BEST IN THE WEST

champs Ben Canfield and Jarred Starr-Moncayo

        Ben Canfield and Jarred Starr-Moncayo earned big victories in the first major of the 2013-14 season, the Best In The West tournament, hosted by Brunswick Zone Mesa.

        Unlike any other JBT event, bowlers are ranked by the amount of points they earn through multiple rounds of eliminator-style matchplay, and not on overall pinfall.  This, plus the ultra-demanding Badger and Bear lane patterns, puts an emphasis on both shot making and clutch performances, which should be tested in a major event.

        Aaron Yamamoto and Danny Varholdt tied for the last spot in the six-person scratch finals, with Aaron winning that rolloff 191-187 to advance.  Yamamoto upped it to a 221 game in round one, and that was good enough to advance along with Zach Martinez and his 235, while Derek Acuff (177) and Curtis Lindeman (163) were eliminated.  In round two the top seeds came in and dominated with #1 Eric Hatchett (200) and #2 Ben Canfield (232) advancing, while Yamamoto (190) and Martinez (195) were eliminated.

        Canfield started the title match with a spare and then caught fire, blasting the next seven strikes to build a lead that defending champion Hatchett could not dig into, and the resulting 242-186 win was good for the 12th title of Canfield's JBT career.

        In the handicap division finals, Starr-Moncayo (213) and Jake Hilton (207) advanced out of round one, while Brooke Martinez and Bella Flowers each bowed out with 192 games.  Jarred kept going in round two with a 204, and was joined by #2 Shauna Schultz with 210, but Hilton's run was stopped with a 194, and top seed Bex Boyko's excellent weekend came to an end with a 170.

        Schultz, the reigning TPC champ, was looking to win her third handicap major, having won the So Cal Invite a few years back.  However, a mid-game five-bagger from Starr-Moncayo was too much, propelling him to a 250-210 win, and the second title of his JBT career.

        Thanks as always to the great team at Zone Mesa for hosting our Tour.  Want in on the best fun and excitement for all ages and all averages?  Check out our schedule and come on down, it's that easy!