NOVEMBER 8, 2018 CALIFORNIA 7502B Florence Ave, OWLINGDowney, CA 90240 • Website: CaliforniaBowlingNews.com • Email: [email protected] N • Office:EWS (562) 807-3600 Fax: (562) 807-2288 Barrett Wins U.S. Open with Thrilling One-Pin Victory Over Butturff WICHITA, Kan. – Eng- The title match swung land’s Dom Barrett won back and forth as both play- four matches Wednesday ers tried to figure out the on his way to claiming the 43-foot oil pattern. An open 2018 U.S. Open, including in the fifth frame from Bar- a thrilling one-pin victory rett gave Butturff a slight over top-seed Jakob But- advantage, as both compet- turff of Chandler, Arizona, itors headed into the final in the title match, 207-206. frame working on doubles. The 33-year-old right- Butturff, finishing the hander became the third match first, nearly left a foreign-born player to win 7-10 split on his first shot the U.S. Open, joining before the 7 pin tumbled Finland’s Mika Koivuni- late. He converted the spare emi (2001) and Canada’s and struck on his fill ball, Francois Lavoie (2016). forcing Barrett to strike on He earned the $30,000 top his first shot for a chance at prize and coveted green the title. jacket presented to the Barrett rolled the strike champion. he needed to start the 10th Wednesday’s stepladder frame, but a 4-6 split on his 2018 U.S. Open Champion Dom Barrett finals at Northrock Lanes second shot left him need- attempt was left of target, was OK, but I must have aged more than 238 on his has hardly had any sleep were televised live on CBS ing to convert just one pin but it was enough to push grabbed a lot of that one. way to the title. for the last 10 weeks with Sports Network. for the victory. His spare over the 6 pin to give him On the spare attempt, I told As exciting as the win a newborn baby, so I think his seventh PBA Tour title myself that I didn’t want to is for Barrett, he looks for- it’s now time for me to take and second major champi- miss it right, and I certainly ward to everything await- care of my dad duties and onship. didn’t do that.” ing him across the Atlantic take care of my family.” “For me, it’s about slow- Barrett credited his run Ocean. Barrett and his wife, Butturff led the U.S. ing everything down as through the stepladder to Cassie, recently welcomed Open for the second con- much as I can in those situ- his aggressiveness. He son, Colby. secutive year by a sizeable ations,” said Barrett, who made a big move to the left “This means so much,” margin to earn the No. 1 won the 2013 PBA World to start the third game and said Barrett, the runner- seed for the TV show. The Championship. “I threw the made multiple ball changes up at the 2015 U.S. Open. 24-year-old left-hander led one in the 10th really well, over the course of his final “Especially for my fam- this year’s field by 552 pins and I thought the 11th shot two wins. In all, he aver- ily at home, too. My wife continued on page 4 Is It Time For An Asterisk In Bowling? Toby Lee (left) after he defeated Jason Nagro (right) to by Dave Williams win his third consecutive “King of The Hill” title. In August of 2017, I nist for Bowlers Journal for any amount of money. Bowling Tournament. Lau- shared a story about Elvin International. He contacted I opined to Schmidt that man was a member of the Mesger, the greatest bowl- me to say thanks for the Hank must have found a AMF Advisory Staff of TOBY LEE - “3 Peats” As er that no one ever heard mention about him in my bowling center in Los An- Champions at that time. He about, perhaps because of article recounting another geles to his liking, to make won the Southern Califor- King of The Hill his quiet, unassuming na- virtual unknown bowler, such a bold offer. nia Masters in 1957, and by Frank Weiler ture, while living his life in Connie Schwoegler, the Another issue featured was the Southern Califor- REDLANDS - Toby Lee is “King of The Hill” - a small community near St. first to make the finger tip a picture of Hollywood nia Match Game Champion AGAIN! In fact, Toby has “3 - Peated” and is the first Louis, Missouri, known as grip a popular alternative to actress Jayne Mansfield five times. and only bowler to do so in this tournaments history. He Sullivan (California Bowl- the conventional grip. receiving a bowling les- Lauman joined the Pro- not only has won three consecutive crowns, he is the only ing News, “Visions of St. In his note Schmidt son by Lauman prior to fessional Bowlers Associa- bowler to win three crowns. Louis, and Elvin Mesger asked me if I could help the 1957 March of Dimes continued on page 10 Toby defeated JASON NAGRO in the title match af- - The Bowling Machine,” him find any information ter Jason had defeated JOE DUBE in the first step ladder August 24, 2017, page 2). about USBC Hall of Fame match game. Jason is a two time “King of The Hill” and At the end of the article member Hank Lauman, had he beaten Toby he would have been the first three time I suggested that perhaps who moved from St. Louis King. the United States Bowling to Los Angeles in 1949. When this month’s Tournament began there were three Congress (USBC) should Schmidt notes that “I’ve two time crown winners in the field (Terry Lankster, Toby asterisk Mesger’s records, never been able to find Lee and Jason Nagro). Now Toby Lee has moved up to since all of his honor much about him. For some- become the first and only three time crown winner. awards occurred before the body who made the Hall of The TOP FIVE qualifiers leading up to match play: introduction of the Limited Fame, there’s very little on 1. Joe Dube 896 (4 Games) Distance Dressing Rule in his background, other than 2. Jason Nagro 889 1988. the basic stuff - grew up 3. Ken De Maio 884 A couple of conversa- in St. Louis, bowled with 4. David Tempel 866 tions in the past few weeks the Hermann Undertakers, 5. Terry Lankster 810 have prompted me to once etc.” Match Play scores were: again ask if the USBC My calls to the Cali- First Game: Jason Nagro 226, Joe Dube 182 should asterisk all records fornia Bowling News and Second Game: Jason Nagro 188, Toby Lee235 prior to 1988, just like base- others brought little new The tournament was hosted by EMPIRE BOWL and ball did for records set dur- information. A couple of directed by MARK HUGELMAIER. ing the 154 game season, as the most interesting top- Congratulations to Toby Lee for retaining his crown and opposed to the current 162 ics were an advertisement game schedule. in the California Bowling to all the competitors trying to dethrone him. The competi- Hank Lauman USBC Hall of Fame Member from Los Angeles tive spirit displayed by these guys is awesome and another One of those conver- News, circa 1951, in which - If anyone has any information about the life and times of Mr. example of why “CALIFORNIA BOWLERS ARE THE sations was with J.R. Lauman challenged anyone Lauman, please let me know ([email protected]) and I will Schmidt, historian colum- to a home-and-home match forward that information to J.R. Schmidt at Bowlers Journal BEST BOWLERS IN THE WORLD”. International. Photo Provided by Matt Cannizzaro at USBC. PAGE 2 CALIFORNIABOWLINGNEWS.COM NOVEMBER 8, 2018 Call Them theby Fred Comeback Eisenhammer Kids! WINNETKA – There they were – just two guys grace- fully heaving a bowling ball and throwing strikes with the greatest of ease. Jim Altman and Jeff Biggs were practicing at Winnetka Bowl on a recent Thursday afternoon with seemingly not a care in the world as they ran up scores well into the 200s. Somehow, these guys seemed special with a special tal- ent for the game. And, indeed, they had a story. Gone from the game for six years, the two close friends suddenly joined forces to launch a comeback. Jeff exited the game after blasting three perfect games and numerous near 300s because of an “elbow issue.” THANKSGIVING And Jim left the lanes to concentrate on performing with his myriad of bands – serving as a guitarist. Jim nev- SPECIAL er bowled a perfect game (“I’m a choker,” he says with a THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22 laugh) but he knocked out a 299 and averaged in the 200s. Jim Altman and Jeff Biggs made a name for themselves as Now they’re back. At least they’re bowling on a regu- ace league bowlers. After a six-year respite, they’re on SINGLES ADULT TOURNAMENT ONLY their way back. Photo by Fred Eisenhammer 9 PIN NO–TAP HANDICAP BOWLING lar basis again and they’ve made plans – perhaps – to re- $15 ENTRY FEE/CHECK-IN 9AM/BOWL AT 10 AM turn to the league scene. “We just started [practicing] about a month ago,” Jim For more information please contact Riverside Lanes Jeff, now 59, bowled anchor on their past league teams, says. “I have a feeling we’ll get in a league in a couple 928.763.7070 / 702.298.2535 and Jim, now 65, bowled right ahead of him.