What a fabulous way to end the 2023 season for the 9 Tap Tour, as we finish with the Year End Championship at Bowlero Lanes in Tacoma.   Before we started rolling for score, we honored the top bowlers on the Bowler of the Year List and others with major accomplishments during the year.  We want to congratulate the Bowler of Year, Samson Ibale, who is also the leading money winner on the tour cracking the $100,000.00 mark, and our new inductee to the Hall of Fame, Thang Duc Thai.  As we set records in 2022, we have surpassed those marks again this year.  In 2022 we had record payouts of $413,858.00, but broke that record with payouts of $422,708.00 in 2023.  We want to thank all our bowlers for their continued support of the tour, and hope in 2024 we can beat these records again.  The scoring pace was very close on all the pairs fighting for the number one position.  The very special part is that everyone who shot a 700 series was able to make the roll offs. ​ 

Top Ten Bowler of the Year

Tong Nguyen, Jerry Smith, Will Tywman, Michal Hallbach, Jesse Sherman

Thang Duc Thai, Samson Ibale, Marilyn Mateo, Samen Seng, Jessica Trinidad-Hill

Samson Ibale - Bowler of the Year and only member of the $100,000.00 Club.

 

 

$20,000.00 Members, Brian Peters, Zac Clute  $30,000.00 Member Walt Dalrymple

 

$75,000.00 Member - Earl Kleist      $100,000.00 Member - Samson Ibale

 

 

 

Going for the Championship

Jordan Heil and Heather Schaaf 

 

Our Year End Champion, who was 2nd on her pair, but number 1 in the 2nd chance round with a huge 269 game, Heather Schaaf.  This is Heather's 2nd championship of her career, winning her first back in June of this year.  She had other motives today, as she noticed Brian Peters was struggling bowling after his dad, Art, had passed away last week, and after their talk, she was hit with a calm and said she was going to win it all for his dad.  Lacing up her Dexter shoes and grabbing her Storm Proton Physix, she kept her promise and blazed thru the Bracket Finals.  She had a close call in her semi-final match with Kevin Cato as they had tied with a 268 score. She pulled it off with the 9 and 10th roll off 36-29.  She would like to thank her dad, Mike Miller, her husband Brett Schaff, and Brian Peters for cheering her on.  She plans on using her winnings of $2,210.00 on bills and something special for herself.  

Qualifying 1st on his pair Jordan Heil takes 2nd place, coming within the last few frames of making the YEC his first career title.   Jordan was on fire during the sweet 16, but missed some crucial spares in the championship round.  Jordan now has three 2nd place finishes on the tour and takes home his biggest check yet at $1,110.00. 

Tied for 3rd place and the overall #1 Qualifier, Kevin Cato takes home a Storm Ball, a top Qualifier Jacket and a nice check of $415.00.  Kevin came so close to taking home his 2nd title. 

Qualifying with a 709 “at Large” score and a sweet 240 in the second chance round, Jamal Muhammad comes in a tie for 3rd place.   Jamal did struggle in the semifinals, as he just fell short of his second title.  Jamal also takes home $415.00. 

                     Elite 8                                            Final 4

LC Cofield, Dale Roberts, Kevin Cato,           Kevin Cato, Heather Schaaf,

Jordan Heil, Jamal Muhammad                  Jordan Heil,  Jamal Muhammad

Heather Schaaf, Samson Ibale,

missing Jon Schneider