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Bowling: Smallwood's PBA win is an inspirational story
It isn’t often that a PBA tour event winner produces a human interest story. However, Tom Smallwood’s win in the PBA World Championship at Northrock Lanes in Wichita, Ks., was just that. Smallwood defeated PBA player of the year Wes Malott 244-228 to claim the prize.
Smallwood, a 32-year old former unemployed assembly line worker who was laid off from his job nearly a year ago, won his first PBA title, his first major title, a $50,000 first prize and a two-year exemption to continue his PBA Tour career. His win also gave him a chance to compete in January’s PBA Tournament of Champions.
Smallwood said he used the period of unemployment to hone his game. He also said he had no desire to go on the road, but the old saying, “if you’re hungry, you gotta eat” weighed heavily on his mind.
His practice paid off. He entered the PBA Tour Trials in Detroit, where a finish in the top eight meant a full year’s exemption to bowl. When he finished third, he got his exemption and a chance to compete on the tour.
Recently, Smallwood received a phone call from General Motors that offered him a chance to return to work. He politely refused and told the caller he decided to try professional bowling and would be on TV over the weekend. His comment was met with some disbelief, but there was another person who was (is) a bowler and she confirmed his statements.
Smallwood’s victory boded well for his PBA stats. He is currently 1st in earnings with $69,100, tied for 1st with Bill O’Neil for player of the year points with 28 and 4th in tour points with 85,166.
ä Cow Ninja’s (Megan Burwell and Derick Krajci) won the 2nd session of the Bud Light Mixed Doubles that competes at Ten-Pin Alley. They edged out Good Properties (Leonor Davis and Steve Quillen) by a 1/2 point (63-62 1/2).
Going into the position round, Good Properties held a 3 1/2 point lead (55 1/2 - 52) and both teams bowled each other. However, an 11-7 point win by Cow Ninja’s was the difference. Handicap was not a factor as both teams received 13 pins per-game.
Although both teams shot well, and all bowlers were above their average, Cow Ninja’s came away with 1275 pins to 1233 for Good Properties. For Good Properties, Davis had 523 while Quillen had 671. For Cow Ninja’s, Burwell had 523 while Krajci had 710.
Team season high scores are as follows. High scratch game: (1) Good Properties (521); (2) Sons of American Legion (476); (3) Splitz Lounge (474). High handicap game: (1) Good Properties (547); (2) Sons of American Legion (520); (3) Keystone (509).
High scratch series: (1) Good Properties (1303); (2) Keystone (1272); (3-tie) Splitz Lounge and Our Gangs (1267). High handicap series: (1) Dragonfly (1421). Team members are Stephanie Lengyel and Ron Haun Sr. (2) Our Gangs (1375); (3) Sons of American Legion.
Individual men’s season highs are held by the following. High scratch game: (1) Krajci (299); (2) Steve Quillen (289); (3-tie) Ben Ferencik and Frank Negrea (279). High handicap game: (1) Negrea (311); (2) Krajci (299); (3) Steve Quillen (298). High scratch series: (1) Krajci (781); (2) Ferencik (772); (3) Steve Quillen (759). High handicap series: (1) Ferencik (808); (2) Steve Quillen (795), (3) Krajci (787).
Individual women’s season high’s go to the following. High scratch game: (1) Davis 255; (2) Karen Quillen (245); (3) Betty Marshall (243). High handicap game: (1) Davis (302); (2) Marshall (293); (3) Karen Quillen (289). High scratch series: (1) Davis (607); (2) Karen Quillen (603); (3) Marshall (600). High handicap series: (1) Lengyl (795); (2) Marshall (753); (3) Davis (748).
Krajci has high men’s average with 230. Steve Quillen is 2nd with 214 and Ferencik is 3rd with 212.
The women are led by Karen Quillen with 173. Davis is 2nd with 172.93 and Debbie Schuller is 3rd with 172.03.
Gabe D’Angelo is a local bowler and member of the Professional Bowler Writers Association who writes this weekly column for The Herald
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COLLEGIATE NOTEBOOK: Woods has banner year throwing shot
KRISTY WOODS of the University of Buffalo boasted a banner 2010 season for the Bulls’ track & field team.
The former Grove City High standout and multiple PIAA placewinner and gold-medalist improved as the season progressed in Mid-American Conference, NCAA and ultimately, national-caliber competition.
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Landino, Gramley qualify for Kings finals
Hickory High student-athlete Olivia Landino and Sharon resident Brendan Gramley have qualified for the annual Kings Family Restaurants/Tri-State PGA’s Junior golf tourney player of the year championships.
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AUTO RACING NOTEBOOK: Mike Lutz is chip off the old (engine) block
A FEW WEEKS ago I wrote about racing legend Lou Blaney and his sons, Dave and Dale, who followed him into the sport.
Another local legend is Andy Lutz — and his son is also making his mark on area dirt tracks. Mike Lutz, 40, who was born in Hermitage and currently lives in Mercer, has been around racing his whole life and has racked up 87 career wins in 24 years of racing. -
Grove City Senior LL All-Stars earn berth in state tourney
Grove City Senior Division Little League All-Stars are headed back to the state championships for the second straight year.
The locals scored 10 runs in the 4th inning and went on to defeat Woodland Hills, 13-9, in the Section 2 title game Sunday at Grove City.
The state senior tournament is being held for a 35th straight year in Emporium. At 1 p.m. Thursday, Grove City will play Section 1 winner DuBois. -
Outdoors: Paddling into the Allegheny River headwind
The deep gorge of the Middle Allegheny River evolved from glacial action thousands of years ago, but Mother Nature still plays tricks out there today. Such as the surprising and powerful upstream headwinds that five of us encountered last Saturday in Warren County during a 10-mile float for smallmouth bass.
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SPORTVIEW: Greenville B&I Day features long-drive event as part of 60th anniversary
THE USUAL COMMENT about golf is: “Drive for show, putt for dough.” Then again there are those who drive for show and dough.
And local golf fans will have a chance to see them up close and personal on Aug. 2 during the 1st Northwest Pennsylvania Long Drive Classic which marks the 60th anniversary of Greenville Business & Industry Day.
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Donofrio heads up Kennedy Catholic football
Rumors circulating about Kennedy Catholic High not being able to field a football team this fall are unfounded.
“This is not only about a program, but for the school to have a strong football program so that everybody in the whole school will have pride in that football program,” explained new head coach Archie Donofrio. -
Little League All-Star action
Sharpsville All-Stars will open play in the Section Senior/Junior (14-under) tournament in Swissvale today.
In Major Division (11-12) sectional action recently, Hermitage was eliminated by two close losses, falling to Bullskin Township, 7-6, and West Point-Greensburg, 2-1.
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Necastro golf event will continue 1 more year for the kids
THEY SAY that “All good things must come to an end.” Even so the annual Nicky Necastro Memorial Fund Golf Tournament.
Tony Necastro, who founded the benefit event in behalf of his late wife Nicky 14 years ago, made a sad announcement at the conclusion of this year’s tourney at Avalon Golf and Country Club’s Squaw Creek layout Friday: “One more time!” -
EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK: Cleveland fans need to realize about LeGone: It's not a tragedy!
FANS of the Cleveland Cavaliers and other teams need to put their love of the sport back into perspective.
There was far too much hoopla this week over the announcement by LeBron James that he is leaving the Cavs to play for the Miami Heat.
Understandably, Youngs-town-area TV stations interviewed fans after LeBron’s hour-long special on ESPN Thursday night.
One woman actually shed tears.
Another fan said it was “the worst thing that ever happened” in his life.
Really? I’m glad he’s never been injured or ill or jobless or hungry or grieved for a loved one. - More Sports Headlines
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