Bowlers Journal International - January 2008 - (Page 34) 2007'S TOP AMATEURS IT'S PAGE & ASBATY IN A LANDSLIDE Team USA mates were dominant on the lanes, but will there be any 'real' amateurs left in '08? THE LINE BETWEEN AMATEUR bowlers and professionals has been blurred for many years. In 2007, that line almost disappeared altogether. Gathered in Monterrey, Mexico, the World Tenpin Bowling Association Congress voted to allow pro bowlers in international competition, in effect lessening the chance of a “true” amateur winning any of the ultra-competitive events offered on the world circuit in 2008 and beyond. Perhaps it is appropriate, then, that BJI’s male Amateur Bowler of the Year became a professional bowler during the latter part of his dominant 2007 campaign. Rhino Page of Topeka, Kan., charged out of the wilderness into the winner’s circle on numerous occasions, snaring more titles — and more COURTESY UNITED STATES BOWLING CONGRESS RHINO PAGE prestigious titles — than anyone else. In January, Page finished second at the U.S. National Amateur Championships, coming up just short after leading the tournament into the final day of competition. The resilient left-hander rolled again in the same city just a few months later, shooting a 925 four-game set to win the 34 bowlers journal international “BTM” tournament. Fresh off that triumph, Page crashed the WTBA American Zone Championships in Guatemala, leading Team USA to an unprecedented gold medal sweep. Page himself took gold in the Masters match-play portion of the event, and easily led his country to Team gold as well, out-pacing all other Team USA members by at least 95 pins. Only a week after his medal safari in Guatemala, Page steamrolled his way to a $25,000 payday by winning the July High Roller in Las Vegas. With his wallet fatter and confidence high, he then joined Team USA mate Cassidy Schaub in Rio de Janiero for the Pan American Games, where the “wrong-side” duo made quick work of the competition. Like a Portuguese bandeirante, Page had Brazilian gold on the brain: He rolled 1401 in the Doubles event, a six-game total that let the American pair easily eclipse all comers, and sent runner-up Daniel Falconi packing in Singles. “What about Bill Hoffman, though?“ one might ask. “Why choose Page over Hoffman, who gave the U.S. its first victory in the male portion of the QubicaAMF World Cup since 1995?“ Well, the answer is simple: Hoffman won just one tournament, prestigious though it may be, while Page enjoyed recurrent success. Even fellow Team USA member David O’Sullivan’s U.S. National Amateur Championship and four-gold performance at the Zone Championships came up short. As for the women, only two things need to be mentioned: the number “5,“ and the name “Diandra Asbaty.“ Including 2007, Asbaty has been the female Amateur Bowler of the Year five times. Unparalleled in her international supremacy, she has become the queen of amateur women’s competition — even if she finished a disappointing second in this year’s Queens tournament. She might not have the tiara — Kelly Kulick has that — but over the course of 2007, Asbaty proved once again to be the best America has to offer in terms of high-rolling female keglers. Taking into account Asbaty’s secCOURTESY KAIZEN BY DIANDRA DIANDRA ASBATY ond-place Queens finish, her World Ranking Masters title, her historic Masters title at the WTBA Women’s World Championships, and her $15,000 Panama Invitational Tournament victory in the women’s division, it’s easy to see why Asbaty was chosen. Like Page, she compiled a resumé that was far and away superior. Regarding the year ahead, however, changes might well take effect. Team USA is now composed mostly of selected PBA members, including Walter Ray Williams, Jr., Tommy Jones and Chris Barnes. So, is it likely that a new amateur star will emerge, and secure the relevance of BJI's yearly honor? Needless to say, the answer to that question is to be determined. JANUARY 2008
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