Josh Blanchard Captures Inaugural Aquimo Open By Defeating Mike Haugen Jr., In Title Match.
His Tenth Regional Victory Is His Reward, For Single Handily Bringing Tournament To The Valley.
By Michael 'Chip' Begg - Managing Editor thetenpinexpress.com Director Mesa Metro Association
Mesa - - - What took nearly a year to plan and promote the first ever Aquimo Open at Mesa East Bowl, was completed in a matter of hours. And when the competition finally came to an end on Sunday August 28.
It seemed only fitting that the individual who single handily: secured a sponser for the tournament, and the bowlers to bowl in it, would be crowned champion of the inaugural PBA Western Regional event.
Before an enthusiastic crowd of: family, friends, and supporters. Josh Blanchard of Mesa, defeated Mike Haugen Jr., of Phoenix, 257-196, and claimed the championship.
"It has been a year since I have been in the winners circle," said Josh, of his victory. "So, winning Sunday in front of my family and friends was nice."
During his eight game qualifying round on Saturday, Josh rolled games of: 210, 200, 199, 206, 196, 220, 183, and 238. And he was at +52 going into Sunday mornings semifinal round. He had a total pin fall of 1,652, and averaged 206 for the block.
"My qualifying and semifinal total was not where I wanted it to be, but it also helped me understand the lanes better for the top 16 match play portion," said Josh, of his early performance.
The 77 bowlers who were entered to bowl, bowled an eight game qualifying round on Saturday, to cut the field from 77 to the top 26. Then the top 26 qualifiers returned on Sunday morning and bowled five more qualifying games to again narrow the field from 26 semifinalists to 16 finalist. This was the format used by the PBA Regional tour for years, and years before they adopted different formats. All events had semifinals like this one did.
"My mindset going into Sunday, was to stay near the pocket, and not try and kill myself by trying to score a big number," said Josh, of his game plan. "In that format, it is important just to advance one round at a time."
Well, Josh did manage to stay around the pocket during the semifinal round, as he rolled scores of: 200, 200, 223, 241, and 162. He was sitting in 12th place following the qualifying round on Saturday. And, after the semifinal round on Sunday, he was seeded 11th, going into the round of 16.
During the round of 16, which was the best three of five games. Josh defeated Russ Oviatt 3-1, to advance into the round of eight. In the round of eight, Josh again, defeated Kyle King of Glendale, to move into the round of four. The round of four.The round of eight, was a best two out of three games.
Kyle was the leading qualifier after Saturday's qualifying round, with a score of 1,818, +218 and a 227 average. He also shot one of two perfect games during the weekend. It came during the fifth game of his qualifying block, and it was rolled on lanes 31 and 32. Cameron Smith, also of Glendale, recorded the second perfect game of the weekend.
"I was very happy with my equipment choices during the weekend," said Kyle. "I switched to a Storm Alpha Crux, when I shot my 300 game. I shot a 780 series during those middle games, which included a 220 and 257. I have been working really hard on my game. I've changed everything around with my grips, and I wanted to make sure I had enough equipment choices for the weekend. My tournament as a whole, went well. and I am glad my game is getting going in the right direction."
After knocking out Kyle in the round of eight, Josh would find himself going up against Chris Klerk in the round of four. Josh defeated Chris, 204-150, to set up his title shot against Mike Haugen. Mike Haugen defeated Tommy Jones, 200-188, in the other semifinal match. Tommy was seeded first in the round of 16, and Mike fourth.
"No match is luck in this format," said Josh. "Sometimes you play someone who has a bad round, and sometimes you play someone who has a career round. I never think anyone is an easier draw over another."
In his title match against Mike, Josh was trailing by two pins, 109-107. in the fifth frame. But, the seasoned pro, strung out seven strikes in-a-row, from the sixth frame on to secure the title. His tenth regional victory.
"I did not begin to feel comfortable about winning the event, until the ninth frame of the title match," said Josh, of the title match. "At that point, I felt like it was over. My first PBA Regional win came in a Non-Champions event in Reno in 2011. This was my first ever event as a member, and I happened to get lucky enough to win it.
"This format does not play to anyone's advantage," he added. "It is an exciting format for the fans to watch and experience head to head competition."
The Aquimo Open featured one of the stronges fields, that tried to conquer the 'Shark' pattern. The top ten were as follows:
1. Josh Blanchard, 7-1; 2. Michael Haugen Jr., 6-1; 3. Tommy Jones, 5-2; 4.Chris Klerk, 5-3; 5. Ed Smaglik, 4-3; 6. Kyle King, 3-3; 7. Sean Trzaskowski, 3-4; 8. Stuart Williams, 3-3. 9. Cameron Weier, 2-3. 10. Cameron Smith, 1-3.
The field also include five females. Among those was Missy Parkin, of Laguna Hills, California, who became the first female to win a PBA Men's Regional event. And 2016 PWBA Lexington Open Champion, Bryanna Cote of Tucson. Both ladies are also currently PWBA touring professional bowlers.
"The field was one of the strongest I had seen in years," said Josh, of the field. "I couldn't have asked for a better field if I tried."
The Pro-Am, which was sold out, had 144 bowlers bowl in it on Friday night.
"The event went better than expected. With a sold out Pro-Am squad on Friday, we look forward to next year, and having two Pro-Am squads. One on Friday, and one on Saturday," said Josh. "So more bowlers can experience the atmosphere we had this year."
The summer of 2016 has been a good one for the PBA in Arizona, as the state hosted four PBA events. Two PBA/50 events were held in Flagstaff and Sun City. And two Western Regional events were held at FlipSide Lanes in Gilbert, and Mesa East Bowl.
"Aquimo CEO, Mark Jeffery, was more than happy with the turnout and atmosphere of the event," said Josh, of the sponsor. "He has already verbally committed to sponsoring next years event, and looks to have a bigger and better event than we had this year."
Arizona State Bowling News September 6, 2016