Skyway Park Bowl hosted a very competitive and smooth running Tournament Saturday.  We appreciate the FABC League for their cooperation, starting a few hours late Saturday to accommodate the Tour.  A GREAT turnout of 143 Entries, saw some very nice scores, with a reachable cut-line of 899 and a close finish with several bowlers having a shot at the Leader going into the last game.  The 9-Tap Jackpot continued to grow this week ($9,316.00), thanks to the many strings of Taps, all coming to an end too early.  The Pot paid-out $450.00, shared by 3 Members each getting FOUR Taps.  Earl Kleist - Edgar Caindec - Roland Jarata, each took home $150.00 and ALL three also cashed in the Tournament.  One of Saturdays highlights, was a visit from Floor Director Nelson Sand.  It was very pleasant for all of us to see him doing so well after such a major surgery.  Nelson promised to be back on the job soon! 

 

The BIG ANNOUNCEMENT Saturday was that the New "Elite Division" of the Tour, will begin in January.  Dave Hansen(pictured) at the Pacific Lanes Pro Shop, has agreed to take the lead in managing the new Division, which will open the door for all the higher average (211+) bowlers, who haven't previously been able to bowl with the Tour.  The 'Elite' tournaments will usually be held on Sundays, separate from the regular Tour.  More details will follow soon.

 

Our Skyway Champion Roland Jarata, FINALLY won his 5th Career Title, after a 4 year Title drought (12/07).  Roland joined the Tour in 2002 and in his 10th year, his $2,115.00 payday boosts him into becoming only the 5th Tour Member in the very exclusive $20,000.00 CLUB.  Roland has had MUCH more success on the Tour than his $21,462.00 in Career Prize Moneyreflects.  That figure doesn't include the large sums he's earned from Brackets or High Game Pots and most importantly, it doesn't include his HUGE earnings from the 9-Tap Jackpot.  Roland still holds the record for the Largest Jackpot ever collected, when he won $5,613.00 in 2009, plus he's collected Thousands in Jackpot Consolations over the years, including another $150.00 he earned this week.  His 5th Career Championship also earns Roland the rare Gold Star Champions Jersey.  The secret for this win was consistency, with Roland shooting 4 good games, but no huge games for his 1038 total score.  The Tour is usually a Family Affair for the Jarata's, with wife Emma and son Ajay often bowling together.  Ajay also has a Title to his credit and he came within 4 pins of Cashing at Skyway himself.  Roland used an old Columbia 'WOW' drilled by Ed Dolfay at the Skyway Pro Shop and he gives Ed credit for helping him with his game, thanks to some recent private lessons.  CONGRATULATIONS Roland on ALL of the Milestones reached this week!!