Pictured Above, L To R: Joe Hart, Johnny Wing Sr., Don Caron, Barry Gilitiuk, Eric Flick, And Steve Jones.
Six East Valley Vets Come Together, To Win Military High Roller.
Team Included Three Mesa Metro Hall Of Fame Bowlers.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Las Vegas, NV., - - - Don Caron (2000), Joe Hart (2013), and Johnny Wing Sr. (2018), were all elected into the Mesa Metropolitan HOF based on their bowling ability. To those of us who have been fortunate enough to watch them bowl in leagues in the East Valley for a while, we all know what they have been able to accomplish on the lanes at the local level.
Every once in a while, though, they will take their bowling skills on the road and enter a national bowling tournament outside of the Mesa Metropolitan area. Sometimes they come out on top in these national events and even surprise themselves on a big stage. The 2018 Active Duty/Veterans High Roller Military Tournament which was held at the Orleans on Jan 15-18, outside of the annual USBC Open, is as big a stage to bowl on as you can get.
But, they handled the pressure of bowling on a big stage well. And, with the addition of three other teammates: Eric Flick, Barry Gilitiuk, and Steve Jones. Crane's All-Star won the team event with a score of 5,443. And finished second in the Team All-Events standings with a score of 15,971. Not bad for a team that was put together literally at the last possible moment.
"It was something since this was the first time we bowled together as a new team, and it was the best feeling ever after we learned we won the event," said team captain, Johnny Wing Sr.
Crane's All-Star featured four right-handed bowlers and twp lefties. Don Caron and Eric Flick were the only lefties on the roster. The All-Star's rolled games in the team event of: (1203-1387-1477-1376) to reach their team score of 5,443. For the all-events total of 15,971. The six posted scores of: 5,403 in doubles and 5,125 in singles to arrive at the 15,971 total.
"We did surprise ourselves on how well we bowled, because three of us were hurt," said Johnny, of the format that differs from most tournaments. Bowlers bowl four games in each event, instead of the standard three. "But, we bowled consistent enough to win the team event."
If you have never been to Las Vegas, the Orleans is a 70 lane bowling center that is located off of the strip. In the team event. Erick led the six with a (265-1001) for four games. Followed by Steve, (268-963). Johnny, (257-910). Don, (255-891). Joe, (254-850). And Barry, (223-828).
"It was more of a modified house shot. The left side was really tight and I told the lefties to relax and gave the righties advice on where to play their shot," the captain said, of the conditions they faced. "I also told them that we are here to help each other."
The advice the captain gave the lefties seemed to work. As Crane's All-Star won the team event Open Division by 96 pins.
"We were +6 the first game and +193 after the second game of the team event. The third game five out of the six bowlers had at least seven-in-a-row and we were +277 for that game. The fourth game was +176." explained the captain, of the turnaround. "I didn't think we had a chance to win the team title, but we did, and finished second in all-events. I thought it was a great experience for all of us. We all worked hard, and knew we were going to cash and were surprised that we had won the team event."
This is the fifth year-in-a-row that: Don and Johnny have been going to the event. They always have fun bowling in it, but it makes the trip there even better when they come back home with a check.
"I was physically shot after the event," said Johnny, of bowling 15 games in four days. He also bowled in a sweeper prior to the event. "But, it always makes you feel good when you can win a tournament. In the last five years, I have seen a lot of new active duty people. Plus, I get to see a lot of the old guys and we tell war stories."
The doubles event was the best as the six all cashed Steve and Johnny placed forth with1,883. Joe and Barry,19th, with a 1,780 and Don and Eric, 37th, with a 1,740.
"It makes me feel like I belong to the team now when I bowl with the other MMA HOF members. Prior to this year, I wasn't one of them," said Johnny, of his up coming induction into the MMA HOF. "Now that I am going into the MMA HOF, I feel like I am part of them."
Johnny got back into bowling because of his mentor, Crane Teng. Hence, this is how he came up with the team name Crane's All-Star. He says he has accomplish everything he has in bowling for Crane, since he is the one who talked him into coming back into bowling.
"I have been able to accomplish everything I have in bowling, because Crane believed in me. He would have been proud of me, and what I have been able to accomplish," he said, of his mentor. "It was his vision of me to become one of the best Asian bowlers in the State of Arizona. I started bowling in 1962, and had worked at Fair Lanes Squaw Peak. By working there, it helped me become a better bowler."
He was a pin-chaser at Squaw Peak. He says once you learn how to fix a mechanical issue, you never forget how to do it. He also says that he liked to bowl anchor because it takes a special bowler to anchor a team in a league or an event, and he is always up to the challenge to bowl in that spot. Nothing better to throw the last ball to win the game or event he says.
In the team event, Johnny rolled a 910 series. In doubles it was a 896. And in singles it was an 850 for the four game blocks.
During his bowling career, Johnny has rolled 23 perfect games. With the last one coming last February, at AMF McRay Lanes in Chandler. He also has eight 800 series, and his highest average of 230, was achieved at Brunswick Kyrene Lanes also in Chandler.
"I averaged 230 at Kyrene, the first year I bowled in leagues in Mesa. And, I had a lot of fun bowling in leagues there that year," he says, of the accomplishment. "My most memorable moment was when I bowled an 858 series at then AMF Christown. I bowled this series for Crane, the following week after he passed away. I was dedicating bowling to Crane in a league we were in. I was hoping to bowl a perfect 300 game for him," he said, of the emotional evening.
As it turned out, he would let nothing get in his way.
"After missing the first game with a 269, the second game started with the first ten strikes for 289. Thinking after missing the chance the second game that bowling a 800 series would be easier and better since 800 series are harder to bowl than a 300 game," he continued " After starting with the first eight strikes I thought maybe I could do both a 300 and 800 series. On the first ball in the tenth frame I thought I left the four pin, but, Crane must have wanted me to bowl 300 as the pin fell forward before the rack came down. The next ball was a light hit that carried. The last ball, I told Crane I wouldn't need any help that it would be perfect. After releasing the ball I turned around walking away before the ball hit the pins. Crying, I said 'Crane this is for you' with everyone watching me bowl since they knew what I was doing was for Crane. No one left and everyone was cheering, and I knew I had bowled the perfect 300 game and a 858 series."
The 2018 Champs served in the following branches of the armed forces. Joe, Air Force, (1964-68). Johnny, Army, (1964-70). Don, Air Force, (1965-69). Barry, Army, (1972-76). Steve, Air Force, (1985). Eric, Army, (1998-2001).
State Of Arizona Bowling News February 26, 2018