PWBA: Dallas Open: Dallas Open champion Dorin-Ballard enjoys a sweet homecoming - Pro Tour Results

Bowling Digest, Dec, 2002

Carolyn Dorin-Ballard defeated Tiffany Stanbrough, 223-184, to claim the $10,000 Dallas Open title and earn her first victory of the 2002 season.

"This is a special win for me," said Dorin-Ballard. "The people of this area have always treated me like one of their own. They really have made me feel like I am one of the family."

A resident of North Richland Hills, Texas, Dorin-Ballard came into the tournament finals as the event's top seed. During the 42-game preliminaries, she amassed a 215.90 average, a 9,518 pinfall, and a 15-9-0 matchplay record.

In the title match, Dorin-Ballard came out red-hot and struck in the first five frames, while Stanbrough could only register two strikes and three spares. The defending champion broke the match open in the 6th frame after Stanbrough failed to pick up a 3-7-9 split, putting the lefthander behind by 55 pins. "Even though Carolyn was off to a great start, I kept telling myself to hang in there. In any given frame, a match can turn around," Stanbrough said.

Following the 6th, Stanbrough marked the rest of the way. However, Dorin-Ballard proved to be too tough and never let the lefty pull closer than 38 pins. "Tiffany is very talented," Dorin-Ballard said. "She's capable of putting strings of strikes together, so I wasn't going to take anything for granted until the match was over."

Stanbrough, who was the No. 2 seed, earned her place in the finals by defeating Liz Johnson in the semifinals, 194-167. Johnson won the opening shootout, 220-212-159, over Kim Terrell and Leanne Barrette.

Dallas Open
July 19, 2002
Don Carter's All-Star West, Dallas

Rank, Name                 Avg./Games   Winnings

1, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard     223/1       $10,000
2. Tiffany Stanbrough        189/2         5,500
3. Liz Johnson              193.5/2        3,800
4. Kim Terrell               159/1         3,000
5. Leanne Barrette           212/1         2,500

               Championship Finals

Match 1       Johnson def. Terrell        220-212
              Johnson def. Barrette       220-159
Match 2      Stanbrough def. Johnson      194-167
Final     Dorin-Ballard def. Stanbrough   223-184