WOW!  127 Entries squeezed into just 3 squads is a great way to start the New Year, and next week promises to be even BIGGER!  The Progressive Pot got a HUGE boost to become the 2nd largest Pot in FIVE years, and the largest since March 2008.  The boost to $2,884.00 insures that next weeks Champ, if fully in the Pot, could Top $2,500.00 and 2nd place will easily Top $1,000.00.  The scoring at Paradise was a little below the levels of our previous visits, but many Members managed to solve the puzzle that the conditions presented.  The net result was an extremely diverse Cash List, with all skill levels of our Members represented.  Again, we had bowlers reaching as many as 5 mid-game No-Taps in-a-row, but none getting to the seven.  Hye 'Sonny' Kim was the only bowler to string 4 Taps, so she earned the $100 Consolation, pushing the 9-Tap Jackpot to $8,984.00 for next week.

 

Our Paradise Champion, Carl Nichols, found that the "Third Time is a Charm"!  The Tour Rookie struggled in the 1st squad, improved a lot in the 2nd squad, and then decided to give it one more try in the 3rd.  Carl needed a BIG final game to pull it out, with the title still on the line right down to the 10th frame.  His strong finish nosed out two Veteran 'Life Members', finishing a mere 4 pins ahead of Curt Sanborn.  Carl drove down from north of Bellingham, where he bowls League twice a week, along with once a week in Mt. Vernon.  He only returned to bowling about a year ago, after he and his family of four, spent an enviable 5 years sailing the South Pacific all the way to New Zealand, covering over 30,000 miles.  He said, "He's glad to be back on land and bowling again."  After trying different lines and a few balls, he settled on his Columbia 'White Dot' drilled by his friend Bill Hoskins at his Right Angle Pro Shop.  Carl had $10 in the Progressive Pot, but was very happy with his $1,510.00 purse.  The $510 left to carry over in the Pot, combined with another $408 left by the 2nd place finisher, created the massive jump in the Progressive Pot for next week.  When Carl was asked for a comment, he said he was, "Impressed with the freindliness and supportive nature of all the Members."  CONGRATULATIONS Carl on Win #1.