JULY 2015 -
3
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TOURNAMENTS
PWBA Tour Stop in Sacramento
Thrills Spectators and
Participants Alike
Thurs.-Sat.,, July 9-11, 2015
By: Bette Addington, California Bowling Writers
Citrus Heights, CA--The only California stop for the PWBA
(Professional Women’s Bowling Association) was July 9-11,
where they bowled in the PWBA Storm Sacramento Open at
Steve Cook’s Fireside Lanes in Citrus Heights. A field of 80
women bowlers representing 20 States, 1 US Territory and
5 Countries participated. California had the highest number
of players (27). Among the 80 entries was Lake Isabella’s
Gabriella Mayfield. Mayfield was bowling this event as a
Guest and joined 58 others bowling as Guests along with 21
PWBA members to complete the field. Among those note-
able PWBA members competing were Lynda (Norry) Bar-
nes, Anne Marie Duggan, Tish Johnson, Diandra Asbaty,
Darris Ruffner, Paula Vidad, Leanne (Barrette) Hulsenberg,
Wendy MacPherson, Shannon Pluhowsky, Robin Romeo
and Missy Parkin.
The excitement was brewing at Fireside Lanes for this
event. The 32-lane center was packed and ready to host
this prestigious event that is one of ten events on the 2015
Re-Birth PWBA Tour that has $60,000 in guaranteed prize
money per event with a $10,000 first-place prize. This is the
first PWBA Tour since the it ceased in 2003 and was rejuve-
nated this year thanks to the bowling industry-- BPAA
(Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America) and USBC.
Event was kicked off on Thursday with a practice session,
followed by a Welcome Reception. Then an Optional
Sweeper of six games was held that night. Friday started
early with another practice session and the first of two Quali-
fying Rounds of six games. At this point, CUSBC 2015 Hall
of Fame inductee, Debbie Ayers, who early shot to the top
of the leader board, was hanging in there with the top lead-
ers. The second Qualifying Round was that afternoon after
which the field of 80 was cut to the Top 16. Then, if that
wasn’t enough bowling for these gals, they had a Pro-Am
that night and finished up after midnight!
Saturday kicked off with the Top 16 returning for round-
robin Match Play of 8 games. Then, again, the Top 16 had
another round-robin Match Play after which the field was cut
to the Top 4 finalists who competed in the Stepladder Finals
that night. Event was also live streamed via Xtra Frame
which covered the Qualifying on Friday and Match Play on
Saturday.
When all was said and done, the Top Four Finalists were
fourth seed Rocio Restrepo (Louisville, OH), third seed
Missy Parkin (Laguna Hills, CA), second seed Elysia Cur-
rent (Ephrata, PA) and top seed Kristina Wendell (Kingston,
NY). Wendell had set a pace of averaging 223 on this
event’s challenging 44-foot pattern.
The Stepladder Finals started with Restrepo against Parkin
where a couple opens cost Restrepo the loss to Parkin 202-
216. Parkin then went on to compete in the semi-final
match against Current who started their match stringing six
strikes, and although Parkin kept it clean, she was defeated
233-248. For the Final match with Current against Wendell,
both started out fairly close but by the seventh frame, Cur-
rent started another string of strikes against Wendell’s
spares and beat Wendell 246-194 to win the tournament.
Elysia Current was presented the trophy and check for
$12,000 by Storm’s Barbara Chrisman to the delight of a
center full of enthusiastic spectators cheering her on. Cur-
rent, who started bowling at the age of 7 was Junior Team
USA (2005, 2006) and has been the Head Coach at Dela-
ware State University since 2012.
PWBA Storm Sacramento Open Final Standings
Steve Cook’s Fireside Lanes, Citrus Heights, CA
July 9-11, 2015
1.
Elysia Current, Ephrata, PA ($12,000)
2.
Kristina Wendell, Kingston, NY*
($6,000)
3.
Missy Parkin, Laguna Hills, CA
($4,500)
4.
Rocio Restrepo, Louisville, OH
($3,500)
5.
Samantha Schaden, Baltimore, MD* ($2,500)
6.
Maria Jose Rodriguez, Austin, TX
($2,400)
7.
Bryanna Caldwell, Red Rock, AZ
($2,300)
8.
Stephanie Johnson, Grand Prairie, TX ($2,200)
9.
Anne Marie Duggan, Edmond, OK
($2,100)
10.
April Murphy, Wichita, KS*
($2,000)
11.
Trina Falbo, Greensburg, PA
($1,750)
12.
Natalie Cortese, Hoffman Estates, IL* ($1,700)
13.
Diandra Asbaty, Chicago, IL
($1,650)
14.
Kerry Smith, Lititz, PA
($1,600)
15.
Kimberly Power, San Leandro, CA*
($1,550)
Megan Kelly, Dayton, OH*
($1,500)
* = Guest /
Photos by Kim Power
Elysia Current
Barbara Chrisman, Kristina Wendell
