Pictured Above, Center, Is 2017 Aquimo Open Champion Russ Oviatt.
Russ Oviatt, Suprises Himself, By Winning Aquimo Open At Mesa East Bowl.
He Defeats Jakob Butturff, 215-203, In Title Match To Win Event.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor -thetenpinexpress.com - Director Mesa Metro Association.
Mesa - - - It was David versus Goliath II. In the championship finals round of the Aquimo Open, presented by Columbia 300, on Sunday September 10, at Mesa East Bowl in Mesa, Arizona.
And, for the second time in fictional history, David defeated Goliath. But, this time it wasn't fictional. It was reality for the last man standing in the event.
There was no one more surprised than Russ Oviatt, who was the last man standing in the tournament, and was crowned 2017 champion. Oviatt defeated Jakob Butturff, 215-203, in the title match to claim this years championship.
"Bowling and winning a PBA title is all I ever wanted to do," said Oviatt, a graduate of ASU, where he bowled for the Sun Devils and its Coach Jordan Nassberg. "Winning this title means the world to me. The field was stacked. I felt I was really ready to win my first title, and I did it."
This is the second year-in-a-row that Mesa East Bowl has hosted the Aquimo Open, and the PBA Western Region at its 32 lane center in Mesa. This year it had a full field of 80 bowlers from the west and northwest region. And, for the second year-in-a-row, the pro-am was also sold out on Friday September 8.
The bowlers this year, bowled on the PBA 43-foot Chameleon pattern. A pattern that Oviatt found success on, and liked as well. After the eight game qualifying round on Saturday, he was in third place at +147. With a score of 1,747 and a 218.38 average. Rounding out the top five were: leading qualifier Darren Tang, of San Francisco at +168. Buturff, at +156; GCU Coach Ben Canfield, +146; and Gregory Thompson Jr. of Mesa at +132. Last years runner up, Mike Haugen Jr., missed the cut at -29.
"I played the shot differently in practice," said Oviatt, a player rep with 900 Global. "I got some good looks on how the ball and lanes were going to react. The ball, (a Booya), did what I wanted it to and it was nice to have a chance to throw a urethane."
In the cashiers round on Sunday morning, Oviatt, sat in 10th place at +77 after 12 games. But, a minor adjustment he made in his game. Helped bolt him into second place at +180 going into the round of eight.
"I learned what I was doing wrong," said Oviatt, of the adjustment he made. "I changed my hand position, and that seemed to work."
This year the tournament had a slightly different format, if a bowler was able to make the cut and get into the round of 16. Instead of match play, bowlers bowled two games against each other with total pin fall determining the winner.
"It worked for me," said Oviatt, of this years format change. "You have to prepare yourself for a different mindset, for each format that is used."
In the finals, two of the three bowlers have had previous success on the Chameleon. Butturff, who won the FlipSide Flippin Awesome Bowling Classic last July 4th weekend at FlipSide. Defeated Mike Haugen Jr., on it to win the event. And, Ronnie Russell who finished in fourth place at the Aquimo Open. Bowled the 24th perfect game on television in PBA history, at the 2014 PBA Chameleon Championships at the South Point Bowling Center in Las Vegas, NV. Now, you can add Oviatt's name to the list, who have had success on this lane pattern.
In the finals at this years Aquimo Open. 2016 champion Josh Blanchard defeated Russell, 184-156. Oviatt then defeated Blanchard, 212-187. And in the championship match, Oviatt defeated Butturff 215-203. Oviatt will not recieve credit for this win, because he is a non-member. It also must be noted, that: Blanchard, Butturff, and Russell have won at least twice on the national tour. Thus, giving the role of David to Oviatt.
"I will be getting my PBA tour card soon," said Oviatt, of what is coming up next for him. "My first goal on tour after my first year, is to be Rookie of the Year."
There is no doubt that he will be able to reach his goal. He does bowl in leagues in the Valley, and says the quality of his practice sessions have made the difference in his success up to this point.
State of Arizona Bowling News - September 28, 2017.