BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The new Professional Bowlers Association ELITE regional tour kicked off its schedule of events last weekend at Steel City Bowl & Brews with 82 regular and 26 senior players participating in the inaugural event.
Left-hander Philip Drumm, a 37-year-old Binghamton, N.Y., right-hander, claimed the first victory on the regular side of the Steel City Bowl & Brews Open presented by USBC to claim the $10,000 top prize.
The tournament was bowled using the ELITE regional tour’s new format: seven qualifying games, followed by the top one-third of the respective fields advancing to Sunday’s four-game advancers round. After 11 games, the field again was cut for round-robin match play. There was no stepladder finals.
Drumm finished with 4,231total pinfall, including a tourney-best 7-1 match-play mark, to claim honors. He averaged 211 overall for 19 games.
The remainder of the top five included PBA Tournament of Champions winner Alex Horton (4,098), Joe Paluszek (4,087), Matt Taylor (4,085) and Julian Salinas (4,052). The final cash spot, and the final bowler to reach the cashers round, went to Ethan McDonald with 2,1114, good for $1,000.
Drumm’s only loss came to Paluszek 246-225. Jake Rollins was the qualifying leader with 1,536 for seven games (219.4 average).
In the senior division, 56-year-old Succasunna, N.J., right-hander Robert Mockenhaupt earned the victory after being the qualifying leader with 1,444 (206.28 average). He finished with 3,917 total pinfall over 19 games with a 5-3 match-play mark.
The remainder of the top five included Brian LeClair (3,917), Rick Graham (3,871), Ken Yokobosky (3,833) and Jeffrey Ripic (3,699).
First place was worth $5,000, with the final cash spot being in eighth position going to super senior Glenn Smith with 3,500 for $1,050.
The event was bowled on the PBA ELITE regional 48-foot oil pattern.
For complete standings, go to: https://www.leaguepals.com/league-info?id=6a7dfd06e3c3dfc34627708c##div-6a7dfd06e3c3dfc34627708b