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STEVE WATERSThe 11-time tour winner takes home $2,500 from the PBA New Port Richey Open, topping a field of 97.
PORT RICHEY - Nearly 100 bowlers from around the country competed at the Professional Bowling Association South Region's New Port Richey Open over the weekend.
Some of the best pros in the world met at Lane Glo Bowl North in Port Richey to contend for the $2,500 top prize.
Jason Couch, winner of 11 national titles and the only player to win three consecutive Tournament of Champions, came back to defeat Mark Booke 248-201 in the one-round final.
Six-time PBA player of the year and Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala placed sixth in the 97-player field with 4,388 pins.
Couch used this the tournament to warm up for the upcoming national tour and called it an important victory.
"It's always good to get up there and get a little confidence bowling a regional," Couch said. "And beating Walter Ray, probably the best bowler in the world at this point, it's a tremendous feeling."
Darin Hays of Wesley Chapel was second after the semifinals with 3,060 pins, but lost in the first round of the playoffs.
"The last few times I've bowled I've been first, second or third, and then I lose that first match every time," he said. "I think from now on if I'm close, I'm going to bowl 130 on purpose so I'm only seventh or eighth, so when I lose it won't hurt so bad."
Early in the playoffs, a small crowd gathered around Jason Mahr of Spring Hill, at 23 one of the youngest players on tour. Mahr was sixth in the semifinals, but also lost early in the playoffs.
"Everybody comes in here to win this thing. I just came up a little short," Mahr said. "But I'm happy with my overall performance. I got a check, made some money, but now I've got to go home."
While others have a graceful delivery, Mahr's was severe and violent, with a high backswing. His arm goes almost completely straight up in the air, and he uses a sharp wrist snap upon release.
Keith Martin, manager of Lane Glo North, said the tournament was a chance to give back to regular customers, who had a chance to see some of the world's elite.
"The players take a lot of time out to talk to people, they spend a lot of time with the kids Friday night during the pro-am," Martin said. "They took time to get down on the lanes and help the kids out."
The top three in the pro-am were Bruce Sattler at 1,429, Gwyn Herd with 1,394 and Mel Price at 1,389.