Regional Tour RundownSix of the seven PBA Regions are in action this weekend, August 31-September 2. The South Region heads to Port Saint Lucie, Fla., for the Port Saint Lucie Open while the Central and Midwest Regions are in Battle Creek, Mich., for the Battle Creek Senior Open. The East Region will be in Pottsville, Pa., for the Bowlers Supply Senior Open and the Northwest and West Regions will be in Pacifica, Calif., for the Don Johnson Memorial Classic.
CongratulationsCongratulations to Wes Malott and wife, Maryiedth, who welcomed their second son into the world last Friday. Camden Reese Malott was born Friday, Aug. 24, at 6:20 p.m. and weighed 6 lbs. and 15 oz.
Allen Becomes the 36th MillionairePatrick Allen, the 2004-05 PBA Player of the Year, recently became the PBA’s 36th millionaire in just 260 events (including Denny’s PBA Tour and Regional Tour events), becoming the fourth fastest player to reach the mark. Allen, who earned $107,660 on the 2006-07 Denny’s PBA Tour, has topped the $100,000 mark the last four seasons, including $350,740 on the 2004-05 Tour.
Chris Barnes currently holds the record, accomplishing the feat in just 220 events while Jason Couch and Pete Weber are tied for second with 253 events.
PBA “Show Us Your Finish Work Video Contest” in its Final WeekThe PBA’s “Show Us Your Finish Work Video Contest,” a contest that started July 31, will give bowling fans the opportunity to submit their “finishing work” – their reaction or celebratory dance after throwing a shot – in order to be considered for a grand prize trip for two to any stop on the 2007-08 Denny’s PBA Tour, including VIP tickets to the ESPN telecast.
Bowling fans can enter the contest, which will run through the culmination of National Bowling Week on Aug. 30, by recording their finishing work at a local Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA) bowling center and submitting the video on
Bowlspace.com, bowling’s digital destination
For bowling fans that don’t have a way of recording their finishing work, a separate drawing for a prize pack from PBA product registered companies will also be available on
Bowlspace.com.
PBA Women’s Series Details RevealedThe PBA announced details of the 2007 PBA Women’s Series, a special four-event mini-season to take place during the 2007-08 Denny’s PBA Tour.
The 2007 PBA Women’s Series, which is sponsored by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC), marks the first opportunity for women to bowl on Tour since the Professional Women’s Bowling Association (PWBA) folded in 2003. The series will feature 16 women competing in four events which will run concurrently with four Denny’s PBA Tour events. All events will feature a $51,100 prize fund including a $10,000 top prize.
The four Women’s Series events will take place within a five-week period and will run concurrently with Denny’s PBA Tour events. The series will kick off with the Motor City Classic in Taylor, Mich., Oct. 31-Nov. 4, followed by the Etonic Championship in Cheektowaga, N.Y., Nov. 7-11, and the Lake County Indiana Classic presented by United Way in Merrillville, Ind., Nov. 14-18. After a one-week break, the women will return for the final event, the Great Lakes Classic in Wyoming, Mich., Nov. 28-Dec. 2.
The 16 women will bowl the same format as the men in each of the four events, which will feature a single elimination match play format. A practice session will be held Wednesday night from 4:30-6 p.m. for all bowlers competing in the events. Competition begins Thursday with the 16 women bowling two seven-game qualifying blocks from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-9 p.m. The top eight women will advance to match play, which takes place Friday with the best-of-seven games Round of 8 taking place at 2 p.m. and the best-of-seven Round of 4 at 7 p.m.
The final two women will advance to Sunday’s live ESPN televised championship round, with the women’s final match taking place after the two men’s semifinal matches. The winner will receive $10,000 with the runner-up taking home $6,000.
Apply for the PBA Junior Membership Program TodayApplications for the PBA Junior Membership Program are currently available for junior bowlers. The program, designed to give junior bowlers ages 17 and under the opportunity to receive exclusive offers from the PBA, costs just $25 annually.
Bowlers who participate in the Junior Membership Program will receive equipment discounts from select PBA product registered companies, exclusive e-mail news bulletins from the PBA, a monthly tip from some of the top bowlers from the Denny’s PBA Tour, a free PBA Yearbook, a free month of PBA Strikepass and a PBA Junior Membership card which will enable them to gain access to the official PBA Junior Membership home page on www.pba.com that contains exclusive online contests and promotions.
The application for the PBA Junior Membership Program can be found
here.
ESPN ClassicAn abbreviated week of PBA action on ESPN Classic begins Monday with Mike Aulby’s win in the 1993 Wichita Open. Don Johnson follows on Tuesday with his win in the 1970 Firestone Tournament of Champions while Bob Learn Jr. closes out the week with his title in the 1996 Flagship Open.
Below is the complete ESPN Classic schedule for this week:
ESPN CLASSIC AUGUST 27 – SEPTEMBER 2
| Day | | Event (Winner) | | Time |
| Monday, Aug. 27 | | 1993 Wichita Open (Mike Aulby) | | Noon – 1 p.m. |
| Tuesday, Aug. 28 | | 1970 Firestone T of C (Don Johnson) | | Noon – 1 p.m. |
| Friday, Aug. 31 | | 1996 Flagship Open (Bob Learn Jr.) | | Noon – 1 p.m. |
|
*All times Eastern.
BirthdaysAugust 27Amleto Monacelli – PBA Hall of Famer owns 19 career Denny’s PBA Tour titles.
Chris Warren – Finished 31st in the 2006-07 PBA World Point Rankings to regain an exemption on the 2007-08 Denny’s PBA Tour.
This Date in Denny’s PBA Tour HistoryAugust 281998Johnny Petraglia wins his first PBA title in 18 years as he defeats Avery LeBlanc in the title match of the 1998 Senior National Championship.
1966Johnny Petraglia not only wins his first Tour title at the 1966 Fort Smith Open, but also bowls his first 300 game in the tournament and wins the pro-am for his partner.
August 291977Bill Spigner becomes the third consecutive first-time champion on the Tour, topping Mark Roth by 361 pins to win the 1977 New England Open.
August 301983Les Zikes picks up his second career win at the Bertrand Lanes in Waukegan, Ill., defeating Johnny Petraglia, 258-168, at the 1983 Waukegan Open.
August 311982Larry Miller, an unheralded 52-year-old lane mechanic and part-time regional bowler, connects for a dramatic game-winning strike in the 10th frame of the semifinal match and a heroic tournament-winning strike in the final frame of the title game to claim the second annual PBA Senior Championship in Canton, Ohio.
September 11963Earl Johnson picks up his third Tour title of the year, knocking off Bill Hardwick for the 1963 San Diego PBA Open title.
September 22002Hugh Miller sets a PBA record for most years between first and most recent titles as he goes 22 years, 7 months and 2 days between his first career title and his 2002 Dream Bowl win in Shin Yokohama, Japan.