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PBA Tour hits Lone Star state

By ERIC MUSKATEVC
Published February 9, 2007

The PBA Tour returns to the Dallas area for the first time since the 2004 season for the GEICO Classic. This week's event marks the Tour's first stop at AMF Irving Lanes.

The last time the Tour was in the Dallas Metroplex was for the 2005 Dallas Open when Patrick Allen captured the first of his back-to-back titles, propelling him to the 2004 PBA Player of the Year award. Former Major League Baseball All-Star pitcher John Burkett has been awarded the Commissioner's Exemption for this week's event. The event also will be a homecoming for five bowlers. Del Ballard Jr., Chris Barnes, Patrick Healey Jr., Chris Johnson and Wes Malott will all look to impress the hometown fans. The live ESPN finals are Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

Last week, after suffering through the longest winless drought of his career, Mika Koivuniemi finally returned to the top, defeating Barnes 214-185 in the Sun City Classic title match to capture his seventh career PBA Tour title and his first since the 2005 Baby Ruth Real Deal Classic in March 2005.

Koivuniemi had a solid season in 2005-06 despite not bringing home a title as he made three TV appearances and finished 10th in the PBA World Point Rankings. Going into last week, however, he was just 19th in the rankings with just one TV appearance.

Having his coach, Ron Hoppe, with him the past few weeks has helped the Finland native get back on track. As the No. 30 seed last week, Koivuniemi became the lowest seed ever to win a Tour event since the single-elimination match-play format began in the 2001 (not counting the first half of 2004 when the round of 64 was match play). Before Koivuniemi's win, the lowest seed to win in the format was Pete Weber, who won last season's 2005 BowlersParadise.com Classic as the No. 29 seed.

MERGER: Ebonite International Inc. entered into an agreement for an asset purchase of Columbia Industries, including the Columbia, Track and Dyno-Thane brands of bowling equipment, William T. Scheid, president of Ebonite announced in a USBC press release. Terms were not disclosed. Manufacturing of bowling balls for these brands, currently being done at the company's manufacturing facility in San Antonio, Texas, will be moved to Ebonite International's Hopkinsville, Ky.

BOWL FOR CURE: Since the inception of Bowl for the Cure in the 2000-01 season, USBC bowlers have raised nearly $5-million toward the fight against breast cancer. This season, USBC is challenging its members to raise a record $1-million.

Now is the time to get involved because February is Bowl for the Cure month. Work with your association, league and local Susan G. Komen for the Cure affiliate to raise funds. Whether you stage a Bowl for the Cure local tournament or collect pledges during league bowling, every donation brings the USBC closer to its fund-raising goal.

Explore bowl.com to learn more about Bowl for the Cure.

NABI: Sunday's tournament at AMF Lakeland has been canceled. The next tournament will be at AMF Venice Feb. 18.

Scores

Sunrise - Village Green : Eddie O'Hara 206-222/630, Rich Desgrosiellier 204-225/613, Fran McCarthy 201, Mike Hekman 200, Bill Preston 205, Les Niewolny 201. Mainlands 6: Jim Swart 220. Winston Park: Frank Vanderkraat 220. Strike N Spare: Edna Berry 210, Joe Marcotte 673, Jody Ridgley 235/604, Danielle Dezhant 600, Henry Perez 234/682, Tommy Turner 266/749, Lou Traci 259/725, Rick Leska 255/693. Wed. Matchplay: Danny Webster 246-258/672, Charles Paramore 238/618, Tom Benyo 203-209-234/646. Breakfast Club: Nom Le 201-226. Happy Seniors: Mike Gendron 202-224/-58/684, Lenny Rickard 202, Malcolm Kroll 224-276/650, Gus Wiese 209, Ron Coury 203-214. Conners: Ken Paradis 208-217/617, Axie Anderson 213, Dave Cook 209-212-236/657, Dick Preil 219, Joe Nicholis 200, Al D'Arezzo 204. Commercial: John Pericels Jr. 265/667, Rick Ickes 687, Chris Steele 683, Mike Bongiorno 268/662; Keith Glasgow 732; Jack Gerber 558; Tom Vizenor 277/696; Clay Hatfield 252/668; Tim Dunbar 661; Robert Hamilton 256/680; Darryl Dempsy 688, Richard Leska 692, Eric Setterlind 660, Joe Dluzak 266/669, Bill Hicks 278/736, Sean Wilson 255/708, John Singales 658, Justin Veitch 257/728, Derek Preze 658, Mike Cornelison 268/743, Odeen Walker 613, Mike Byrd 731, Scott Price 661, Joe Pluzak Sr. 279, Robert Dantschis 665, Andy Gauthier 658, Mike Cain 690. Romany Park: Joe Potorski 225, Elvis Raper 200. Mr. & Mrs.: Susan Black 205, Justin Veitch 251/732. Funtime Mixed: Tricia McKee 216/203, Edna Berry 206, Ronda Masanotti 200, Miles Baker 256, Gary Gray 278, Dano Ho 267, Debra Grose 610, Elaine Rice 210, Lee Smith 661, Robin Higgins 208, Renee Dittmer 217, Gary Tipton 653, Cindy Head 216-224/629, Dan Lambo 650. TGIF: Bob Veitch 662, Brandon McCombs 707, Jim Bennett 665, Sheryl Setterlind 200, Christina McCombs 203, Eric Setterlind 685, Allie Smith 245-259/702, Jeff Campbell 665, Barbara Counts 206.

Liberty - Swayne Smith 736, Tom Milton 703, Teresa Genivie 267/618, Nadine Sizemore 257, Bev Ulrich 223/627, Dick Bowyer 275, Larry Walters 746, John LaFond 709, Lynne Hamlin 244/626, Brandy Baker 240, Leigh Rayner 233/671, John Cole 275, Val Janus 226, Rick Kristich 279, Beth Rochelle 223, Kristin McKee 276/732, Lisa Bereczki 268/737, Tammy Tucker 238, Don Falls 297/752, Bob Smolka 296/763, Tom Weigand Jr. 278, Mike Bixler 278/718, Dale Sager 278, Brandon McCombs 276, Rusty Genivei 276, Lennie Schroeder 279, Marty Murphy 714, Rusty Genivie 703, Marco Lombardo 279, David Mostoller 712, Janet Alexander 225/615, Todd Browne 278, Bill Wilder Jr. 750.Youth: Alex Timmons 228, Josh Given 222, Corbie Wilson 213, Aaron Palermo 212, Ricky Mueller 210, C.T. Bennett 203, Robby Altman 202.

Countryside - Mon. Night Businessmen: Scotty Gormley 720, Scotty Gormley 747, Craig Gurney 726, Kyle Wilson 738, Nick Francis 774, Gary Haberer 752, Jerry Brownstein 717-734, Scott Williams 796, Brandon Derry 703, Sol Davis Sr. 709, Glenn Francis 733, Walt Coddington 712, Ted Banderman 726, Nick Moldovan 715, John Feazell 703, Chris Lloyd 708, Warren Diaz 757, Scott Williams 701, Lou Alessi 300/779. Countryside Trio: Scott Howard 735, Walt Coddington 734, Jerry Brownstein 802, Gary Roxby 299, Lou Alessi 701, George Allen 706. Ladies Invitational Classic: Dawn Pantoja 702.Wed. Night Mixers: Chase Stickels 704. Thurs. Night Mixers: Mike Wetherell 290/791, Phil Peters 713, Keith Davidson 726, Mike Wetherell 721. Thursday Night Early Birds: Mike Bell 715, Nate Heichelbech 779, Jerry Gluck 715. Countryside Mixers: Mike Wetherell 751, Gordon Kowalczyk 290-225-278/793 series, Chase Stickels 708, J.R. Foraker 299/750 series, Mike Freyer 702.

Dunedin - Bud Sanders 300/749, Ron Maniscalco 290/728, Mike Olesh 750, Mark Weiss 731, Paul Pippenger 713, Mark Swearingen 704, Jim Sowers 733, Chuck Harris 715, Burl Sharrow 703, Joe Sowers 702, Bob Eggert 757, Chris Holly 736, Nick Francis 737, Doug Vorbeck 700, Bev Ullrich 697, Jamie Lloyd 696, Sandy Grumblatt 692, Kathy Weaver 679, Kitty Komin 604, Dianna Mooneyhan 695, Jodi Kroeger 686, Linda Peters 656, Heidi Dean 634, Melanie O'Grady 685. Seniors: Jim Gilbert 611, Don Wells 648, Skip Spehar 626.

Tarpon - Tahitian Gardens: Ken Rivard 200/556. Highland Lakes: Helen Creany 192/510. Senior Men: Dick Muchow 219/602, Sonny Neglia 222/536. Highland Lakes Seniors: Gary Rock 234/540. Tarpon Shores: Roy Theisen 200/554, Joe Pochron 199/550. Key West: Joe Reindeau 279-257-257/793. Industrial: Rick Burger 222/616, Joe Reindeau 235/604.

Twedt's - Men: Gary Wargo 626, Ton Tomalo 746, Brent Dewar 740, Paul Witt 715, Joe Alore 683, John Hackett 666, Ron Sullivan 664, Joe Plum 659, Jeff Bennett 640, Fref Mong 643, Greg Bennett 640, Dick Yurovick 637, Jack Ferrell 635, Monte Guy 631, Dave Lawson 625, Gary Tucker 622, Art Woodruff 621, Jeff Dyar 621, Adam Burdo 618, Nathan Thompson 617, Ben McBride 611, Robin Hood 610, Mark Misura 609, Bob Lawson 608, Ken Ruckdeschle 604. Ladies: Karen Burke 596, Christine Srock 583, Mickey Wright 578, Michelle Huff 576, Lee Reagan 537, Kay McAleer 530, Mary Quincy 528, Aymee Torres 526, Linda Stopinski 523, Donna Gunther 520, Donna Tobin 520, Maxine Huff 515, Robyn Vogel 511, Dianne Lehre 510, Flo Cusano 510, Linda Ortolani 504, Ellen Freund 504, Dana Harsch 504, Mary Cook 500. USBC Youth: Cory Misura 648, Joey Alore 633.

Seminole - Loy Pryor 701, Alfred Thomas 278/767, George Van Syckle 695, Drew Santo 265/688, Deb Wolfe 258/671, Drew Beierlein 747, Stacy Coats 714, Jacqui Best 253/679, Mark English 742, Kevin Krauss 278/770, Chris Snyder 735, Rick Langton 746, Erik Hahmann 736, Jason Jelinski 299/752, Andrew Waligora 275/735, Donovan Nickell 705, Paul Manny 700, Dennis Slininger 289/718, Lauren Whitaker 633, Ron Demillion 284/777, Pablo Lakilak 717, Cathy Fravel 267/709. Seniors: J.C. Smith 257/751, Norb Treutel 278/709, Dave Dalrymple 234/628, John Filiatrault 245/656, Jack Hewer 259/706, Christine Srock 221/603, Dottie Thompson 234/633.

Ten Pins - Men: Glenn Jeffers 278/763, Don Kasprzyk 276/657, Marshall Frank 265/697, Randy Boyle 258/658, Russell Rayner 257/670, Paul Doyon 256/745, John Hill 253/639, Steven Gross 250/644, Rich Desgrosiellier 669, Ralph Cordasco 662, Jack Roe 659, Don Vachon 655. Ladies: Deb Bailey 246/555, Carolyn Dalton 234, Kari Militello 224/604, Jen Layton 214/557, Teresa Vachon 210/555, Rosalie McGinnis 543, Robin Hintz 541, Dawn Gillingham 521, Linda Gicka 518, Nancy Jiminez 510, Cindy Holyman 508. Sr. Men: Rick Wilson 256/639, Bill Snow 234/610, Dave O'Brien 216/618, Bob Seel 215/622, Rich Erpenbeck 214/565, Charlie Bongiorno 213, Bob Ansty 211/519, Bob Brown 205/607, Chuck Willey 205/522, Jim Callus 204/558, Bill Geiger 204, Chuck Leasure 201/576, Sam Notto 201, Carl Hankansson 550, Ken Bayley 542. Sr. Ladies: Ester Motzne 212/525, Barb Ina 192/497, Eileen Leasure 185/491, Dona Beasley 180/443, Olga Carrubba 176/421, Audrey Douglas 175/439, Dee Ashmun 174/469, Margaret Grover 169/453, Terry Kraushaar 167/467, Darlene Pruneau 163/470, Phyllis Beckman 162/466. USBC Youth: Anthony Yingling 257/595, Charlie Bonfield 230/575, Morgan Perdue 204/533, Joshua Beasley 203/516, Jess Morrison 202/556.

[Last modified February 8, 2007, 22:41:50]