Pros hit Spring Hill Lanes

By DEREK LARIVIERE
Published July 20, 2007

This weekend the PBA Tour makes one of its two annual stops in the North Suncoast area.

In October, the tour makes its way back to Lane Glo Lanes for the annual New Port Richey PBA Southern Regional, but this week the spotlight is on Hernando County for the 19th annual Spring Hill PBA Southern Regional at Spring Hill Lanes.

Spectators will have the chance to watch the best athlete in his sport - Walter Ray Williams Jr. - compete Saturday and Sunday. Williams Jr., who won this event in 2002, is the all-time PBA national wins leader with 42 and is in the sport's Hall of Fame.

Also scheduled to attend are notable pros like Jason Hurd, Ritchie Allen, Ken Simard and Tom Daugherty. Hurd is the South Region's points leader. Allen has competed in national all-star events like the Trick Shot Championships and is a perennial contender in the region. Simard is coming off back-to-back tournament wins and won the points championship in the South Region last year.

Daugherty returns for a go at defending his championship from last season. The Wesley Chapel native took the title last season for his first pro crown. Since then Daugherty has risen to the top of the pack as one of the tour's top stars. He is ninth in points, winning another event in March at the Milton Open.

REGIONAL QUALIFIER: Last Sunday, Spring Hill Lanes hosted a tournament to award three skilled locals a spot in the field for this weekend's regional.

Brian Fitzmaurice won the 51-person event with a 1,517. Kevin Williams, owner of Kevin's Pro Shop at Spring Hill, came in second for the next entry and a pin total of 1,360. Jason Mahr (1,288) became the second pro shop owner in the county and the last competitor in the field to walk away with an entry.

TEAMING WITH THE PROS: Kicking off the festivities will be today's Pro-Am No-Tap Tournament. The day features local amateurs sharing the lanes with stars from the pro tour. The first session starts at 12:30.

Scores

High Scratch Series (Male)

Chris Polizzi, 734, Elite Trio, Spring Hill Lanes

Brandon Curley, 722, Youth/Adult, Spring Hill Lanes

Larry Malone, 691, Youth/Adult, Spring Hill Lanes

Bobby Read, 689, Monday Men's Trio, Spring Hill Lanes

Chris Stevens, 687, Monday Men's Trio, Spring Hill

High Scratch Game (Male)

Chris Polizzi, 300, Elite Trio, Spring Hill Lanes

Rich Garner, 300, PBA Shot Challenge, Spring Hill Lanes

Spooky Block, 287, PBA Shot Challenge, Spring Hill Lanes

Brandon Curley, 280, Youth/Adult, Spring Hill Lanes

Larry Malone, 268, Youth/Adult, Spring Hill Lanes

High Scratch Series (Female)

Gail McGovney, 602, Pines & Friends, Spring Hill Lanes

Nancy Ellison, 589, T.G.I.F., Spring Hill Lanes

Kay Metzger, 581, T.G.I.F., Spring Hill Lanes

Katie McKay, 565, Youth/Adult, Spring Hill Lanes

Joanna Davidson, 551, Youth/Adult, Spring Hill Lanes

High Scratch Game (Female)

Carol Bien, 234, Belles & Beaus, Spring Hill Lanes

Gail McGovney, 218, Pines & Friends, Spring Hill Lanes

Betty Roussos, 217, Belles & Beaus, Spring Hill Lanes

Joanna Davidson, 213, Youth/Adult, Spring Hill Lanes

Theresa Clark, 211, Have A Ball, Spring Hill Lanes

[Last modified July 19, 2007, 22:35:20]