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2008 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup
02/05/07

2006-07 PBA Tour #13 

Koivuniemi beats roommate Barnes to win his 7th PBA title in Sun City Classic

Oasis Lanes in El Paso, Texas (Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2007)

2006PBA13MikaKoivuniemi2.jpg Mika Koivuniemi ended the longest title drought of his career, knocking off new roommate Chris Barnes, 214-185, to win the 2007 Sun City Classic at El Paso Lanes for his seventh career Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour title.

The Finland native and 2003-04 PBA Player of the Year won for the first time since the 2005 Baby Ruth Real Deal Classic, a span of 38 events. He and Barnes just recently became roommates and Koivuniemi treated him rudely in their first-ever match-up on television.


Barnes held a slim lead before leaving a 1-2-10 washout and opening in the 7th frame. Koivuniemi responded with four consecutive strikes to take over the match, marking in the 10th frame for the win.

Koivuniemi has struggled this season by his standards, coming into the week with just one TV appearance and a No. 19 world ranking.

"It's been a long time. It really feels great," said Koivuniemi. "A guy like Barnes doesn't usually give you a chance, but he did give me a chance and luckily I took advantage.

"It was just an amazing week. I had to bowl a 246 the last game Thursday just to make match play and two of my matches went seven games and then I had to come from behind to win the title."

As the No. 30 seed Koivuniemi became the lowest seed to win a single elimination match play event since the format was implemented in 2001-02.

2006PBA13MikaKoivuniemi.jpg Koivuniemi advanced to the title match with a 214-202 win over Patrick Allen. Allen opened three times in the first four frames, but mounted a huge comeback with a five-bagger after his third open. A spare in the 10th, however, meant Koivuniemi only needed a mark in the 10th and he struck for his fourth win in six tries over Allen on TV.

Barnes advanced to the title match with a 269-257 win over Mike Edwards. Edwards ran off eight consecutive strikes after an open in the second frame, but Barnes matched him shot-for-shot to maintain a one-pin lead. Edwards struck and spared in the 10th forcing Barnes to strike with his first ball in the 10th. He struck three times for good measure to deny Edwards his first title since 1994.

Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) earned $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 season for the win. Barnes (Double Oak, Texas) took home $13,000 for second wile Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.) earned $6,500 for third and Allen (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) earned $5,500 for fourth.

Next week the Denny's PBA Tour heads to Irving, Texas for the 2007 GEICO Classic, Feb. 7-11 at AMF Irving Lanes. The nationally televised ESPN finals take place Sunday, Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m. CST.


Sun City Classic

Oasis Lanes in El Paso, Texas (Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2007)

Championship Round:
1. Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., 428 (2 games), $25,000
2. Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, 454 (2 games), $13,000
3. Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., 257 (1 game), $6,500
4. Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., 202 (1 game), $5,500

Playoff Results:
Semi-final Match 1: Koivuniemi def. Allen, 214-202
Semi-final Match 3: Barnes defeated Edwards, 269-257
Championship Match: Koivuniemi def. Barnes, 214-185.

This is Koivuniemi's seventh career Denny's PBA Tour title.
Picture courtesy of PBA LLC/Lambie.

Edwards targets to end 13-year drought


2006MikeEdwards.jpg In 1994 Chris Barnes was just a little over a year out of college and four years away from his first season on the Denny’s Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour.

1994 was also the last year that his Sunday opponent won his last title. Since that win in the 1994 IOF Foresters Bowling for Miracles Open, Mike Edwards has accumulated the longest active title drought, a streak that has spanned 257 events.

Edwards will look to experience the jubilation in winning a Tour title again after defeating Edward VanDaniker Jr. (Baltimore, Md.), four-games-to-two, Friday to advance to the finals of the 2007 Sun City Classic at Oasis Lanes.

“It’d probably feel like the first time, it’s been so long since my first title,” said Edwards (Tulsa, Okla.). “Just getting to the semifinals and having a chance for the title match is nice. I’m not really worried about it yet. If I win my first match, then I’ll start to think about it.”

After dropping his first two games against VanDaniker by a combined three pins, Edwards bounced back with games of 257 and 288 before collecting the final two wins to advance to Sunday’s ESPN finals.

2006ChrisBarnes_small.jpg Barnes (Double Oak, Texas) advanced to meet Edwards in similar fashion, winning his series over Steve Jaros (Yorkville, Ill.), 4-2. Sunday’s competition will mark Barnes’ third TV appearance this season after appearing in the Dydo Japan Cup 2006 and 2006 Discover® Card Windy City Classic finals.

Sunday’s other semifinal will feature two Denny’s PBA Tour veterans in Patrick Allen and Mika Koivuniemi, who entered Friday’s best-of-seven match play at different ends of the spectrum, seeded No. 2 and No. 30, respectively.

2006PatrickAllen_small.jpg Allen (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) was the first participant of the Round of 8 to advance, defeating Brian Kretzer (Dayton, Ohio) 4-1, rolling in the final game, 268-169.

2006MikaKoivuniemi_small.jpg Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.), who scored an upset of No. 3 Mike DeVaney (Temecula, Calif.) in the Round of 32, went seven games in defeating Dino Castillo (Carrollton, Texas), who advanced out of Wednesday’s Tour Qualifying Round.

The four bowlers advance to Sunday’s live ESPN televised finals at Noon MST at Oasis Lanes. 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

#30 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def.
#11 Dino Castillo ($5,000), Carrollton, Texas, 4-3
(245-198, 222-208, 205-228, 200-229, 192-232, 255-223, 245-238)

#2 Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., def.
#7 Brian Kretzer ($3,500), Dayton, Ohio, 4-1
(227-209, 156-208, 214-214, 255-193, 268-169)

#25 Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., def.
#16 Edward VanDaniker Jr. ($3,700), Essex, Md., 4-2
(187-189, 211-212, 257-204, 288-266, 205-182, 244-227)

#28 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def.
#13 Steve Jaros ($4,000), Yorkville, Ill., 4-2
(277-248, 203-260, 257-222, 278-246, 238-267, 259-258)


Round of 16


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

#28 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def.
#12 Tony Reyes ($3,000), San Bruno, Calif., 4-3
(213-231, 247-168, 249-227, 225-227, 215-210, 246-248, 256-245)

#30 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def.
#14 Riga Kalfas ($2,800), Florence, Ky., 4-3
(237-246, 233-248, 247-225, 259-217, 257-213, 141-179, 233-194)

#16 Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., def.
#32 Del Ballard Jr. ($2,700), N. Richland Hills, Texas, 4-3
(188-212, 246-213, 269-248, 197-255, 187-215, 178-160, 237-210)

#11 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, def.
#27 Sean Rash ($2,550), Wichita, Kan, 4-1
(262-246, 239-244, 233-226, 265-240, 247-221)

#7 Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, def.
#23 Eugene McCune ($2,500), Munster, Ind., 4-1
(279-213, 237-238, 249-179, 236-225, 245-232)

#13 Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., def.
#29 Chris Johnson ($2,650), Garland, Texas, 4-3
(160-193, 236-194, 276-277, 257-246, 207-225, 257-199, 255-217)

#2 Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., def.
#15 Patrick Healey Jr. ($2,900), Mexico, 4-3
(209-280, 267-196, 244-214, 198-191, 227-245, 235-236, 224-210)

#25 Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., def.
#9 Ryan Shafer ($2,600), Horseheads, N.Y., 4-2
(239-190, 237-255, 235-233, 267-255, 238-279, 236-235)


Round of 32


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

#15 Patrick Healey Jr., Mexico, def.
#18 Brad Angelo ($2,200), Lockport, N.Y., 4-3
(237-240, 237-275, 235-268, 248-202, 277-211, 279-225, 237-211)

#13 Steve Jaros, Yorkville, Ill., def.
#20 Jason Couch ($2,200), Clermont, Fla., 4-1
(235-244, 246-201, 279-219, 204-181, 246-210)

#11 Dino Castillo, Carrollton, Texas, def.
#22 Ronnie Russell ($2,200), Indianapolis, 4-3
(202-242, 134-269, 216-237, 300-221, 254-199, 227-178, 215-199)

#9 Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., def.
#24 Wes Malott ($2,200), Argyle, Texas, 4-3
(181-225, 242-204, 233-258, 224-256, 279-266, 258-243, 240-195)

#7 Brian Kretzer, Dayton, Ohio, def.
#26 Joe Ciccone ($2,200), Buffalo, N.Y., 4-1
(235-243, 237-185, 268-191, 268-208, 290-155)

#28 Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, def.
#5 Rick Steelsmith ($2,200), Wichita, Kan., 4-2
(226-200, 280-206, 246-224, 221-253, 224-229, 289-248)

#30 Mika Koivuniemi, Hartland, Mich., def.
#3 Mike DeVaney ($2,200), Temecula, Calif., 4-1
(206-195, 216-286, 163-154, 255-222, 219-180)

#32 Del Ballard Jr., N. Richland Hills, Texas, def.
#1 Tim Criss ($2,200), Bel Air, Md., 4-2
(257-214, 247-194, 236-237, 213-263, 259-236, 221-193)

#2 Patrick Allen, Wesley Chapel, Fla., def.
#31 Mike Wolfe ($2,200), New Albany, Ind., 4-3
(162-189, 211-246, 265-212, 168-205, 277-247, 235-234, 268-215)

#29 Chris Johnson, Garland, Texas, def.
#4 Doug Kent ($2,200), Newark, N.Y., 4-3
(210-200, 241-232, 206-245, 224-265, 167-300, 258-258, 245-214)

#27 Sean Rash, Wichita, Kan, def.
#6 Chris Loschetter ($2,200), Avon, Ohio, 4-2
(177-244, 244-198, 236-198, 247-236, 232-249, 266-225)

#25 Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla., def.
#8 Jack Jurek ($2,200), Lackawanna, N.Y., 4-3
(200-230, 250-220, 255-237, 248-179, 245-262, 226-259, 233-232)

#23 Eugene McCune, Munster, Ind., def.
#10 Tommy Jones ($2,200), Simpsonville, S.C., 4-2
(218-226, 210-244, 247-215, 226-178, 216-188, 232-197)

#12 Tony Reyes, San Bruno, Calif., def.
#21 Tommy Delutz Jr. ($2,200), Flushing, N.Y., 4-3
(254-212, 187-253, 215-242, 264-239, 266-278, 290-279, 289-259)

#14 Rigas Kalfas, Florence, Ky., def.
#19 Brian Voss ($2,200), Alpharetta, Ga., 4-2
(221-216, 227-268, 265-225, 177-242, 258-221, 300-241)

#16 Edward VanDaniker Jr., Essex, Md., def.
#17 Chris Collins ($2,200), Savannah, Ga., 4-1
(258-209, 198-227, 258-176, 218-188, 213-181)

300 Games (3) – Rigas Kalfas, Dino Castillo, Doug Kent.


Criss continues to lead in Sun City Classic


2006TimCriss.jpg Tim Criss, Bel Air, Md., continued to lead in the Sun City Classic at Oasis Lanes, after Thursday’s Round of 64 with a 3,321 14-game pinfall including a 300 in the final game of the night to maintain his lead.

Criss will face No. 32 Del Ballard Jr. (N. Richland Hills, Texas), who fired a 265 in his final game to earn the final spot in match play, two pins ahead of Marv Sargent (Temecula, Calif.).

Finishing second was 2004-05 PBA Player of Year Patrick Allen (Wesley Chapel, Fla.) with 3,303. Allen, who has one title to his credit this season, will face No. 31 Mike Wolfe (New Albany, Ind.).

Jason Couch (Clermont, Fla.), who will look to become just the fourth bowler in Tour history to win three consecutive events, finished tied for 19th with Brian Voss. By virtue of having the higher second block, Voss (Alpharetta, Ga.) earned the No. 19 seed and will face No. 14 Riga Kalfas (Florence, Ky.). No. 20 Couch will face No. 13 Steve Jaros (Yorkville, Ill.).

Friday’s Round of 32 gets underway at 9 a.m. MST followed by the Round of 16 at 2 p.m. and the Round of 8 at 7 p.m.

The final four advance to Sunday’s live ESPN televised finals at Noon MST. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny’s PBA Tour season.


Round of 64 after the second 8-game block


Top 32 advance to match play. Places 33-64 earn $1,800.




300 games (5) - Chad Kloss, Chris Collins, Ronnie Russell, Doug Kent, Tim Criss.


The Turtle and the Scorpion


2006TimCriss.jpg A prevalent fixture in West Texas, a scorpion is usually avoided. On the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, however, Tim "Turtle" Criss makes no effort to avoid the creature.

Bowling on the Scorpion oil pattern in the Sun City Classic at Oasis Lanes, Criss took an early lead after the first seven-game block in Thursday's Round of 64. The right hander put together a seven-game pinfall of 1,725, topping the 245 mark in five of seven games.

It's not the first time this season Criss has excelled on the pattern, one of five oil patterns the PBA uses in standard events. In the 2007 Earl Anthony Medford Classic, Criss and his slow ball speed led the field in the Round of 64, finishing with a 3,422 14-game pinfall, before being upset by eventual runner-up Brian Himmler in the Round of 32.

"I am pretty much attacking the lanes the same exact way as Medford," said Criss (Bel Air, Md.). "I liked my strategy last time, Brian just bowled a great match. When it takes 250 to beat your opponent it's going to be tough, but someone has to lose. My ball roll likes this pattern so I'm not going to try anything different. I'm just going to hope it works this week."

2006TommyJones_small.jpg Six pins behind Criss sits 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones (left). Jones (Simpsonville, S.C.) had a chance to top Criss in the final game as he was on pace for the day's second 300 game before finishing with a 279 for a total of 1,719.

2006ChrisLoschetter_small.jpg Two of the Tour's young guns, Chris Loschetter (right, Avon, Ohio) and Michael Fagan (Greenlawn, N.Y.), are in third and fourth with 1,702 and 1,680, respectively.

2006JasonCouch_small.jpg Jason Couch (left, Clermont, Fla.), who is gunning to become just the fourth bowler to win three consecutive Denny's PBA Tour events, is in ninth with 1,640.

All 64 bowlers return Thursday evening for another seven games at 6 p.m. MST. The top 32 will advance to Friday's single-elimination match play beginning at 9 a.m.

The top four bowlers will advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at Noon MST at Oasis Lanes. The winner will take home $25,000 and a one-season Denny's PBA Tour exemption.


Round of 64 – First Block




300 Games - Chad Kloss, Chris Collins.


Castillo, Wollenbecker set PBA Tour records in Sun City Classic qualifying


2006PBA13DinoCastillo.jpg At the rate he's going, Dino Castillo's 2006-07 Denny's Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour season as a qualifier could be more successful than his 2005-06 season as an exempt bowler. Picture courtesy of PBA.

Castillo led Wednesday's Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round for the 2007 Sun City Classic with a 1,679 seven-game pinfall, qualifying for the Round of 64 for the sixth time this season, tying for the Tour high.

Coming into this week, Castillo was the highest non-exempt bowler in the PBA World Point Rankings, which would give him an exemption for 2007-08 if he held his lead. At 43rd in points coming into this week, Castillo might instead qualify for 2007-08 by finishing in the top 40 overall. He is currently ahead of 15 exempt bowlers in points after finishing ninth, 27th and 14th in the last three events.

"From what I learned last year I just tried to apply it to this year. I think there is less pressure on me so I used that to help me bowl better," said Castillo, who finished 45th in the 2005-06 PBA World Point Rankings. "My biggest concern is to just bowl well every week and let the pins fall where they may. I know my (point ranking) is right there but that's not my concern. I just try to make good decisions every time I'm out there.

Castillo has also benefited from spending the season as a ball rep for Ebonite, whose staff includes 15-time titlist Jason Couch, 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year Tommy Jones and Kelly Kulick.

"That was a big advantage, getting the heads up on our products and helping Tommy, Jason and Kelly," Castillo said. "That has been a big help for me."

Castillo (Carrollton, Texas) was a model of consistency all day, shooting six of his seven games in the 230s or 240s. His low game of the day was a 228 in game one.

Troy Wollenbecker set a Denny's PBA Tour record by advancing through the TQR for the fourth consecutive time, finishing seventh with 1,577. The previous record of three was set by Tom Daugherty during the 2004-05 season. Daugherty finished fourth this week with 1,614 to qualify for the first time this season.

Also advancing to Thursday's Round of 64 were Edward VanDaniker Jr. (Essex, Md.), Dave D'Entremont (Middleburg Heights, Ohio), Chad Kloss (Greenfield, Wis.), D.J. Archer (Mineral Wells, Texas), Steve Weber (Chalmette, La.), Ronnie Russell (Indianapolis), Greg Thompson Jr. (Dayton, Ohio).

Finishing as the highest amateur and earning a spot in Thursday's play was Bobby Stives (El Paso, Texas), who also qualified the last time the Tour was in El Paso in 2005.

The top 10 PBA members advanced this week as exempt bowlers Norm Duke, Jason Hurd, Amleto Monacelli, Pete Weber and Walter Ray Williams Jr. all withdrew.

Thursday's Round of 64 gets underway at 11 a.m. MST. The final four advance to Sunday's live ESPN televised finals at Noon MST. The winner will take home $25,000 and an exemption for the 2007-08 Denny's PBA Tour season.


Denny's PBA Tour Qualifying Round


Players with position, country, seven-game total and average. Top 10 PBA members (1-7 and 9-11) and top amateur (6) advance.



300 games - Tom Daugherty.



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