Bowlers Journal International - November 2008 - (Page 80) ProBowling Results, Schedules and More 16-20 17. DURBIN MAKES ‘THE FIRESTONE’ HIS OWN. 16 16. JASON COUCH’S MAJOR WINNING STREAK. To “three-peat” the PBA Tournament of Champions, Jason Couch prevailed at three different venues and endured a 25-month gap between two of the victories, while banking a total of $260,000 for his efforts. Couch struck out in the 10th frame to defeat Chris Barnes at the 1999 T of C, held near Kansas City. Moving to Chicago in 2000, Couch outscored Ryan Shafer — who also was his victim when the tournament was revived using a match play elimination format at the Mohegan Sun in 2002. When Mike Durbin went through four TV opponents to capture the Firestone Tournament of Champions for the third time in 1984, it was the cherry on top of his superior record at the PBA’s most prestigious event of the era. Besides being the only player (until Jason Couch) to win the T of C three times (1972 and 1982, in addition to ’84), Durbin also had a runner-up finish, a pair of 3rds, a 4th and a 5th at Riviera Lanes. 18. DON GENALO’S FAULTY MATH. 18 with as many career PBA titles as Don Carter: six. But, oh, how sweet one more would have been. 19. A SPARKLING DEBUT FOR THE SENIOR TOUR. was off to a promising start. 20. TRIPLE ‘O.T.’ FOR THE ‘TOC.’ Had Don Genalo known the score, the 1983 Southern California Open would almost certainly have had a different winner. Because Genalo thought leaving the “Greek Church” in the 10th frame had cost him the title, only half trying and in disgust, he tossed his final ball of the game into the gutter. Seconds later, he learned that Jimmie Pritts had beaten him, 214-212. Still, Genalo ended up When Bill Beach walked into the locker room at the inaugural PBA Senior Championship in New Orleans in 1981, he was told to get out by 73-year-old Buzz Fazio. “You’re too young,” scolded the “Buzzer.” Indeed, Beach ultimately won the event when Bill Lillard’s late charge came up short in the final frame. With legends Dick Weber and Don Carter, along with future Hall of Famer Jim Schroeder, also on that first telecast, the PBA Senior Tour Norm Duke throws six straight strikes to shoot 245. Dave Traber tosses three strikes to tie. Duke wins on the third one-ball rolloff, 109, when Traber leaves a 4-pin. That doesn’t describe the raw emotion of the combatants. Neither bowler was eligible for the Tournament of Champions two weeks hence, an especially personal affront to Duke. Traber bellowed an intense, “Yes!” toward his opponent with each strike. But Duke proved he’s never intimidated in a bowling match. — Lyle Zikes 20 17 19 80 Bowlers Journal International | November 2008 www.bowlersjournal.com http://www.bowlersjournal.com
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