One of the pleasant extra benefits of the 'Best 3 of 4' format, is the large numbers of bowlers who find themselves in position for a Top finish going into their last game.  That was certainly evident Saturday at West Seattle Bowl, especially with the lower than average scores leading the pack (only two topped 800 for the day).  Quite a few bowlers, in every squad, had at least two big games in their first three.  As you'd expect, the final game produced a wide variety of success rates, but ONE competitor stepped forward, with a GIANT final game, to run away with his first Tour Title.  The 9-Tap Jackpot produced a similar storyline, as we saw many long strings of Taps in the middle of games, falling just short of the needed seven.  Surprisingly, going into the very last game of the Tournament, Erma Tappe led the way by herself, with just 4-Taps, until Walt Dalrymple ran away with a $250.00 Consolation by getting 5-Taps in his last game.  Both Pots went into WSB at an XXL size and they both emerged even BIGGER for HiLine Lanes in two weeks (after the 'bye').

The TOP FIVE finishers each had a shot at their FIRST Tour Titles.  Fittingly, from that group, Kris Koepke shot the biggest final game (by 26 pins) and ran away with the Tournament.  Kris wasn't even going to bowl Saturday, thanks to a shoulder injury that had kept him from bowling until recently.  With the shoulder acting up after his first entry, he certainly wasn't going to re-enter!  Good friend Eric Smallman (6th Place) planned on re-entering, so Kris agreed to join him and try again (GREAT DECISION!).  Kris had introduced Eric to the Tour, with both joining back in mid 2010.  Since they joined, Eric has participated much more frequently and as a result, he's won 2 Titles.  With a more limited schedule on the Tour, Kris has still made the Cash List numerous times, maintaining a very nice Cash Ratio, but he was still looking for his first Top 10 finish.  Despite his long bowling layoff this year and a bad shoulder and his limited opportunities to bowl on the Tour... earning his 1st Title is a pretty nice way to break into the Top 10!  Kris earned a nice $1,625.00 payday, but with $10 in the Progressive Pot, left another $625.00 in the Pot to carry over to the next Tournament.  The Tax Accountant plans to use his winnings for some computer upgrades, as well as some bowling equipment upgrades.  He used his Hammer Taboo, drilled at the West Seattle Pro Shop, for this breakthrough Win.  CONGRATS Kris for Win #1!!!

The 2nd thru 5th Place all finished in a tight bunch from 805 to 792, with many of those Personal Best finishes or P.B. scores.  First squad leader Enrique Gray (5th) had a great shot going and later in the day Erma Tappe (4th) also was on a roll, with a great shot at the Top spot.  Then there was Mike Metcalf (3rd) in the 2:30squad, breaking out of a recent slump in a big way, earning his best finish and a healthy $500.00 check.  The newest Member of the Top 5, John Chey only joined the Tour last November.  He held a tenuous lead with his 805 series, going into the last squad.  As one challenger after the other were coming up just short, it looked like John would claim the Title... until Kris shot his BIG finishing game.  John made his FIRST payday a BIG one with a 'Comma Check' worth a strong $1,000.00 for 2nd.