BWTC rolls into Seminole again

When 28-time PBA winner Parker Bohn III joined Pittsburgh's Brunswick squad for the 1996 ABCBrunswick World Team Challenge (BWTC) at Seminole Lanes, he faced a record 112-team field.

Bohn and his teammates captured the title in a tournament that set a precedent for all BWTC's up to that year.

The 1997 renewal at Seminole, won by Contour Power Grips of Milwaukee, had the 112-team field and added 18 women's squads.

The ABC and tourney director Tom Boedecker rewarded Pinellas County and Seminole's 60-lane center this year with two stops -- Saturday-Sunday and Sept. 14-15. "From the very first tournament here (1993, 46 teams), your area has shown a deep interest in the BWTC and responded with large turnouts," Boedecker said. "We hope the good relationship between the ABC, BWTC and Seminole Lanes continues through the years."

Entries will remain open until Friday, preceding Saturday qualifying. The fee is $550 per team. Call center general manager Kevin Krauss, (727) 392-2271. Registrations prior to Friday must be made with Boedecker, (414) 423-3415; or on the ABC Web site, www.bowl.com.

The Seminole Lanes stop opens a 14-city tour, culminating with the BWTC Grand Championships in November in Las Vegas. By that time, 650-plus squads will have competed for more than $900,000 in the Baker System format. Each regional winner usually shares a $5,000 payoff, plus merchandise and expenses paid to the Grand Championship.

In the Baker System, each of the five team players rolls two frames per game with total pins determining the winner.

Clearwater's Top of the Line Pool Service, captained by James Campbell, won the 1998 and '99 events and is entered again. The squad includes five-time PBA winner Tom Milton, amateur Brian Halstrom and PBA pros Kent Wagner and Ryan Boyd. Other Tampa Bay area teams are expected to compete. Admission is free.

LIBERTY LANES: Clearwater's Renee Miller rolled her third career 300 game, knocking down a 722 series.

Miller fired her first 300 two seasons ago at Largo Lanes and her second last year at Liberty. Nick Pollich shot a 300 recently at Liberty Lanes, Marty Murphy recorded a 299 and Charlie Stuart had a 299-801.

Carly Rettman won the Almost Midnight Tournament and shared $1,000 with teammates.

NABI: Clearwater's Dave Rissman defeated Sarasota's Sue Stubblefield 201-191 to win his first title and $468 at Liberty Lanes. St. Petersburg's Heip Nyuyen was third, and Dade City's Ken Kenyon finished fourth.

St. Petersburg's Joe Bereczki won his second platinum championship and $259.

St. Petersburg's Davi Goller captured his first title and $336 with a 227-181 victory over St. Petersburg's Ronda Masanotti. Tampa's Milan Guerrero was third, and St. Petersburg's Norm Terry took fourth.

Goller won platinum and $242.

TOURNEYS: Walk-in entries will be accepted until the first team begins action in the St. Petersburg Association City Tournament, Feb. 16-17 and 23-24 at Seminole Lanes.

The fee is $15 per event per competitor, with a $1,000 payoff to the winning squad. Results will be posted on the association's Web site, www.spbafl.com.

The Suncoast Association's annual tourney is scheduled for Feb. 16-17 and 23-24 at Lane Glo Bowl in Pasco County.

The registration fee is $20 per bowler per event, and walk-in entries will be accepted. The association's Web site is www.suncoastba.org.

Entries are available for the Clearwater Women's Association annual city tournament, March 2-3 and 9-11 at Rainbow Lanes. The registration deadline is Feb. 28.

AROUND THE LANES: George VanSyckle rolled an 826 series at Ten Pin Lanes. ... Josh Romine notched a 300-792 at Seminole, and Russ Stratton fired a 300-706. ... Tom Johnson recorded a 299-744 at AMF Kenneth City Lanes. ... Qualifying for the state Coca-Cola tournament finals opened Saturday and continues through Friday. Junior coaches and centers have information.

-- Phil Gulick can be reached at xerxes8@msn.com.

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