SHAKE, RATTLE, & BOWL

champs Bill Grant & Courtney Dutton

Perhaps no other format besides our Invitationals is as much of a mental and physical test as our Survivor format, and Bill Grant and Courtney Dutton proved they had what it takes to survive in JBT action at Cliff Castle Casino’s Shake, Rattle, and Bowl.

After our normal 5-game qualifier, an even number of bowlers are put on each pair, with the lowest score on each pair eliminated, so you don’t have to be the best, you just can’t be the worst!  This eventually whittles down to head-to-head matches.  With six bowlers remaining in the scratch division, Bill Grant eliminated Zach Simon 188-180; Brandon Allred defeated Emily Ornelas 218-170; and Chris Weyrauch took care of KevinNarciso 199-186, but the fortunate Narciso still advanced as the highest losing score.

In the round of four, Grant squeaked by Allred 188-183, and Weyrauch finally eliminated Narciso 208-180, to set up the title match.   In that match, Grant recovered from an early deficit to charge back and defeat Weyrauch 242-198.  The win was the 7^th of Grant’s career, and ended a string of bad beats in title matches dating to last season.

The handicap division was eventually whittled down to eight survivors.  In that round, Dutton eliminated Susan Kurzeka 226-186, Joey Longo took care of Eric Vitzthum 204-169, Daniel Cotten ousted Guy Prewitt 220-202, and Jewels Giordano, having a great weekend, beat Eric’s brother Kyle Vitzthum 224-190. 

In the round of four, Cotten defeated Longo 201-196, while Dutton won a thriller with Giordano, 235-228, to set up the title match.

Cotten had literally had brain surgery less than three months ago, and has the scar to prove it, so it’s an amazing story that he’s even bowling, let alone reaching JBT title matches!   The finale was a very close affair, with Dutton closing the gap in the late frames.  Needing 9-spare-strike to tie the title match, Dutton slammed a clutch double instead to take a 218-199 victory, and her 3^rd career JBT title.

Everyone who finished in the top 5 qualifies for the 2007 JBT Arizona Invitational Tournament, the regular season's year end event, featuring a guaranteed minimum $1,000 first place scholarship in each division.  Top season-long point scorers also qualify for the 2007 JBT Touring Players' Championship, featuring a guaranteed minimum $2,000 first place scholarship per division! 

Big thanks to Mr. Phil Oates and everyone at Cliff Castle for a terrific job hosting our event, which awarded over $2,900 in scholarships!