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PBA Tour star Williams can always turn to coaching

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published October 1, 2006

It's a supreme understatement to say Ocala resident Walter Ray Williams Jr. has a long list of accomplishments on his illustrious bowling resume. For example, most fans know Williams has surpassed the late Earl Anthony to become the Professional Bowlers Association's all-time winningest player after capturing the Dydo Japan Cup last Sunday in Tokyo for his 42nd PBA Tour victory.

But there's another title Williams has added to his resume without even rolling a bowling ball - USBC-certified coach. Williams and fellow Tour exempt bowlers Chris Loschetter (Avon, Ohio), Eugene McCune (Munster, Ind.) and Jim Pratt (Glendale, Ariz.) successfully completed USBC Coaching Level I and Bronze certification recently at USBC Headquarters in Greendale, Wis. "I learned a lot more than I thought I would," Williams told bowl.com.

Through a progression of training courses, USBC Coaching certifies coaches. The Level I course introduces the fundamentals of coaching beginning bowlers, such as the responsibilities of a coach and the basic four-step approach. The Bronze course is an intermediate level covering such aspects as components of a bowling ball, lane conditions and adjustments, the mental game, videotaping and video analysis and giving a lesson. There also are Silver and Gold certification.

Williams, a PBA Hall of Famer, tied Anthony's all-time record in March with a win over Pete Weber in the title match of the Denny's World Championship. Weber again succumbed to his nemesis in Tokyo, as Williams moved to 5-0 in title matches against Weber in a rivalry that has spanned more than 20 years.

A win would have given Weber his 33rd career title and made him the second bowler in history to collect more than $3-million in career earnings. Instead, Williams pushed his earnings to $3,762,396 after receiving the $50,000 prize check for defeating Weber 289-236. The final round of the Japan Cup will air tape-delayed on ESPN Oct. 22 at 1 p.m.

PBA: In other pro-related news, Commissioner and CEO Fred Schreyer announced this week that Billy Oatman will replace injured Ritchie Allen as one of 58 exempt bowlers on the 2006-07 Tour. Oatman becomes the first-ever African-American to earn a full-season tour exemption. The 40-year-old Chicago native will look to become the Tour's second African-American title winner. George Branham III won five titles in his career, including the prestigious Firestone Tournament of Champions in 1993.

Several other African-Americans have competed on tour, including Willie Willis who won a National Resident Pro Championship, which did not count as a tour title. Earlier this summer, Kelly Kulick became the first woman to earn a full-season exemption when she finished sixth in the PBA Tour Trials. Oatman's first event will be the season-opening USBC Masters at AMF Bowlero Lanes in Wauwatosa, Wis. The live ESPN televised finals are Oct. 29 at 1 p.m.

NABI: Club 577 will be at AMF Lakeland today with squad times of 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for a jackpot of $170 and a strikepot of $56. For more information on the National Amateur Bowlers Inc., call (863) 667-4779.

UPCOMING: Liberty Lanes' next Callahan Bail Bonds Almost Midnight Tournament is Oct. 28. Entry fee is $30 with a guaranteed $1,000 first-place prize based on 20 teams. Bowling starts at 9 p.m. Call 397-3947.

CHATTER: A pair of 800s were put on the board last week. Vic Oliver featured a 280 game at Liberty and finished with the weekly high series score of 816, all houses. Also, at Seminole, Rick Langton pounded out a solid 278/809. And bowling well as always at Liberty, Marty Murphy had a 280/793 and 278/785 for consistency.

Sunrise Florida Senior star Stan Dzierba made his week with a 246/642 to lead the veteran scores. Lisa Bereczki lofted a 257 game while leading the women's scores with a 748 series at Liberty, followed by Dunedin's Kathy Weaver (742). Outside of high school bowling, the youth league bowler of the week was Jon Hunt, who scored a 710 at Liberty and a 688 at Seminole. Larry Walters (300/758) at Liberty, and Bob Riccio (300/664) and Nick Francis (300/1071 in four games) at Dunedin had perfect games.

SCORES

Sunrise Lanes - Commercial: Rick Ickes 258, Chris Steele 277/736, Keith Glasgow 256/727, Gary Bruner 277/714, Derek Dzierba 259/703, Joe Pichardo 257/688, Mike Byrd 278/725, Robert Hamilton 257/664, Brian Hargrave 277/690, Jeff Campbell 659, Mike Cornelson 250/744, John Lancaster 264/788, Bill Hicks 683, Darryl Dempsey 269/687, Andy Gauthier 247/671. Mr. & Mrs.: Susan Black 231, Chris Maddox 267/714. Funtime Mixed: Clay Hatfield 658, Cindy Head 218, Dan Lambo 258/697, Cindy McMahon 203, Mike McMahon 256/694, Scott MacClinchy 650, Rick Olsen 257/691, Gary Hampshire 255/654, Ken Haas 257/675, Derek Perez 258/655, Dano Ho 253/654, Tammy Richardson 213. Fla. Men Senior Stars: Don Vauiso 228, Mike Sowers 227, Kack Kraengal 236/633, Louie Ramsey 228, Lee Johnson 257/635, Jay Spangler 237, Ed Minor 253, Jim Weidner 242, J.C. Smith 225, Len Varga 225, Jim Higdon 225, Glen Harger 223, Walt McConnell 222. TGIF: Ray Caffee 267, Justin Veitch 265. Youth/Adult: Larry Schroeder 664, Ben Johnson 680,

Seminole Lanes - Sean Crosby 279/739, Mike Byrd 752, Steve Felsman 288/702, John Heathcote 717, Dean Rosko 762, Gary Halstrom 719, Erik Hahmann 702, John Lisenbee 715, Spanky Adam 278, Ken Harp 717, Judy Allen 644, Chuck Walker 684. Youth: Greg Krug 245/639.

Twedt's Lanes - Men: Bob Hubbard Sr. 737, Gysin Bardo 727, Dave Lawson 705, Chris Springstead 694, Bob Hubbard Jr. 688, John Hackett 685, Brent Dewar 674, Tod Janssen 663, Jack Ferrell 662, Joe Alore 656, Mark Misura 649, Art Woodruff 649, Dwight Huff 647, Dorian Sobat 632, Gary Tucker 632, Al Bolander 631, Bill Miller 617. Women: Michelle Huff 612, Jenna Snyder 591, Christine Srock 580, Peggy Hubbard 561, Karen Burke 559, Donna Gunthner 556, Judy Howe 552, Barbara Rhodes 547, Melissa Lawson 530, Mary McAteer 528, Pam Alexander 528, Jill Sasch 525, Mary Slater 525, Youlanda Houston 521, Linda Ortolani 515, Rose Ostrawski 513, Gloria Alore 508, Becky D'Angelo 505, Kay McAleer 505, Joan Rutladge 503. USBC Youth: Brandon Hott 665.

Liberty Lanes -A.J. Riske 714, James Campbell 278/772, Bobby Redmond 760, Tom Milton 748, Mariann Russo 247/695, Bill Merritt 712, John LaFond 287, Richard Rounds 741, Cheryl Mitchell 233/624, Ben Dowler 724, Ray Baumbach 736, Pablo Lakilak 700, Tammy Tucker 235/620, Don Falls 710, Mike Bongiorno 709, Rick Maxey 708, Beth Rochelle 224/645, Patricia Berwick 236/651, Mark Burke 712, Debi Kidd 256, Brett Bartley 269/780, Darren Baginski 278/740, Bill Hicks 718, Darryl Dempsey 288/758, Bev Ulrich 245/687, Anthony Oliver 715, Christy Scanga 217/619, Tony Russo 711, Paul Moore 702, Charlie Finch Jr. 740, Don MacDonald 277/705,.

Dunedin Lanes - Pat Klotchko 724, Tom Campbell 681, Rich Lancaster 680, Mark Clifton 696, Ron Laurenzo 677, Heidi Dean 649, Sandy Grumblatt 648, Daneille Carr 632, Jacqueline Schotter 626, Kitty Komin 611. Seniors: Dan Lentricchia 614, Jan Benes 209/557.

[Last modified September 30, 2006, 22:18:47]