CUYAHOGA FALLS — Garfield Heights left-hander Andrew Smith, the No. 2 seed following qualifying, emerged with the title during the 2025 Clutch Lanes Holiday Scratch Classic on Tuesday at Clutch Lanes.
Smith defeated Howland right-hander James Nolan, the No. 5 seed, 222-214 in the title match of the event, which drew a 63-player field on Christmas Eve. Smith won $1,000.
Smith rolled a 300 during the semifinal match in stopping Louisville two-handed righty and No. 4 seed Chase Barstow 300-229, while Nolan defeated No. 10 seed Scott Bailie 207-200 in the other semifinal.
There were only two 300s rolled during the event, both coming in match play as No. 6 seed Brian Walker joined Smith. Walker had his in a Round of 16 match against Hayden Tarris, winning 300-215.
The tournament format was four qualifying games before the field was cut to the top 16 for single-game match play by seed. Subsequent rounds were also single-game elimination until two remained.
Oscar Krofcheck was the No. 1 seed, leading qualifying with 1,058 total pinfall, a 264.5 average, followed by Smith with 1,026. In all five bowlers shot over 1,000 for the opening four games.
Krofcheck was eliminated by Bailie in the Round of 8 252-212.
The cut for match play was at 953, with Robby Roberts gaining the final spot by one pin over Nick Arlequeeluw (952) and five over Bryce Oliver (948). Marissa Perrine earned $50 for being the high woman in the field, finishing 22nd with 939.
See qualifying and bracket results below:
UPCOMING EVENTS
COLLEGE BOWL TOURNAMENTS: The next College Bowl Tournaments event will be a singles at 10 a.m. Jan. 18 at AMF Hall of Fame Lanes in Canton. Entry fee is $65, with bowlers rolling four qualifying games before the field is cut to the top eight for single-game match play rounds until the final two bowl for the title. For information, go to the series’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1732438633645945
ALLIANCE MASTERS: The third annual Alliance Masters is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 23, with just two centers — Christopher Columbus Lanes and Alliance Elks Lodge — being utilized this season. Entry fee is $110, with bowlers rolling four first-round games at “The Christopher” before the field is cut in half for the second round of three more games at the Elks. After seven total games, the field will be cut to the top 16 for single-elimination bracket match play by seed. Match play will continue until two remain to bowl for the title. See entry information below:
KLONOWSKI MEMORIAL: The 33rd annual John Klonowski Memorial Scratch Singles is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 2 at Eastbury Bowling Center in Canton. More information and entry forms will be available soon.
OHIO MATCHPLAY TOURNAMENTS: The third annual Wayne Webb’s Green Machine Trios junior-junior-senior event is set for 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at Wayne Webb’s Columbus Bowl in Columbus. Teams must have at least one player age 50 or older with a $255 team entry fee. Teas will bowl four qualifying games before the field is cut to the top 12 for single-game match play rounds. For information, go to:
HIT DEM POCKETS: The 10th annual HDP MLK Classic is set for Jan. 18 and 19 at North Woods Lanes in Macedonia. Entry fee is $45 per event per player for the handicapped events, with singles, open doubles, mixed doubles and singles for scratch, ladies and seniors being offered. For information, go the Facebook event page at:
BALLERZ SPORTS CLUB: Dom Aiello captured the Christmas Eve 9-pin tournament at Ballerz Sports Club in Wooster with a four-game pinfalls of 1,100. The remainder of the top five included Curtis Brown Jr. (1,097), Derek Duncan (1,078), Chris Samples (1,074) and Elisha Crutcher (1,068).