August 14, 2009

By: Mark Martin

NATIONAL SENIOR BOWLING ASSOCIATION

Larry Walker of Garden City won the National Senior Bowling Association event at Colonial Lanes in Ann Arbor with a 279-231 triumph over Rick Vittone of Canada .

Walker, the high qualifier, took home the top check of $1,000 after advancing to the finals with victories over Ralph Jennings of Detroit 278-193, Steve Sears of Michigan Center 214-205 and Michael McCleskey of Southfield 279-269. Walker ’s victory over McCleskey was highlighted with three strikes in the 10^th frame to seal the win.

Vittone qualified 12^th. In match play he beat John Thomasma of Kalamazoo 230-218, Lance Williams of Sterling Heights 221-193, Michael Atkins of Pontiac 256-236 and Larry Franz of Redford 230-217 en route to the championship match. Vittone cashed for $500.

Michael Atkins and Phil Horowitz of West Bloomfield recorded 300 games during the competition.

Local bowlers who fared well were McCleskey for $260, Atkins $175, Jerry Owczarski of South Lyon $125, Rod Harling of Oak Park $125, Mark Hatchigian of Novi $100, Horowitz $100 and Dan Mayer of Waterford Township $100.

The next NSBA event will be Sept. 12 at Oak Lanes in Westland . For more information on the NSBA contact Phil Horowitz at (248) 489-1333, e-mail prh300@aol.com or visit www.nationalseniorbowling.com.

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WORLD SERIES OF BOWLING UPDATE

The first event of the PBA World Series of Bowling, the Cheetah Championship, at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park is underway and by the time you read this article will have been completed.

Mika Koivuniemi of Hartland, Jeffrey Roche of Dearborn and Thomas Smallwood of Saginaw qualified for match play in the Cheetah Championship but were eliminated before the finals. All earned $2,500 for their efforts.

John Nolen of Waterford Township ($1,500), Brian Waliczek of Birch Run ($1,400) and Mason Brantley of Detroit ($1,400) also cashed.

Many local bowlers participated in the Tournament Qualifying Rounds (TQR) in an effort to qualify for the main tournaments.

Action will continue this next week with the Viper Championship, Chameleon Championship and the Women’s Series.

Bowling will continue at Thunderbowl Lanes until Sept. 6. Make plans to go see the greatest bowlers in the world compete.

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HONOR SCORES

300 Games

Date, Name, Hometown, Center, League

Aug. 4, Mitch Jabczenski Sr., Novi, Woodland Lanes, Woodland Invitational Summer

Aug. 5, Michael Atkins, Pontiac, Airway Lanes, Some Are Angels

Aug. 6, Darin Flores, Novi, Plaza Lanes, Battle of the Sexes

Aug. 6, Robert Rowe, Troy , Regal Lanes, Thursday Sweeper

Aug. 8, Phil Horowitz, West Bloomfield , Colonial Lanes, National Senior Bowling Association

Aug. 8, Michael Atkins, Pontiac, Colonial Lanes, National Senior Bowling Association

Aug. 10, Darryl Paige, Southfield , Cherry Hill Lanes, Battle of the Sexes

800 Series

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

Aug. 6, Darin Flores (814), Novi, Plaza Lanes, Battle of the Sexes

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.