Micanopy man lands ABT title
By DEREK LARIVIERE
Published March 9, 2007
Last weekend the Amateur Bowler's Tour made one of its many area stops at Neffer's Bowl in Homosassa.
A guaranteed pot of $1,000 was on the line and went to Randall Philman of Micanopy.
Philman, 24, outlasted the other 58 entrants and walked away with the lucrative pot. Averaging a 207 for the day, his final pin total of 812 was enough to beat second-place Kevin Willingham of Leesburg ($250).
This is Philman's second career ABT title. He works with a travel partner, Peter Nadeau, and credits their friendship to his success on tour. Nadeau, a Gainesville resident, finished 13th and earned $40.
The ABT will make its way to Leesburg Lanes this weekend.
Travis Neff, a regular at Neffer's, finished in a four-way tie for fifth, taking home $75. He averaged a 219 through the tournament. He was the top local finisher in the field.
NEFF'S STREAK: It is nothing new to see Neff's name peppered up and down the county leaderboard for the week, but it is rare for any bowler to shoot a 278 and 279 in the same week as Neff did last week. And he shot a 279 the week before.
Neff, whose family formerly owned Neffer's Bowl, competes regularly in the Wednesday Night Men's League, Suncoast Mixed League and Monday Nightcrawlers League at the center. Neff enjoy most of his success in the Suncoast Mixed environment, but lately has been racking up high scores every time he touches a ball.
Last week alone, Neff shot two 700 series including a county-leading 782 in the Suncoast Mixed. It is the second week in a row he has led the county with his Friday night series total. The week before he shot 770. Both weeks he tossed a 279 high game.
Neff tossed a 278 high game during the Nightcrawlers League on Monday night before finishing with a 707 pin total. Later in the week in the Wednesday Night Men's League, he shot a high game of 266.
Scores
High Scratch Series (Male)
Travis Neff, 782, Suncoast Mixed, Neffer's Bowl
Matt Briggs, 751, Wednesday Night Men, Neffer's Bowl
Jeff Demott, 749, First Nighter's Men, Sportsmen's Bowl
Mike Allender, 738, Suncoast Mixed, Neffer's Bowl
Steve McCullough, 737, Wednesday Night Men, Neffer's Bowl
High Scratch Series (Female)
Lori Ciquera, 653, Monday Special, Parkview Lanes
Dorine Fugere, 635, Monday Special, Parkview Lanes
Liz Huxley, 617, Tuesday Ladies Competitive, Neffer's Bowl
Judy Timmons, 611, Monday Special, Parkview Lanes
Fran Barlow, 608, Women's Trio, Parkview Lanes
High Scratch Game (Male)
Travis Neff, 279, Suncoast Mixed, Neffer's Bowl
Art Rash, 279, Wednesday Night Men, Neffer's Bowl
Steve McCullough, 278, Wednesday Night Men, Neffer's Bowl
Travis Neff, 278, Nightcrawlers, Neffer's Bowl
Wes Foley, 278, Parkview Owls, Parkview Lanes
High Scratch Game (Female)
Judy Timmons, 257, Monday Special, Parkview Lanes
Liz Huxley, 248, Tuesday Ladies Competitive, Neffer's Bowl
Lori Ciquera, 242, Monday Special, Parkview Lanes
Fran Barlow, 228, Women's Trio, Parkview Lanes
Karen Huscher, 223, Early Birds Ladies, Sportsmen's Bowl