To start the day off – the Baker Team Tournament was held at 1:30 PM at Creslanes, the baker format is a tournament where 5 bowlers compete together to bowl one game.  Bowler 1 bowls the 1st and the 6th frames, bowler 2 the 2nd and the 7th frames etc…  with the 5th bowler bowling the 5th frame and the entire 10th frame.  There were 12 teams in the tournament, with each team bowling 12 games – one each on lanes 1 – 12.  Top 4 teams advance to the match play – where there is a 2 game roll  off 1st vs 4th and 2nd vs 3rd.  High Qualifier was Creslanes – with +291 on the team: Chris Hill, Cindy and Terry Cottrell, Steve and Stephanie Beck.  4th place was +191.  The HasBeens bowled Schultz’s Process Service team in the championship match, with Schultz’s winning the Baker Team Championship  - Members of Schultz’s are Shawn Stackis, Russ Bollibaugh, Kenny Slaght, Dan Olberding and Chris Schultz – Congratulations Guys – they made it into the final 4 by 3 pins – and then took it all

So now we move on to the Big 10 championship…..  After 2 qualifying weeks, 6 competition weeks – we are down to two bowlers – So are you Team Adam or Team Tom??

Adam Gross   vs    Tom Kramer

Adam needs to win one match to be the champion – Tom must win match 1 to force a match 2 to win the tournament. So here we go….  Lanes 7-8 with a pretty large crowd in attendance – one of the larger crowds that I have seen for the finals.  Adam starts the match with a 2-10 split for an open.  strike spare strike, Greek Church for an open, double, covers the 7 pin, strike in the 9th and 10th then leaves the 3-6-9-10 and gets 3 to finish with a 188.   Tom starts with a 3 pin spare, 7 pin spare, double, misses a 7 pin, 4 bagger, 10 pin spare and 8 for 223 and a 35 pin lead after 1 game. Game 2 Gross starts with a double, 10 pin spare(barely gets it!) strike, 10 pin spare, 4 pin spare, double, 2-8 spare, 3-6-10 spare and strike for 213.  Kramer goes strike, 7 pin spare, 7 pin miss, 7 pin spare, changes balls and then goes strike, 2-4-7 spare, 3-9 spare, double, solid 8 pin for a  spare and strike for 195.  Kramer’s lead is down to 17 pins.  Adam starts the 3rd game with a 7 pin spare, Kramer does the same then strikes, Gross leaves 2-8 and spares then carries a light strike, Kramer goes light and trips the 6 for a strike, then leaves the 7 and spares, Gross carries another light strike, then leaves the 10 and spares, Kramer doubles his next turn, Gross responds with a double, Kramer with a 16 pin lead at this point – leaves the 7-10p split in the 7th and gets 1, then strikes on the next shot.  Now Gross is in control of the match for the first time – if he strikes out he wins, strikes in the 8th and 9th, Kramer carries a light strike in the 9th, and now whatever he does in the 10th Gross must match.  Kramer carries the first 2 strikes then gets 7 for a 232 game and 650 series.  Gross can strike out for 256/657 and the championship, but the first shot goes very high – he breaks up the pins but leaves the 10 – and the match is over.  Kramer has forced a 2nd match.  Gross misses the spare – but it is a moot point – the match ends with Kramer winning 650-625.

Adam Gross    vs     Tom Kramer

Winner takes All!  We slide a pair to the right and we are on 9-10, after a few shadow balls, Gross starts the match with back to back 10 pin spares, then leaves a washout for an open, double, 10 pin spare, strike, spare, strike, then opens the 10th for 181.  Kramer starts with a 4 bagger, tripping the 7 in the first, and the 6 in the 3rd, a 7-9 split for an open in the 5th, strike, 7 pin spare, turkey and 3 pin spare for 235 and a big 54 pin lead.  2nd game Gross leaves the 10 again and spares, changes balls and goes brooklyn for a strike, then goes brooklyn again for a 6 pin spare, then back to back 10 pin spares, double, 3-6-10 spare, double and 6 pin spare for 214.  Kramer covers the 7 pin in the first, strike, 7 pin spare, double, 7 pin spare, double, then leaves back to back to back 7 pins covering them all for 216 and adds 2 pins to his lead…pushing it to 56 pins.  Last game Gross starts with a strike, Kramer leaves another 7 pin and spares, the carries a light strike, Gross leaves the 10 pin and then the 7 pin the next frame and covers both, Kramer leaves the 8 pin and spares, then the 4-7 and spares, Gross goes high and leaves the 6 pin and spares, then strikes, Kramer doubles his next turn, Gross matches with a 2 strikes, Kramer strikes in the 7th, and then trips the 7 in the 8th for another strike and a 4 bagger, Gross is in a must strike situation – and leaves another 10 pin, and spares then he strikes, Kramer needs a mark in one of the next 2 frames to win – and seals the deal with a strike in the 9th then finishes the game with a 7 pin spare and a 6 count for 233 -684 – Gross opens the 10th but the match was over – he finishes with a 600 series and 2nd place.    Congratulations to both bowlers for a great tournament – Gross’ debut in the Big 10 lands him a 2nd place finish!

Congratulations to TOM KRAMER – the 2011 Budweiser Big 10 Champion!   Great bowling Tom!  This is Tom’s 2nd championship – he previously won in 2004.

Well – 2011 is in the books – and it was an great tournament!  There were a lot of close matches and it was fun to see some of the younger bowlers come out and bowl in the tournament and do well!   The Big 10 will start up again next October – with qualifying.  So see you then!  Until then keep visiting the DAB site (Dubuque Area Bowling) – Local tournaments will be continuously updated, results will be posted if available, along with stat updates, and bowling stories posted.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

Stephanie Beck

Adam Gross and Tom Kramer

The Champion of the Loser’s Bracket will be determined tonight!  There are 5 bowlers hoping it will be them….  4 of them, Steve Beck, Doug Dammann, Greg Klauer and Chris Schultz will have to bowl 9 games to accomplish that  - the last – Tom Kramer has to wait for the other 4 to duke it out to see who he is going to bowl.  Since there are only 4 matches tonight – we will talk about all 4.

Steve Beck   vs    Chris Schultz

On 3-4 we start with Beck and Schultz, Beck starts with a 6 bagger, leaves an 8 pin and spares, then strikes out for 279.   Schultz started with a 3 bagger, then 10 pin spare, strike, 2-8-10 split for an open, 3-6 spare, 10 pin spare, 7 pin spare and strikes out for 215 – and he is down 64 pins.  Game 2 , Beck goes 10 pin spare, 4 pin spare then 8-10 split for an open then gets back on track with an 8 bagger and 8 pins to finish with 254.  Schultz leaves a 10 pin to start, then rolls a 4 bagger, leaves another 10 and misses it, then strikes out for 257 – and nicks 3 pins off of Beck’s lead.  The last game Beck starts with a strike, Schultz goes strike, 7 pin spare, Beck pulls his next shot and leaves the 3-6-7 split for an open getting only 1, then strikes, Schultz doubles on his next turn, Beck carries a light strike, then a solid one.  Schultz tosses a light mixer for a strike, then packs one, Beck doubles, and when Schutlz leaves the 7 and spares in the 7th it is pretty much over, He strikes in the 8th, and Beck gets two more , a 9 pin for Schultz and he strikes out for 239 and 711, Beck goes double and 9 to finish his game with 9 strikes for 265 and 798.  Schultz who had a great tournament finishes in a tie for 5-6th place, Beck will meet the winner of the next match.  Chris had a great tournament and came very close to bowling in the championship match, he is also just the 2nd member of the 700 and lose club – joining last week’s charter member Heath Kohl.

Doug Dammann   vs    Greg Klauer

Lanes 9-10 – Winner will bowl Beck in the semi-finals tonight.  Dammann starts with a strike, washout for an open,  bagger, 2-5 spare, double and 8 for 244.  Klauer covers the 4-8 in the 1st, then almost leaves the 7-10 split but both fall, 3 more strikes for a 4 bagger, 4-7 spare,  turkey then leaves the 10 pin in the 10th frame and misses it for 235  - to give Dammann a 9 pin lead.  2nd game Dammann goes spare, strike, 7 pin spare, strike, 4-7 spare, turkey, 6-10 spare and then double and 8 for 226 and 470 after 2.  Klauer goes turkey, 2-4-5 spare, double and then misses another 10 pin, strike, covers the bucket,  double and 65 for 220 and 455 now down 15, He just can’t afford any more misses.  Dammann strikes to start the last game, Klauer doubles, Dammann gets 2 more, Klauer gets 2 more for a 4 bagger, Dammann gets 2 more for a 5 bagger, Klauer comes in light and leaves the 2-4-5 and spares, then strikes, Dammann leaves the 3 pin and spares, then leaves the 4-9 and misses both for an open, Klauer doubles,  Dammann doubles,   Klauer strikes in the 11th, carries a light shot for a strike in the 10th and then seals the match by striking in the 11th, he finishes with a strike for 277 - Dammann leaves an 8 pin , spares it and strikes for 234 and 704 – but loses to Klauer who came from behind and won.  Both bowlers bowled great and it looked to be Dammann’s match after Klauer missed a couple of spares, but he did not give up and finished with the last 7 strikes to take the match.  Dammann is the 2nd member tonight of the 700 and lose club – which did not see its first member until last week!

Greg Klauer   vs    Steve Beck

We move to the 7 pm match – the winner of this match will face Tom Kramer at 8.  We are on 5-6 and we will start with Klauer who leaves a 7 pin and spares to start, strike, 6 pin spare, turkey, 3 pin spare, strike, 9 pin spare, strike then a 4 pin spare for 219.  Beck goes strike, 7 pin spare, 7 bagger, 8 pin spare, strike. for 259 and a 40 pin lead over Klauer.  Klauer starts the 2nd game with a 9 pin spare, 2-5 spare, 2 pin spare, then misses the 6 pin and seems to be out of the great rhythm that he had to finish his last match, a strike, 5 pin spare, then the 6-7-10 split for an open, strike spare strike spare to finish with 170.  Beck starts with a 5 bagger, leaves back to back 2 pins and covers them, then a 7 pin spare, double and 10 pin spare for 246 – and 505 after 2 games and a 116 pin lead. Klauer throws much better the last game – strikewise – he has 2 doubles and a 4 bagger,  but even with Beck struggling to strike the last game until the 6th frame and then he rolls a 5 bagger –  116 pin deficit was too much to over come.  Klauer finishes a great tournament in 4th place. Beck wins the right to bowl Tom Kramer to determine who will be the champion of the losers bracket.  The final score of this match was Beck 728 - Klauer 608.

Steve Beck    vs   Tom Kramer

The final match before championship week – we are on 7-8 another fresh pair of lanes, Beck starts with a 4 bagger, 7 pin spare, double, goes brooklyn and leaves the 6 pin and misses it, a double and 8 spare and he finishes with 234.  Good but not good enough as Kramer starts with the first 7 strikes, leaves a 7 pin and spares doubles and leaves another 7 pin and spares for 268 and a 34 pin lead.  Beck starts the 2nd game with a 2-10 split and misses both, doubles, 10 pin spare, 4 bagger, 7 pin spare, turkey for 236 and 470 after 2, again good but not good enough as Kramer starts with a 10 pin spare, 9 pin spare, double, then covers the 7, turkeys, 7 pin spare, double and 9 for a 236 and the 2nd game is a wash – and Kramer is still 34 pins in the lead.  So here we go for the losers bracket champion – Beck starts with a strike, Kramer leaves the 7 and spares, Beck strikes, then leaves the 2 pin and spares, Kramer doubles, Beck throws 2 strikes, Kramer adds 2 more strikes,  Beck counters with 2, Kramer gets 2 more and is on pace for a 290 through 8.  Beck gets 2 more and is pace for a 279 and needs help from Kramer to have a chance.  Kramer pulls the next shot – leaves the 2-7 split and gets one.  Kramer needs 20 pins in the 10th to shut Beck out – he carries a strike and then goes wide but leaves just the 3 pin and spares for the win – Beck strikes on the first ball in the 10th and then leaves the 10 and spares for 268 – Kramers 246 – 750 – edges Beck’s 738 and Kramer wins the right to bowl Adam Gross for the championship.  Beck who had a great tournament finishes in 3rd and acknowledges you can not miss spares in a big match like this.  Great match guys!  Beck joins 2 others tonight as he shoots 700 and loses.  Congrats to the bowlers for making this a fun night to watch bowling!

Congratulations to Tom Kramer – the Champion of the Losers Bracket  - he will be bowling Adam Gross next week – will he get revenge and force a 2nd match – or will Adam go undefeated…. if he wins the first match – he then forces a 2nd match with Gross as it takes 2 loses to get knocked out of the tournament  - what do you think will happen??  Just 7 short days and we will all know!

Next week stop down in the afternoon for the Baker team tournament – if you have never seen this even or don’t know what the Baker format is  - here you go.  5 bowlers combine to roll 1 game.  Each bowler will bowl 2 frames in each game, so bowler 1 will bowl in the 1st and 6th frames, bowler 2 – the 2nd and 7th frames etc… with the 5th bowler – bowling the 5th and the entire 10th frame.  There are 12 teams in the field – and each team will bowl one game on each lane. Top 4 qualifying teams bowl match play – which is a two game roll off – the no. 1 seed bowls the 4th seed and 2 will take on 3.  Winners of those match will compete to see who will be the champion.

There are other fun things going 0n – there will be prizes from Budweiser, food – and then the championship match(s) – Cya at the lanes.

We have completed 5 weeks – and tonight the we have the first member of the 700  and Lose Club, and this is especially tough because it is so close to the championship!  So at the end of the night tonight we have crowned a Winner’s Bracket Champion and cut the field in half again.  5 Bowlers will bowl next week to determine the Loser’s Bracket Champion.  Who survived??

Doug Dammann   vs   Ryan Kase

Lanes 1 and 2 – a loser’s bracket match.  Winner bowls on, loser finishes in a tie for 9th – 12th place.  Dammann starts with a strike, 10 pin spare, double, 4-7-10 split for an open, strike, Missed the 7 pin, covers the 10 for a spare, strike in the 9th and then covers the bucket and 9 more for 180.  Kase starts with a split for an open, spares the 10, strike, 7 pin spare, 4 bagger, chops the 3-6-10 for an open, then turkeys the 10th for 212.  2nd game Kase starts with a double, spares the 1-2-8, picks up the 7, double, wash out for an open, 4 pin spare, strike then opens the 10th with the 3-4-8-10 split for 188.  Dammann doubles to start, 7 pin spare, double, 4 pin spare, turkey, leaves the 2-8 and spares in the 10th then strikes for 236.  Dammann takes the lead – 416 -400 going into the last game.  Dammann starts with a strike and then a 2 pin spare, Kase turkeys to start the 3rd game.  Dammann strikes in the 3rd and 4th, Kase leaves the 10 pin and psares, both strike in the 5th, with Dammann continuing to strike in the 6th, Kase leaves another 10 and spares.  Both bowlers strike in the 8th and 9th  (which makes a 6 bagger for Dammann).  Dammann leaves the 10 pin and spares in the 9th, Kase strikes.  Kase finishes first – and must strike out to force Dammann to at least mark, Kase gets the first strike, but leaves his 3rd 10 pin of the game and spares,   Dammann now needs just a few pins and gets a spare and strike to win 664 -648.  Congrats to Kase for a nice tournament.  Congrats to Dammann he is one step closer to the Big 10 finals.

Dave Feltes  vs   Heath Kohl

Lanes 9-10 – another Losers bracket match.  Feltes rolls a 4 bagger out of the gate, 10 pin spare, another 4 bagger, spare strike in the 10th for 256.  Kohl starts hot also – with a 5 bagger out of the gate, then has 2 opens both splits, then a 4 bagger and 8 for 241.  2nd game Feltes goes spare , double, 7 pin spare, strike, 7-10 split for an open, misses a 10 pin for another open, covers the 2-8, then picks up the 10 twice and strikes for 184.  Kohl starts with a 4 bagger,  2-8  spare, 10 pin miss, strike, 10 pin spare, strike, 8-10 split for an open in the 10th and a 204 and he has a slim 5 pin lead.  Last game Feltes starts with a turkey, Kohl covers the 10 pin, strikes, 2-8 spare.  Feltes leaves the 8 and spares, Kohl the 10 pin.  Feltes spares the 10, Kohl goes wide and leaves the 1-2-8 but spares, then strikes, Feltes then bowls covering the 4 pin then strikes, Kohl rolls 2 more strikes,  Feltes leaves the 7 and spares then leaves the 10 pin and misses it in the 9th.  Kohl can shut Feltes out – but leaves the 2 pin and spares, the finishes the game with a 10 pin miss in the 10th frame.  Match is in Feltes hands, a double and he wins, he goes a little high and leaves the 4 pin – spares and gets 9 more of r 204/644 loss to Kohls 203/648.  Feltes ends his tournament – finishing in 9th – 12th place… Kohl bowls on at 8 to try to grind his way to the championship.

Tom Kramer  vs   Chris Schultz

In the corner on 11-12 – one of 2 winners bracket match at 7.  In the other Adam Gross defeated Greg Klauer 687-589.  Who will Adam face in the championship match at 8 pm?  Kramer starts the first game with a 5 bagger, then leaves the 2-4-7 and gets only 1, picks up the 10 pin, strike, 7 pin spare, strike 7 pin miss for 222.  Schultz starts with a 10 pin spare, double, 2 pin spare, 2-8 spare, strike, 9 pin spare, double, spare strike for 216.  We have an exciting 6 pin match….  Game 2 – Kramer turkeys, 7 pin spare, double, 4 pin spare, 7 pin spare then misses a 7 pin for an open in the 9th then double 9 for 224.  Schultz goes strike, 9 pin spare, 5 bagger, 10 pin spare, 7 pin spare, 10 pin spare in the 10th and a strike in the fill, for 237. Schultz now has taken a slim 7 pin lead.  Kramer starts the last game with a strike, Schultz strikes then covers the 2-8, Kramer strikes, and covers the 10 pin, Schultz doubles on his turn, Kramer then rolls 2 strikes, Schultz rolls 2 more to make a 4 bagger, Kramer takes on one more strike for a turkey and then leaves the 7 pin but spares, Schultz leaves the 7 and spares then strikes, Kramer doubles to set up the finish of the game.  Schultz finishes first striking in the 9th and can strike out to win the match outright, he gets the first one in the 10th, then leaves the 2-4-5-7 and spares for 245 but he left room for Kramer to try to win his first really close match of the season.  Kramer’s first shot was light and tumbles the left side of the rack for a strike, the next ball strikes and the crowd roars, he finishes the match with a 9 for a 257 game and 702 series and wins the chance to bowl Adam Gross in the championship finals - Schultz comes up just short – with his 245/698 BUT he still has a shot next week… he just needs to survive 3 matches.

Steve Beck   vs   Heath Kohl

8pm strikefest on lanes 9-10.  Winner will bowl next week to try to be the champion of the Losers bracket – loser finishes tied for 7th-8th,  Game 1 Beck goes 5 bagger, 4 pin spare, double, 10 pin spare, turkey for 258.  Kohl who just survived a nail biter with Feltes, doubles to start then spares the 2-8 and 1-2-10, then strikes throw the 11th and finishes with 9 for 264 and the lead!  2nd game Kohl turkeys, covers the 10, strikes, covers the 10 again, 4 bagger, then the 3-6-10 spare in the 11th for 246  and 510 after 2.  Sounds great – but Beck rolls the first 7 strikes, then leaves the 10 pin and spares then strikes through 11 and then gets 9 for 278 and 536 and now he has a 26 pin lead.  Last game Beck starts with a strike, Kohl strikes, then misses the 10 pin, Beck goes high – leaves the 3 pin and spares, then strikes, Kohls strikes on both shots his next turn, Beck leaves the 5 and spares, then strikes, Kohl rolls 2 more strikes for a 4 bagger so far, Beck strikes for a double then leaves another 10 pin and spares, Kohl leaves back to back 10s and spares both, Beck leaves another 10 pin and spares then strikes in the 9th.  Kohl can strike out to force Beck to get this first strike, he leaves the 7-10 split then has the crowd gasping, he gets 1 then doubles and gets 6 for 209 and 719.  Beck just needs a few pins – and gets up and leaves the bucket and spares then adds 9 more for 207/743.  A very exciting match and unfortunately for Kohl he bowls great enough to beat everyone else but Beck – he also – believe it or not is the first bowler to shoot 700 this year and NOT win!  Congrats to both bowlers – great match.

Championship match – so if you peeked at the Match results you know who won but how did it happen??

Adam Gross   vs    Tom Kramer

Gross starts hot the first game with a double, opens the 3rd chopping the bucket, then a 5 bagger, spare and turkey for 243.  Kramer starts with an open by completely missing the 2-5-9 spare, then misses the pocket and leaves the 1-3 spare, a turkey, 10 pin spare, strike, covers back to back 6 pins, then strikes and spares for 205.  Game 2 Gross doubles again to start, then leaves the 7-10 split for an open, 4 bagger, 10 pin miss then strikes out for 233 and 476 after 2 games.  Kramer strikes to start, leaves the 4 pin and spares, the 3 pin and spares, the leaves the Big 4 split for an open, covers the 6 pin, strikes, 3-9 spare, strike, 2-4 spare, and then finishes with a spare and strike for 179 and 384.  Down but not out yet – Kramer is 92 behind Gross.  Not impossible, so here we go, Gross starts with a strike, Kramer strikes, then covers the 3-6-9-10,  Gross strikes and the for the 3rd time this set opens the 3rd frame with a 7-10 split, Kramer rolls 2 strikes,  Gross gives Kramer hope when he opens again by missing the 2-4-8, then strikes, Kramer leaves a 7 pin and spares and then strikes, Gross leaves the 10 and spares, then the bucket and spares and he is giving a very slim opening to Kramer,who must strike out for any kind of chance – he does strike in the 7th, then leaves a 9 and spares in the 8th, strike and 4 pin spare for Gross, and they finish out the game with Kramer striking in the 9th and 1oth then covering a spare for 226/610.  Gross finishes with a turkey and a 192/668 win and becomes the Champion of the Winner’s bracket!  Gross  will get the week off next week and will claim either the Champions trophy or the runner up check on finals night!  Congrats Adam!   Kramer, who handily won most of his matches until tonight – will wait to see who he will face at 8 pm next week  - the winner of that match will be the champion of the Losers bracket and will have to defeat Gross twice to win the Tournament.

Congrats to everyone that made it to week 5 – you all did amazing and will receive a check… Again I need to thank my helpers – Cody Beck, Phil Breitbach and Tom Hall who all helped keep score so that I can give you the details of all of the matches.  Good luck to all that remain – there will be some great matches next week… who do you think will survive??

Tonight was marathon night and if you make it through tonight – you will get a check in a few weeks.  We narrowed the Winners bracket down to 4 bowlers and next week we will crown the Champion of the Winners bracket.  That bowler will get a week off while the rest of the field duke it out to see who will bowl him.

One interesting note – we are approaching the 5th week of the tournament and NO ONE has shot 700 and lost…  Don’t believe I have seen that for a long long time if ever.  So, if you shoot 700 there is a good shot you will win… but the field has narrowed down to 12 bowlers – so anything goes.  After next week we cut the field in half again.

Health Kohl    vs    Adam Gross

Winners bracket match – This is a roller coaster match!  Kohl rolls 8 strikes his first game for 193, missing a 10 pin in the 5th and the 2-4-10 split.  Funny thing is – he has a 50 pin lead after that game – as Gross struggled mightily out of the gate.  First 2 splits for opens, then missed the 6-10 spare and then the 2-8 spare, strike in the 5th for his 1st mark, 9 pin spare, strike, 9 pin spare, strike then missed the 10 in the 10th for 143.  Not Good.    Kohl goes double, washout for a spare, double, 10 pin spare, turkey and misses the 10 in the 10th for 222.  Gross, must have figured out something after that mess of a first game – as he starts with the first 5 strikes, leaves the 8 and spares, then strikes out for 279! Almost doubling his first game!  So now we are all square with Gross holding a 7 pin lead.  Gross starts with a turkey, Kohl a double, then the bucket for an open. Gross leaves the 6 pin and spares, Kohl strikes, then covers the 2 pin for a spare, Gross strikes, Both bowlers strike in the 6-8 frames, with Kohl striking in the 9th for a 4 bagger, Gross ends his 4 bagger with a 2-8 spare and now Gross needs a mark to win the match – and he leaves the 8-10 split and gets one for 233.  Kohl can now strike out and win the match, but leaves the 2-8-10 for an open and the match is over – Gross stays in the winners bracket with his 655 – Kohls 624.  Kohl will have a second chance next week – but will have to survive 2 matches to make the top 6.

Chris Schultz   vs   Dennis Pergande

Another Winners Bracket match – with the Winner take the express route to the finals…  the loser will detour through 5 matches to have a shot at the title.  In the first game the strikes were flying!  Schultz had double, 10 pin spare, strike, 7 pin spare then struck through 11 and finished with a 2-8-10 split of 245.  Pergande, starts witha double, 7 pin spare, turkey, 7 pin spare, turkey, 7 pin spare for 247 and a 2 pin lead.   Schultz the 2nd game rolls a double, spare, strike, split for an open, strike, spare, turkey, 10 pin miss in the 11th for 212.  Pergande strikes, 4 pin spare, 1-3-6 spare, 6-8 split for an open, 6-8-10 split for another open, then turkey, 7 pin spare, double 9 for a 201 game.  9 pin advantage to Schultz, who starts with a double the 3rd game. Pergande matches and strikes in the 3rd and 4th, to take the lead as Schultz covers the 5 count washout, a spares in the 4th also.  A strike for Schultz, and another 6-8 split for Pergande we are all knotted up again.  Schutltz leaves the 10 and covers it, Pergande strikes, Strike for Schultz, 7 pin spare for Pergande, Strike in the 8th for Schultz and now he has the lead, Pergande leaves the 1-3-6 and spares, both strike in the 9th and  Pergande needs some help from Schultz – but Schultz strikes out and the match is over – Pergande finishes with a 222/670 Schultz 240/697.   Chris will bowl for the championship of the winners bracket next week – Pergande will fight his way through the losers bracket.

Terry Cottrell   vs    Jeremy Cook

Cottrell starts this Losers bracket match with 4 – 10 pin spares the first 5 frames and gets a 4 bagger spare, strike to finish with a 227.  Cook is wild the first game – strike, Greek Church split and misses ALL of them, misses the 10 pin, double 2-10 split for an open, spare, double spare strike for 173.  2nd game is more of the same for Cottrell – strike 7 pin spare, strike, 3 – 10 pins in a row all spares, 9 pin spare, turkey and yes you guessed it – 10 pin spare for 216.  Cook starts with a 4 bagger, 3 pin spare, double, 4 pin spare, covers the bucket, strike spare for 234.  Cottrell has a 36 pin lead going into the last game.  Cottrell leaves the 4-9 split for an open, Cook leave the 3-6-9-10 and spares, Cottrell strikes, Cook spares the 6-10.  Cottrell leaves the 9 pin and spares, Cook gets the next 2 strikes, Cottrell leaves the 10 pin and misses it, both strike in the 5th,  Cottrell leaves the 6-10 and spares,  Cook strikes again,  Cottrell makes a ball change and strikes in the 7th and 8th, Cook matches, They both strike in the 9th,  Cook leaves the 4-7 in the 10th and spares, Cottrell strikes and we are down to count – Cottrell strikes out but Cook strike too – and squeaks out a narrow 4 pin win 256/663  to Cottrells 217/660.  Cottrell is out – Cook will bowl on to see if he can make it to next week and to cashing.

Rick Jacobs    vs     Colton Hedrick

Jacobs starts this Losers bracket match with spare, double, 10 pin spare, 10 pin spare, double then opens the 8th, and then back to back splits for opens in the 9th and 10th for 181.  Hedrick, starts with a split – the rolls a 4 bagger, spare, 7 split misses then all, spare strike spare strike for 202.  Rick starts the 2nd game with a double, split for an open, 6 bagger, spare strike for 241, Hedrick, goes double, spare, double, 10 pin miss, 4 pin spare, double spare, strike for 212 .  Jacobs comes back to take an 8 pin lead.  Last game Jacobs starts with 7 pin spare, strike 7 pin spare, strike, Hedrick starts with a 4 bagger and takes back the lead just like that…  2 more spares for Jacobs, and a spare strike for Hedrick, Jacobs doubles in the 7th and 8th, Hedrick spares then splits for an open and now it is advantage Jacobs.  A strike for Hedrick in the 9th, and Jacobs opens with 7 and 2.  Hedrick goes 8 spare and Jacobs can strike out to beat him, he carries the first one then splits the 11th and Hedrick finishes with 211/625 to Jacobs 193/615.  Hedricks hangs on to win and needs to win 2 more times tonight to get in the money.  Jacobs who almost won the tournament a few years ago is done.

Doug Dammann    vs    Mike LuGrain

7 pm – Winner bowls on loser goes home.  Dammann starts with a double, 4 pin spare, 10 pin spare, 2 pin spare, 10 pin spare, strike, 10 pin spare, turkey and 8 for 224. LuGrain, picks up the bucket to start, then covers the 7 pin, turkey, 3 pin spare, 4 bagger and a split for an open in the 11th for 244.  20 pins in front LuGrain starts game 2 just like game one – covers the bucket, picks up the 10 pin strikes, spare, strike spare, 5 bagger and 8 for 237.  Dammann rolls a turkey, 2 pin spare, strike, 2 pin spare, turkey, bucket for a spare and strike for 236…  and LuGrain adds a pin to his lead.  Strike for LuGrain to start the 3rd game, Dammann covers the 2-4, then doubles, LuGrain opens in the 2nd with the 3-6-7-10 split, then strikes, in the 4th Dammann leaves the 9 pin and spares, LuGrain opens with the 6-7-10 split getting 2, then covers the 7 pin, Dammann strikes, LuGrain 10 pin spare, Dammann 4pin spare, then a strike, LuGrain leaves the 7 and covers it, 10 pin spare for Dammann, strike for LuGrain but Dammann has a 15 lead, and his next shot leaves the 4 and covers it, LuGrain leaves the 10 and spares.  Dammann bowls the 10th first and needs a good count spare and good count again to win, and he leaves the 5 count washout! LuGrain meanwhile left the 10 pin and spares,  Dammann picks up the washout! and strikes for the win. 663 – 650. LuGrain is out 2 wins short of cashing.  Dammann will bowl again at 8.

Dave Feltes   vs  Jim Johnson

Both bowlers are past champions – and 2 of the older bowlers left in the tourny! Winner gets a check loser comes up just short.  Feltes strikes, 8 pin spare, 3-10 split for a spare, turkey, back to back 10s for spares, double and 2-7-8 split and gets 2 for 222.  Johnson strikes, then back to back 10s for spares, turkey, 7 pin spare strike, 2 pin spare, strike 10 pin miss in the 11th for 217.  Game 2 8 pin spare for Feltes 6-7-10 split for an open getting only 1, 2 pin spare, turkey,  2-10 split for an open getting 1, 9 pin spare, double 7 pin spare for 200.  Johnson turkeys to start game 2, then covers the 1-2-4-7, strike, 2-4 spare, double, 2-8 spare strike, then 6 count spare for 224.  Down 19 Feltes starts with a 4-5 split but covers it, Johnson strikes, Feltes trips the 4 for a strike, Johnson leaves the bucket and gets 3 for an open.  Another strike for Feltes and we are back to tied as Johnson strikes too.  Feltes then gives the lead right back leaving the 5 count bucket and getting only 4, Johnson evens it up when he also opens in the 4th with a 2-10 split, getting 1.  Strike for Feltes in the 5th, 8 pin spare for Johnson,  who then leaves the Big 4 split for an open getting 2.  Feltes leaves the 4 pin and spares, then the 10 pin and spares, Johnson strikes in the 7th and 8th, with Feltes also striking in the 8th.  Feltes has a 4 pin advantage and can strike out in the 9th and 10 th to win – but leaves the 1-2-4-8 and spares, Now Johnson can strike out and win – but he leaves a solid 9 pin and spares, Both strike in the 10th, both leave a 10 pin in the 11 th and the match is over – Feltes survives – 192/614 over Johnsons’s 169/610 a nice come from behind win for Feltes  - who makes it to the money round once again!  Johnson comes up just short…

Well we have our top 12, in the Winners bracket we have Klauer, Gross, Kramer and Schultz, in the Losers bracket we have Dammann, Kase, Lanser, Pergande, Beck, McDermott, Feltes and Kohl.  One of these guys will be crowned your next Budweiser Big 10 Champion… who do you think it will be??

See you next week!

Week 3 is in the books….  16 more bowlers are out and the field is cut in half!  There are 8 bowlers left in the Winners bracket –  Congratulations to those bowlers because you get a check! There are 24 bowlers in the Losers bracket and next week is marathon week if you want to stay in.   Of those 24 bowlers in the Losers bracket – when next week is over – 4 will survive and be in the money!

Matches for next week – are posted above – check them out!

So here we go with Week 3!

Tyler Kohl   vs  Doug Dammann

Kohl starts the first game – on Lanes 1 & 2 with a 3 bagger, 6-10 spare, 3 bagger, 5 pin spare then strikes out for 257.  Dammann Starts with a turkey too, 2-8 spare, 10 pin  spare, missed a single pin, 8 pin spare, 3 bagger and then 8 and 1 for 222.  2nd game Kohl starts with a double, 4-6-7 split for an open, 7-10 split for an open, strike, 3-5-6 spare, turkey, 3-7 split and missed both in the 10th for 188.  Dammann covers the 7 to start the game, double, 10 pin spare, double, leaves the bucket and gets 2 for an open, double, 10 pin spare and strike for 210.  Kohl is up 13 going into the last game.  Both bowlers strike in the first 2 frames, Kohl leaves a 6 and spares, Dammann strikes,  Kohl leaves the 7 pin and misses in the 4th, Dammann covers the 10.  Kohl comes up light and leaves the 3-7 split goes for it and misses both, Dammann leaves the 6 and spares, Strikes in the 6th and 7th for both, Kohl leaves an 8 pin and spares, while Dammnann strikes again.Kohl must strike in the 9th but doesn’t leaving the 7 pin and spares, Dammann strikes to clinch the win even with an open in the 10th.  Dammann wins 666 – Kohls 638.  Kohl is out of the tournament – Dammann will get to bowl the marathon next week.

Scot Mescher    vs   Colton Hedrick

Mescher starts game 1 with a 4 bagger on lanes 3 – 4, a couple of spares, strike, spare and then the 4-6-7 split for an open, strike spare in the 10th for 213.  Hedrick is clean the first game, starts with a double, 6 spares in a row, then a double and picks up the 3-10  in the 11th for 208.  Game 2 both bowlers are clean – Mescher rolls a 7 bagger in the middle of the game for 259, Hedrick rolls a double, 4 bagger, double – converting 3 single pin spares between for 247 – and loses ground. Down 16 Hedrick leave the 4 and covers it to start the 3rd game.  Mescher leaves the 7-10 split for an open, doubles for both,  4 pin spare for Mescher, 7 pin spare for Hedrick,  turkey for Mescher,  and a 4 pin spare, double for Hedrick – and they are tied in the 5th – with Mescher still up 16.   Mescher ends his string with a 4 pin spare, Hedrick rolls another strike, Mescher leaves the 7 pin and misses – Hedrick strikes, Mescher must strike out to force Hedrick to mark, Mescher strikes  first, Hedrick leaves the 9 pin, Mescher strikes again, Hedrick covers the spare for the win, the finish out the last ball – and Hedrick mounts a nice come-from-behind win with 692 over Mescher’s 682.  Again loser goes home – so Mescher is out.  Hedrick bowls on…

Jim Leach    vs    Kenny Slaght

Leach starts the game strong double, 10 pin spare, turkey, then leaves the 3-6-7-10 split and misses all, covers the 3-6-9-10, strike spare 7 to finish with 204.  Slaght starts with a turkey – then things get rocky.  4-6-7 split for an open, strike, 7 pin spare, 3-4-6-7-10 split for an open, strike, 3-7-9 split for an open, spare and 7 for 172.  2nd game Slaght rights the ship and stays clean – a 4 bagger, turkey  and 3 spares and he has 246.  Leach starts with a double, 2 spares, then leaves the 8-10 split for an open,  covers the 10, strike, spare, turkey for 212 and Slaght bought a 2 pin lead with his 2nd game.  3rd game both strike to start, Leach covers the 10, Slaght strikes, Leach doubles, while Slaght leaves 3 –  7 pins – missing the first one covering the next 2, Leach leaves the 10 in the 5th and spares, both strike in the 6th, Leach strikes in the 7 th and Slaght needs to match – he doesn’t – he opens with a split – the 4-6, then comes back with a double, Leach leaves the 9 pin and spares, strikes in the 9th.  Slaght must strike out to force Leach to mark to win.  Leach leaves the 9 pin, Slaght does not strike – leaving the 4 pin – he opens but the match is already over.  Leach hangs on to win 633 – 599.  Again we say goodbye to Slaght who made it to 7/8th place last year.  Leach rolls on.

Jim Johnson    vs   Dereck Olberding

This is a roller coaster match – First Johnson is riding high with a turkey, 3 single pin spares and finishes with the last 5 strikse for 248.  Olberding starts with a double,  has an open – when he leaves a wash out, he stays clean the rest of the game – doubling in the 10th for 199.  Johnson nose-dives the second game – but starts with a double, from there he opens with a washout,  Covers the big bucket, opens the 6th, strike and 3 spares and he bottoms out with a 178.  Olberding is on the upswing this game – strike, spare, 5 bagger, spare, strike, spare for 236, which was enough to give Olberding a 9 pin lead.  Johnson leaves the 2 to start game 3 and spares, Olberding strikes, Johnson strikes, 6-10 for a spare, then opens the 3rd with a 4-6-10 split – Johnson strikes again, then leaves the 8 pin and converts, Olberding strikes the next 2 frames,  Johnson turkeys,  a 9 pin spare, Olberding leaves the 2 pin and spares, then doubles and Johnson has the lead.   Johnson leaves the 3-10 split in the 9th, and now Olberding can strike out to win the match but leaves the 2-4-8-10 split for an open, Johnson converts the baby split, in the 10th Olberding gets the first 2 strikes, but the split killed him in the 9th – Johnson spares the 10th for a 650- 626 win over Olberding, Again – this was a losers bracket match – so Olberding ends his 2011 bid to be Big 10 champion – Johnson – last years runner up is in it for another week.

Greg Klauer    vs     Dan Moore

Winners bracket match – lanes 7-8  Klauer starts with a 5 bagger, 4 spares in a row – then misses the 10 pin in the 10th frame for 222.  Moore – starts with a 4 bagger, 4 spares in a row , double and 8 spare for 232.  Klauer, covers the 10 pin to start the 2nd game, double, 10 pin spare then a washout for an open, but strikes out for 244.  Moore goes strike, 4 pin spare, 7 pin spare, turkey, 10 pin spare, double, 6 pin spare and 7 for 224.   Klauer is up 10 pins going into the last game, starts with a double, Moore covers the 10 pin and strikes, Klauer misses a 10 pin, Moore converts the 4-7, then doubles, Klauer strikes then covers the 4 pin the next 2 frames.  Moore can take the lead – opens the 6th with the Big 4 split and takes 2, converts the 2-4 spare, Klauer strikes in the 7th, then spares the 10.  Moore strikes in the 8th and if he strikes out can force Klauer to strike out to win, Klauer strikes in the 9th, but Moore spares – covering the 2-4-7, he then doubles in the 10 the with only 6 for the fill for 198, Klauer leave the 10 pin and must cover to win and does – fills the frame with a strike and a 196 game for 662 – 654 win over Moore.  Moore will have a second chance next week…  Klauer is in the money – and will bowl next week to see if he can make the final 4 in the winners bracket.

Mike LuGrain    vs   Heath Kohl

Same pair another great match!  LuGrain is clean the first game – with 3 spares, double, 4 spares and a turkey for 211.   Kohl only rolls 3 strikes in his game – no doubles and opens the 2nd with a 7-10 split for a 183 game.  2nd game Kohl starts with an open – the 2-8-10 split and gets 2, a turkey, 7 pin spare, double, 8 pin spare, 10 pin spare and strikes out for 226.  LuGrain starts with a double, 2-8 spare, 9 pin spare, strike, 2-7-8 split for an open,  double, 9 pin spare, 10 pin spare for 202. LuGrain is up by slim pins, and starts game 3 with a 5 bagger, Kohl, falls farther behind, staying clean – but covering the 5 pin, 10 pin, strike, 10 pin spare, then strikes in the 5th and 6th, LuGrain covers the 10 pin hte 6th but then misses the next one in the 7th.  Kohl strikes again, LuGrain strikes in the 8th and 9th, and Kohl matches.  LuGrain must match what Kohl does in the 10th to win – Kohl strikes in the 10th and LuGrain leaves the 3-6-10 and spares and the match is over – Kohl finishes with 2 more strikes and LuGrain fills the 11th with a strike.  Kohls 259/668 tops LuGrain’s 234/647.  LuGrain has one life left….and will wait for the 6 pm matches to find out who he will bowl…  Kohl is taking the fast track to the finals.

Kurt Schmidt   vs    Chris Schultz

Last match – on 11-12.  A winners bracket match…. Schmidt starts slow, with a pair of spares, opens when he leaves the Big 4 split, 7 pin spare, strike, 7 pin spare, strike, 5 pin spare and strikes out for 202.  Schultz goes spare strike spare strike spare – then misses the 10 pin but the next 5 strikes saves his game as he finishes with 227.  Schmidt picks up the pace starting with the first 4 strikes, 4-7 spare, strikes, 8 pin spare, 6-7-9 split and converts, double and 8 spare for 233.  Schultz strikes, covers the 7 then the 10, 5 bagger, 10 pin spare, strike spare for 238.  Schultz has a 30 pin lead over the left-hander Schmidt.    Schultz strikes in the first, Schmidt starts with a double, Schultz spares the 9, the rolls a turkey, Schmidt leaves the 7 in the 3rd then rolls a turkey of his own, when Schultz leaves a 7 pin and spares – Schmidt can cut the deficit to 10 pins, he leaves the pesky 7 pin and spares, Schultz strikes in the 7th and 8th, Schmidt leaves an 8 pin and spares, when Schultz leaves the 7 and spares in the 9th, Schmidt can strike out to force Schultz to mark.  Schultz strikes in the 9th, and strikes out in the 10th, Schultz locks the win in by striking in the 10th – he stays clean the last game (except the 11th frame) to get the win – 227/692 over Schmidts 247/682…  a great effort to try to come from 30 down.  Schmidt moves to the left side of the board and he too will wait for the 6 pm matches to see who he will bowl.  Schultz once again tries to make the top 4 in the Winners bracket!

So 16 more are gone – we have 8 in the prize money, and a long night for those in the losers bracket next week.  Steve Beck took over High Series in the tournament by bowling an 804 tonight.

Let me know how you like the site…. and if you see Chris Hill down at the lanes – thank him for making this great site.   Lastly – I would like to thank my helpers this week – because if it were not for them – I could not give you the details that I do…  Kelsey Gregory, Andy Ehrlich, Bonnie Brenke and Steve Beck.  See you next week – unless you come down to the Senior Greater Iowa at Creslanes – then I will see you there!

The match between Steve Beck and Adam Gross was made up today on lanes 11-12 at 11 am.  There was a small crowd there to watch to see who would win.

Beck who hurt his back just an hour before Saturday nights matches were to take place – starts the first game with a strike, spare, strike and a split for an open.  Gross started spare, spares, 10 pin miss, then 6 bagger – finishes with a 2-8 spare and strike for 234.  Beck Doubled in the 5th, 4 pin spare, double, 3-6 spare and strike for 205.  2nd game Beck starts with a 4-9 split, turkey, 3-6-9-10 spare, double, 10 pin spare, 7-10 split for an open, 7 pin spare and a strike for 201.  Gross had a 5 bagger, 10 pin spare, 1-2 spare, double and then opened on a split in the 10th  for 232.  Last game Beck covers the 3-10 split, Gross the 2 pin, both roll turkeys,  Beck covers back to back 10s , Gross the 2 pin then a double. Beck picks up another single pin then rolls a double. Gross misses wide but covers the 1-2-4-7, strike and spare for the win – as Beck leaves another 10 in the 10th frame.  Gross wins the postponed match 688 – 632.  Great Bowling Adam!  Beck moves over to the Losers bracket and will face teammate Jeremy Woolf.  Adam is in the winners bracket and will face Jeff Pregler Saturday night.

Now some of you may be curious like me….  why did Adam postpone this match and take a forfeit from Bob Hochrein.   So I asked him after the match, was it because Steve was there and tried to bowl…. no the answer was simpler than that.  Bob did not ask for a postponement – had he asked Adam would have postponed.  There you have it!

See ya Saturday!

Week 2 is in the books and we say goodbye to 16 bowlers….  Who is exiting early?  Check out the results of week 2 in the tab above.   So, what were the most interesting matches of the week.  Past champions Brian White took on Tom Kramer at 8 pm but that match was over early – as Kramer took a big lead after 2 games that was too large for even White to overcome.    Read on….as we go over the best matches of week 2!

Joe Hoffman     vs      Corey Leach

6 PM – lanes 5 & 6 during a full shift.  Hoffman starts with a double, misses the 3-10 completely, spares, then a double, spare, strike, spare then the 4-9 for an open in the 10th for 190.  Leach rolls a turkey, leaves the Greek Church and gets 3, another turkey, spare strike spare to finish with 217.  2nd game Hoffman rolls a turkey to start, misses the 10 pin, washes out for an open, picks up the 6-7-9 split, splits again for an open, strike, chops the 6-10 spare and the covers the 7 in the 10th for a 165 game.  Leach starts spare, strike, spare, 4 bagger,  2-10 split for an open, misses the 10 pin in the 9th and then takes only 2 pins out of the 2-5-8 spare – finishing the game with 3 open frames and leaving a little room for Hoffman to come back – Leachs 194 /411  gives him a 56 pin lead over Hoffman.  Both bowlers start the last game with a strike, both spare the 2nd, Hoffman strikes, Leach spares, Hoffman strikes again for a double, Leach leaves the 8-10  split for an open, Hoffman strikes again, Leach opens again with the 2-4-8-10 split, both bowlers strike in the 6th and 7th, Hoffman ends his 5 bagger – leaving the 3-6 and sparing, Leach struck again to make a turkey,  Hoffman strikes in the 9th, Leach leaves the 10 and covers it. If Hoffman strikes out Leach can still strike out to win by 1 pin.  Hoffman leaves the 3-6-10,  Leach the 6-10 and the match is over – Hoffman covers and strikes for 226 – Leach opens but wins by 10 pin 591 – 581.  Since this was a Losers bracket match – Joe is out.  Leach hangs on to bowl again next week.

Mike LuGrain    vs    Rick Jacobs

A winners bracket match on 1 and 2 at 7 pm.  First game is tight – 2 doubles and turkey in the 10th, with a split for an open in the 5th and LuGrain’s first game is 212.  Jacobs starts with a double, a couple of spares and a turkey, picks up a split, and then opens on a split, strike, spare for 211 and down 1 pin.  Game 2 – LuGrain starts with a spare, then misses a single pin, strike, spare, double, spare strike split for an open and chops a spare in the 10th for 3 opens and a 173 game.  Jacobs, strikes to start, then a pair of spares, a 6 bagger, then splits the 10th for an open and 233.  Jacobs is up 59 pins going into the last game.  LuGrain starts witha spare, and 4 bagger, Jacobs starts with a strike, split for an open, strike, split for an open and a pair of spares. and the match is now within 10 pins – just that quickly.  LuGrain spares the 6th, both strike in the 7th, LuGrain spares the 8th, Jacobs strikes to take a 15 pin lead.   LuGrain strikes in the 9th, Jacobs covers a single pin.  Jacobs needs to mark in the 10th to win, LuGrain has to strike out to have a chance.  LuGrain gets the first one, Jacobs splits for an open, LuGrain gets the 2nd one and 8 and gets the come from behind win – 246/631 to Jacobs 168/612.  Jacobs moves to the left side of the board – and will have to take the long road to the championship.  Nice Come from behind win for LuGrain!

Jeff Pregler   vs    Trevor Simpson

Big scores in this 7 PM winners bracket match.   Pregler starts with a 4 bagger, spare, double, strike spare for 229.  Simpson, strikes, the picks up a washout, a couple more spares, 6 bagger and a spare for 243.  2nd game both bowlers have great games, Pregler strikes in all but 2 frames, starting with a turkey, 4-7-10 split for an opne, covers the 10, and then a 7 bagger for 255.  Simpson starts with a 6 bagger, misses a 10 pin, doubles then leaves the 7-10 split for an open and a 233 game.  8 pins separate these 2 bowlers….  both spare the 1st frame to start the last game.  Pregler strikes, Simpson misses the 10 pin.  Pregler misses the head pin for a 1-2 spare but covers it – Simpson is in the pocket and leaves a 4 but misses it. Both strike in the 4th, both leave  the 10 pin in the 5th and spare, Pregler leaves a split in the 6th for an open, Simpson strikes. Pregler strikes, Simpson leaves the 10 and covers it, Pregler strikes again for a double, Simpson leaves another single pin for  a spare.  Pregler leaves a 4 pin and spares, Simpson strikes out in the 9th and 10th for 196, Pregler strikes out also for 206.   Pregler holds on, with a little help from Simpson and wins this match 690 – 672.  3 single pin misses is the turning point in this match…

Tom Bertjens     vs     Shawn Kelly

Loser of this match goes home….so here we go.  The bowlers find themselves alone on 11 and 12 after Steve Beck could not start his match because of a back injury an hour before bowling.  Adam Gross wanted to bowl the match and not take another Forfeit – so these guys will bowl Thursday morning at 11 am.  Now on to the match at hand.  Bertjens misses a 10 pin early in game 1 but a 5 bagger, and a split in the 10th and he has 212.  Kelly starts with a double, misses a 7 pin in the 4th, 2 -10 in the 7 th for an open, stays clean to finish for 181.  Bertjens misses another 10 pin to start the 2nd game, is clean the rest of the game , picking up the 4-10 split, rolling a double for 193.  Kelly, spares to start then rolls a 4 bagger, a couple of spares, strike, then misses a 10 pin in the 9th and a spare in the 10th for 213.  We are within a mark going into the last game, the first 4 frames both bowlers are clean, in the 5th Bertjens leaves the 2-5-7 split and covers it, Kelly covers the bucket, Bertjens misses another 10 pin, Kelly covers the bucket again and we are all square.  Bertjens covers the 2 pin, Kelly leaves the 1-2-4-10 and only gets 2. Bertjens strikes,  Kelly leaves his 3rd bucket of the game – but only takes 3 this time.  Bertjens has control of the match until he misses a 5 pin, and Kelly strikes.  Now Kelly c an strike out to force Bertjens to double to win.  Bertjens leaves the 6-10 and spares and now the match is Kellys – but he leaves a 7 pin and spares for a 165 game – which is not enough – as Bertjens does not win pretty – with his 172 game – but a win is a win…  Bertjens prevails 577 – 559.  unfortunately Kelly will have to wait til next year as he is done.

Kurt Schmidt  vs   Doug Dammann

An 8 pm match – So lets speed through the first couple games to get to the last game.   Schmidt goes dutch for 4 frames, the a 4 bagger, the 2-7-9 split for an open and a spare in the 10th for 215.   Dammann goes strike, spare, 5 bagger, an open in the 8th, the 4-6-10 split for an open in the 9th and a strike spare in the 10th for 208.  Game 2 – 3 spares and a double, then a 7 pin miss for an open, finishing the game with a 6 bagger – Schmidt rolls a 234.   Dammann is clean the 2nd game – Spare, 4 bagger, covers the 10, 3 bagger, 2 pin spare and a strike for 248.  Down 7 pins – Schmidt starts the 3rd game with a 7-10 split for an open.   Dammann strikes, Schmidt then covers the 10 pin,  Dammann the 6-10 spare. both spare the 7 in the 3rd. Schmidt covers another 7 pin in the 4th while  Dammann Turkeys, Schmidt strikes in the 5th and 6th,  Dammann has an almost 40 pin lead at this point.  Schmidt adds another strike in the 7th,  Dammann leaves the 4-6-7 split for an open, Schmidt strikes again, both bowlers strike in the 8th and Schmidt now has the lead.  Schmidt leaves the 7 and covers it in the 9th,  Dammann opens the 9th getting 2 out of the 2-5-8,  Schmidt leaves the 2-4-7  in the 10,  Dammann can strike out to force Schmidt to mark and does so for a 201, Schmidt covers the spare and gets a strike for 213 and 662.   Dammann’s 657 falls short and he falls to the left side of the board….  both bowlers will bowl next week.  One of the more exciting matches this week… coming down to a not so easy spare.

Kenny Slaght   vs    Chris Schultz

Another 8 pm winners bracket match – Slaght misses a 7 pin in the 2nd, rolls a pair of turkeys for 225.   Schultz starts with a 4 bagger, and is clean through 8 – but opens the 9th with a split, a strike in the 10th and a 9 miss for 214.   Slaght does not carry well the 2nd game -he leaves 5 – 7 pins and covers all but the count ball in the 11th, no doubles and a split for an open for 183.  Schultz  doubles to start, 10 pin spare 6 bagger and a split for an open in the 10th for 241.  Slaght is down 47 pins going into the last game.   Both strike in the first, Slaght spares, Schultz strikes again, Slaght rolls a 4 bagger, Schultz leaves a single pin and spares, strikes, single pin spare and strike.  Both open the 7th, Slaght with a split, Schultz a missed spare. Both strike in the 8th, Slaght strikes in the 9th, Schultz leaves a single pin in the 9th for a spare.  Both bowlers strike in the 10th,  Slaght strikes in the 11th and Schultz leaves the 3-6-10, Slaght needs 9 to win the game out right and the match.  He gets 7 – pulling the shot and leaving the 4-6-7 split for a 243 game and has to sit and watch as Schultz needs to cover the spare for the win and does.  His 197/652 stops Slaghts come from behind win… by 1 PIN!  Both bowlers can find a pin or two in their games that could have made a difference.  Great match guys – this and the previous one bowled next to each other and made it worth while to stick around to the end.  Unfortunately Slaght has to move to the Losers side of the board…. but his next opponent should remember no lead is too big!

Ok fans – I will report on Thursday how the last match of this week shakes out!  So check us out Thursday night or Friday morning…. for the full report!

Before we get started on the Greatest matches this week – I would like to thank Chris Hill for building this great site for us.  Check it out.  There is more than the Big 10 here!  Upcoming tournaments, City Records, Collegiate and High School Bowling just to mention some of the things that you can find on the DAB (DubuqueAreaBowling) website.  Plus it has definitely made it easier for me to upload data.  Things will look a little different – but hopefully you like the change!

Next I want to thank my scorekeepers tonight, because without them I could not give you the details that I can without them!  Thanks Cody Beck, Steve Beck, Chris Hill, Casey Hedrick.

So here we go….

Jim Leach   vs    Dan Moore

This was a 6pm match on 9 & 10.  Leach’s start was a little rough – he opened the first with a 2-8-10 split, struck then took only 2 on the 3-6-10 spare, then strike, 2 pin spare, strike, 9 pin spare, double and 4 pin spare and 7 for 183.  Moore started much better but had his struggles too, Turkey, 7 pin spare, 4-6-10 split for an open, Turkey, 7 pin miss (he’s a lefty for those that don’t know) then double 9 to end with a 220.  2nd game the fortunes were reversed…  Moore struggled to stay clean  missing 2 of 3 – 7 pin spares, along with the 3-6-7 split for an open, He did manage a double in the 9th and 10 frames to finish with a 170 game.  Leach started better but stumbled in the middle, he picked up the 4 pin and then the 6 pin, then doubled, opened the next 2 frames missing the 10 pin and then the 4-9 split, covered the 9 pin in the 7th, then finished with a 4 bagger and 9 for 214.  Leach held a 7 pin lead over Moore 397 – 390.   The third game they both start with a strike, they both cover single pins in the 2nd frame, Moore strikes in the 3rd, Leach covers the 3-6-10, Moore then misses the 7 pin, and Leach covers the 2-8 spare and has a 14 pin lead.  Leach Doubles, Moore covers a pair of spares,  Leach splits the 7th leaving the 4-6-10 for an open, while Moore strikes, both strike in the 8th, with the match withing pins now – Leach comes up light and leaves the 2-10 split and fails to convert, Moore leaves the 8 pin and spares.  Moore shuts Leach out by doubling in the 10th frame for a 201/591 win over Leach’s 176/573.  Both will bowl next week.

Greg Klauer    vs     Tucker Riegler

Another 6 pm match, as a side note – the scores were not super high on this squad BUT the matches were closer!  Klauer starts with a Double, split for an open, misses the 10 pin, then doubles, a couple of spares, strike and a split for an open in the 10th for 179.  Riegler started really rough 5 pin spare, the 4-6 split for an open, 3-4-6-7 split for another open, double, 3-6-10 and missed them all, strike, spare, then a gutter on the spare but spared the frame, strike spare to finish with 154.  2nd game the scores got better, though Klauer starts his game by missing the 9 pin, 3 spares then a turkey, spare, double and an 8-10 split in the 11th for 211.  Riegler still struggled with open frames, missing the 2*10 split, chopped the 3-6, then did not cover the 2-4-8, he finished with a 6 bagger and a 6 count in the 12th for 207.  The last game, Riegler starts with a 5 bagger, Klauer a turkey and 3 spares, Riegler covered a spare in the 6th and they are within pins of each other.  Klauer strikes in the 7th, Riegler missed the 1-2-4, both spared in the 8th, both struck in the 9th, Klauer left the 2 pin in the 10th and spared, Riegler, struck for a double then left the 10 pin and spared and Klauer just wins.  213/603 to Rieglers 232/593 – too many opens does Riegler in but it was a great comeback and a near win for him.  Again it is the first week so all bowlers will get at least one more match.

Tyler Kohl    vs     Chris Clancy

Same pair – another close match.  Both bowled well the first game, both started with an open, perhaps needing another shadow ball or two – but they only get 4!  Kohl had a 4 bagger in his game for 217, Clancy had a turkey and a 6 bagger – getting a break by carrying a brooklyn strike in the middle of the 6 bagger.  2nd game rolls a double and a turkey but has a pair of opens chopping the 2-4 and the Greek Church split, those opens take his score down to a 201, Clancy rolls a turkey looks to take command then stumbles in the middle with a wash out for an open, 4-6-10 split for an open and then misses the 4 pin.  He is clean the rest of the game for 180.   Kohl finds he has a slim 3 pin lead, going into the 3rd game.   Both strike in the first and spare the 2nd, Clancy spares the 3rd, while Kohl leaves the 3-7-9 split for an open, then spare strike for Kohl, Clancy strikes then misses the 10 and we are back to even again.  Kohl leaves another 6 pin (he is a lefty) then strikes and leaves another 6 pin for a spare, Clancy rolls a turkey, tripping the 4-9 late on the last strike. Both spare the 9th,  Clancy strikes in the 10th to clinch the match – he wins 202/617 to Kohl’s 182/600.

Scot Mescher   vs    Josh Einsweiler

This one is a 7pm match between 2 newcomers to the big 10 Tournament.  Mescher struggled the first game, he rolled 4 strikes, 4 spares, and 3 opens, missing the 2-4-5 , 10 pin and the 4-6-7 split for 151, Einsweiler rolls 3 doubles, 4 spares and has one open – the 2-8 for a 209.  Mescher finally lines himself up and starts with a 4 bagger, spare, double, misses the 4 pin, double and misses the 10 in the 12th for 232.   Einsweiler strikes, spares, then picks up the 6-7-10 split, doubles, splits for an open, doubles, then spare strike spare for 198.  Down 24 bowling striking well Mescher is still in this match.  He starts with a double, 10 pin spare, double, 10 pin spare through 6,  Einsweiler opens the first chopping the 2-4-5, strike spare, then another open 4-7-10 split, and a 10 pin spare through 5 and Mescher is in the lead.   Einsweiler strikes in the 6th – 9th, while Mescher covers the 3 pin in the 7th then a double in the 8th and 9th,  Einsweiler has a 2 pin advantage going into the 10th  he leaves the 2 pin and covers it, if Mescher strikes he wins – he leaves the 4 pin, spares and now we are down to count -  Einsweiler locks it up with a 9 count, Mescher gets 8  and  Einsweiler hangs on for a 198/610 win over Mescher 224/607 – great match guys!

Bruce Pregler    vs    Ryan Kase

Another 7pm match,  Kase takes command of this match early – rolling a 6 bagger out of the gates, he opened the 7th, doubled  and then split the 10th for another open for 230, Pregler had 3 doubles in the game but also 3 opens, missing a single pin and 2 splits for a 189 game.  The 2nd game both bowlers are clean – again rolls 3 doubles but since he is clean he has 223,  Kase needed this to be a no tap tourny as he only manages one double, with 6 – 9 spares for a 207.  Pregler cut the deficit in half, but still needs to make up 25 pins, he is clean the 3rd game but does not get a double until the 8th and 9th frames, Kase takes command early in the game starting with a turkey – but then 3 splits in a row and Pregler is about 10 down now,  Kase strikes in the 9th, and both bowlers strike in the 10th, if Kase strikes he locks out Pregler- he gets 8 and spares, Pregler needs a strike to win the match but leaves a single pin and spares to lose by 5.  Pregler 211/623 to Kase 191/628.  Great match guys!

Chad Wilson    vs     David May

8 pm match with a couple more newcomers! Welcome to the Big 10 pressure cooker!  No lead is safe – something for all bowlers to remember!  Wilson (Mardy Monson’s nephew) struggles he does get an early double but 2 splits kill his game the 4-6 in the 4th and the 2-10 in the 7th for a 177 start.  May is clean the first game – covering the baby split and finally doubles in the 10th for a 203.  Wilson does a little better the 2nd game clean but for one 7 -10 split in the 6th frame, he rolls a turkey early for a 204 game, May has a pair of opens, missing a 10 pin in the 4th, turkeys right after, the washes out in the 10th for an open for 192.  May is up 14 pins going into the last game, he starts with a strike, 10 pin spare, 4-7 spare and a strike through 4, Wilson spares the first, double, 10 pin spare then starts striking, May opens the 5th missing the 1-2-4-7 and covers the 4 pin, he turkeys then needs help from Wilson which he is not getting as Wilson strikes from the 5th through the 9th.  If he strikes out and Wilson opens he can win…  both leave a single pin and the match is over….  Wilson comes from behind to win 247/628 to May’s 205/600.

Ok the first week is in the books – everyone still has a chance…  we now have 32 bowlers in the Winners bracket and 32 in the Loser’s Bracket – Next week – 16 bowlers will have their dreams of being the next Budweiser Big 10 Champion come to an end.  Matches are at 6-7-8 PM – see you at the lanes….  Let me know how you like the site!

Stephanie Beck

Match Play for the 2011 Budweiser Big 10 will take place this Saturday Night!

See the link above for Week 1 matches.  Who do you think will win?

Qualifying for the Budweiser Big 10 is over!

See the link above – 2011 Qualifiers –  for a complete listing of who qualified.