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USBC wraps up opening matches

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published November 12, 2006

Following the first weekend of the Greater St. Petersburg USBC Women's Classic Tournament, Gail Martin of Bradenton stands in first place in singles after rolling a 658 scratch series and handicap total of 798 at Seminole, where singles and doubles are being held. Bonnie Sams of Vero Beach scored a 706 scratch and 792 handicap for second. Leading the way for locals is Seminole's Sarah Hutchins in eighth place with a 586 scratch and 748 handicap total.

In doubles, Lil Aslinger and Nancy Segret of Lake Placid combined for a 1,441 handicap total in first; local leaders Hutchins and Candice McCue are in eighth with a 1,385 total.

The teams are playing at Twedt's where, who else, but the Terrible Twedt's team from Largo is holding first place with a 3,580 handicap total. Top scratch scores came from team members Gloria Alore 617, Andrea Sanchez (479), Noemi Torres (509), Lanie Weaver (561) and Karen Burke (570). Nicole DePaul of Auburndale rolled her first sanctioned 300 to help her Gator Tile & Marble team reach fourth. DePaul finished with a 741.

In its 56th year, the Women's Classic has been a November staple. Bowling continues at Twedt's and Seminole this weekend and the tournament concludes Nov. 18-19.

PBA: Tony Reyes had to wait a long time for his first career tour title, but after the way it happened last Sunday, it proved to be well worth it. Reyes (San Bruno, Calif.) made history with the 17th nationally televised 300 game in tour history in the semifinals of the Motor City Classic in Michigan, then went on to defeat top seed Wes Malott, 255-238, for the title.

This week, the tour is at AMF Thruway Lanes in the Buffalo area of Cheektowaga, N.Y. The Etonic Championship features a single-elimination match play format after last week's round-robin format. The live ESPN televised finals at 1 p.m. Sunday. The winner will take home the $25,000 top prize and an exemption for next season.

The PBA's new made-for-TV competition Bust Your Buddy will be shown during the final round.

This weekend's highlights come from an entertaining match between Jason Couch and Chris Barnes. Bowlers attempt to leave difficult spare attempts for an opponent. Both start with 150 points and make wagers based on whether they think they can convert. The bowler who "busts" his opponent to zero and reaches 300 points advances.

UPCOMING: No local NABI winners at AMF Venice last weekend for Club 577. Better luck Sunday at AMF Davie for National Amateur Bowlers Inc. Club 591 starts at noon for a $100 jackpot and a $102 strike-pot. Call (863) 667-4779 or visit centralflorida.bowlnabi.com.

- Ten Pin Lanes (1453 Pasadena Ave. S.) hosts the USBC St. Petersburg Senior Classic Tournament, open to sanctioned seniors 50 years and older Dec. 2-3 and 9-10. Call 381-1010 for registration and details.

CHATTER: A pair of 300s highlighted Countryside's week. C-side mixer Louis Kusner saved the best for last with a 208-217-300 for 725 and Monday night businessman Gene Gauthier came out of nowhere with a 222-300-193 for a 715. But no one anywhere bowled brighter than Walt Coddington.

Using the momentum his favorite football team, the Miami Dolphins, generated Sunday with an upset win over the Chicago Bears, Coddington rolled back-to-back 800s the next two days. Monday's special featured a 300 game between a 268-279 for an 847 series to lead all bowlers, all houses. Tuesday he went 279-255-267 for 801.

It was a family affair at Seminole last week for the TNBA league when Mildred Crosby brought daughter Tiffany and son Sean to the alley. Sean bettered his leading ladies 278/761 while Mom beat Tiffany by three pins, 669 to 674. Also at Seminole, Bill Zuben went back-to-back weeks with perfect games for a commendable 803. And Jay Spangler, a super senior over 75 years old averaging 173, had a good day with a 259/584.

Eric can be e-mailed at Emuskatevc@aol.com

[Last modified November 12, 2006, 09:57:44]