Bowlers Journal International - April 2008 - (Page 39)

PBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP promptly went back in, as well as a beloved former champion by the name of Salvino, who had won the tournament in pro bowling’s infancy (1962), when it was known as the National Championship. Now 74 years of age but looking 54, the Hall of Famer averaged 182 to finish ahead of more than 50 much younger players (even recording one string of 15 strikes). The six women in the field performed fairly well, with Liz Johnson missing a check (and a chance at match play) by a measly four pins. The hottest player on the planet going in, Chris Barnes, led qualifying, but his hopes for something really special were put to a quick death by Ryan Shafer, who used “Barney“ as a stepping stone to his 10th television appearance in a major. (And, for the 10th time, Shafer came out on the short end of the sticks.) Then there was Norm Duke. Missing the top eight and a tworound bye by a scant 49 pins, the diminutive one had to beat four of the game’s toughest talents in the bestof-7 matches just to get to the show. And to say that there was a lot at stake would be the understatement of the 2007-08 season. Sidelined for a third of the campaign by a nagging leg injury and a stiff neck, Duke was so far behind in points that he couldn’t even see the cut line for a 2008-09 exemption, and thus was left with three options: 1) mount a series of exceptionally strong finishes in the last five events; 2) win a title; or 3) buy a one-way ticket back to Clermont, Florida. It turned out to be option “2.” That the title came in such a history-steeped event was enough to release tears down Duke’s cheeks. But it wasn’t just the joy of winning that opened the floodgates; it was the circumstances. Duke was sick — not quite deathly ill, but only a shade (of green) this side of it — and spent every minute he could in his hotel bed. “It was the most painful flu I’ve ever had,” he told reporters. “I couldn’t stop coughing earlier in the week. It wasn’t a fun week.” He said he thought very seriously of withdrawing, but “every time I went back to the hotel and laid down, I felt miserable. So I told myself, ‘You’re DROPPING LIKE FLIES 2007-08 MAY GO DOWN AS THE because of a bad back, then promptyear of injury and illness on the ly made a show. In late January, Denny's PBA Tour, with no fewer Michael Haugen Jr. suffered a throat than four players granted deferments so sore he had trouble breathing, and several others hobbled at one and was told by a doctor to stay time or another. Jason in bed. He didn’t, and Couch — out after surwon the Tournament gery on a knee — tried of Champions. But a to come back in the couple of weeks later H&R Block Tournament he went on the DL, of Champions, and this time because of a promptly reembraced stretched tendon. the "plenty of rest" Duke, of course, prescription. Patrick also suffered a douHealey said adios after ble-whammy, barely recovering from his battling a digestive ailleg injury only to find ment. Tony Reyes went on hiatus because he After months of dealing with nag- himself undone by ging injuries, it was the flu that the flu. It was never was bothered by a caught up with Duke in Indy. diagnosed, but a few quadriceps injury. Jeff days later, the Indiana Carter withdrew after Department of Health announced that surgery on a finger; Randy Pedersen the state was in the grips of its worst said that when he saw a picture of influenza epidemic in decades. the wicked digit, he threw up. Before the show, Duke said, “I felt Some bowlers have played through so weak from the waist down. I just their injuries, although Sean Rash’s didn’t have any wheels.” He compenknee problem may have kept him sated by actually running back and from duplicating his win in the USBC forth on the concourse before the Masters. A back injury forced Curtis Woods Jr. out for several weeks. show, presumably to get the blood Brad Angelo took two weeks off flowing. It clearly worked. — D.B. DENNIS BERGENDORF going to be miserable either way, so you might as well bowl.’” It was sheer willpower that got Duke onto the approach for the Round of 32 on Thursday night. After each pair of frames, he’d sink into a plush Woodland Bowl couch, and sit motionless with eyes closed, projecting the countenance of a zombie. Fortune smiled, though, as opponent Doug Kent could not find a look inside, and Duke rode the twig to a 4-1 victory. It was more of the same Friday morning. Someone in the crowd muttered that if this were a boxing match, the referee would stop it. But Duke somehow prevailed (4-2) against Belmonte, despite the Aussie tossing two of the tournament’s top scores, 266 and 278. Duke seemed a bit rejuvenated in the afternoon and evening sessions (beat- ing Mika Koivuniemi, 4-2, and then shutting out Chris Loschetter), but a day in bed Saturday afforded precious little relief. He arrived for Sunday’s ESPN telecast feeling as bad as ever, knowing that his train could very well be derailed by his next opponent: none other than Walter Ray Williams Jr., whose resumé happens to include seven titles and 13 other top-4 finishes in PBA majors alone. Deadeye had earned a spot on the telecast by playing the gutter to nearperfection, going 277-280 the last two games against Brad Angelo in the Round of 8. Duke knew what would happen with both players burning up the shot, so he warmed up much deeper, allowing Williams to get comfortable outside the 5-board. “I was smart enough to let Walter APRIL 2008 bowlers journal international 39

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Bowlers Journal International - April 2008

Bowlers Journal International - April 2008 Contents Leading Off Letters Bowlitically Incorrect Calendar Par Bowling The Coach Frame of Mind Inside Line The Truth Be Bowled Tournaments Pro Bowling PBA Bayer Classic PBA Pepsi Championship PBA Don Johnson Classic Regional Roundup Cover Story Up Close Senior Tour The USBC Move USBC Convention Pattern Play Anniversary Flashback Time Capsule Media Beat No Holes Barred Shop Talk Spotlight Marketplace Hall Marks Profit Prophet Advertisers' Index Classified Advertising Intelligencer Business Calendar Business People Strikes Me

Bowlers Journal International - April 2008

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