January 30, 2009

By: Mark Martin

Paul Koehler of Roseville won the Metro Detroit USBC Association Masters Tournament at Sterling Lanes in Sterling Heights Saturday when he defeated Kurt Pilon of Warren 744-724 to win the $3,500 first prize and the title. Pilon settled for the second place check of $1,800.

Koehler qualified fourth with 1,763. He remained undefeated with triumphs over Kevin Trumbull of Romulus 685-674, Jerome Jaracz of Clinton Township 767-679, Jeffery Hicks of Allen Park 696-658, Terence Haines II of Whitmore Lake 726-671 and Ernest Segura Jr. of Taylor 734-695 en route to the championship match.

This was Koehler’s fifth appearance at the Masters with his best finish as runner-up in 2008 at Cloverlanes to Kerry Kreft.

Koehler’s toiled for 12 years on the PBA Tour appearing on television twice. Ironically his best opportunity for a PBA title came in 2001 in the Peoria Open only to be beaten by Kurt Pilon so he exacted his revenge eight years later.

After qualifying last week Koehler tweaked his back shoveling snow and arrived at the bowling center Saturday morning stiff and sore. After winning his first two matches he had a two-hour break.

"At the break I went to Doug Evans’ home and got on his inversion board and when I got back to the bowling center Kevin Dembek got a hot patch for me. I couldn’t have gotten through today without their help." said the 39-year-old Koehler.

"Even though I’ve won seven PBA Regional titles this title ranks right up there with a major PBA Regional title. The bowlers in this market are among the best around as a group." he said.

Koehler will be moving back to Florida before next year’s Masters but will return to defend his title.

Pilon barely qualified 30^th with 1,615 and remained in the winner’s bracket with victories over David Kelley of Shelby Township 804-654, Matthew Randall of Allen Park 675-671 and William Daniels of St. Clair Shores 703-671 before falling to Segura738-700. Once in the loser’s bracket he knocked Jeffery Hicks out of the competition 676-655 then Michael Norris Jr. of Livonia 666-658 and Ernest Segura Jr. 783-733 before facing Koehler.

Segura qualified 10^th with 1,698. He remained in the winner’s bracket with wins over Chris Kliczinski of Livonia 747-589, Travis Franz of Waterford Township 728-702, Abed Daher of Brownstown Township 698-603 and Kurt Pilon of Warren 738-700 before losing to Koehler 734-695 and Pilon 783-733. Segura took home $1,000 and more importantly valuable all city points.

Norris qualified sixth with 1,727. In match play he lost his first match to William Daniels of St. Clair Shores 655-652 to fall into the loser’s bracket. Once in the loser’s bracket he beat Randy Warnken of Clinton Township 652-619, Jerome Jaracz of Clinton Township 778-522, Jay Lang of Sterling Heights 652-600, avenged his earlier defeat against Daniels 704-659, Christopher Sand of St. Clair Shores 783-773, Terence Haines II of Whitmore Lake 751-727 before falling to Pilon 666-658 to finish fourth for $800.

Bill Bruce of Howell was the top qualifier with a seven-game total of 1,801 on games of 279, 280, 235, 279, 258, 243 and 227. Once in match play he fell to the 32^nd seeded player Michael Gaddy of Sterling Heights 640-582 in the three-game match to fall into the loser’s bracket in the double elimination format. Once in the loser’s bracket he beat Christopher Nielson of Livonia 710-583, Travis Franz of Waterford Township 704-627, Matthew Randall of Allen Park 668-634 before falling to Jeffery Hicks of Allen Park 617-612. He took home $350 for his efforts.

Defending champion Kerry Kreft of Warren lost his first match to Terence Dockery of Fraser 747-597. He then beat Chris Kliczinski 740-546 before falling to Chris Sand of St. Clair Shores 718-703 to end his run at defending his title. Kreft earned $250.

Oakland County cashers included Bob Chamberlain Jr. of Holly and Travis Franz of Waterford Township for $250 each and Jason Battishill of Waterford Township for $200.

Next year’s event will be held at Rosebowl Lanes in Roseville.

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The Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour will feature the Don and Paula Carter Mixed Doubles Championship from the National Bowling Stadium in Reno. The taped telecast will be at 2 p.m. on Sunday on ESPN.

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HONOR SCORES

Jan. 19, Quincy Jones, Detroit, Plum Hollow Lanes, Providence Mixed

Jan. 20, Jeremy Weiss, West Bloomfield, Country Lanes, University Men

Jan. 20, Dwayne Griggs, Orion, 300 Bowl, Tuesday Shootout

Jan. 21, Larry Collins, Oak Park, Thunderbowl Lanes, Wednesday AM Mixed Doubles

Jan. 21, James Helmke, Highland, Ford Lanes, Ford Division Purchasing

Jan. 22, Brian Esper, Pontiac, Bonanza Lanes, AC Boosters

Jan. 23, Jerome Penxa Jr., Romeo, Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Jan. 23, David Ewald, Macomb, Hazel Park Bowl, Pepsi Classic

Jan. 23, Frank Tarala Jr., Sterling Hts., Fairlanes, St. Cletus Men’s

Jan. 23, Christopher Sallie, Madison Hts., Regal Lanes, Father Kramer K of C

Jan. 24, David Devoe, White Lake, Novi Bowl, Lucky Ones

Jan. 26, James Wiedeman, White Lake, 300 Bowl, Pontiac Community Mixed

Jan. 27, Dennis Abdoo, Davisburg, Cherry Hill North, Waterford Merchants

Jan. 27, Carl Schweitzer, Macomb, Bowl One Lanes, GM Men’s #1

Jan. 27, Donald Lawson Jr., Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, 300 Tuesday House

Jan. 13, Jeffrey Brown II (822), Southfield, Country Lanes, University Men

Jan. 16, Emmanuel Madden (833), Pontiac, 300 Bowl, Friday Morning Mixed

Jan. 21, Jeffery Shears (804), Clarkston, Airway Lanes, Wednesday Eagle League

Jan. 21, Larry Collins (806), Oak Park, Thunderbowl Lanes, Wednesday AM Mixed Doubles

Jan. 23, Gary Wodowski (821), Harrison Twp., Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Jan. 23, Thomas Landy (824), Sterling Hts., Bowl One Lanes, Bowl One Classic

Jan. 26, James Wiedeman (801), White Lake, 300 Bowl, Pontiac Community Mixed

Jan. 27, Jeffrey Austreng (832), Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Shootout

Jan. 27, Eric Gale (810), Commerce Twp., 300 Bowl, Tuesday Shootout

Jan. 27, Donald Lawson Jr. (824), Waterford Twp., 300 Bowl, 300 Tuesday House