Saturday brought together a total of 93 former Champs and bowlers from the Storm Bowler of Year standings, all with an eye on the Year-End Tournament Championship.  The Year-End event includes our annual awards ceremony, where we recognized our 2021 Bowler of the Year and inducted our newest Hall of Fame member.  The new HOF member was elected by fellow Tour Members, while the yearlong BOY competition was a run-away this year.   Zac Clute was not only the 2021 BOY, he was also the Top Casher with 23 times on the Cash List and also the Most Improved bowler, increasing his average by 13 pins over the year.  The HOF voters had 5 nominated Members to choose from, Pearl Sedeno, brothers Huyen & Thang Thai, James Strand & Willie Manning Jr.  After the votes were tallied, Willie Manning Jr became the year's well deserved inductee.  Both Willie and Zac now will have new pennants  hanging at each Bowling Center. 

    Zac Clute "Bowler of the Year"               Willie Manning, Jr newest

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                      "Hall of Fame" Member

 

 

Bowler of the Year Awards

 

The YEC is run like the 'World Cup' Soccer Tournament, with bowlers only competing with the 9 or 10 on their pair, for spots in the Finals or '2nd Chance' round, ultimately cutting down to the 16 Bracket Finalists.  This format brought out some exceptional  competition, with friend against friend and also a brother against brother.  The Burdsall twins Greg & Eddie met in the Elite 8 and saw the lead switch back and forth, with Greg moving on to the Final Four, 241 to 213.  Most of the competitions came down to the final frame to determine the Winner.  It was definitely a joy to watch the tight battles all afternoon.

  

 

The Elite Eight

Back Row : Dan Grass, Shawn Saulsbury, Skip Shear, Kannha Tong

Front Row : Eddie Burdsall,Tara Strand, Greg Burdsall, ,Jay Pennette

The Final Four

Tara Strand, Greg Burdsall, Kannha Tong, Jay Pannette

 

For The Championship

Tara Strand and Jay Pannette 

Our YEC Title Match came down to two players that were on a roll, blazing through the field.  Fittingly, the Title Match ended up in a TIE with each tossing solid 231 games.  What a way to end the biggest tournament of the year, with a 9th-10th Roll Off.  Jay threw 4 straight clutch strikes to edge Tara 64 to 56 (incl hdcp).  CONGRATULATIONS Jay Pannette for earning his first Tour Title in GRAND fashion!   Firing a nice 777 in his World Cup 'Pool', Jay took first on his pair, moving directly to the Finals.  Jay's best previous finish in his first 14 months on the Tour was a 3rd place in October.  Jay said that he was getting real nervous waiting for the Finals, while 18 bowlers shot the 2nd Chance round for the last 6 spots. Jay Won his first 2 Matches by 18 pins and the 3rd by 20 pins, before the Finals Tie.  He said that he was amazed when he made the Final Four and was in shock making it to the Championship Round.  Using his Columbia Authority, drilled at Tumwater Bowl, Jay stayed focused even when his nerves were getting to him.  His first win brings him a nice check of $2,220.00, along with a much coveted Yellow YEC Pennant.

 

Year End Champion - Jay Pannette 

Finishing in 2nd place was Tara Strand who was on quite a HOT streak this weekend.  Shooting a nice 750 Qualifying series, she still came in 2nd, but she shot a BIG game in the '2nd Chance' Round to earn a spot in the Sweet 16.  In the Brackets, she came out just smoking, shooting games of 272, 324 and 240 to catapult into the Final.  Trying for her 3rd Title, she just fell short in the Roll-Off with Jay Pannette.  It came down to just one shot!  After starting with 2 clutch strikes, a third strike would have given her the Title. Tara took home a very nice check for $1,110.00, for her spectacular efforts. 

Finishing in 3rd place were both Greg Burdsall and Kannha Tong.  Kannha was also the Top Qualifier Saturday, shooting an incredible 816 and earning a New Storm Ball of his choice.  Trying for his 4th Tour Title, Kannha was ON FIRE, with games of 241 & 290 but fell to a HOTTER Jay Pannette in a high scoring match, 261 to 241.  Greg also bypassed the '2nd Chance' Round, winning his pair with a 674 and made it to the Final 4 with Wins over Kim Pohlot, 224 to 212 and his brother Eddie.  Greg then fell to Tara, in a very tight Semi-Final Match, 240 to 231.  Both receive pretty hefty shared 3rd Place money, both getting checks for $440.00. 

We at the Tour would like to wish everyone a VERY Happy Holiday, and a Happy New Year.  We'll see you January 8th to celebrate 20 years of the 9-Tap Tour.