BOWLING GREEN — PBA Hall of Famer Tom Hess, who made the cut to Day 2 by just 16 pins, was able to surge from there to win the PBA50 Gary Schluchter Memorial Central Midwest Classic on Friday at Al-Mar Lanes.
Hess, a 56-year-old Granger, Iowa, right-hander and No. 3 seed entering the stepladder finals, defeated doubles partner Tom Daugherty, a 51-year-old Riverview, Fla., right-hander, 257-249 to claim his second PBA50 regional title and 13th overall. He owns 13 career PBA50 regular tour titles.
Hess opened stepladder play with a 279-194 win over Lewis Center right-hander Dan Higgins and then stopped Joe Rakoski 254-234 to set up the title match with Daugherty.
Higgins earned the final stepladder spot by averaging 225 over 17 games to finish just four pins ahead of Tom Adcock.
Following Thursday’s eight-game qualifying round, bowlers rolled four more games Friday in the Advancers round to cut the field from 29 to 24. Additional cuts came at 16 and eight before the final four advanced to stepladder.
Among are players, Hudson’s John Brockway finished 17th overall, Akron’s Don Hogue was 21st, North Olmsted’s Michael Clark Jr. was 22nd and Fairport Harbor’s Jerry Rich was 26th in the 45-player field.
Wadsworth’s Dale Csuhta also earned a super senior check, finishing 55th.
Most of the players will be in Fairlawn beginning Sunday for the PBA50 Akron Classic at AMF Riviera Lanes, with another PBA50 regional set for Wednesday at Rebman Recreation in Lorain.
See complete final standings here: https://www.leaguepals.com/league-info?id=69a87bf1446b278b1cb1d16a
JUNIOR GOLD: EVENT RETURNS TO INDIANA IN 2027
ARLINGTON, Texas – Youth bowling’s most prestigious tournament will return to a familiar and iconic host city next year as Indianapolis has been chosen as the site of the 2027 Junior Gold Championships.
The 2027 event will mark the eighth time Indianapolis has hosted the hallowed tournament after previously hosting Junior Gold in 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2016, 2021 and 2023.
In addition to the Junior Gold Championships, all United States Bowling Congress Youth members will have the opportunity to compete in the Bowling.com Youth Open Championships and Survivor Tournaments, which will be conducted in the Greater Indianapolis area during a timeframe very similar to that of Junior Gold.
The 2027 Junior Gold Championships will run July 10 through 17 at six bowling centers in and around the city. The Youth Open Championships will take place July 7-9, 16-18 and 24-25, while the Survivor Tournament will be held on July 16-17.
The USA Bowling National Championships also will be held in the Greater Indianapolis area during that time with competition scheduled for July 8-9.
Junior Gold week will begin with fun-filled activities like the product showcase, trade show and the 2027 Junior Gold Championships Opening Ceremonies, details for which will be provided at a later date.
Host centers for the 2027 Junior Gold Championships will include each of the following locations: Championship Lanes, Mike Aulby’s Arrowhead Bowl, Richmond 40 Bowl, Royal Pin Expo, Royal Pin Western and Royal Pin Woodland.
“Our long-standing partnership with Indianapolis has made it one of the premier destinations for the Junior Gold Championships, so we’re thrilled to return in 2027,” said Gary Brown, senior director of short-duration tournaments and collegiate bowling, to bowl.com. “The city’s first-class bowling facilities, hospitality and commitment to our event continue to create an outstanding championship experience for Junior Gold participants and their families.”
The 2026 Junior Golf begins this weekend in the Minneapolis area.