6
- MARCH 2014
SERVING THE BOWLING INDUSTRY SINCE 1967
IBMA To Honor
Lee Evans
Alberta E. Crowe Meritorious
Service Award
ARLINGTON, Texas - The man whose dream over
50 years ago has resulted in a tournament involving
many nations that has lasted for over 50 years is the
recipient of this year's International Bowling Media
Association of America Alberta E. Crowe Meritorious
Service Award.
Lee Evans, the late non-bowling pioneer, dreamer,
and risk-taker who founded the Tournament of The
Americas, is being honored for his outstanding long-
term accomplishments in and for the sport of bowl-
ing.
When his tournament began in 1963, there were
many industry skeptics since there was no similar
annual international tournament that brought bowlers
of the Americas together to represent their countries
before he conceived the idea and traveled from
country to country (1960-63) to make it a reality.
In 1963, the American Bowling Congress (ABC) and
the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC)
each sent only one bowler. When other countries
wanted a "2-2" team format for the 1964 tournament,
he persuaded Florida's ABC and WIBC associations
to send its state all-events champions to field a U.S.
foursome. Today, approximately 150 bowlers repre-
senting 15 nations send teams annually to compete
in junior, adult, senior, and super senior divisions.
Many U.S. bowlers, including Les Zikes, Sue
Reichley, Eddie Jackson, Lorrie Nichols, Bob Hart,
Joan Holm, Rod Toft, Rick Steelsmith, Gordon Vada-
kin, Chris & Linda (Norry) Barnes, Diandra (Hyman)
Asbaty, Jeremy Sonnenfeld, and Kelly Kulick, got
their international starts and became acclaimed stars
in this tournament.
The event, which will celebrate its 52nd anniversary
this July in Sunrise, Fla., was renamed the "Lee Ev-
ans Tournament of The Americas" after the founder's
death of cancer at age 53.
Beyond his own tournament, Evans convinced the
City of Miami to come up with $25,000 needed by the
local ABC associations to secure the 1967 ABC
Tournament. He also was responsible for obtaining
money for the local WIBC associations to land the
1978 WIBC Tournament.
The award will be presented at a special awards
luncheon Tuesday, June 24, during International
Bowl Expo at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando,
Fla.
Belmonte Makes History
Back-To-Back
Masters Titles
By
NORTH BRUNSWICK, N.J. -
Australia's Jason Bel-
monte became the first bowler in nearly 50 years to suc-
cessfully defend a United States Bowling Con-
gress
itle on Sunday as he defeated EJ
Tackett of Huntington, Ind., 221-177.
Belmonte, the reigning Professional Bowlers Associa-
tion Player of the Year, opened up a big lead early and
eased to the title at Brunswick Zone Carolier. With the
victory, Belmonte, who earned $50,000 for the win, is
just the third player to successfully defend a Masters
title, joining Billy Welu (1964 and 1965) and Dick Hoover
(1956 and 1957).
"This tournament is so difficult to win," said Belmonte,
who won his ninth career PBA title and his third major. "I
always have high expectations for myself, but to go
down in history as the third one and first in 50 years to
win back-to-back is a huge honor."
In the title match, Belmonte got out of the gates quickly
and took advantage of a slow start by Tackett, the reign-
ing PBA Rookie of the Year. Belmonte started with a
spare before rattling off four consecutive strikes to take
command.
The match wasn't settled, however, until the final frame
when Belmonte converted the 4 pin and struck on his
final ball to shut out Tackett.
"I wish I would have had a chance, but Jason did what
he had to do to win," Tackett said. "I'm disappointed I
didn't win, but it's an experience I'm going to learn from
this and hopefully next time I can win."
In addition to making history with consecutive Masters
victories, Belmonte also added his name to a short list of
players who have won back-to-back major titles. He won
the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions in January
and is the seventh player in history to win back-to-back
majors.
In the semifinal, Belmonte hung on for a one-pin victory
over Michael Haugen Jr. of Phoenix, 235-234, by putting
a spare on the board in the final frame and getting nine
pins on the fill ball.
Belmonte, who entered the championship round as the
fifth seed, took down No. 3 seed Tom Smallwood of
Saginaw, Mich., 202-173, and opened the stepladder
finals with a 227-214 win over fourth seed Ryan Ciminelli
of Cheektowaga, N.Y..
The Masters, which featured a total prize fund of
$315,000, is part of the World Tenpin Bowling Associa-
tion World Bowling Tour. A sold-out field of 468 players
from 15 countries started the week in their quest to take
home the trophy.
2014 USBC MASTERS
At Brunswick Zone Carolier, North Brunswick, N.J.
Sunday's results
Final standings
1, Jason Belmonte, Australia, 885 (four games), $50,000
2, EJ Tackett, Huntington, Ind., 177 (one game),
$25,000
3, Michael Haugen Jr., Phoenix, 234 (one game),
$15,000
4, Tom Smallwood, Saginaw, Mich., 183 (one game)
$10,000
5, Ryan Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 214 (one game),
$8,000
Stepladder results
Match One - Belmonte def. Ciminelli, 227-214
Match Two - Belmonte def. Smallwood, 202-173
Match Three - Belmonte def. Haugen, 235-234
Championship - Belmonte def. Tackett, 221-177
