CANTON — Scott Vandegrift went with the same game plan at AMF Hall of Fame Lanes two weeks in a row.
He used the same ball and played the same line during last week’s Furbay Electric Open as he did during Saturday’s College Bowl Tournaments’ finale — with one difference.
“It worked for two games during the Furbay,” the 35-year-old Perry Township right-hander said, “but it worked for six games today.”
Vandegrift, second seeded after the four-game qualifier, stopped No. 4 seed Brian Ball 235-224 in the title match to claim his first win of the season in the tournament series.
The final event was open only to 25 players who had participated in at least four of the group’s nine tourneys, with $1,480 being added to the prize fund with a $60 entry fee.
Vandegrift, who used his Motiv Venom Shock throughout the event, had just one open in the title match, a 7-10 split in the eighth frame after striking on five of his first six shots.
“That shot, the ball just didn’t read the lane like I thought,” said Vandegrift, who earned $700 with the victory. “There was a little bit of carry down and I hit that spot and sort of putted it.
“But I used that same ball and played that same line all day … about 18 (board) to 10 … and I got some breaks along the way.
“Sometimes you get them, and sometimes you don’t.”
Ball’s problem in the title match came early. After leaving a 10-pin on his opening shot, he left a 4-6-7 split in the second frame.
“That lane hooked less, but it didn’t have any hold. I caught that ball straight and square and was just too straight off my hand,” the 49-year-old Massillon right-hander said. “It was the only bad shot I made. The rest I just didn’t carry. It happens.”
One of Vandegrift’s “breaks” came in the second frame when he struck after tripping out a 4-6. The other came in his semifinal match against Brett McCourry when he tripped a 2-8 potential split late.
“I don’t trip that, I probably don’t win,” Vandegrift added.
After leaving another 10-pin in the fifth frame, Ball was on a double when he left his third 10-pin in the eight frame.
“That 10-pin in the eighth was pretty good … I thought I had 10-back to be honest,” said Ball, who used the Motiv Venom Black in the title match after “going through just about everything I brought” during qualifying.
“That lane was barking a lot more than when I hit it earlier. I’m pretty good at getting left and getting soft, but I just didn’t make the right read. It happens … that’s why they call it bowling instead of striking.
“It’s Hall of Fame … you just have to stand left, throw right and hope to get the 10 out.”
Ball struck out after that 10-pin in the eighth, but Vandegrift had a key double following his split, including tripping a 9-pin in the eighth off the wall.
Vandegrift reached the finale following match-play wins over Bob Eckenrode (257-205) and McCourry (277-248), with his only miss coming in the third frame. Ball advanced with wins over J.D. Jones (203-192), when the latter had opens his final two frames, and Alex Lincoln (268-236).
It was Vandegrift’s first win in the series this season in five appearances, although he had made the cut in three of his four events. His last win came in doubles with J.D. Jones last season, also at AMF Hall of Fame in the series.
“It just good to get out here and be able to do this … it’s good practice,” Vandegrift said. “I just wish more people would do these tournaments. They are missing out.”
NOTEBOOK: Only 18 players participated with seven of the eligible players missing the event. … Lincoln was the top qualifier with 1,044 total pinfall, 13 pins ahead of Vandegrift. … The cut to the top eight for single-game elimination match play was 954. … High game was 289 by Jones in Game 3, while Vandegrift had 286 in Game 2. … Ray Cook earned the final cash spot with 923, 33 pins ahead of Jim Williams. This final tournament paid 1-in-2. … Tournament director Jeff DiMarzio said the series would return with monthly events during the 2023-24 season using the same three centers — AMF Hall of Fame, Park Centre and Eastbury.
COLLEGE BOWL TOURNAMENTS END OF SEASON TOURNAMENT
(Saturday at AMF Hall of Fame Lanes, Canton)
Quarterfinals (all losers received $170): No. 1 Alex Lincoln d. No. 8 Jim Fellows 229-206; No. 2 Scott Vandegrift d. No. 7 Bob Eckenrode 257-205; No. 6 Brett McCourry d. No. 3 Rob Sample 268-265; No. 4 Brian Ball d. No. 5 J.D. Jones 203-192.
Semifinals (all losers received $220): Vandegrift d. McCourry 277-248; Ball d. Lincoln 268-236.
Championship: Vandegrift d. Ball 235-224. Vandegrift received $700; Ball received $420.
Others cashers (with four-game pinfall):; 9, Ray Cook 923, $100 earnings.
