This week’s bowling column

Joey Dineen of Newport News, Va., and Joyce Cornwell of Manassas, Va., became Virginia State Open champions when they won the Bowling Proprietors Association of America U.S. Open Men’s and Women’s Qualifier conducted simultaneously by the Virginia Bowling Proprietors Association at Bowl America Falls Church on Oct. 13.

Following eight-games of qualifying the top bowlers, based on total pinfall, in each tournament were seeded into the finals.

In the Men’s U.S. Open semifinal match, Dineen routed third seeded Jack Perry, Manassas, Va., 217-193. Perry earned $300 for 3rd place.

In the championship match, Dineen challenged Tournament Leader Buddy Blackmore, Alexandria, Va., from the beginning. Dineen’s “four-bagger,” four strikes in-a-row, in the final frames helped him lash Blackmore, 223-150. Dineen claimed the $900 purse and received a paid entry into the U.S. Open Men’s National Finals. Blackmore was presented the $500 runner-up prize.

Other cashers: Jason, Miller, Suffock, Va., 4th place $200; and Carlos Bunting III, Winchester, Va., 5th place $150.

In the Women’s U.S. Open semifinal match, second seeded Terri Roberts, Gordonsville, Va., let down Cynthia Bedell, Arlington, Va., 167-149. Bedell finished in 3rd place.

In the title match, Tournament Leader Cornwell took charge by throwing a “four-bagger,” followed by two spares and then another “four-bagger,” while her opponent, Roberts, recorded open frames in her 2nd, 4th and 9th frames. Cornwell vanquished Roberts, 256-162. Cornwell won $150 for her championship performance and received a paid entry into the U.S. Open Women’s National Finals. Roberts finished in second place.

TOLSON CAPTURES NABITITLE AT AMF BOWIE LANES

Melvin Tolson Jr. of Suitland, Md., a member of the National Amateur Bowlers Club for over 2 years and 11 months, collected his first local NABI title when he won the tournament host by AMF Bowie Lanes on Oct. 20-21.

In match 1 of the stepladder finals, fourth seeded Michael Shaw, Owings Mills, Md., barely held off fifth seeded Joi Bower, Waldorf, Md., 216-214. Bower picked up $100 for 5th place. In match 2, third seeded Craig Brown, Springdale, Md., won by just one pin when he eliminated Shaw from further competition, 232-231. Shaw went home with $110 for 4th place. Second seeded Denise Whitfield, Odenton, Md., over Brown, 191-181, in match 3. Brown collected $125 for 3rd place.

In the championship game, Tolson was victorious over Whitfield, 224-183, to clinch the top prize of $500. In addition, Tolson received a championship jacket with a paid entry into the NABI National Tournament of Champions in Las Vegas, Nev., and secured reserved seating to the Tournament of Champions Banquet.. Whitfield took the 2nd place check worth $205.

FELDMAN EMERGES ASTHREE RIVERS OPEN CHAMP

Michelle Feldman of Skaneateles, N.Y., went home with her eighth career Professional Women’s Bowling Association National Tour title when she won the Three Rivers Open at Princess Lanes in Pittsburg, Pa., Oct. 14-18.

The opening three-way “Shootout Match” saw fourth seeded Tammy Turner, Ogden, Utah, pounding the pocket relentlessly to sweep more pins from the lanes than her opponents. Turner blasted fifth seeded Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, North Richland Hills, Texas, and third seeded Kim Terrell, Daly City, Calif., 247-211-187. Terrell departed with $2,500 for 4th place (by PWBA playing rules, a player cannot drop more than one spot lower than they placed entering the championship round) and Dorin-Ballard received $2,200 for 5th place.

In the semifinal match, Turner knocked off second seeded Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 194-178. Johnson walked off with $3,000 for 3rd place.

In the final match, Feldman prevailed over Turner, 206-191, to take the title. Feldman took home the top prize of $9,000 and Turner settled for the $4,800 second place check.

“I’m thrilled to have won here,” stated Feldman. “I had a lot of family and friends here watching me tonight and winning this tournament was very special.”

Cheryl Daniels and Brenda Norman each rolled a perfect “300” game during the tournament.

JOHNSON NAMEDBOWLER OF THE MONTH

Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., was selected Bowling Writers Association of America Bowler of the Month for September.

Johnson won two (back-to-back) Professional Women’s Bowling Association National Tour titles, the Foundation Games V Championships and Paula Carter Classic where she rolled a perfect “300” game in the televised championship match to win her ninth career PWBA title.

EAGLE BREAKS TWO YEARDROUGHT TO WIN 7TH TITLE

Dale Eagle of Tavares, Fla., returned to the limelight when he won the Professional Bowlers Association Senior National Championship held at the Airport Lanes in Jackson, Mich., Oct. 13-18.

In match 1 of the stepladder finals, fourth seeded Larry Franz, Redford, Mich., sent fifth seeded Gary Hiday, Indianapolis, Ind., to the sidelines, 258-215. Hiday made $3,000 for his 5th place finish. Third seeded Gene Stus, Taylor, Mich., defeated Franz, 209-203, in match 2. Franz was paid $4,000 for 4th place. Stus caught on fire in match 3, toppling second seeded Bob Glass, Lawrence, Kan., 258-216. Glass pocketed $5,000 for 3rd place.

In the title game, Tournament Leader Eagle battered Stus, 237-205. Eargle, winner of his seventh career Senior Tour title, was presented the $12,000 winner’s check. Eagle averaged 239 through both the qualifying and match play competition. Stus netted $6,500 for 2nd place.

“It felt great to win again,” said Eagle, whose last title was in 1999. “Its been a while and I have been close a lot in the past year or so and this week was mine.”

Dales Eagle, Larry Franz, Gary Hiday and George Pappas each rolled a perfect “300” game during the tournament.