Bowlers Journal International - April 2008 - (Page 40)

PBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP THE INVASION OF THE INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS WHEN THE PBA OPENED THE FIELD OF THE DENNY'S Super Fan, even joining Del Ballard Jr. and Jeff Mark for World Championship to non-members, it could not have the online streaming of the Round of 8 — often screaming anticipated the impact some of those players would have. encouragement to “Big Daddy,” who used a corker of a Following the ESPN finals, it was not champion Norm Duke shot to break a 257 tie with Wes Mallot and take command who spent nearly an hour signing autographs. No, it was of the match that put him on the show. an overjoyed bloke from Sydney, Australia, who signed, Big Daddy’s size was offset by that of the bantamlaughed and swept the unkempt hair from his eyes. weight Team Malaysia — six players who finished among Grinning like a shot fox (Aussie slang), the top 127. The team was led by Andrew Frawley still could not believe Zulmazran Zulkifli, who qualified eighth the turn of events that led him to and earned two byes to the Super the ESPN finals of such a prestigious 16 Round. “It was pretty amazing for event. He was completely gobsmacked me, because it was my first time,” he (Aussie for shocked). “What a weektold reporters in near-perfect English. end! Wow!” he exclaimed. “English is the second language in Frawley had not intended to bowl Asia,” he explained. “You have to learn the World Championship, but as coach it in school.” of the United Arab Emirates team, “Double Z“ is frequently asked why he attended a clinic for instructors he hasn’t adopted the “helicopter” in Greendale, Wis., the week before. style of play, all the rage in East Asia There, several friends goaded him into a few years ago. “I did start as a entering the championship — even helicopter bowler,” he said, “but my advancing him the $525 entry fee. brother told me, internationally and on The five-time Australian Bowler of the the PBA Tour, that delivery wouldn’t Year was hardly prepared for such a get me very far.” Obviously, his contest. Being a Storm staffer, he was able ventional style has gotten him quite far, to drill up some balls, but he had only with several titles dotting his resumé. one bowling shirt (which he laundered Upon returning to Kuala Lampur, he several times) with him, and no slacks said he planned to hit the Malaysian that met PBA regulations. He had to go Open, with its $25,000 first prize, in late shopping before the opening block. March. The Malaysian Open is but one Fortunately for Frawley, he wasn’t Andrew Frawley didn't win his match on TV, but event that pays as much — or more alone. Fellow Aussie Jason Belmonte the Australian star certainly had a lot of fun. — for first place than a standard PBA was entered, as was friend Tim Mack, event, and that is one factor that keeps the American star who gave the Tour a try several years the non-American keglers back home. ago, only to return to the international circuit. Mack moved “I love America. It’s awesome,” said Belmonte. “But to Indianapolis, and let his mates stay at the home he it’s hard to justify the move, and bowl this Tour.” Now, shares with wife Brenda Norman. “I’ve bowled with him if the Tour were to to expand to Asia, Belmonte would the past 10 years, and I know he’s as good as it gets,” Mack consider joining. At age 40, Frawley says he’s getting too practically shouted to reporters, referring to Belmonte. “He old to really compete with the best the world can throw can bowl. The whole team can bowl.” at him. He’ll soon semi-retire to become part-owner of a Belmonte certainly proved that, finishing 20th after fallnew center in Sydney, and will surrender his status as an ing to Norm Duke in the Round of 16. “When you play international bowling star. Still, he hopes to return to the Norm Duke, you have to expect that he’s going to bowl World Championship (and maybe a standard event as well) good games at you,” Belmonte said. Relegated to the role next season. “This is something that everybody should try, — D.B. of spectator, the two-handed wonder transformed into if they can,” he said. PBA LLC / MITCHELL practice by himself. If we’d both done it, we’d have run it out,” Duke later explained. “I knew it was [eventually] going to run out, but I thought I could create havoc for him and that his ball would start going high.” That’s precisely what happened, but 40 bowlers journal international APRIL 2008 even sooner than Duke had hoped. Williams left identical 4-7-10s in two of the first three frames, and seemed bewildered the rest of the way. Duke more-or-less coasted to a 208-180 win, setting up the showdown with the determined Shafer. The 1987 Rookie of the Year had benefited from Frawley’s self-immolation in the first television match. After averaging nearly 220 through qualifying and match play, the effervescent Australian couldn’t find the pocket with a seeing-eye dog on TV, rolling a mere

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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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