Can Tommy Jones continue his chase for the Jackson Hewitt $1,000,000 Challenge?
03/22/06
A lot is at stake this week as the 2006 Denny's World Championship takes place March 21-26 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis, Ind. There are numerous story lines, as valuable points are on the line, as well as a $100,000 top prize and a four-season Tour exemption.
The biggest story is whether Tommy Jones (pictured), Simpsonville, S.C., can continue his chase for the Jackson Hewitt $1,000,000 Challenge. By winning the 63rd U.S. Open, Jones became eligible to win the prize, awarded to any bowler who can win the final three Majors on the schedule. Should he win this week, Jones would be one step away from winning the biggest prize in PBA history.
This week is also crucial for bowlers on the bubble for an exemption for 2006-07. With more points awarded this week than in standard events, bowlers on the bubble need a strong week as next week's 2006 Great Lakes Classic is the last chance to earn points. With Tom Baker (Buffalo) dropping out of the cut this week, the cut line is now 37th. Baker, Danny Wiseman (Baltimore) and Sean Rash (Wichita, Kan.) - all exempt for next season - are currently out of the cut.
Norm Duke finally got his elusive 23rd Denny's PBA Tour title, as he defeated Chris Loschetter, 275-221, in the title match of the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship at Taylor Lanes in Taylor, Mich. Duke came into the event winless in his last seven television appearances, including an 0-6 record in 2005-06. He had four second-place finishes - including three this season - since his last title in the 2005 Atlanta Classic.
Duke came out on a mission in the finals against Chris Loschetter, striking on his first four shots. After a spare in the fifth frame, Duke left no doubts by striking six straight times to take over the top spot in the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings and push his season earnings over $200,000.
Loschetter, whose only previous career title match appearance came in the 2005 Denny's World Championship, defeated Mike Scroggins, 236-201, in the semis.
Walter Ray Williams Jr., meanwhile, has now had six chances to tie Earl Anthony's all-time Denny's PBA Tour titles record - four last season and twice in 2005-06. He was making back-to-back TV appearances for the first time since he won the 2004 Uniroyal Tire Classic for his 40th career title, then started his 0-6 run the next week in St. Louis.
The 2006 Denny's World Championship begins Tuesday, March 21 with the first of three nine-game qualifying sessions. The 182-bowler field will bowl nine games Tuesday and Wednesday before the field is cut to the top 49, which will then bowl another nine games on Thursday. Match play begins Thursday night with the Round of 32.
Friday features the rounds of 16, Super 16 (winners of Round of 16 plus top four from qualifying and top four from 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings) and the Round of 8. Saturday is a day for the fans with official PBA Pro-Ams taking place at Woodland Bowl at Noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. EST.
The live ESPN televised finals will take place Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m. EST. The winner will take home the $100,000 top prize and a four-season exemption through the 2009-10 season.
Walter Ray Williams Jr. is currently third on Tour with a 223.81 average. Should Williams stay in the top 8 for the remainder of the season, it would mark the 16 consecutive season Williams has finished 8 or better in overall average.
Williams has led the Tour in average six times in that span (1993, '96, '97, '98, 2002-03, 2004-05).
Norm Duke moved back to the top of the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions roster, thanks to his win in last week's 2006 Ace Hardware Championship. Duke's win means Lonnie Waliczek (pictured), still on the roster from his win in the 2003 Odor-Eaters Open, stays on the bubble for another week. With just two events remaining prior to the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions, Patrick Healey Jr. - thanks to his 2003 Tournament of Champions title - is locked for the event.
Denny's PBA Tour Entrants
1. Norm Duke - 2006 Ace Hardware Championship (3/19/- 2006)
2. Chris Collins - 2006 Pepsi Championship (3/5/06)
3. Doug Kent - 2006 GEICO Classic (2/26/06)
4. Tommy Jones - 63rd U.S. Open (2/19/06)
5. Sean Rash - 2006 West Virginia Championship (2/12/06)
6. Brian Voss - 2006 Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Classic (1/29/06)
7. Ritchie Allen - 2006 Motel 6 Phoenix Classic (1/22/06)
8. Jason Couch - 2006 Dick Weber Open (1/15/06)
9. Brian Himmler - 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic (1/8/06)
10. Mike Wolfe - 2005 Empire State Classic (12/18/05)
11. Patrick Allen - 2005 Keystone State Championship (12/11/05)
12. Pete Weber - 2005 BowlersParadise.com Classic (12/4/05)
13. Mike Scroggins - 2005 USBC Masters (11/20/05)
14. Mike Machuga - 2005 Greater Omaha Classic (11/13/05)
15. Wes Malott - 2005 Mile High Classic (11/6/05)
16. Steve Jaros - PBA Dexter Tournament of Champions (4/10/05)
17. Mika Koivuniemi - PBA Baby Ruth Real Deal Classic (3/6/05)
18. Chris Barnes - 62nd U.S. Open presented by Odor-Eaters (2/20/05)
19. Amleto Monacelli - PBA Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Open (2/13/05)
20. Parker Bohn III - PBA El Paso Classic (1/16/05)
21. Jason Hurd - PBA Pepsi Open (11/28/04)
22. Rick Lawrence - PBA BowlersParadise.com Open (11/21/04)
23. Walter Ray Williams Jr. - PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic (11/14/04)
24. Danny Wiseman - Miller High Life Masters presented by the ABC (10/31/04)
25. Robert Smith - PBA Odor-Eaters Open (2/15/04)
26. Patrick Healey Jr. - Dexter Tournament of Champions (12/14/03)
27. Ryan Shafer - PBA Empire State Open (11/23/03)
28. Lonnie Waliczek - PBA Odor-Eaters Open (3/2/03)
PBA Senior Tour Entrants
29. Vince Mazzanti Jr. - ABC Senior Masters
30. Tom Baker PBA - Senior U.S. Open
PBA Regional Tour Entrants
31. David Beres - PBA Regional Players Championship
32. David Anthony - PBA Regional Players Invitational
1. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 225,322
2. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 218,439
3. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 201,711.17
4. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, 189,639
5. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 183,271
6. Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 178,803
7. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 168,521.5
8. Walter Ray Williams Jr., Octala, Fla., 168,335.5
9. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 158,901
10. Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 157,921
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Earnings Leaders
1. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. $283,100
2. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. $200,300
3. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, $189,770
4. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, $121,170
5. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y. $116,445
6. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla. $114,700
7. Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y. $112,700
8. Christopher Collins, Fayetteville, N.C. $94,700
9. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. $90,800
10. Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa. $90,230
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Average Leaders
1. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 226.24
2. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 225.69
3. Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 223.74
4. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, 223.64
5. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 222.13
6. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 221.83
7. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 221.75
8. Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 221.04
9. Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 220.96
10. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 220.51
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Strike Percentage Leaders
with Strikes/Attempts and Percentage
1. David Traber, 509/789, 64.51
2. Michael Machuga, 591/917, 64.45
3. Wes Malott, 1257/1980, 63.48
4. Norm Duke, 1063/1694, 62.75
5. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 876/1406, 62.30
6. Brian Voss, 685/1100, 62.27
7. Parker Bohn III, 706/1136, 62.15
8. Mike Scroggins, 1007/1626, 61.93
9. Jason Couch, 733/1186, 61.80
10. Chris Barnes, 693/1122, 61.76
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Spare Percentage Leaders
with Spares/Attempts and Percentage (including splits)
1. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 439/497, 88.33
2. David Traber, 230/263, 87.45
3. Norm Duke, 489/573, 85.34
4. Mike Scroggins, 480/575, 83.48
5. Doug Kent, 366/444, 82.43
6. Michael Haugen Jr., 162/197, 82.23
7. Mika Koivuniemi, 424/518, 81.85
8. Patrick Allen, 579/708, 81.78
9. Michael Machuga, 249/305, 81.64
10. Brian Kretzer, 346/429, 80.65
Match Play Games Win Percentage Leaders
with Wins/Losses and Percentage
1. Norm Duke, 92/58, .613
2. Mike Scroggins, 86/58, .597
3. Chris Barnes, 56/43, .566
4. Christopher Collins, 48/37, .565
5. Tommy Jones, 89/70, .560
6. Wes Malott, 98/78, .557
7. Patrick Allen, 94/76, .553
8. Mika Koivuniemi, 66/54, .550
9. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 68/56, .548
10. Parker Bohn III, 54/46, .540
PBA Spare Shots
This Week
A lot is at stake this week as the 2006 Denny's World Championship takes place March 21-26 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis, Ind. There are numerous story lines, as valuable points are on the line, as well as a $100,000 top prize and a four-season Tour exemption. The biggest story is whether Tommy Jones (pictured), Simpsonville, S.C., can continue his chase for the Jackson Hewitt $1,000,000 Challenge. By winning the 63rd U.S. Open, Jones became eligible to win the prize, awarded to any bowler who can win the final three Majors on the schedule. Should he win this week, Jones would be one step away from winning the biggest prize in PBA history.
This week is also crucial for bowlers on the bubble for an exemption for 2006-07. With more points awarded this week than in standard events, bowlers on the bubble need a strong week as next week's 2006 Great Lakes Classic is the last chance to earn points. With Tom Baker (Buffalo) dropping out of the cut this week, the cut line is now 37th. Baker, Danny Wiseman (Baltimore) and Sean Rash (Wichita, Kan.) - all exempt for next season - are currently out of the cut.
Last Week
Norm Duke finally got his elusive 23rd Denny's PBA Tour title, as he defeated Chris Loschetter, 275-221, in the title match of the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship at Taylor Lanes in Taylor, Mich. Duke came into the event winless in his last seven television appearances, including an 0-6 record in 2005-06. He had four second-place finishes - including three this season - since his last title in the 2005 Atlanta Classic. Duke came out on a mission in the finals against Chris Loschetter, striking on his first four shots. After a spare in the fifth frame, Duke left no doubts by striking six straight times to take over the top spot in the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings and push his season earnings over $200,000.
Loschetter, whose only previous career title match appearance came in the 2005 Denny's World Championship, defeated Mike Scroggins, 236-201, in the semis.
Walter Ray Williams Jr., meanwhile, has now had six chances to tie Earl Anthony's all-time Denny's PBA Tour titles record - four last season and twice in 2005-06. He was making back-to-back TV appearances for the first time since he won the 2004 Uniroyal Tire Classic for his 40th career title, then started his 0-6 run the next week in St. Louis.
This Week's Schedule
The 2006 Denny's World Championship begins Tuesday, March 21 with the first of three nine-game qualifying sessions. The 182-bowler field will bowl nine games Tuesday and Wednesday before the field is cut to the top 49, which will then bowl another nine games on Thursday. Match play begins Thursday night with the Round of 32. Friday features the rounds of 16, Super 16 (winners of Round of 16 plus top four from qualifying and top four from 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings) and the Round of 8. Saturday is a day for the fans with official PBA Pro-Ams taking place at Woodland Bowl at Noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. EST.
The live ESPN televised finals will take place Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m. EST. The winner will take home the $100,000 top prize and a four-season exemption through the 2009-10 season.
Did You Know?
Walter Ray Williams Jr. is currently third on Tour with a 223.81 average. Should Williams stay in the top 8 for the remainder of the season, it would mark the 16 consecutive season Williams has finished 8 or better in overall average. Williams has led the Tour in average six times in that span (1993, '96, '97, '98, 2002-03, 2004-05).
Sponsor Competition Update
Norm Duke and BowlersParadise.com took over the lead in the 2005-06 PBA Sponsor Competition, thanks to his win in the 2006 Ace Hardware Championship. Tommy Jones and Dexter, with five televised finals appearances and a Tour-best four titles this season, are second. Here's a look at the top five in the 2005-06 Sponsor Competition:
Top 5 with position, sponsor and points:
1. Norm Duke, BowlersParadise.com, 225,322
2. Tommy Jones, Dexter, 218,439
3. Mike Scroggins, Denny's, 201,711.17
4. Wes Malott, Ace Hardware, 189,639
6. Mike DeVaney, Bayer, 178,803
Top 5 with position, sponsor and points:
1. Norm Duke, BowlersParadise.com, 225,322
2. Tommy Jones, Dexter, 218,439
3. Mike Scroggins, Denny's, 201,711.17
4. Wes Malott, Ace Hardware, 189,639
6. Mike DeVaney, Bayer, 178,803
Regional Races Come to an Exciting End
As exemptions are being wrapped up on the 2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour, bowlers on the 2005-06 PBA Regional Tour have wrapped up their seasons. The point leader in each of the seven PBA Regions earns a one-season exemption on the 2006-07 Tour.
Last weekend, three races still hung in the balance heading into the final event. The slimmest of margins came from the South Region, where John May led Pete Dohan Jr. by just 1,656 points heading into the PBA South Region Milton Open in Milton, Fla. May and Dohan both made the cut to match play, with Dohan leading qualifying. Both bowlers, however, lost their Round of 16 matches, giving May the exemption.
The most exciting finish came in the Midwest Region, where Jeff Carter entered the weekend with a 6,469-point lead over David Beres. In the PBA Midwest Region Stars and Strikes Open, Carter and Beres both advanced to the seminfinals, where Carter needed to win to have a chance at the exemption. He won his match, as did Beres, and the two squared off in the title match to determine who would earn the exemption. In an exciting title match, Carter prevailed, 276-258, to secure his spot on Tour in 2006-07.
Also wrapping up an exemption last weekend was Marv Sargent in the PBA West Region. Bowlers who had secured their spots prior to last weekend were Mitch Beasley (Southwest), Riga Kalfas (Central), Brian LeClair (East/pictured) and Chris Warren (Northwest). Beasley, however, will defer his exemption until the 2007-08 season as he has Air Force obligations.
Last weekend, three races still hung in the balance heading into the final event. The slimmest of margins came from the South Region, where John May led Pete Dohan Jr. by just 1,656 points heading into the PBA South Region Milton Open in Milton, Fla. May and Dohan both made the cut to match play, with Dohan leading qualifying. Both bowlers, however, lost their Round of 16 matches, giving May the exemption.
The most exciting finish came in the Midwest Region, where Jeff Carter entered the weekend with a 6,469-point lead over David Beres. In the PBA Midwest Region Stars and Strikes Open, Carter and Beres both advanced to the seminfinals, where Carter needed to win to have a chance at the exemption. He won his match, as did Beres, and the two squared off in the title match to determine who would earn the exemption. In an exciting title match, Carter prevailed, 276-258, to secure his spot on Tour in 2006-07. Also wrapping up an exemption last weekend was Marv Sargent in the PBA West Region. Bowlers who had secured their spots prior to last weekend were Mitch Beasley (Southwest), Riga Kalfas (Central), Brian LeClair (East/pictured) and Chris Warren (Northwest). Beasley, however, will defer his exemption until the 2007-08 season as he has Air Force obligations. Jackson Hewitt $1,000,000 Challenge Update
Tommy Jones' win in the 63rd U.S. Open made the 27-year-old eligible to win the Jackson Hewitt $1,000,000 Challenge. Should Jones win the final two Majors this season - the 2006 Denny's World Championship and the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions - he will take home the biggest prize in PBA history.
Jones finished 9th in last week's 2006 Ace Hardware Championship, holding on to one of the four byes into into the Round of Super 16 in this week's 2006 Denny's World Championship. Jones will thus only need to win four matches - two in best-of-seven games match play and two single-game TV matches - to win the title.
Should he win the World Championship, Jones would then need to win five matches in the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions - three best-of-five-games matches and two single-game TV matches - to win the $1,000,000 prize. Jones is one of 32 recent tournament winners to qualify for the prestigious Tournament of Champions.
Jones finished 9th in last week's 2006 Ace Hardware Championship, holding on to one of the four byes into into the Round of Super 16 in this week's 2006 Denny's World Championship. Jones will thus only need to win four matches - two in best-of-seven games match play and two single-game TV matches - to win the title.
Should he win the World Championship, Jones would then need to win five matches in the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions - three best-of-five-games matches and two single-game TV matches - to win the $1,000,000 prize. Jones is one of 32 recent tournament winners to qualify for the prestigious Tournament of Champions.
2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions Roster
Norm Duke moved back to the top of the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions roster, thanks to his win in last week's 2006 Ace Hardware Championship. Duke's win means Lonnie Waliczek (pictured), still on the roster from his win in the 2003 Odor-Eaters Open, stays on the bubble for another week. With just two events remaining prior to the 2006 Dexter Tournament of Champions, Patrick Healey Jr. - thanks to his 2003 Tournament of Champions title - is locked for the event. 1. Norm Duke - 2006 Ace Hardware Championship (3/19/- 2006)
2. Chris Collins - 2006 Pepsi Championship (3/5/06)
3. Doug Kent - 2006 GEICO Classic (2/26/06)
4. Tommy Jones - 63rd U.S. Open (2/19/06)
5. Sean Rash - 2006 West Virginia Championship (2/12/06)
6. Brian Voss - 2006 Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Classic (1/29/06)
7. Ritchie Allen - 2006 Motel 6 Phoenix Classic (1/22/06)
8. Jason Couch - 2006 Dick Weber Open (1/15/06)
9. Brian Himmler - 2006 Earl Anthony Medford Classic (1/8/06)
10. Mike Wolfe - 2005 Empire State Classic (12/18/05)
11. Patrick Allen - 2005 Keystone State Championship (12/11/05)
12. Pete Weber - 2005 BowlersParadise.com Classic (12/4/05)
13. Mike Scroggins - 2005 USBC Masters (11/20/05)
14. Mike Machuga - 2005 Greater Omaha Classic (11/13/05)
15. Wes Malott - 2005 Mile High Classic (11/6/05)
16. Steve Jaros - PBA Dexter Tournament of Champions (4/10/05)
17. Mika Koivuniemi - PBA Baby Ruth Real Deal Classic (3/6/05)
18. Chris Barnes - 62nd U.S. Open presented by Odor-Eaters (2/20/05)
19. Amleto Monacelli - PBA Jackson Hewitt Tax Service Open (2/13/05)
20. Parker Bohn III - PBA El Paso Classic (1/16/05)
21. Jason Hurd - PBA Pepsi Open (11/28/04)
22. Rick Lawrence - PBA BowlersParadise.com Open (11/21/04)
23. Walter Ray Williams Jr. - PBA Uniroyal Tire Classic (11/14/04)
24. Danny Wiseman - Miller High Life Masters presented by the ABC (10/31/04)
25. Robert Smith - PBA Odor-Eaters Open (2/15/04)
26. Patrick Healey Jr. - Dexter Tournament of Champions (12/14/03)
27. Ryan Shafer - PBA Empire State Open (11/23/03)
28. Lonnie Waliczek - PBA Odor-Eaters Open (3/2/03)
PBA Senior Tour Entrants
29. Vince Mazzanti Jr. - ABC Senior Masters
30. Tom Baker PBA - Senior U.S. Open
PBA Regional Tour Entrants
31. David Beres - PBA Regional Players Championship
32. David Anthony - PBA Regional Players Invitational
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Statistical Leaders
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Point Leaders 1. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 225,3222. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 218,439
3. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 201,711.17
4. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, 189,639
5. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 183,271
6. Mike DeVaney, Temecula, Calif., 178,803
7. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 168,521.5
8. Walter Ray Williams Jr., Octala, Fla., 168,335.5
9. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 158,901
10. Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 157,921
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Earnings Leaders
1. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C. $283,1002. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. $200,300
3. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, $189,770
4. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, $121,170
5. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y. $116,445
6. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla. $114,700
7. Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y. $112,700
8. Christopher Collins, Fayetteville, N.C. $94,700
9. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich. $90,800
10. Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa. $90,230
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Average Leaders
1. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, 226.242. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., 225.69
3. Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., 223.74
4. Wes Malott, Austin, Texas, 223.64
5. Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., 222.13
6. Patrick Allen, Tarrytown, N.Y., 221.83
7. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., 221.75
8. Michael Machuga, Erie, Pa., 221.04
9. Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., 220.96
10. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 220.51
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Strike Percentage Leaders
with Strikes/Attempts and Percentage
1. David Traber, 509/789, 64.512. Michael Machuga, 591/917, 64.45
3. Wes Malott, 1257/1980, 63.48
4. Norm Duke, 1063/1694, 62.75
5. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 876/1406, 62.30
6. Brian Voss, 685/1100, 62.27
7. Parker Bohn III, 706/1136, 62.15
8. Mike Scroggins, 1007/1626, 61.93
9. Jason Couch, 733/1186, 61.80
10. Chris Barnes, 693/1122, 61.76
2005-06 Denny's PBA Tour Spare Percentage Leaders
with Spares/Attempts and Percentage (including splits)
1. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 439/497, 88.332. David Traber, 230/263, 87.45
3. Norm Duke, 489/573, 85.34
4. Mike Scroggins, 480/575, 83.48
5. Doug Kent, 366/444, 82.43
6. Michael Haugen Jr., 162/197, 82.23
7. Mika Koivuniemi, 424/518, 81.85
8. Patrick Allen, 579/708, 81.78
9. Michael Machuga, 249/305, 81.64
10. Brian Kretzer, 346/429, 80.65
Match Play Games Win Percentage Leaders
with Wins/Losses and Percentage
1. Norm Duke, 92/58, .6132. Mike Scroggins, 86/58, .597
3. Chris Barnes, 56/43, .566
4. Christopher Collins, 48/37, .565
5. Tommy Jones, 89/70, .560
6. Wes Malott, 98/78, .557
7. Patrick Allen, 94/76, .553
8. Mika Koivuniemi, 66/54, .550
9. Walter Ray Williams Jr., 68/56, .548
10. Parker Bohn III, 54/46, .540