9-TAP TOUR RESULTS 2008

Champion Janae O'Nail

FInal 8

TOURNAMENT STORY

What a weekend!! 22 Finalists represented every skill level from 63 pins of handicap to a minus 11 pins. We rarely run the long oil pattern and many found it challenging, but most of the feedback was positive. Again, the weekend's Top Qualifier came from Saturday, with Mitch Vernon's 1050 hanging on for the $200 Bonus, the Hammer "Black-Widow Venom" and the 9-Tap Jacket. Gary King's 5-No Taps was good for $250 of Jackpot money. We owe great thanks to Paradise and it's Saturday "For Fun" league, who took the week off to accommodate our Tournament. Ironically, this weeks Miller/Venture Classic Champion, also bowls in that same "For Fun" league.

As the Brackets Finals worked it's way down to the Final Four, everyone could see an intriguing story developing. In the "Goliath" match, we had two 6-time Champions, both in the midst of a Hot Streak and both winning their last Titles within the last month. Mitch Vernon (one of our best bowlers) was competing with a -11 handicap and Tong Nguyen had only 4 pins. In the "David" match, we had two ladies, both original members of the Tour, who hadn't won a Title since 2004 and 2005 respectively. Sue Packman was bowling with 34 pins of handicap vs Janae O'Nail who bowled with 63 pins. Mitch had been in a groove all day and continued it with a solid victory to move into the Final Match. In the other semi-final match, 70 year old Janae won her match, though she and Sue both said they were pretty tired after so many games. That set up a Final Match of EXTREMES, with Mitch's 232 average (-11 pins hdcp) vs Janae's 153 average (+63).

Janae O'Nail threw an INCREDIBLE 230 game (293 w/hdcp) in that Final Match, to win her first Title in four years. All afternoon she was throwing the ball like she was suddenly 30 years old again, ripping off SCRATCH games of 251 & 257 in earlier matches. In one of those high scoring matches, against Bud Colee, she had a string of 9 straight strikes, winning 320 to 261(w/hdcp)! The large crowd that stayed, watched in amazement as Janae STEAMROLLED all of her compitition. Her closest match of the day, was her first match with Jose Guzman, that she won by ONLY 38 pins. However, Janae didn't get into the Progressive Pot. She was very happy with the $1105.00 of Prize Money, but did leave $779.00 in the Pro Pot, to carry over to next week. Janae used her Lane One "Buzz Legend" from Keith Boyd's Pro Shop at Paradise, for her win. She said she started bowling in High School in 1956. Her sons Jeff and Steven Wyatt usually bowl with her. Jeff was there to root her on Sunday and Janae said that Steven was a "Stinker" for being out playing golf. Her greatest compliment was for Mitch Vernon, who she said, was so nice to her, making her feel comfortable and she thought he was a real "Class Act"! CONGRATULATIONS Janae!!

Mitch may have finished in 2nd place, but made quite a haul for the weekend. $180 from the Scratch Pot, $200 Saturday Bonus, a Ball, a Jacket and $862.00 in 2nd place money. Tied for 3rd was Sue Packman and Tong Nguyen. All the semi-finalists decided, before their matches, to have the 3rd place Pro Pot money go to the highest 3rd place score. So, Tong took home $486,00 and Sue won $330.00.

Our THANKS to Venture Bank, Miller Beer, Paradise Village and the Saturday "For Fun" league.