Healey finally gets his second title

Bowling Digest, Spring, 2004

Patrick Healey Jr. struck in five of the first six frames en route to a 235-214 title victory over Ryan Shafer in the PBA Geico Open at AMF Babylon Lanes.

Sharer, who was looking to become the first back-to-back titlist since Walter Ray Williams Jr. accomplished the feat in 2000, couldn't keep up with Healey. Previous to his win, Healey was just 1-4 with a 213.80 average in championship games, with his lone win coming last year in the PBA Greater Kansas City Classic.

However, Healey didn't let that get to him as he struck in the 8th and 9th frames to close out Sharer.

"I knew I would be in it because I had exceptional ball reaction," said Healey, who won $40,000. "I made a ball change before my first match with Jeff [Lizzi] and that was the difference for me today."

Shafer, who won $20,000, toppled leading Rookie of the Year candidate Chris Johnson in the first semifinal, 245-244. Johnson struck in the first six frames, but left the 7-10 split to give Shafer hope.

That was all the room Sharer needed as he struck in his next four frames and edged out Johnson to win the match and advance to the championship.

Healey also started off his semifinal match with Lizzi with six strikes before leaving a 4-pin in the 7th frame. Lizzi stood no chance, throwing just three strikes the entire match as Healey won, 259-184.

To make it to the semifinals, Lizzi threw two strikes in the 10th frame of the wild card match and closed out local favorite Tommy Delutz Jr., 227-222.

Lizzi and Johnson both earned $10,000 for their third-place finishes while Delutz won $9,000 for finishing fifth.

Geico Open
November 30, 2003
AMF Babylon Lanes, West Babylon, N.Y.

Rank, Name              Avg./Games   Earnings

1. Patrick Healey Jr.     247/2      $40,000
2. Ryan Shafer           229.5/2      20,000
3. Jeff Lizzi            205.5/2      10,000
3. Chris Johnson          244/1       10,000
5. Tommy Dolutz Jr.       222/1        9,000

           Championship Finals

Wild Card   Lizzi def. Delutz     227-222
Semifinal   Shafer def. Johnson   245-244
Semifinal   Healey def. Lizzi     259-184
Final       Healey def. Shafer    235-214