First Time Champion. . . . 

After a good tournament at Hickam Bowling Center with 60 entries, paying 12 places; paid out $4,450.00 w/1st Place worth $1,065.00, our 9 Tap Tour tournament returned to Ft. Shafter Lanes for more excitement and great scoring.  We had 60 bowlers turnout at Ft. Shafter for the "Best 3 out of 4"  tournament w/80 entries, 16 cashers and paid out $5,717.00 w/1st Place worth $1,322.00.  Ft. Shafter's tournament history revealed that 50% or more 1st time winners won their title at Ft. Shafter.  This season, is no different.   

Ray Mendes was recruited by neighbor and fishing buddy, Willie Reyes Jr. and joinedthe 9 Tap Tour in July of 2016.  Since joining, Ray has been a staunch supporter of the 9 Tap Tour.  When Ray showed up at Ft. Shafter, his comment to me was, "I feel good today, I think I'm ready".  Well, after the smoke cleared at the end of the first squad,Ray set the bar "HIGH" by posting an 858 score.  He then left the bowling center to pick up another member, Sam Ooka, returned and bowled the third squad feeling all excited.  Darren Neizman showed up with a friend and asked what was the score to beat and remarked "I can beat that".  After starting with a mediocre first game score, he shot his first No Tap 300 and followed that up with a 231 score.  In his final game, he started with the front 5 but a split in the sixth frame did him in resulting in 2nd place with an 803 score.  Claudia Ferrari, shot her highest game on the tour, a 264 and finished in 3rd place.  Daniel Toyooka-Lim started the second game with 9 natural strikes and in the 10 frame left a ringing 7!  Daniel finished the tournament in 4th place. 

For Ray, it gave him his first title and $1,322.00.  He used a Storm I. Q. drilled by Roy Yamanuha of Game On Bowling Pro Shop at Ft. Shafter.  Ray was asked did he have any special plans for his winnings, his answer was, a plain "Yes",  Yes what!!  Ai! Portagee!  Congratulations, Ray on your first title!!! 

Progressive and 9 Tap Jackpot 

The 9 Tap Jackpot stands at $5,459.00 and the Progressive Pot increased to $1,404.00 because Claudia did not enter into the Progressive Pot, so the third place progressive pot monies goes back into the Pot.  There was a three way tie in the 9 Tap Jackpot as Randy Kaea-Cook, JJ Leopardas and Darren Neizman strung three no taps and got $25 each. Tell your friends and family about your tour, it will be “Fun and Exciting” this year.