The 2012-2013 WNECA Pro Tour is off and running, with Rich Bober laying claim to the opener in impressive fashion.
With many familiar faces not in attendance, a field of 15 took to Fun Time Lanes in Holyoke, MA for the 5-string qualifying round. There was not a lot of noise being made early on, with just one 400 series belonging to Steve Renaud, Sr. after the 3rd string.
After a tough 4th game from Renaud, a nice 150 string vaulted Brian Mayer and his obnoxious purple USA East shirt (sorry, I had to) to the #1 seed, which he sealed up nicely in the 5th game. The rest of the seeding came down to the final half, with most of the field in contention for the last 4 seeds. Here were the top 5 qualifying scores and notables who were just a mark away.
Brian Mayer – 645
Rich Bober – 630
Steve Renaud, Sr. – 627
Aaron Spiller – 615
Steve Vadney – 609
Gary Santora – 601
Dave Dupuis – 601
Ed Tringale – 600
The first knockout match featured #5 Vadney versus #4 Spiller. This was a clinic in candlepins by Aaron Spiller. After *just* sneaking by a single in the opening box, Aaron put together 7 straight marks, including a double strike you probably could have heard across town. Needing another pair of strikes in the 10th for a chance at 200, he chopped through and settled for a 183-101 victory over the Hall of Famer Vadney.
Spiller cooled off a bit early in the next match against the #3 seed Renaud, but managed a spare at the half. Meanwhile, Steve Renaud couldn’t buy a break. After putting a great ball on the cluster of 5 (3-5-6-9-10 pins) and leaving the 9 pin wiggling to finish off the half, it was clear that this wasn’t his match. Spiller, who will be bowling with Renaud and Extreme TNT this year at the Worlds in Bangor, had a pair of early second half marks to put this one on ice, 118-108.
The match of the day by far was the semifinal affair between Spiller and another Extreme TNT teammate, #2 seed Rich Bober. Spiller started big again and was up nearly 20 at the half. Bober was not to be denied though, as he ran off 4 consecutive spares with big fills while Spiller was held to 9s and 10s. When Spiller was unable to make a mark in the final frame, Bober pinned out to win a 135-132 come-from-behind thriller.
The final match was all Bober from the beginning as he posted early consecutive marks. The #1 seed Brian Mayer never found the rhythm until he finally spared in the 10th box, of course to a nice mock cheer from his friends and fellow bowlers. Bober took home this one 132-102 to win the opening event.
Despite having just 15 bowlers at this event, Rich Bober will receive a nice check for $400. Looks like his season is paid for! All other ladder participants will also receive checks. $25 will also be given to the bowler with the high single out of the money. All payouts are tentative based on turnout, so obviously the more people the bigger the prizes!
There will be no WNECA Pro Tour event in November. Instead, the next event will be December 2nd at French King Entertainment Center in Erving, MA. The Tour will also be bowling at Bogey Lanes, North Star Bowl, and Canal Lanes. There is the potential for an event at either Agawam or Diamond Junction to round out the schedule, details to follow. WNECA is hoping to see those familiar faces back next month at French King!