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2008 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup
01/28/07

2006-07 PBA Tour #12 

Couch wins back-to-back titles to take the lead in PBA World Point Rankings

Strike Zone at Sunset Station in Henderson, NV (Jan. 24-28, 2007)

2006PBA12JasonCouch.jpg Jason Couch has done just about everything in his 15-year Denny’s Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour career, but he can now add back-to-back titles to his already impressive resume.

Couch defeated 41-year-old rookie Billy Oatman, who was attempting to become the second African-American in history to win a Denny’s PBA Tour title, 236-228, Sunday at Strike Zone at Sunset Station in a match that came down to the final shot.

Couch, who earned his 15th career Denny’s PBA Tour title, captured his second title in as many weeks after winning last week’s Dick Weber Open, becoming the first since Tommy Jones in 2005 to win back-to-back. A four-week hot streak has seen Couch go from 27th in the PBA World Point Rankings to 1st.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a run like this. In 1999 I made a show and two weeks later won my first Tournament of Champions, but never have I gone third, sixth, win, win,” Couch said. “I had an opportunity to put a lot of heat on (Oatman) in the 7th frame and I left a 6-pin. Either way, I knew I’d have to get up in the 9th and 10th and do something big. Billy is a phenomenal talent and I have no doubt in my mind he’ll end up in the winner’s circle.”

Couch trailed early against Oatman, a Cinderella story who earned an exemption for this season only after exempt bowler Ritchie Allen deferred his exemption due to an injury. Oatman had finished 11th at the Denny’s PBA Tour Trials, one spot shy of an exemption.

He showed a lot of poise in the title match, striking four consecutive times in frames 6-9 while Couch had a nine-spare in the 7th to let Oatman take over the lead by two pins. Showing why he’s a future PBA Hall of Famer, Couch stepped up and struck twice in the 10th to put the pressure back on Oatman. Needing two strikes to win, Oatman struck with his first shot, and hit the pocket with his second shot, but the 10-pin stood up, giving Couch the win.

Couch advanced to the title match with a 238-230 win over Mike Scroggins. Couch struck in five of the first six frames to take an early lead but Scroggins struck three times in frames 6-9 to force Couch to double in the 10th for the win.

Oatman advanced to the title match with a 207-181 win over Brad Angelo. Oatman took the early lead with three strikes in the first four frames while Angelo had 2-10 splits in the 1st and 4th frames. Oatman left a pocket 7-10 split in the 5th frame giving Angelo an opening, but he could not capitalize and Oatman struck with his first ball in the 10th to clinch the win.

Couch (Clermont, Fla.) earned $25,000 for the win, while Oatman (Chicago) took home $13,000 for second. Angelo (Lockport, N.Y.) earned $6,500 for third and Scroggins (Amarillo, Texas) earned $5,500 for fourth.

Next week the Denny’s PBA Tour heads to El Paso, Texas for the 2007 Sun City Classic, Jan. 31 – Feb. 4 at Oasis Lanes. The nationally televised ESPN finals take place Sunday, Feb. 4, at 2 p.m. EST.


Motel 6 Classic


Strike Zone at Sunset Station in Henderson, NV (Jan. 24-28, 2007)

Championship Round:
1. Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla. 474 (2 games), $25,000
2. Billy Oatman, Chicago 435 (2 games), $13,000
3. Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y. 181 (1 game), $6,500
4. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 204 (1 game), $5,500

Playoff Results:
First Match: Couch def. Scroggins, 238-230
Second Match: Oatman defeated Angelo, 207-181
Championship Match: Couch def. Oatman, 236-228.

This is Couch’s 15th career Denny’s PBA Tour title.
Picture courtesy of PBA LLC/Noda.


Is this Billy Oatman's week?


2006BillyOatman.jpg In his rookie season as the first African-American exempt bowler on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, Billy Oatman claimed earlier in the week that this was his week.

Oatman advanced to the finals of the 2007 Motel 6 Classic Friday night at Strike Zone at Sunset Station by outlasting seven-time titlist Chris Barnes (Double Oak, Texas) in the best-of-seven games match up, four-games-to-three, winning the final match, 236-205.

"I couldn't think about getting on to the TV finals Friday. I had to focus at what was at hand," said Oatman (Chicago). "The only thing I could think of was to get the strike and get the next one. The only thing I was focused on was letting the ball come off my hand, watching it hit the pocket, hearing a loud explosion and seeing all the pins fall down."

Oatman, who finished 11th in the Denny's PBA Tour Trials, one spot away from gaining an exemption, was given a second chance when Ritchie Allen deferred his exemption on the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour due to an injury.

Barnes wasn't the first major name that Oatman faced Friday as he knocked off all-time Tour titles leader, Walter Ray Williams Jr. (Ocala, Fla.), 4-1, in the Round of 16.

2006BradAngelo_small.jpg Oatman will face the lone right hander in the final four in Brad Angelo. Angelo (Lockport, N.Y.) advanced to his 12th career final, but is still looking for his first career Tour title.

Angelo rolled over Andrew Cain (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 4-1, in the Round of 8 to win his third consecutive match over a bowler who qualified from the Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round.

2006MikeScroggins_small.jpg 2006JasonCouch_small.jpg The winner of the Angelo-Oatman match will face a left hander for the crown as Jason Couch (l.) takes on Mike Scroggins (r.).

If Couch had a New Year's resolution of changing his ways on the 2006-07 Denny's PBA Tour, the left hander is certainly following through with that resolution.

Couch, who was 27th in the PBA World Point Rankings before the two-week holiday break, has not finished below sixth in the first four events of the second half, including last week's win in the 2007 Dick Weber Open.

"I'm having a stellar run. I've caught fire in the second half," said Couch (Clermont, Fla.). "This is my fourth top 10 in a row. I'm riding a wave of confidence. You can see how quick a match can turn around. You have to have the confidence to overcome any obstacles."

Scroggins (Amarillo, Texas) was a participant in Friday night's other seven-game match, defeating Patrick Allen, 4-3. Scroggins won the first game over Allen (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) as the two left handers traded games before Scroggins won the seventh and final game, 237-225.

The four bowlers advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 9:30 a.m. PST at Strike Zone at Sunset Station. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.


Round of 8


Single-elimination, best-of-seven games, losers eliminated

#3 Billy Oatman, Chicago, def.
#11 Chris Barnes ($4,000), Double Oak, Texas, 4-3
(234-266, 207-246, 279-259, 265-203, 228-278, 253-227, 236-205)

#15 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., def.
#23 Andrew Cain ($3,500), Scottsdale, Ariz., 4-1
(275-200, 204-243, 214-197, 224-223, 247-229)

#1 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def.
#25 Eugene McCune ($3,700), Munster, Ind., 4-2
(247-220, 212-230, 246-259, 235-232, 236-228, 208-191)

#20 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, def.
#5 Patrick Allen ($5,000), Wesley Chapel, Fla., 4-3
(255-170, 217-268, 279-232, 221-258, 276-259, 227-251, 237-225)

Round of 16


Single-elimination, best-of-seven games, losers eliminated

#5 Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., def.
#21 Tommy Jones ($2,550), Simpsonville, S.C., 4-1
(258-204, 220-210, 243-242, 279-289, 245-176)

#3 Billy Oatman, Chicago, def.
#14 Walter Ray Williams Jr. ($2,600), Ocala, Fla., 4-1
(212-213, 207-195, 227-217, 238-215, 204-192)

#1 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def.
#17 Marv Sargent ($2,500), Temecula, Calif., 4-0
(237-194, 257-236, 258-247, 245-234)

#23 Andrew Cain, Scottsdale, Ariz., def.
#7 Bill O'Neill ($2,650), Levittown, Pa., 4-1
(257-209, 202-203, 248-213, 248-238, 213-188)

#11 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def.
#6 Parker Bohn III ($2700), Jackson, N.J., 4-1
(217-258, 289-258, 226-213, 247-244, 266-247)

#20 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, def.
#4 Steve Jaros ($2,900), Yorkville, Ill., 4-2
(257-246, 236-244, 239-221, 247-226, 257-268, 247-163)

#15 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., def.
#31 Dino Castillo ($3,000), Carrollton, Texas, 4-3
(167-268, 264-203, 247-202, 170-194, 212-223, 227-181, 259-236)

#25 Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., def.
#24 Joe Ciccone ($2,800), Buffalo, N.Y., 4-2
(182-190, 244-212, 216-178, 198-193, 180-220, 226-207)

Round of 32


Single-elimination, best-of-seven games, losers eliminated, earn $2,200.

#15 Brad Angelo, Lockport, N.Y., def.
#18 Troy Wollenbecker ($2,200), Toledo, Ohio, 4-2
(244-205, 225-226, 222-269, 244-162, 236-214, 235-204)

#20 Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, def.
#13 Joel Reyes ($2,200), Chula Vista, Calif., 4-2
(277-202, 221-278, 244-219, 237-235, 203-258, 227-205)

#11 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def.
#22 Nathan Bohr ($2,200), Wichita, Kan., 4-2
(212-214, 238-201, 266-224, 266-203, 196-203, 279-225)

#24 Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, N.Y., def.
#9 Ryan Shafer ($2,200), Horseheads, N.Y., 4-2
(279-234, 186-213, 211-205, 227-212, 166-223, 221-202)

#7 Bill O'Neill, Levittown, Pa., def.
#26 Mike DeVaney ($2,200), Temecula, Calif., 4-1
(299-211, 212-190, 200-223, 227-212, 221-200)

#5 Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., def.
#28 Mike Edwards ($2,200), Tulsa, Okla., 4-0
(259-245, 278-258, 270-183, 268-218)

#3 Billy Oatman, Chicago, def.
#30 Brian Himmler ($2,200), Cincinnati, 4-0
(208-198, 235-176, 233-200, 238-183)

#1 Jason Couch, Clermont, Fla., def.
#32 Jack Jurek ($2,200), Lackawanna, N.Y., 4-1
(256-246, 225-233, 265-202, 258-255, 265-238)

#31 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, def.
#2 Danny Wiseman ($2,200), Baltimore, 4-0
(258-203, 226-195, 279-223, 237-211)

#4 Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., def.
#29 Rick Steelsmith ($2200), Wichita, Kan., 4-0
(299-248, 237-175, 247-188, 247-189)

#6 Parker Bohn III, Jackson, N.J., def.
#27 David Tessman ($2,200), Lake Placid, Fla., 4-2
(263-192, 212-215, 278-244, 269-238, 232-256, 245-189)

#25 Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., def.
#8 Chris Hayden ($2,200), Orlando, Fla., 4-2
(248-244, 226-235, 204-233, 276-247, 246-236, 255-237)

#23 Andrew Cain, Scottsdale, Ariz., def.
#10 Riga Kalfas ($2,200), Florence, Ky., 4-3
(196-203, 257-234, 202-279, 254-202, 196-244, 259-226, 265-206)

#21 Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., def.
#12 Dale Traber ($2,200), Cedarburg, Wis., 4-2
(260-226, 144-220, 300-233, 199-231, 215-200, 258-203)

#14 Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., def.
#19 Chris Loschetter ($2,200), Avon, Ohio, 4-1
(246-191, 268-216, 191-213, 247-244, 300-256)

#17 Marv Sargent, Temecula, Calif., def.
#16 Wes Malott ($2,200), Argyle, Texas, 4-2
(279-189, 234-289, 212-254, 205-203, 223-215, 264-258)

300 Games (2) - Tommy Jones, Walter Ray Williams Jr.


Couch targets to win back-to-back PBA titles in Motel 6 Classic


2006PBA11JasonCouch.jpg Not that he needs any luck, but finishing Thursday's Round of 64 at 777 pins over par in Las Vegas was enough of an omen that this may be Jason Couch's week again on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.

The lucky sevens helped Couch maintain his lead with a 3,577 14-game pinfall in the 2007 Motel 6 Classic at Strike Zone at Sunset Station. Par in bowling is based on an average score of 200 for 14 games.

Last week's 2007 Dick Weber Open champion (pictured), who has finished in the top six in all three events in the second half this season, is looking to win back-to-back titles for the first time in his career. Earlier in the day, Couch tied the Denny's PBA Tour seven-game scoring record of 1,853, equaling Bobby Stives record from the 2005 El Paso Classic.

"I'm just riding the momentum and a lot of confidence," said Couch (Clermont, Fla.), who owns 14 Denny's PBA Tour titles. "It wasn't really that big of an adjustment on today's oil pattern from last week's. We've bowled on this pattern a couple of times so I know what equipment to use and how to play the lanes. All I did today was make speed adjustments and small moves with my feet. I've thrown the same ball all day."

2006JackJurek_small.jpg Couch earned the top seed for Friday's Round of 32 where he will face No. 32 Jack Jurek (left, Lackawanna, N.Y.), who was 50th after seven games but averaged 225.43 over the final seven games – including a 300 in game 10 – to make the match play cut.

2006DannyWiseman_small.jpg Finishing second was Danny Wiseman (Baltimore) with 3,526. He will face No. 31 Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas) who currently leads the non-exempt points race.

2006BillyOatman_small.jpg Billy Oatman (left, Chicago), the Tour's first-ever exempt African-American, finished third and will face No. 30 Brian Himmler (Cincinnati). Last week's Dick Weber Open runner-up Patrick Allen (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) finished fifth and will face No. 28 Mike Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.).

Match play gets underway Friday at 8 a.m. PST with the Round of 32. The Round of 16 starts at 1 p.m. followed by the Round of 8 at 6 p.m.

The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 9:30 a.m. PST. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.

Round of 64


Players with position, hometown and 14-game pinfall. Top 32 advance to match play. Positions 33-64 earn $1,800.


* = Non-Member Bowler

Couch powers his way into the lead in first block


2006JasonCouch.jpg In the city of lights, Jason Couch is certainly making a claim to have his name up in lights. The left-hander is undoubtedly the hottest bowler on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.

After running away with last week's 2007 Dick Weber Open, in which he led four out of the six rounds, Couch complied a seven-game pinfall of 1,853 in Thursday's first block in the Round of 64 in the 2007 Motel 6 Classic at Strike Zone at Sunset Station. Couch's total matched Bobby Stives for the PBA scoring record in a seven-game block. Stives accomplished the feat in the 2005 El Paso Classic.

"I'm just riding the momentum and a lot of confidence," said Couch (Clermont, Fla.), who topped the 256 mark in six of his seven games. "It wasn't really that big of an adjustment on today's oil pattern from last week's. We've bowled on this pattern a couple of times so I know what equipment to use and how to play the lanes. All I did today was make speed adjustments and small moves with my feet. I've thrown the same ball all day."

The past two weeks are just a glimpse into Couch's turnaround in the second half of the Tour. He also finished third in the 2007 H&R Block Classic and sixth in the 2007 Earl Anthony Medford Classic.

2006BillyOatman_small.jpg Nine pins behind Couch is Billy Oatman (left, Chicago, Ill.), who had a chance to catch Couch in the seventh game, but fell just short after leaving a spare in the 10th frame for 1,844.

2006DannyWiseman_small.jpg Danny Wiseman (right, Baltimore, Md.) is in third with 1,779 after back-to-back scores of 279 in games six and seven.

Parker Bohn.jpg PBA Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III (left, Jackson, N.J.) is fourth with 1,755.

All 64 bowlers return Thursday for another seven games at 3 p.m. PST. The top 32 will advance to Friday's single-elimination match play beginning at 8 a.m.

The top four bowlers will advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 9:30 a.m. PST at Strike Zone at Sunset Station. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.


Round of 64 - First Block


Players with position, hometown and 7-game pinfall.


* = Non-Member Bowler

Reyes and Cain try it again Motel 6 Classic


2006PBA12JoelReyes_small.jpg One week ago Joel Reyes was a little-know Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Regional Tour bowler who decided to try his hand at a Denny's PBA Tour event. Now Reyes is starting to become a house hold name.

Coming off a career-best 11th-place finish in last week's Dick Weber Open, Reyes continued to prove himself by leading Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round for the 2007 Motel 6 Classic with a 1,732 seven-game pinfall at Strike Zone at Sunset Station.

The left-handed Reyes owns two PBA Regional Tour titles but has only bowled a handful of Denny's PBA Tour events.

"I've bowled one or two events here and there, just in Fountain Valley because it's close to home. I wouldn't count out bowling more events this season if I finish well this week, but I won't think about that until the time comes around and I have to make a decision," Reyes (Chula Vista, Calif.) said. "Right now I'm just taking it one day at a time and enjoying every moment."

Reyes was a model of consistency Wednesday with his lowest game being a 223 in game four. He started with games of 248, 243 and 248 and rebounded from his low game with a 264 in game five and a 269 in game six to take the lead. He held the top spot with a 237 in game seven.

Andrew Cain.jpg Five-time Denny's PBA Tour titlist and Las Vegas resident Eric Forkel finished second with 1,705 while Andrew Cain (left, Scottsdale, Ariz.), who finished fourth in last week's Dick Weber Open in his first career Denny's PBA Tour event, was third with 1,661.

Also advancing to Thursday's Round of 64 were Nathan Bohr (Wichita, Kan.), Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas), Dennis Horan Jr. (Temecula, Calif.), Greg Thompson Jr. (Dayton, Ohio) and Troy Wollenbecker (Toledo, Ohio).

Castillo, who advanced from the Qualifying Round for a Tour-high fifth time this season, currently leads all non-exempt bowlers in the 2006-07 PBA World Point Rankings. The leader at the end of the season earns an exemption for the 2007-08 season.

2007TTStevenVillanueva.jpg Also earning a spot in the Round of 64 was Steven Villanueva (North Las Vegas, Nev.) who finished fifth and advanced as the highest amateur in the field. The top eight PBA members advanced this week as exempt bowlers Norm Duke, Doug Kent and Amleto Monacelli withdrew.

Thursday's Round of 64 features two seven-game qualifying blocks, the first of which gets underway at 8 a.m. PST. The top 32 will advance to single elimination match play on Friday.

The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at 9:30 a.m. PST. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season. Pictures courtesy of PBA.


Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round


Players with position, country, seven-game total and average. Top seven PBA members (1-4 and 6-9) and top amateur (5) advance. Places 10-21 cash.





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