GOLDEN PIN LANES

champs Joe Lewandowski & Steven Acuff

            Joe Lewandowski and Steven Acuff captured JBT titles in exciting Arizona Conference action at Tucson's venerable Golden Pin Lanes.

            The scratch division used our PBA format, with best 2-of-3 matches after a cut to the top 16.  We used the USBC National pattern, resulting in scores over 20 pins lower per game for the field.  Top seed Kyle King avoided our #1 jinx with a 2-0 sweep, including a 279 game, over #16 William Cornett.  #2 Riley Dempsey didn't fare as well, losing to #15 Allie Ijams 2-1.  FIve matches went to game three, with some dramatic final few frames, as #9 Chris Varholdt, #3 Labriel Leach, and #11 Jory Koizumi all won matches that came down to the final frame.

            In the round of eight, King swept Varholdt and Lewandowski swept Ijams.  #12 Courtney Dutton and #13 Matt Herbert went three games, with Matt escaping 256-236 in game three.  Meanwhile, Labriel Leach fired the weekend's only 300 game to force a game three with Koizumi, but couldn't maintain the momentum as Jory won game 3 to advance.

            In one-game semifinal matches, King ousted Herbert 266-211, while Lewandowski beat Koizumi 232-169 to set up the finale.  In that final match, Joe couldn't have started worse, with two big-split opens.  First time finalists like Joe could and have caved in in that situation, especially against the dominant JBT force in King, but all Lewandowski did from there was strike, stringing all the way to the tenth in a 255-218 win and his first career JBT title.

            Derek Acuff opened the handicap stepladder finals with a 229-199 win over Nick Wade, who was returning to action after an injury layoff.  Acuff then got past Taylor King 226-182, forcing a matchup between Derek and his brother Steven- what a Mother's Day present for their mom!  Sibling matches are always difficult in any sport, and in a close battle Steven got past Derek 191-180 to reach the title match.

            Top seed Tyler Boe was having a dream weekend, having won the day before, and then leading all eight rounds today en route to the top seed.  However, Acuff was riding all the momentum from his semifinal win, and was able to carry it all the way to a 227-193 victory and the second title of his JBT career.

            Thanks to everyone at Golden Pin for hosting our Tour for the first time in almost four years!  Over $1,400 in scholarships were awarded to bowlers of all averages.  Want in on the fun?  Check out our schedule and come on down, it's that simple!