A GREAT competition all weekend was the result of very moderate scoring during Qualifying and tight matches during the Finals.  The scores were so moderate, that only 3 bowlers topped 1000 during Qualifying.  The best example of the close Final matches was when both Semi-Finals came down to 10th frame shots before being decided.  Mick Hodge's 1044 shot Saturday, held up to earn him ALL the Top Qualifier bounty, including the 900 Global 'Rip-It', and that was only the beginning.  The 9-Tap Jackpot even got off easy, with 3 Members getting the front 4-Taps, Jerry Clark, Ken Seaton & Pen Hagen.

 

For the 2nd straight 2-Day Tournament, the Top Qualifier made it a 'Clean Sweep' by also winning the Tournament!  Champion Mick Hodge pulled off the rare feat after also experiencing the other side of the story.  Mick was the Top Q. three years ago, also at Narrows, but got bumped after his first game that day.  This time he was the last bowler standing, but he had to survive some close matches to get there.  The 'Ironic Twist', is that the ball Mick used for this Win, was the Hammer 'Plague' that he won 3 years ago, the last time he was the Top Qualifier.  Mick joined the Tour in 2002 and becomes the second straight Original Tour Member (Membership #22) to capture a Title, after Samson (#11) won the last one at West Seattle.  Mick's wife Stephanie, also a Tour Member, was at Narrows Saturday to cheer him on.  One of the novel uses Mick has planned for his $1,968.00 winners share, is to upgrade his cell phone.  CONGRATS Mick!

 

Another 'Rare Feat' saw Ken Seaton finish in 2nd Place, for the 2nd straight Tournament.  After just reaching the $10,000.00 Club, he now has another$892.00 to add to his Career total.  In 3rd Place, Pen Hagen & L.C. Cofieldboth came within their 10th frames of making the Final.  L.C. had a first round Bye thanks to having the High Qualifying score on Sunday. Pen also had a Bye from having the Top Score in the 3rd squad Saturday.  They each got a nice $392.00 check for their efforts.