Macpherson takes WIBC Queens title for second time in career

By PHIL GULICK

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

The Women's International Bowling Congress Queens title is the crowning achievement in the sport and Wendy Macpherson is wearing the tiara for the second time in her 14-year career.

Macpherson, the Professional Women's Bowling Association three-time Player of the Year, won her second Queens title May 26 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., stopping Marianne DiRupo 227-202. Macpherson was the 1988 Queens champion and won her third player of the year honor last season.

It was Macpherson's 17th career title and earned the Henderson, Nev., native $23,000, a diamond pendant and the tiara. DiRupo, from Dearborn, Mich., took home $13,600.

"I was very nervous tonight because this was a major that I desperately wanted to win again," Macpherson said. "I had to make good shots and have her beat me because I didn't want to beat myself."

Kim Terrell finished third; defending champion Leanne Barrette was fourth and Sharon Aronson fifth. DiRupo advanced to the championship match by defeating Terrell 236-213. Terrell disposed of Barrette and Aronson in a three-way quarterfinal match.

Tampa's Shari Johnson finished 20th, Sebring's Kendra Cameron was 26th, Kim Adler of Palm City was 50th and Allyson Allmang of Boynton Beach finished 51st. The event drew more than 100 pro and amateur bowlers and paid through 64th place.

Rose Smith of Las Vegas defeated Karen Pullman of Salt Lake City 212-180 to win the first Senior Queens tournament and $2,100. Carolyn Trump of North Fort Myers was third and Ruth Weaver of Punta Gorda was ninth.

After four events, two-time winner Carolyn Dorin-Ballard is the top money-winner with more than $39,000. Michelle Feldman is second at $38,950 and Kim Adler of Cocoa third at $33,350. NEW BROADCAST TEAM: When the PBA tour opens its 2000 campaign Sunday with the ABC Masters at Albuquerque, N.M., it will sport a new broadcasting team.

Twelve-time tour winner Randy Pedersen of Hollywood, Fla., and 25-year broadcast veteran Ron Thulin will call the shots for Fox Sports Net's broadcast of five tour events through July.

Pedersen is an active pro, ranks 23rd on the PBA's all-time earnings list and won the 1987 PBA National Championship. He has served as the PBA color man and more recently as an announcer on TNN's Rockin' Bowl collegiate fun series.

ESPN takes over the PBA in October for seven shows.

SOPER WINS FIRST: Top qualifier Butch Soper held off a challenge by Norb Wetzel to win his first PBA tour title in the Seattle Senior Open last weekend and earned $8,000. Soper fell behind early in the match and struggled through the middle before striking in the ninth and 10th frames to clinch the victory. Wetzel earned $4,500.

Wetzel defeated Bob Glass 246-226 in the semifinal match. Roger Workman, the tour's top money-winner, finished fourth and Guppy Troupe fifth. Bradenton's Dave Soutar was seventh and Titusville's Pete Couture finished eighth.

The seniors are at Beaverton, Ore., this week for the Northwest Senior Classic with Steve Neff of Homosassa Springs defending his title. FSU READY: The Seminoles' mixed team takes on Purdue at 11 p.m. Friday in a quarterfinal match of TNN's Rockin' Bowl with hopes of advancing to the semifinals. The Seminoles have defeated Michigan State and lost to Illinois-Urbana, so one more loss and they are out. YOUTH TOURNAMENT SLATED: The American Scholarship Tournament started last weekend at Brandon Crossroads Bowl and continues every weekend through July. It pays winners up to $2,000, based on 100 entries. Entry forms may be found at the Killer B Web site:

http://www.killerbpromo.com/YM/2000.htm.

-- Phil Gulick can be reached at http://Xerxes6@aol.com or Xerxes6@earthlink.net.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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