October 2017 -
7
SERVING THE BOWLING INDUSTRY SINCE 1967
Shannon O'keefe Wins 2017 Smithfield PWBA
Tour Championship
By Matt Cattizzaro
For the third time in her career, Shannon O'Keefe of O'Fallon, Illinois, found herself in tears on the
television set of a major bowling championship, but this time it was as the winner of the 2017 Smith-
field Professional Women's Bowling Association Tour Championship, the first major title of her career.
The 38-year-old right-hander struck six times in the first seven frames of the title match against Kelly
Kulick of Union, New Jersey, on Wednesday and claimed her sixth
PWBA Tour title by a 222-203 margin. The win earned O'Keefe
$20,000, while Kulick took home $10,000 as the runner-up.
O'Keefe was slowed only by a 3-6-7-10 split in the third frame, which
she was unable to convert, but spared a 10 pin in her final frame and
got nine on her fill ball to shut out Kulick, whose only strike in the sec-
ond half of the game came on her fill ball.
"I've dreamed of this moment for a really long time, and I don't know if
there are words to describe how I feel," O'Keefe said. "I've been a
contender at the U.S. Women's Open for the last decade and haven't
been able to pull it off, which has been frustrating. I'm just overwhelmed
right now by how this feels."
The last time O'Keefe bowled for a major title was the 2015 U.S.
Women's Open, where she left, and missed, a final-frame washout,
allowing USBC Hall of Famer Liz Johnson of Deerfield, IL., to claim the
second of her four consecutive U.S. Women's Open titles.
This win also nearly got away from O'Keefe, who left a 4-6-7-10 split
in the 10th frame of her semifinal match with Johnson. O'Keefe entered
the final frame on a string of five consecutive strikes, and the miscue
allowed Johnson to throw a strike and then spare a 7 pin for a 222 tie.
It took three one-ball roll-offs for O'Keefe to lock up her spot in the championship match. Both players
struck on their first two opportunities, and O'Keefe won the third, 10-9.
"The split in the 10th was a really bad shot, and I knew it wasn't going to hold because I whipped my
hand around it," O'Keefe said. "I immediately thought back to last time, but ultimately, I knew I threw
nine great shots, and I was happy. It wasn't the best result in a pressure moment, but it is what it is.
Then, she gave me an opportunity, and from that moment on, it was go. I am grateful I had that sec-
ond chance."
As the points leader each season since the PWBA Tour returned in 2015, Johnson has been seeded
into the televised portion of the event. The three-time reigning PWBA Player of the Year has not been
able to advance to the title match.
On her way to the final Wednesday, Kulick built an early lead against Shannon Pluhowsky of Dayton,
Ohio, and led by nearly 40 pins at the halfway point. Two opens from Pluhowsky in the first six frames
proved to be her undoing, and Kulick tossed nine strikes on the way to a 247-191 win.
Kulick, a six-time major champion, also was the runner-up at the 2017 Go Bowling PWBA Players
Championship, losing to Johnson in the final.
"I did my job and threw really good shots, and the ball reaction just went away a little bit," said Kulick,
whose last major title was the U.S. Women's Open in 2012. "Swishy 7, ring 10, it could've gone either
way. Shannon had a good look all week long and bowled great. I have
no regrets, but I'm really tired of finishing second. Overall, I had a great
season. Even though Liz ran away with it, I finished second for player of
the year. I'm making cuts, I'm cashing and I'm making TV. That's all I
can do, and next year, something's going to give."
PWBA members qualified for the Tour Championship either by winning
a title during the 2017 season or earning enough competition points. All
eligible 2017 PWBA Tour champions received automatic invitations to
the Tour Championship, and the remainder of the 16-player field was
filled through the PWBA points list.
O'Keefe earned her spot at the season-ending event with her recent
win at the PWBA St. Petersburg-Clearwater Open, Kulick secured her
place with a win at the PWBA Fountain Valley Open and Johnson, the
season's only three-time winner, advanced with a win at the PWBA
Storm Sacramento Open.
Pluhowsky, whose best finish this season was a runner-up effort at the
Nationwide PWBA Rochester Open, was the lone left-hander to qualify
for the Tour Championship and did so via the points list.
Johnson also won two of the season's three majors, the Go Bowling
PWBA Players Championship and the U.S. Women's Open, while fin-
ishing second at the other, the USBC Queens. Her consistency locked
up her third consecutive player-of-the-year award before a single ball was thrown.
As the top two players on the season points list, Johnson and Kulick earned automatic berths in
Wednesday's semifinals, while O'Keefe and Pluhowsky battled their way through the 16-player single-
elimination bracket, featuring best-of-five matches.
The lanes were specially installed inside the Old Dominion Building by QubicaAMF, the official sup-
plier of bowling equipment for the 2017 Smithfield PWBA Tour Championship.
Nevada USBCs Recognized For
Contributions To BVL
For the first time since 2001, bowling’s own, oldest
and most successful charity, the Bowlers to Veterans
Link, has cleared the million dollar mark – raising
$1,069,779.75 going into the organization's 75th Anni-
versary year.
“We’re absolutely delighted that we have broken that
million dollar mark,” notes BVL Executive Director Mary
Harrar. “These monies were raised across America by
volunteers that understand the importance of the BVL
mission to Brighten Veterans’ Lives. They know that
their efforts will truly have an important impact on our
veterans.”
The majority of the contributions – more than
$630,000 – was derived from approximately 300 USBC
associations and leagues throughout the country, up
from $594,000 in the 15-16 season. Of that, $6,586.00
came from the State of Nevada.
“We can’t thank our bowlers from Nevada enough to
help us break that million dollar mark,” notes BVL Ex-
ecutive Director Mary Harrar. “Throughout the state --
in small towns and big cities -- your hard-working vol-
unteers really made a difference.”
The remainder of the funds raised was the result of
donations from bowling center campaigns, corporate
support, personal contributions, and dollars donated in
honor of members of the bowling community and mili-
tary veterans. Harrar adds, “From our corporate part-
ners to youth league fund-raisers, our cause is being
embraced by all segments of the sport.”
A complete list of the 16-17 contributors can be found
at
BVL funds are used to provide recreational and thera-
peutic programs and activities to help brighten the days
of veterans; encouraging participation in sports and the
arts to help speed recuperation and boost morale.
Founded in 1942, BVL has been recognized by the
Department of Veterans Affairs for its commitment to
America’s veterans. Notes VA Secretary Dr. David
Shulkin, “Our country’s sacred obligation to fully honor
our commitments to our Veterans is deeply personal to
me, and I’m particularly grateful to Bowlers to Veterans
Link for joining us in their own enduring commitment
and noble work for Veterans. My deep thanks to BVL
for steadfastly honoring Veterans’ sacrifices.”
Harrar concludes, “While we thank each and every
Nevada BVL volunteer and contributor for their efforts,
we want to redouble our commitment as we enter this
new season. There is plenty of room for more associa-
tions to get involved. Contact me at
o
get your free fund-raising kit. Let’s work together to
make our 75th Anniversary year better than ever!”
How can you help?
1. Order a free fund raising kit:
2. Visit us on Facebook and "Like" our page: https://
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3. Visit our website and sign up for our email news:
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