THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Chuck Richey Jr. averaged 234.33 for his opening six games of qualifying to take the first round lead during the Florida Blue Medicare PBA50 National Championship on Monday at Spanish Springs Lanes.
Richey, a 53-year-old Concord, N.C., right-hander who is seeking his first PBA50 Tour title, started with 279 in Game 1 en route to 1,406 total pinfall and holds a nine-pin lead over Ocala, Fla. right-hander Brian Brazeau (1,397) with Rory Peterson of Jacksonville, Fla., third with 1,392.
Defending PBA50 Player of the Year Tom Hess is fourth with 1,378, followed by Hall of Fame left-hander Parker Bohn III with 1,372 in the 189-player field.
Among area players, Akron’s Don Hogue is 94th with 1,199. Canton’s Tony Johnson was forced to withdraw in Game 4 due to shoulder and biceps injuries.
The entire field will return for six more qualifying games Tuesday, with the final round of qualifying set for Wednesday before the field is cut to the top 43 for the five-game Advancers Round on Thursday.
Watch coverage of the tournament on BowlTV.
See complete scoring here: