Pro Tour Results - bowling

Bowling Digest, June, 2000

PBA: Orleans Casino Open

Shafer hits the jackpot in Vegas for his first PBA title

The PBA has been going to Las Vegas for more than four decades, but its first appearance at the Orleans Hotel, Casino and Bowling Center proved to be rejuvenating for another longtime fixture of the tour. Ryan Shafer, a 14-year PBA veteran, responded to the new venue with a 211-202 defeat of Mike Aulby that brought him the first title of his career.

"That monkey on my back was getting old and heavy--I'm a lot lighter now that he's finally gone," Shafer said. "The greatest part of all this is that my parents will be able to come watch me bowl at the Tournament of Champions."

Shafer got on top quickly in the title match, opening with a double while Aulby struck and then left a 6-8 split in the 2nd frame, which he failed to convert. Shafer spared in the 3rd, then struck twice and spared again to maintain his lead. That's when he opened a door for Aulby by leaving a 4-7-10 split in the 7th, which resulted in an open frame of his own. However, he kept his cool, and when Aulby settled for a single-pin spare in the 9th, Shafer was able to clinch the championship with a spare and an eight-count in the 10th.

The Orleans Casino Open January 16-21,2000 The Orleans Hotel, Casino and Bowling Center, Las Vegas

Name                  Avg./Games   Winnings

1. Ryan Shafer          211.0/1    $25,000
2. Mike Aulby           218.5/2     13,000
3. Doug Kent            231.0/1      7,500
4. Chris Barnes         238.5/2      6,000
5. Pete Weber           257.0/1      5,000
6. Wayne Webb           209.5/2      4,500
7. Bryan Goebel         198.0/1      4,000
8. Michael Tryniski     189.0/1      3,500
Championship Finals

Match 1   Webb def. Goebel     228-198
          Webb def. Tryniski   228-189

Match 2   Barnes def. Weber    260-257
          Barnes def. Webb     260-191

Match 3   Aulby def. Kent      235-231
          Aulby def. Barnes    235-217

Final     Shafer def. Aulby    211-202

PBA: ProSource Don Carter Classic

Duke outduels Jaros to win in Dallas by a single pin

Steve Jaros did almost everything he could to win the ProSource Don Carter Classic, leading every round of play until the 10th frame of the title match, but in the end Norm Duke walked away with a 267-266 win. It was the 17th career win for the 1994 player of the year, and his first since November 1998.

"I've been trying to win in Dallas for about 19 years, but I've never bowled well in front of my family and friends," said Duke, a native Texan who now lives in Florida. "I bowled in this center as a kid, and to win today means more to me than even I realize at this moment. I always felt like I let everyone down when they would come out to watch me bowl in Dallas, but not this year."

Neither player gave an inch in the championship game, which began with a pair of matching six-baggers. Duke actually faltered first, notching single-pin spares in the 7th and 8th frame before busting the rack in the 9th. Jaros spared in the 7th as well, then doubled in the 8th and 9th. Strikes on his first two balls in the 10th would have sealed the win; he struck on his first ball, but on his second he left a 6-10 combination--and then picked up only the 6-pin on his next shot. That left Duke the chance to win with a double and a nine-count, and that's exactly what he got.

ProSource Don Carter Classic January 25-30, 2000 Don Carter's All Star Lanes, Dallas

Name               Avg./Games   Winnings

1. Norm Duke        246.0/2      $20,000
2. Steve Jaros      266.0/1       10,500
3. Mark Scroggins   217.0/1        7,000
4. Chris Barnes     223.5/2        5,500
5. Steve Hoskins    237.5/2        4,500
6. Pete McCordic    190.0/1        4,000
7. Wayne Webb       211.0/1        3,500
8. Eric Forkel      207.0/1        3,000
Championship Finals

Match 1   Hoskins def. Webb       237-211
          Hoskins def. Forkel     237-207

Match 2   Barnes def. McCordic    238-190(*)
          Hoskins def. McCordic   238-190(*)

Match 3   Duke def. Scroggins     225-217
          Duke def. Barnes        225-209

Final     Duke def. Jaros         267-266

(*) Barnes def. Hoskins 10-9 in a one-shot rolloff.

PBA: ABC Senior Masters

Soutar starts the new century with some new history

Dave Soutar's 236-192 victory over Donald Breihan in the ABC Senior Masters did more than just give him the first Senior tour win of the 21st century. It also allowed him to take his place in the history books alongside fellow PBA and ABC Hall-of-Famer Dick Weber as the only pro bowlers to win PBA titles in five different decades. In addition, Soutar became the first player ever to win the ABC Masters (in 1973) and the ABC Senior Masters.

"I felt much better bowling today--my confidence was high," Soutar said. "I knew if I just went out there today and threw the ball well, good things would happen."

Soutar had a bull's-eye on the 1-3 pocket from the get-go. He rolled seven strikes in the match, otherwise converting single-pin spares in the 4th, 7th, 8th, and 10th frames. Breihan, on the other hand, never seemed to get lined up. He opened only once, in the 6th frame, but left two 3-5-6-9 buckets and managed but one double for the entire game.