USBC: RICHARDS DEFENDS QUEENS TITLE
DAYTON — Maumee’s Jordan Richard defended her Ohio Queens title with a 237-214 victory over Lindsay Furnas the Ohio State USBC event finals Sunday at Beaver Vu Lanes.
Richard was the No. 1 seed entering the stepladder finals after stopping Jackie Kosler , Jessica Wolfe and qualifying leader Trisha Reid 546-451 during her two-game match-play battles to be the lone undefeated player.
Furnas, the No. 2 seed, stopped Jessica Wolfe during the semifinal 231-199. Wolfe had advanced after defeating Mary Tang 216-186. Melissa Voytko finished fifth after falling to Tang 234-216 during the opening match of the stepladder finals. Voytko’s lone match-play loss came to Reid in the second round 470-450.
The field was cut from 46 to the top 16 for Sunday’s two-game elimination rounds leading into the stepladder finals.
PBA ANNOUNCES RULES CHANGES FOR 2023
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) announced recently that all urethane bowling balls manufactured prior to Aug. 1, 2022 are banned from use in the PBA National Tour.
Urethane bowling balls have been a popular choice of professionals over the past decade due to their ability to control hook and slide. However, some of these urethane bowling balls have tested for hardness below 72D. As such, professional bowlers competing in the PBA National Tour must now use urethane bowling balls only if they are manufactured after Aug. 1, 2022.
This decision was met with mixed reactions by those in the professional bowling community. While some applauded the move, others criticized it as a restriction on equipment options that could level-the-playing field across all competitions. Regardless, the PBA has decided that this ruling will take effect for the 2023 season and will be strictly enforced throughout their organization going forward.
The PBA will maintain the right to spot check any bowling balls for compliance with any
In addition, The PBA Tour is banning wrist supports with “restrictive material” such as steel or plastic supportive bracing. The new rule applies only to PBA Tour competition, not PBA50 or PBA Regional competition, or PBA50 or PWBA players in doubles/team events with PBA players.
To see a list of the PBA rules for the upcoming season, go to:
ALLIANCE TO HOLD NEW MASTERS TOURNEY
ALLIANCE — A new tourney with a different style format is set for March 12 at three Alliance bowling centers.
The first Alliance Masters will be held at 9 a.m. that day with a $105 entry fee based on 60 entries.
In the unique format, bowlers will bowl their first four games at Christopher Columbus Lanes, 505 S. Liberty Ave. The field then will be cut to the top 30 for second-round play, which includes three more games at Elks Lodge Lanes, 606 Glamorgan St.
Again, the field will be cut to the top 16 at that point to bowl two more games at American Legion Lanes, 141 W. Main Street, before the field is cut to the top eight for bracket match play.
For information, text 330-205-5672. Chris Miller is tournament director.