As expected, the 2010 edition of the Luci Bonneau Mixed Doubles in Houston, Texas had yet another huge successful year, just as I mentioned it was ready to in a previous blog last week.
The festivities kicked off Friday afternoon with the bowlers practice session and BBQ catered lunch, courtesy of the incredible host herself, Donna Conners. Hard to tell who won the practice session this year, but I may have to go with Xeno Garcia, he struck a lot, and it continued into Saturday during the real thing, but more on that later. Following the practice session, the calcutta (or bowler's auction) was conducted, and teams were given the option to buy themselves for $1,000, and many of the big teams did, and after all was said and done, the calcutta brought right in the neighborhood of $18,000, and a nice hefty additional prize fund to the top 12 finals teams.
The first Pro-Am of the weekend followed at 6pm, which as usual, was a sellout, and a great time had by all involved, from the pros participating to the bowlers getting their chance to bowl with some of the best to all others who were just there to have a good time. It must be mentioned however that had somebody not stepped in, we may still be listening to bowlers introductions right now from Dino Castillo. He sure makes it entertaining as an MC, as he can go on about each and every bowler there. I do not know how much money was raised for Breast Cancer research that first night, but judging by all the big items being sold, can only imagine it was another hefty amount.
On a side note, my partner Crystal Schoneman and myself had the pleasure of bowling with a legally blind man on our first pair, and it was truly amazing to see how good he was after years and years of bowling, because he may have hit the head pin and spared at a higher percentage than any bowler all weekend. It was truly great to see someone not let anything slow him down from playing the game he loves.
The next morning the competition got underway with A squad bowling at 9am. What started as a full field of 80 teams grew to 82 as a team was caught in traffic and 2 alternate teams were added to keep all pairs with 2 teams. Early on, the lanes played much like practice session, there was plenty of hook out there on the 38 foot pattern, and allowed bowlers to play for many different angles early on to score. Crystal and I got off to a bit of a rocky start through the first half of game 1, but after an open in frame 4, she threw the back 8 strikes for 232, and I closed out strong for 219 and a nice 451 start. After another decent game, the transition and some tricky pairs reared their ugly heads and brought some scores down all over the place. After two sub 400 games, we rebounded decently with 4 games over 400 to finish at plus 137, and could have been so much more with a few breaks tossed in. (Check out some of the live blog updates from BowlingNewsTony to read about it).
At the completion of A squad, defending champs Parker Bohn and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard led at plus 300, followed by Liz Johnson and Sean Rash. Xeno Garcia and Tina Stickney stood in 5th at plus 196 after a bowling display by Xeno, and you had to believe that was very close to the cut number, but an arguably stronger B squad was still to come. We sat in 11th after two teams went around us in the final game, one being Ryan Abel and Jessica Baker shooting an amazing 568 to close.
B squad got going, and much like in our squad that morning, scores got off to a nice start through the first couple games, and the transition and tricky pairs kicked in during the middle games. Should be noted that the tricky pairs were mainly on the high end of the building, but all had to hit them and most saw similar struggles on them. As B squad was coming to a close, the intensity throughout the building built as teams were making their final push towards the cut and to catch on the the final checks.
When all was said an done with qualifying, 2-time champs Tommy Jones and Shannon Pluhowsky built a large lead at plus 454, with Bohn and Ballard in second at that plus 300. We also had a tie for the 12th and final spot at plus 199 between Brett Wolfe/Genie Franklin and John Szczerbinski/Elysia Current, and that meant a one-game roll-loff to determine who advances to Sunday. The final cash spots went to a tie as well at plus 156 for 19th and 20th, meaning Crystal and myself fell just short in 22nd place. Some very unfortunate breaks were our nemesis.
The roll-off was just as intense as the final game and a half and stayed close throughout, with Frankling striking out in her 10th, and giving teammate Wolfe a chance to mark to secure the win after Szczerbinski failed to strike out and put the pressure on. Wolfe nearly left an unfortunate 6-8 split, leaving only the 8 pin, spared it, and closed out the game with a strike for the 421-418 victory.
The second and final Pro-Am followed, and was every bit as much a success as the first one, maybe even bringing in more money for breast cancer. Again, I do not have those details, but I can say, another great time was had by all.
Sunday morning meant the return of the top 12 teams and 12 games of round robin finals play, with winning teams receiving 30 bonus pins, and teams who tie getting 15 bonus pins. Scores came out a fair amount higher quickly during the finals, due a lot to the fact that the bowlers remaining had the pattern figured out, many were the best in the world, and the lanes most undoubtedly break down a bit nicer with players playing more similar to one another. Wes Malott came out firing averaging 274.5 through the first 4 games, including games of 298 and 290 to help himself and teammate Shannon O'Keefe quickly climb up the standings.
However, the day itself was about Tommy and Shannon once again. At one point, there were more than 400 pins clear of 2nd place, before eventually winning their 3rd title in 4 years competing together with a 90 pin edge over second place Malott/O'Keefe. Rounding out the final standing were Rash/Johnson in 3rd, Carol Norman/David Haynes 4th, Bohn/Ballard 5th, Stefanie Nation/Chris Johnson 6th, Emily Maier/Mike Fagan 7th, Brinda Burks/Greg Black Jr. 8th, Kristy Krol.Charlie Mills 9th, Franklin/Wolfe 10th, Lynda & Chris Barnes 11th and Jessica Hirschman/Jack Zuniga 12th.
The tournament may appear to some to be very much dominated by some of the very best of the PBA, and in a way, yes it is, but in another way, that is a bit misleading. With the conditions put out there, the chance was there for all to score and potentially make it to the finals, the pros did not have a big advantage because of the pattern, especially judging by the logjam of scores from 2nd all the way down to the final cash spot in 20th only separated by 144 pins, and many more teams close. Where many of the best gained their advantage was they minimized their mistakes on the tough pairs and during the transition games, and that led to the difference in making the cut, and being less than 100 pins through 8 games out of the cut for many.
All in all, another amazing weekend and even put on by tournament organizer extraordinaire Donna Conners. This tournament wouldn't be anything it is without her donating countless hours and energy to put it on for the bowlers, fans and for a great cause. But as she said, it wouldn't be what it is without the bowlers, because without the bowlers, there is no pro-am, and without the pro-am, there is no money raised for Breast Cancer research.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
2010 Luci Bonneau Round Robin Finals recap
Tommy Jones and Shannon Pluhowsky dominated the round robin finals of the 11th Luci Bonneau Memorial Mixed Doubles Tournament on July 25th to capture their 3rd title in 4 years, taking home $11,000 for the win, which included tournament prize money and calcutta.
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Luci Bonneau Final Qualifying Standings
The Final Qualifying Standings of the 2010 Luci Bonneau Memorial Mixed Doubles
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| Finals Standings 1-40 |
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| Finals Standing 41-81 |
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Through A squad at the Luci, scores were higher than a year ago, but it was still tough to score. Myself and Crystal finished +137 as previously mentioned, and it is no lie what Tony said, I was tapped like crazy in the last few games. Unbelievable reaction for a 660 finish.
We sit in 11th with B squad just getting going, so we need some help to hopefully snag that 20th and final check.
Some standings:
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard 1648 Parker Bohn 1852...3500
Liz Johnson 1772, Sean Rash 1694...3466
Brinda Burks 1643, Greg Black 1821...3464
Carol Norman 1686, David Haynes 1732...3418
Tina Stickney 1565, Xeno Garcia 1831...3396
Robin Romeo 1890, Tom McNaughton 1499...3389
Doubtful that more teams than that will make it from A squad.
More to come later!
We sit in 11th with B squad just getting going, so we need some help to hopefully snag that 20th and final check.
Some standings:
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard 1648 Parker Bohn 1852...3500
Liz Johnson 1772, Sean Rash 1694...3466
Brinda Burks 1643, Greg Black 1821...3464
Carol Norman 1686, David Haynes 1732...3418
Tina Stickney 1565, Xeno Garcia 1831...3396
Robin Romeo 1890, Tom McNaughton 1499...3389
Doubtful that more teams than that will make it from A squad.
More to come later!
Friday, July 23, 2010
Luci Friday update
Practice session has just completed, and by all indications, the scores will be significantly higher than a year ago where strikes were very hard to come by for much of the day. The pattern hooks more from the gutter and has a bit more hold in the middle and also allows players to play many different angles than a year ago.
Scores may also be higher due to the fact that the field is a bit stronger than a year ago. None of the big names players from 2009 are missing, and this year bowlers like Mike Fagan, Dino Castillo, and the world renowned "Frisco" Doug Rice is in attendance. And let's not forget High-Roller superstar Steve Smith all the way from southern California.
An update with the roster itself will hopefully come later, but that is only if and when I can get to a computer and not on my phone, it would take some time to type 160 names.
Update: the Calcutta brought in $18,000 this year, $4,000 more than last year. It will pay in the neighborhood of $4,000 for 1st.
Scores may also be higher due to the fact that the field is a bit stronger than a year ago. None of the big names players from 2009 are missing, and this year bowlers like Mike Fagan, Dino Castillo, and the world renowned "Frisco" Doug Rice is in attendance. And let's not forget High-Roller superstar Steve Smith all the way from southern California.
An update with the roster itself will hopefully come later, but that is only if and when I can get to a computer and not on my phone, it would take some time to type 160 names.
Update: the Calcutta brought in $18,000 this year, $4,000 more than last year. It will pay in the neighborhood of $4,000 for 1st.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Luci Bonneau Mixed Doubles Tournament Ready for Another Big Year
In just 2 days, many stars of the bowling world, along with numerous amateurs will invade Palace Bowling Lanes in Houston, Texas for the largest mixed doubles event of the year, the Luci Bonneau Striking Against Breast Cancer Mixed Doubles Tournament. The annual event draws somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 PBA exempt players each year, along with some of the very best women players the sport has to offer.
But it is so much more than just a bowling tournament, it is a complete event. There is no better run bowling tournament anywhere, from the standpoint of the bowling itself, to the wall to wall pro-ams on Friday and Saturday nights, with a barrage of items up for auction, with all proceeds going to supporting the fight against breast cancer, and the completely enjoyable atmosphere from practice session and bowler's calcutta on Friday to the end of the even on Sunday.
Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting Luci Bonneau herself, but by all the great things I have heard of her in the 4 years I have attended this event, soon to be my 5th, I surely missed out on meeting a great person. Event director Donna Conners goes above and beyond to put on a great event for all, not just for the bowlers, but for the spectators as well, and to honor the memory of her friend and join the fight against breast cancer.
It is an event that has been won in recent years by a Tommy Jones/Shannon Pluhowsky duo in back to back years, and by Parker Bohn/Carolyn Dorin-Ballard last year, and in no way does the fact that some of the best bowlers in the world are teaming up and winning scare any other bowler away. The field is limited to 80 teams, and for the first time, filled up to that maximum amount, and did so all the way back in late May, nearly 2 months before the event was scheduled to take place. The waiting list quickly ran into double digits right after, because bowlers from all over the country wanted the chance to compete not only for the $7,000 top prize (plus calcutta money), but to just be a part of the fantastic event.
Where else can you find an event, bowl alongside many of the games superstars, have a few laughs a good times with them, and possibly go home with anything from a bowling ball won in a raffle to a flat screen TV? Indeed that is the big item of the weekend, which is raffled off in between A and B squads on Saturday. Just ask Xeno Garcia about it, as his plans in the week leading up to the event are not to work on his game or spare shooting, but practicing his TV winning skills.
So if you are anywhere in Houston this Saturday, stop in to Palace Lanes and watch some great bowling action. If you cannot be there, makes plans to attend a future one, as there is no other event anything like it.
Stay tuned to this blog all weekend for some updates on the event as they happen.
But it is so much more than just a bowling tournament, it is a complete event. There is no better run bowling tournament anywhere, from the standpoint of the bowling itself, to the wall to wall pro-ams on Friday and Saturday nights, with a barrage of items up for auction, with all proceeds going to supporting the fight against breast cancer, and the completely enjoyable atmosphere from practice session and bowler's calcutta on Friday to the end of the even on Sunday.
Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting Luci Bonneau herself, but by all the great things I have heard of her in the 4 years I have attended this event, soon to be my 5th, I surely missed out on meeting a great person. Event director Donna Conners goes above and beyond to put on a great event for all, not just for the bowlers, but for the spectators as well, and to honor the memory of her friend and join the fight against breast cancer.
It is an event that has been won in recent years by a Tommy Jones/Shannon Pluhowsky duo in back to back years, and by Parker Bohn/Carolyn Dorin-Ballard last year, and in no way does the fact that some of the best bowlers in the world are teaming up and winning scare any other bowler away. The field is limited to 80 teams, and for the first time, filled up to that maximum amount, and did so all the way back in late May, nearly 2 months before the event was scheduled to take place. The waiting list quickly ran into double digits right after, because bowlers from all over the country wanted the chance to compete not only for the $7,000 top prize (plus calcutta money), but to just be a part of the fantastic event.
Where else can you find an event, bowl alongside many of the games superstars, have a few laughs a good times with them, and possibly go home with anything from a bowling ball won in a raffle to a flat screen TV? Indeed that is the big item of the weekend, which is raffled off in between A and B squads on Saturday. Just ask Xeno Garcia about it, as his plans in the week leading up to the event are not to work on his game or spare shooting, but practicing his TV winning skills.
So if you are anywhere in Houston this Saturday, stop in to Palace Lanes and watch some great bowling action. If you cannot be there, makes plans to attend a future one, as there is no other event anything like it.
Stay tuned to this blog all weekend for some updates on the event as they happen.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Cassidy Schaub takes down SWPBT Double Elimination Singles
Facing elimination from round 2 on after a opening round loss, 2-handed southpaw Cassidy Schaub went unbeaten to survive the loser's bracket and defeated winner's bracket survivor Rudy Garcia Jr. twice to taken the title and $750 top prize, making his 22-game effort worthwhile. Garcia took home $500 for his second place finish.
In a high scoring day throughout, Schaub was defeated by fellow left-hander Jim Carter 526-499, and put the pressure on himself to win or go home. He had a few tight matches in which he struggled to knock the pins down on the way to low 400 sets, but managed to get by his opponents, and then in his last 8 games, averaged more than 250, and at one time started a match with the first 14 strikes, leading an opponent to withdraw midway through game 2.
Rudy Garcia Jr. averaged just under 242 in going unbeaten through the winner's bracket, and securing himself at least a 2nd place finish. His day started off with some excitement in his opening round, squeaking by the red hot Mike "Fig" Newton 514-513, narrowly avoiding the loser's bracket early, and a very long exhausting day.
Rounding out the cashers were 3rd place finisher, and late arriving Trea Ward, who battled with Garcia in the final of the winner's bracket, but ultimately lost to Garcia and then to Schaub. Ward took home $250 FOR 3RD PLACE. (On a side note, he got revenge on myself after putting him in the loser's bracket in the same tournament in February with a 501-490 win in round 2.)
4th place went to Matt Cannizzaro for $175, with Chris Cranford and "Frisco Doug" Rice rounding out the cashers for $100 each. Rice saved himself the long day this time around after bowling 20 games in the February tournament by winning matches early, finishing with only 10 games this time around.
The tournament drew a full field of 32 entries with the $80 entry fee. 29 of the 32 bowlers entered the optional $20 eliminator pot, with Fig Newton taking that down through 4 games for $175. The eliminator paid 7 spots. The tournament also ran more then 60 brackets over 2 sets for games 1-2-3 and games 2-3-4.
In a high scoring day throughout, Schaub was defeated by fellow left-hander Jim Carter 526-499, and put the pressure on himself to win or go home. He had a few tight matches in which he struggled to knock the pins down on the way to low 400 sets, but managed to get by his opponents, and then in his last 8 games, averaged more than 250, and at one time started a match with the first 14 strikes, leading an opponent to withdraw midway through game 2.
Rudy Garcia Jr. averaged just under 242 in going unbeaten through the winner's bracket, and securing himself at least a 2nd place finish. His day started off with some excitement in his opening round, squeaking by the red hot Mike "Fig" Newton 514-513, narrowly avoiding the loser's bracket early, and a very long exhausting day.
Rounding out the cashers were 3rd place finisher, and late arriving Trea Ward, who battled with Garcia in the final of the winner's bracket, but ultimately lost to Garcia and then to Schaub. Ward took home $250 FOR 3RD PLACE. (On a side note, he got revenge on myself after putting him in the loser's bracket in the same tournament in February with a 501-490 win in round 2.)
4th place went to Matt Cannizzaro for $175, with Chris Cranford and "Frisco Doug" Rice rounding out the cashers for $100 each. Rice saved himself the long day this time around after bowling 20 games in the February tournament by winning matches early, finishing with only 10 games this time around.
The tournament drew a full field of 32 entries with the $80 entry fee. 29 of the 32 bowlers entered the optional $20 eliminator pot, with Fig Newton taking that down through 4 games for $175. The eliminator paid 7 spots. The tournament also ran more then 60 brackets over 2 sets for games 1-2-3 and games 2-3-4.
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