Immediately after the conclusion of the Men's European Championships, the qualifying for the inaugural Austria Senior Open, the sixth event of the 2007 European Bowling Proprietors' Association (EBPA) Seniors Tour, got underway at Plus Bowling in Vienna, Austria.

Italian Sergio Bellini earned the title and the 2.000 top prize with a 219.92 scratch average over his 12 games. Christer Danielsson, Sweden, beat out American Barry Horne for second place by one pin. Austrian Rene Bauer, who led the field after the first round finished fourth. Danielson earned 1.000 Euro, while Horne and Bauer pocketed 650 and 550, resp.

94 players - 79 men and 15 women - over 50 years of age from 13 countries bowled in a friendly atmosphere for 9.200 Euro in prize money (approx. $12,750). The oldest woman was 76-year-old Corry Dekker from the Netherlands while Mario Masera from Italy was the oldest participant with 86 years.

All players had to bowl at least two six-game series of qualifying. Each player older than 55 received one bonus pin per year over 55 with a maximum of 15 pins. Women received an additional 8 pins handicap per game.

Three Scandinavians led the field after qualifying. Swede Olle Svensson had six-game series of 1391 and 1408 including 1 pin handicap each game to set the pace with 2799 pinfall total and an average of 232.25 scratch.

His compatriot Christer Danielsson was second with 2772 (231.00) and Timo Mäkelä, Finland, was third with 2753. Hildegard Kuhn, Italy, was the top-ranked woman in fourth place with 2737 including her eight pins handicap, a 220.08 average scratch.

The top 28 qualifying leaders advanced to the finals. Antonin Nosek, Czech Republic, took the 28th and final post with 2550 pinfall total including 5 pins handicap each game and an average of 207.50.

They were joined by the top 4 from the Desperado Squad: Christer Alvering, Sweden, 253 (including 8 pins handicap), Sunny Olsson, Sweden, 249 (0), Gianfranco Marcheselli, Italy, 222 (6) and Arthur Dähn, Germany, 219 (1).

Round 1 - Those 32 bowled six games starting from scratch to cut to the top 16. Austrian Rene Bauer shot a huge 1424 series including a 289-game, a 237.33 average, to lead the field with 1454 pinfall total. Bellini was in second place with 1371. Walter Rieger, Austria and Pertti Lehto, Sweden were tied for third with 1365. Marianne Pelz, Germany, the only other woman besides Kuhn, who made the top 32, missed the cut to the top 16 by seven pins to finish 17th with 1229. Kuhn landed in 27th place with 1185.

Round 2 - The top 16 bowled another 4 games with the pinfall from Round 1 being carried forward. Bellini took the lead behind a 905 4-game series including a 277-game with 2304 pinfall total and an average of 223.40 scratch. Bauer slipped to second place (2277), with American Barry Horne third (2274) and Danielson fourth (2257).

Round 3 - The top 8 players were within 97 pins heading into the final round over another two games. The player with the highest pinfall total including handicap after 12 games was declared the winner.

Bellini maintained his position and secured the victory with games of 201 and 204. The Italian finished with 2723 pinfall total and a scratch average of 219.92 for 12 games.

L-R The picture shows Plus Bowling proprietor Helmuth Schmekal, champion Sergio Bellini and Ingemar Eriksson, EBPA Tour Director.

Danielson rolled a 236 final game to overtake Horne by one pin to grab the second place with 2693 (224.42). Horne had to settle for third place with 2692 (221.33). Bauer fell two spots due a 159 in the 12th game to end in fourth place with 2658 (216.50).

The second Austria Senior Open is scheduled for July 16-20, 2008.