Rebecca Voukolos, Michael Little emerge victorious at 2012 New South Wales Open

    08/27/12

    Australia

    City Bowl in Campbelltown, NSW, Australia (Aug. 25-26, 2012)

    2012NSWOpenMichaelLittleRebeccaYoukolos.jpgRebecca Voukolos (pictured right) of Victoria and Michael Little (left) of New South Wales upset top-seeded Carol Gianotti, of Western Australia, and Jason Belmonte (NSW) in the single-game stepladder finals to emerge victorious in the 2012 New South Wales Open Sunday at City Bowl in Campbelltown, Australia.

    After eliminating No. 3 seed, Rebecca Whiting (Vic), 225-179, in the opening match, Voukolos took down 16-time PWBA champion Gianotti, 194-191, to claim the women's title. Little flew past Matt Watson (WA), 215-135, then defeated PBA star Belmonte, 236-216, in the men's title match.

    98 bowlers congregated in Sydney's south-west on the weekend of August 25 & 26 for the 2012 NSW OPEN, hosted by New South Wales TBA Inc. and Interbowl Australia at Campbelltown City Bowl.

    Photos: Jacqueline Heldoorn

    Participants representing every State and Territory of mainland Australia and England's Dominic Barrett and Cassie Staudinger contested one of the longest-established tournaments on the TBA sport's calendar.

    2012NSWOpenGianottiYoukolosWhiting.jpgThe win was a triumphant return to form for the NT's Voukolos, who briefly retired following last year's TBA National Championships to give birth to daughter Georgia in February.

    L-R Gianotti, Youkolos and Whiting.

    "This has kind of confirmed that I should be here, and still up to that level … I thought my bowling might have dropped off but this win has put a big fire in my belly again," Voukolos said smiling following her victory.

    Commenting on the stepladder format that saw her overtake Gianotti's huge 222-pin lead following ten games of qualifying and nine games of match play Voukolos said, "I've been in Carol's position, and know how she must feel." "She threw the ball great all day…so smooth …she's an inspiration and a great role model," Voukolos added.

    Newcastle's Michael Little was equally generous in praise of Belmonte, who had led throughout every preliminary phase of the men's division, bowled the tournament High Game of 289 and taken a giant 301-pin lead after 25 games going into the stepladder final.

    2012NSOpenBelmonteLittleWatson.jpg"I was lucky it paid off … obviously Belmo was the best bowler for the weekend," he said after defeating third seed Matt Watson from WA in the first match of the stepladder, and clinching a 236-216 victory over Belmonte in the final round.

    L-R Belmonte, Little and Watson.

    33 year-old Little has figured in the ranks of Australia's elite bowlers for many years, with numerous national and international titles to his credit at Junior, Youth and Adult level, including Masters Champion at the 2003 WTBA World Championships.

    Both Voukolos and Little will be among hundreds of bowlers returning to Sydney in October for the sport's Adult national championships, being held at AMF Rooty Hill RSL.

    "Next year, the NSW Open will be held at Lidcombe's Tenpin City, and although dates are still to be confirmed, it's likely to be around the end of July," said Tournament Director Leanne Triulcio.

    "Kevin Webb and his team here at Campbelltown City have done a great job staging the event for the past three years, and will continue to play host to the Sydney Junior, and Sydney Youth Cup tournaments … I'm sure the NSW OPEN will remain the premier adult tournament for this State in its new location next year," she added.

     


    2012 New South Wales Open - Men's Stepladder Finals


    City Bowl in Campbelltown, NSW, Australia (Aug. 25-26, 2012)

    Championship Round:
    1. Michael Little, New South Wales, 451 (2 games)
    2. Jason Belmonte, New South Wales, 216 (1 game)
    3. Matt Watson, Western Australia, 135 (1 game)

    Playoff Results:
    Semifinal Match: No. 2 Little def. No. 3 Watson, 215-135
    Championship: Little def. No. 1 Belmonte, 236-216.

     


    2012 New South Wales Open - Women's Stepladder Finals


    City Bowl in Campbelltown, NSW, Australia (Aug. 25-26, 2012)

    Championship Round:
    1. Rebecca Voukolos, Northern Territories, 419 (2 games)
    2. Carol Gianotti, Western Australia, 191 (1 game)
    3. Rebecca Whiting, Victoria, 179 (1 game)
    Playoff Results:
    Semifinal Match: No. 2 Voukolos def. No. 3 Whiting, 225-179
    Championship: Voukolos def. No. 1 Gianotti, 194-191.

     


    2012 New South Wales Open - Men's Match Play


    The top 3 advance to the stepladder finals

     


    2012 New South Wales Open - Men's Match Play


    The top 3 advance to the stepladder finals

     


    2012 New South Wales Open - Men's Round One


    The top 10 advance to Match Play

     


    2012 New South Wales Open - Men's Qualifying


    The top 20 advance to Round One

     


    2012 New South Wales Open - Women's Qualifying


    The top 10 advance to Match Play

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