Pictured Are: Left To Right: Josh Blanchard, Dave Leverage, And Craig Spencer.
PBA 50 Tour Welcomes Back Dave Leverage, Of Peoria. With A Second Place Finish At The Glendale Open.
This Performance Gave His Game A Much Needed Confidence Boost. And Is Hoping Bowling Will Return To Normality In 2021.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Managing Editor - thetenpinexpress.com.
Director Mesa Metro Association.
Glendale, AZ. - - - Like the rest of us who has lived through the great COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. Dave Leverage, of Peoria, is looking for a lot more of normality to return in 2021. In his professional life as a mortgage loan officer. And, in his life as a professional bowler on the PA 50 tour.
Thanks, to a runner-up finish at the PBA 50 West Glendale Open on Saturday January 20. At Bowlero Glendale, in Glendale, AZ. He is off to a good start on the circuit this year.
"This is something that I have been aiming towards when I turned 50 and for about 10 years since I quit the tour last time," he said, of finally being able to join the PBA 50 tour. "I quit in the early 2000s as well (family). "I turned 50 last March, great timing, right? So, it was a real bummer missing out on my rookie season on the PBA 50 tour."
He more than made up for lost time at the PBA 50 Glendale event. He was the leading qualifier after the six-game qualifying block with a score of 1,356 or +156. A field of 50 bowlers were entered in the inaugural event and bowled on the Earl Anthony pattern.
Following qualifying, eight more games of match play were bowled to determine the champion of the event. Leverage went 6-2-0 in match play. To finish second behind champion Ron Mohr (7-1-0), of Las Vegas. Steven Smith, (5-2-1) of San Diego, finished third. And Mike Keough, (4-4-0) of Stockton, CA. fourth.
"Well, if you told me before the event that I would finish 2nd to Ron Mohr I would have certainly taken that. However, when you are in the moment all those feelings of trying to win a title come back," he said, of finishing second. "It's been a while. It felt great to compete again at the highest level. Finishing 2nd was a big disappointment though. I was happy to be leading, after qualifying, but I knew the job wasn't done."
The PBA 50 Glendale Open, was part of a weekend long event. That also featured the PBA West Region Glendale Open on Sunday January 21. In the PBA Glendale Open. Kyle Duster, of Scottsdale, was crowned champion by going 6-2-0 in match play. Jakob Butturff, of Tempe, was runner-up at 4-4-0. Sam Cooley, of Australia, finished in third place at 5-3-0. And Darren Tang, of Las Vegas, rounded out the top four at 5-3-0.
As in the case in bowling in a tournament, where there is a lot riding on the line. There is one game that Leverage wishes he had the opportunity to bowl the game over again. Picking up spares during the course of a tournament, is another key factor on what place a bowler will finish in at the end of an event.
"My spare shooting was very poor for my standards. That is what cost me the title," Leverage said, of his spare shooting at the PBA 50 Glendale Open. "I lost to Troy Kendrick by 3 pins or so and I lost the title match to Mohr. All in all, yes, it was a great weekend. I am very hard on myself. Mostly used the Alpha Jackal with 500 grit surface pin up over the ring finger."
If you were one of the fortunate ones who actually got the chance to watch the PBA 50 Glendale Open in person. You may have also noticed something different about Leverage's game. Normally a right-hander, Leverage started bowling two-handed about six weeks ago.
"It was a HUGE adjustment," he said, of going from one hand to two. "Basically, I am bored practicing 1 handed so I added 2 hands. I throw all the first balls 2 handed and I shoot all my spares 1 handed so, that keeps my timing good. 2 handed is very fun and I am learning more and more every day."
Bowling with two-hands, instead of one, also puts a lot more strain on a bowler physically as well.
"It is physically demanding, and it is definitely not for everyone," he said, of going from one to two-hands. "You use muscles etc that you do not use 1 handed."
Bowling in Arizona got shut down on March 7, 2020 and did not make a comeback until May 15. Glenfair Lanes in Glendale, was the first bowling center in the valley to reopen on May 15. Bowlero Gilbert in Gilbert was the first bowling center to reopen in the east valley on May 19. By not being able to find practice time on the lanes, he did the next best thing to stay active.
"Lots of cardio," he said, of what he did, when he was not able to practice. "I was walking 5 miles and running 5 miles per day. Never missed a day for 4.5 months. Then I got a foot injury, planters or runners' heel."
Leverage, a Mortgage Loan Officer, for Right Start Mortgage. Feels fortunate that he dodged two other bullets.
"Fortunately, yes, I have never been unemployed for even one day of my adult life," he said, of being able to work through the pandemic.
And what about getting through the Covid-19 pandemic, without being exposed to it?
"All 7 of us have not got Covid," he said, of his family living through it during the last year.
And if he has one word to describe being fortunate for him and his family not to be exposed to Covid-19?
"Lucky I guess," he said. "It will take a lot more work to get my game back to where it used to be. "With the Covid layoffs in the bowling industry, it has been a challenge and like most it set me back."
Leverage, a 1993 Graduate of Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe. Graduated with a degree in Broadcast Communications. A member of the ASU bowling team from 1989-93, he was the Sun Devils Rookie of the Year in 1989. He holds the four-game scoring record at the Memorial Union (ASU's) former bowling center. A 1,119. (820 plus 299).
"I won some titles yes... but the team aspect was the greatest part of it," he said, of bowling at ASU. " I'd love to go back and do it again."
ASU has also produced other Arizona Hall of Famers such as: Andrew Cain, Tony Maresca, and Warren Eales.
His motivation on getting back on the PBA 50 tour is simply just "Winning."
He credits Bill Henderson and Jordan Nassberg, for helping him get his game back into shape.
"They have always been there," he said. "When I needed them."
Leverage also used to own 'Bowling With Leverage' pro shop locations in the valley. One of which used to be at AMF McRay Lanes, and one at AMF Union Hills.
"10 years of Bowling with Leverage," he said, of how many years he owned his pro shops. "No, I don't miss the business at all. I miss the people and miss teaching."
Other Arizona bowlers to finish in the top 20 were: Jim Montgomery, Phoenix six. Shawn Hohnstein, Hereford 12. And Warren Eales, 16 Chandler.