The field of 56 included many bowlers who have recently been selected to represent England in the upcoming World Championships in Reno… and some that hadn’t and they would want to use this event to remind the selectors what they’re capable of.
I wanted a theme for the patterns we’re going to use this year. And as we’re all legends I thought it was fitting to go with the PBA Legends series. Bowlers who we grew up watching on the PBA tour… before all these young two handers with afro’s came along. So, the pattern for this event was the 2023 Monacelli – which is a 40ft 22ml 4.7:1 pattern. Monacelli was one of my favourite pro’s watching in the 90s
So lets get into it.
Early pace setter was ME… Basher Bonfield III esq. with a 1595, a 226 average. Then Steve Bose on 1524 then came three of the World Championship squad Matt Trotter on 1487, Kevin Pilley on 1482, and then top scratch lady Kimberly Oakley on 1478… Kimberly finishing with games of 257,267.
Squad 2, a squad featuring some big hitters. Steve Thornton who in his last tournament at Dunstable shot 3 300 games, the Machine Steve Flynn. Also featuring the Gobbler Selwyn Morgan who has been in fine form recently and the Exeter Exocet Chris Westy.
Westy opened up with 277,235. Steve Flynn started slowly with 265,226 ! Games 4 and 5 saw some players really step it up. Selwyn went 279,266 and Steve Flynn went up another gear and shot 268,278. Also going along nicely and somewhat under the radar was lefty Chris Ellis rolling 230’s and 240’s.
Steve Flynn coasted over the line with a 225,193 finish to take the scratch top prize with a 1671 total (239 average). Chris Ellis with his consistent bowling came 2nd on 1633, with Basher 3rd on 1595 and Steve Thornton in 4th.
Steve taking home £420 in prize money and a Motiv Thrill ball which like a true romantic he is giving to his girlfriend ! Steve also won a Qubica AMF Summer Series striking shirt – and she wasn’t the only girlfriend being given a ball… whilst doing the scoring and threatening to walk out I promised that if I won any prize money I’ll buy Alison a new ball ! – So the lord giveth and the lord taketh away !
In the handicap section the winner was Selwyn with 1653, with Westy in 2nd on 1577, Martin Williamson in 3rd and Steve Bose in 4th. Selwyn also win a Qubica AMF Summer Series striking shirt
Top 3 scratch ladies were Teresa McCarthy in 3rd on 1350, Gaye McCully on 1356 and top lady Scratch was Kimberly Oakley on 1478. Kimberly wins herself a new Motiv Thrill – take a look at this ball. It would a great ball especially in the summer when the bowls are sweltingly hot and the lanes are toasted – https://www.motivbowling.com/products/balls/light-oil/max-thrill-hybrid.html
Tournament average was 190.1.
I love a pot game… and everyone who bowled was automatically entered into the high game pot – paying out £20 / game
The winners were
Game 1 – Chris West 277
Game 2 – Paul Loberman 259
Game 3 – Steve D Thornton 278
Game 4 – Mike Smyth & Selwyn Morgan 279
Game 5 – Steve Flynn 278
Game 6 – Kimberly Oakley 257
Game 7 – Kimberly Oakley 267
So with the brackets, the total prize fund for this tournament was £2,470 (brackets paying out £440) and a total of 20 bowlers out the 56 won some cash ! – that’s pretty decent.
Lets have some thank you’s – firstly to my significant other Alison, who had to not only put up with me,,, but also Loberman, both of us hanging over her shoulder pestering her for information. To Lobbers who has done a lot of work with his average database. It’s the most comprehensive list of scores and tournament results this country has ever had. Lots have tried to put together something we can use as a National Average database – well thanks to Paul’s hard work we pretty much have something we can use now. Also Paul and Alison both worked hard on running the brackets – it was the first time we had used that program for brackets… and we’ll take away some of the learnings from this tournament and apply them going forward.
Our sponsors – my friends at Qubica AMF who have invested in these tournaments. Motiv Bowling https://www.motivbowling.com/ and the best and original shirt company in the country Striking Shirts https://strikingshirts.bigcartel.com/
So first event done… we move onto the next event with is on 15th June at Acocks Green. I was hoping to be able to release the entry form by now. But I just want to speak to the manager of the Green and re-confirm the details of the original booking. Most of you are aware that the ownership of the bowl has recently changed hands and though I’m sure my originally booking will be honoured I just want to make 100% sure, so I need a quick conversation with the Bowls manager.
See you hopefully see many of you at the next event – make sure you get the latest news via the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/460019646694267