Senior PBA: Jackson Open: Couture closes the Senior season by becoming its only two-time winner - Pro Tour Results

Bowling Digest, Dec, 2002

Pete Couture captured his ninth PBA Senior title in the PBA Senior Jackson Open at Airport Lanes in Jackson, Mich. Couture defeated rookie Vince Mazzanti Jr. in a best-of-three series finals, 2-1 (223-232, 205-194, 232-214), and took home the $8,000 first prize. "All wins are special," the 57-year-old said. "And as you get older, they get more rare, so they become even more special."

Entering match play as the 22nd seed, Couture quietly moved through the bracket to claim an entry into the final four. In match play, Couture eliminated four-time senior winner Ron Winger (3-1), Hall-of-Famer Mark Roth (3-1), and John Milletics (3-0) to move into the semifinals. "At first I wasn't too crazy about this match-play format, but as it turns out, it has been very good for me," Couture said. "For some reason, I was uncommonly relaxed all week. I usually let a lot of outside things bother me, but I just kind of let things happen and everything worked out."

In the first round of the semifinals, the five-time PBA champion faced three-time winner Bob Chamberlain. In the first game of a best-of-three series, Chamberlain left the 3-6-10 combination and Couture won, 217-216.

The second game got off to a tough start for Couture when he left the 3-6-7-10 split and opened on the 1st frame. But he filled the rest of the frames and eliminated Chamberlain, 201-197. In the championship, Couture faced Mazzanti, who had defeated Steve Neff in the semifinals, 2-0 (222-202 and 258-247).

Couture left the 7-10 in the 10th frame and Mazzanti won the first game, 232-223. In the second game, Mazzanti started with an open frame and Couture held the advantage throughout, edging Mazzanti, 205-194.

With the title on the line, the third game was a battle until the final two frames. Both Couture and Mazzanti left open frames (Couture in the 3rd, leaving the 4-6-7-10; Mazzanti in the 5th, leaving the 6-8). In the 9th frame, Couture had the chance to seal the victory but left the 3-610, giving Mazzanti a chance to claim his first championship. However, Mazzanti responded by leaving the 10-pin in both the 9th and 10th frames. Couture struck in the 10th to claim a 232-214 victory. "Vince is a very tough competitor," Couture said. "He's going to get his share of wins--just not tonight."

This was Couture's second senior title of the season--he also won the ABC Masters--making him the first and only two-time winner on the Senior tour in 2002.

Mazzanti's appearance in the finals was his highest finish of the year. With two seventh-place finishes and his showing in this event, he secured a bid for PBA Senior Rookie of the Year. "This was exciting," Mazzanti said. "When everything's going right, you just get on the roller coaster and ride, and that's what I did."

Jackson Open
August 28, 2002
Airport Lanes, Jackson, Mich.

Name                    Avg./Games   Winnings

1. Pete Couture          215.6/5       $8,000
2. Vince Mazzanti Jr.     224/5         4,500
3. Steve Neff            224.5/2        3,200
3. Bob Chamberlain       206.5/2        3,200

                Championship Finals

Semifinals   Couture def. Chamberlain     2-0
Semifinals   Mazzanti Jr. def. Neff       2-0
Finals       Couture def. Mazzanti, Jr.   2-1