 after jumping out to a 74-pin lead after the first game 278-204 for the championship.

 

Burton averaged 236.1 for 18 games of competition.

 

“I can’t believe it, it’s a miracle.” said Burton . “It’s like the perfect storm, nobody threw a big string of strikes against me except Walker in the next to last match.”

 

“I’ve been bowling well for the past 9-10 months, winning the National Senior Bowling Association three straight months.” he continued. “I got a tip from fellow competitor Ron LeChevalier about my armswing and have become more consistent since then.”

 

Walker qualified 19th with 1,370. He beat Roderick Bryant of Oak Park 482-409, 2005 Senior Masters Champion Edwin Austreng of Waterford Township 468-457, Charles Novak of New Baltimore 508-408 and Harold Sullins 459-458 to advance to the finals of the winner’s bracket before losing to Burton the first time 459-387. Walker settled for $1,500.

 

Bernhardt qualified eighth with a six-game total of 1,404. In match play he beat Edward Dudek of Livonia 437-407, Ronald Burgess of Plymouth 502-469 and John Ruggiero III of Belleville 456-433 before losing to Burton 426-308. In the lower bracket Bernhardt beat Charles Novak of New Baltimore 483-425 and Harold Sullins of Chesterfield 478-470 before being eliminated by Walker 463-395. He settled for the third place prize of $1,000.

 

Sullins qualified second with 1,487 and beat George (Mike) Lee of Dearborn Heights 417-318, Jimmy Magolan of Sterling Heights 525-493 and Daniel Mytty of Livonia 457-436 before losing to Walker 459-458. In the loser’s bracket Sullins beat George Humphry of Grosse Pointe Farms 421-419 before falling to Bernhardt 478-470. He averaged 235.3 and took home $750..

 

In match play Terry Hockstad of Utica and Michael Lucente of Warren recorded 300 games.

 

Humphry shot 299 in match play however lost the next match and was eliminated from the competition averaging 236.8 and settling for $500 as the fifth place finisher.

 

Charles Novak of New Baltimore finished sixth for $500 and averaged 225.8.

 

Roderick Bryant of Oak Park ended up seventh picking up $400 after averaging 236.4.

 

Top qualifier John Ruggiero III of Belleville finished eighth averaging 233 and taking home $400.

 

Ernie Segura Sr. of Brownstown won the Super Senior competition for non-qualifiers 60 years of age and over. He defeated Nick Beelaard of Windsor 256-195 for the title. He won $150 for his efforts and Beelaard walked away with a check for $125.

 

Sponsors of the MDUSBC Senior Masters are Turbo 2-N-1 Grips, Red Robin Restaurants of Michigan , Ansara's Big Boy Restaurants, Mayflower Lanes and Eastown Printing.

 

The MDUSBC Senior Masters Tournament is an USBC certified event operated by the Metro Detroit USBC Association, the largest local association of the United States Bowling Congress with more than 70,000 members.

 

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HONOR SCORES

300 Games

Date, Name, Hometown, Center, League

Feb. 5, Rick Flatt, Troy , Thunderbowl Lanes, Detroit All Star Classic

Feb. 12, Byron Reams, Detroit , Plum Hollow Lanes, Tuesday Mixed Foursome

Feb. 12, Corey Miller, Grand Blanc, 300 Bowl, Tuesday Shootout

Feb. 12, Jeffrey Austreng, Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Shootout

Feb. 14, Raymond Kujawa, Swartz Creek, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Waterford Men’s

Feb. 14, Gregory Bono, Bloomfield Hills, Astro Lanes, Thursday Night Men’s

Feb. 14, Donald Durant, Rochester Hills, Clawson Troy Elks, Thursday Night Men’s

Feb. 14, Matthew Fowler, White Lake , Century Bowl, Thursday Men’s House

Feb. 15, Ronald Chalou, Warren , Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Feb. 15, Ronald Johnson, Pontiac , 300 Bowl, Friday Morning Mixed

Feb. 16, Larry Foote, Detroit , Hazel Park Bowl, Hamtramck Singles Classic

Feb. 16, Michael Frick, Warren, Astro Lanes, Gutter Dusters

Feb. 18, Joseph Caretti, Madison Hts., Detroit Athletic Club, Monday 6 p.m.

Feb. 19, Branden Dale, Eastpointe, Hazel Park Bowl, Tuesday Classic Trio

 

 

 

 

800 Series

Date, Name (Score), Hometown, Center, League

Feb. 12, Samuel Emmi (825), Ferndale , Sunnybrook Lanes, Corpus Christi

Feb. 13, Donald Haywood (806), Detroit , Hazel Park Bowl, Satellite Mixed

Feb. 14, Raymond Kujawa (812), Swartz Creek, Cherry Hill Lanes North, Waterford Men’s

Feb. 14, Floyd Speer (813), Waterford Twp., Century Bowl, Thursday Men’s House

Feb. 14, Travis Franz (806), Waterford Twp., Century Bowl, Thursday Men’s House

Feb. 18, Eric Tulley (834), Southfield , Taylor Lanes, Detroit Metro Airport

Feb. 19, Branden Dale (859), Eastpointe, Hazel Park Bowl, Tuesday Classic Trio

 

 

Mark Martin writes a weekly bowling column for The Daily Oakland Press and is the association manager of the Metro Detroit USBC Association. He can be reached at (248) 443-2695, faxed at (248) 443-2690 or e-mailed at mark.martin@mdusbc.com.