Foundation Games V

Bruce — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 15:06:04 GMT

Foundation Games V

September 2001 PWBA National Sebring, FL ( At Kegel )

1. Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, New York
2. Wendy Macpherson, Henderson, Nevada
3. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas

Sebring, Florida: The Professional Women's Bowler's Association (PWBA), embarked upon The Kegel Training Center for the 3rd consecutive year to compete in a tournament that they knew would be a stern test. In 1999, Kendra (Cameron) Gaines was victorious on a tough pro condition. Last year (2000), the lady Pro's bowled in a unique new format called; The Foundation Games, in which they were challenged with 3-distinctly different lane conditions, and Lisa Bishop won that prestigious title. This year, two conditions (a long pattern to 41', and a short pattern to 32') were used. In one of the most exciting events ever seen by this reporter, Liz Johnson became the newest of the Foundation Games champions.

Qualifying

The ladies started the week off by bowling 9-games on the short pattern, which was much more stringent than the ABC/WIBC Sport Bowling parameters of a 2-to-1 ratio. The ratio's of oil from the center of the lane to the outsides in this event were in the 1.6 - 1.7 range, for both the short and the long patterns.

Liz Johnson led the first round with 1936 (a 215.11 average), followed by Anne Marie Duggan with 1880; Kim Terrell, 1878; and Lucy Sandelin and Marianne DiRupo tied with 1863.

Round two saw Johnson maintain her lead on the long pattern with a sparkling performance of 2082 in which she increased her average to 223.22, for a grand total of 4018. Moving into 2nd place was Carolyn Dorin-Ballard with a total of 3886. Moving up to 3rd place was Anne Marie Duggan with 3872, followed closely by Wendy Macpherson with 3856. Upon completion of this round, the field was cut to the top-24 for the match-play finals. Match-play was to be 4-rounds of 6-games each on both patterns.

Match Play

Match-play in this event was also unique, as bonus pins were not awarded to the contestants. Total pins would be the determining factor as to who would advance. Johnson maintained her lead through these 6-games (24-total games) and wound up with a total of 5249, for an overall average of 218.71. Dorin-Ballard remained in 2nd place, just 42-pins behind. Macpherson moved up to 3rd place with 5190, and Duggan was firmly seeded in the 4th position with 5159. Just 90-pins separated the top 4-finalist. Ironically, these top 4-stars would be in the top-4 positions throughout 5 of the 6-rounds of competition. Between them, they have amassed 55-titles on the PWBA Tour, a tribute to their overall versatility.

After the next round of match-play (30-games) Dorin-Ballard took over the lead with a total of 6520, a 217.33 average. Macpherson moved to 2nd with 6482; Johnson slipped to 3 rd with 6441; and Duggan was in 4 th with 6439. At this point, only 81-pins separated these talented lady Professionals.

After the 3rd round of match-play (36-games), Johnson roared back to the top with a grand total of 7858, a 218.28 average. Macpherson was now in 2nd with 7750; Dorin-Ballard slipped to 3rd with 7698 and Duggan remained in 4th with 7680. It was evident that these four exceptional players would make the telecast, but "who" would qualify in "what" position was still a mystery with one more round to go.

The 4th and final round of match-play (a grueling total of 42-games), saw Johnson hold onto her lead and be the leading qualifier with a grand total of 9150. Her average of 217.86 across the house on 2-different patterns was extremely impressive. She had now placed herself in that enviable position of "waiting-in-the-wings" to bowl just one-game for the title. And, she had the right to choose what pattern she would bowl that championship match on. Macpherson was in 2nd with 9067, a 215.88 average and would bowl in the 1st match on television. By qualifying in the 2 nd position, Macpherson earned the right to choose the pattern for the 1 st match. Qualifying 3 rd was Dorin-Ballard with 8938, and the hottest player on the PWBA this year, averaging a very admirable 212.81. In 4th place for the coveted "show" was Duggan, just 33-pins behind Dorin-Ballard and sporting a 212.02 average.

TV Show

The next day, The Kegel Training Center was turned into a "TV Studio" by the ESPN crew. Bleachers were set-up, camera's were positioned, the announcers booth was assembled, lights were hung, and the beautiful facility was further decorated for the "Show". Fortunately, it was a taped broadcast which turned out to be a blessing, as a torrential downpour with more than 2-inches of rain falling, created some serious audio problems for the ESPN staff. Interviews were taped and the lanes were conditioned for the 1 st match between Macpherson (who chose the "long" pattern), Dorin-Ballard and Duggan.

This was one of the most exciting matches imaginable. It was a see-saw battle all the way until the 10th frame. Dorin-Ballard needed to strike out in the 10th to shut out Duggan and force Macpherson to double. She got the first 2-strikes, but then only got 7-pins on her fill-ball to end up with a 201-game. Now, Macpherson needed "strike-spare" to close out the match. She got the first strike, then left a solid 8-pin. Unbelievably, she missed it and ended up with 202, beating Dorin-Ballard by a pin, but Duggan still had a chance to strike-out for a 202-202 tie. Duggan failed to strike out, finishing in 3rd place and earning $2,500.00. Dorin-Ballard pocketed $3,000.00 and a Bronze Medal for her 3 rd place finish.

Now the stage was set for the championship match. Johnson chose the "short" pattern and the crew, led by PWBA lane-man Gus Falgien, cleaned and re-oiled the lanes. Johnson started slow, suffering back-to-back open frames after a gutter ball in frame #3, and trailed by 29-pins after just 4-frames. Reigning Bowler Of The Year, Macpherson seemed to have the match in hand until the 8th frame when she opened in both the 8th and 9th. Johnson then clutched it out by throwing 3-consecutive strikes in frames 9-11 to win the title, 183-181. Johnson won $9,000.00, a Gold Medal, a beautiful trophy and an all-expense trip to the International Foundation Games Championships to be held in 2003. Macpherson earned $4,800.00 for her 2nd place finish, and her 2nd consecutive Silver Medal in this event.

Plans are being made for next year's tournament, as ESPN and the PWBA have verbally committed to this outstanding tournament once again. And, you can bet, that Wendy will be back next year to get that 2nd place "monkey-off-her-back" and replace "it" with that elusive Foundation Games Gold Medal around her neck.

The Foundation / Foundation Games / Tournaments / Foundation Games V / Latest Posts

Foundation Games V