Pictured Are Finalist Of The First PBA LBC Regional. Photo Courtesy Of John Verbil.
Lordan Ferguson Wins $5,000 in Inaugural PBA LBC Regional
By John Verbil
Special to thetenpinexpress.com
Mesa - - - Bowlero and the PBA kicked off their League Bowler Certification (LBC) tournament program here in Arizona with a first-in-the-nation PBA LBC Regional Championship, presented by True Amateur Tournaments, on April 8th & 9th at Bowlero Mesa. This tournament, sponsored by Bowlero and the PBA, used the same format as the Las Vegas TAT megabuck tournaments, only on a smaller scale, and was the first TAT event ever held in Arizona. Just like the Las Vegas tournaments, it featured five different divisions: Three with handicap for bowlers with averages of 189 & Under, 215 & Under, and Seniors (50+), plus two divisions for scratch bowlers age 36 & Under and 37 & Over.
Though it came on an Easter weekend that tamped down entries somewhat, Jamie McWilliams and his TAT staff still saw a huge 313 entries in just 1½ days of qualifying. More than 200 athletes bowled on the tough 39-foot Kegel-designed TAT Phoenix pattern with a 1.99:1 ratio on the left side and 2.19:1 on the right side.
Bowlers rolled three games of qualifying, moving pairs after each game. One bowler in six from each division made each of the four cuts across the two days, and were guaranteed at least $200 in prize money and a Sunday finals appearance by making the cut.
Although there were some big scores bowled during qualifying, including a 299 by Andrew Lomuscio on Saturday and a 300 by Derek Acuff in the final game of the final qualifying squad on Sunday, most competitors found it difficult to string three good games together, especially in the handicap divisions. Scores were generally low for all three handicap divisions with an average cut line between them of 620 (with handicap), while the scratch bowlers generally scored well with an average cut line of 680. Given this information, one would think that either of the scratch division champions would have rolled to an easy victory in the Grand Finals, but such was not the case.
The finals, which were held at 3 PM on Sunday, featured a total of 51 bowlers across the five divisions bowling single-game eliminator matches against only the other bowlers on their pair, who all hailed from the same division. Winning bowlers advanced to the next round until there was only one bowler left in each division. Division winners were guaranteed at least $1,000 in prize money, but the Final Five division winners would bowl one more match against each other to see who would win the $5,000 first place prize.
The atmosphere was tense during the finals across the entire center as bowlers fought for survival to the next round and a chance at the championship. Many of the bowlers in the handicap divisions were making their first run at a big-money title, and both spectators and competitors alike felt the intensity, especially toward the end of each game.
In the TAT finals format, the number of advancers in each round depends on how many people are bowling on each pair. If 6 bowlers are on a pair, the top 3 bowlers from that pair advance to the next round. If 4 or 5 bowlers are on a pair, the top 2 advance, and if 2 or 3 are on a pair, only the top bowler advances. This format nearly guarantees that every match will come down to the 10th frame, and we saw that happen over and over again, including a tie in the 2nd round of the 36 & Under Scratch Division for 2nd place between Dylan Taylor and Reggie Elliott on a pair with 5 bowlers, requiring a 9th & 10th frame roll-off, which Reggie won.
Ultimately, the division winners emerged: Kenny Koen in the 189 & Under handicap division, Wayne Artis in the 215 & Under handicap division, Lordan Ferguson in the 50+ Senior handicap division, Reggie Elliott in the 36 & Under scratch division, and Kevin Jenkins in the 37 & Over scratch division.
On the freshly-oiled Grand Finals pair, both of the scratch bowlers, Reggie and Kevin, who had had a great deal of success up to that point, suddenly found themselves unable to get lined up into the pocket. They were in a deep hole early in the match while the other three bowlers stayed clean through the first several frames, with both Kenny and Lordan reeling off three-baggers early in the game and surging to an early lead against the rest of the field. By the 6th frame, it became clear that the match was between Kenny and Lordan unless one of the other competitors went off the sheet, which didn't happen. The 10th frame started with both Kenny and Lordan having a strike up in the 9th and tied with handicap. Kenny led off with a great ball that crushed the pocket but left a stone 9. Lordan then left the 3-4-5 with a ball that was wide of the pocket. Both picked up their spares, so it came down to their fill balls to determine the title. Kenny went first and his ball went high, leaving the 3-6-10. Lordan, going next, needed 7 to tie and force a roll-off, and 8 to win. His fill ball was again wide of the pocket and looked as though it could be another 3-4-5, but this time it caught just enough of the pocket to leave only the 2-pin standing, giving him the victory, $5,000 and the TAT crystal cup trophy!
Jamie McWilliams and the TAT staff would like to thank all the bowlers that came out to this tournament, gave it their all, and produced such an exciting event! The TAT team would also like to extend their gratitude to Jodi Bach and her outstanding team at Bowlero Mesa for hosting this event and providing such a great atmosphere for the bowlers.
Although this is the first TAT event in Arizona, it will not be the last. TAT will be bringing more regional tournaments to the southwest soon, with quarterly regional TAT events in various locales starting in the fall of 2023 and the TAT Challenge Trios summer league coming to Bowlero Mesa in May. Tournament announcements will be forthcoming as dates and venues are confirmed. In the meantime, mark your calendars for the TAT Summer Nationals in Las Vegas July 2nd-9th and the TAT Las Vegas Open coming around Labor Day!
Grand Finalists - Division Winners
1. Lordan Ferguson (50+ Senior) $5,000
2. Kenny Koen (189 & Under) $2,000
3. Wayne Artis (215 & Under) $1,500
4. Kevin Jenkins (37 & Over) $1,250
5. Reggie Elliott (36 & Under) $1,000
189 & Under Handicap Division Finalists
Paul Badilla (1st round) $200
Greg Brooks (1st round) $200
Conrad Brasgalla (1st round) $200
Doug Bukauskas (1st round) $200
Dana Cornelius (1st round) $200
Andrew Locke (1st round) $200
Stephanie Sell (1st round) $200
Brian Winstead (1st round) $200
Audie Atkins (2nd round) $300
Michael Le Page (2nd round) $300
Ken Nelson (2nd round) $300
Kaylene Almy (3rd round) $400
Erika Hawes (3rd round) $400
215 & Under Handicap Division Finalists
Sean Casey (1st round) $200
Bruce Franks (1st round) $200
Derek Hamm (1st round) $200
Kurt Lucas (1st round) $200
Doug Martin (1st round) $200
John Ryan (1st round) $200
Aliyas Sargento (1st round) $200
Eric Williams (1st round) $200
Felipe Espriu (2nd round) $300
Eddie Wilcox (2nd round) $300
Josh Williams (2nd round) $300
Kyler Adams (3rd round) $400
Scott Cook (3rd round) $400
50+ Senior Handicap Division Finalists
Kevin Duong (1st round) $200
David Huihui (1st round) $200
Todd Jason (1st round) $200
Brian Richardson (1st round) $200
Brian Waugh (1st round) $200
Brian Williams (1st round) $200
Brad Busakowski (2nd round) $300
Ray Mobilia (2nd round) $300
William Graham (3rd round) $400
37 & Over Scratch Division Finalists
Matt Jones (1st round) $200
Andrew Lomuscio (1st round) $200
Greg Thompson, Jr. (1st round) $200
David Haynes (2nd round) $300
36 & Under Scratch Division Finalists
Derek Acuff (1st round) $200
DJ Kneifel (1st round) $200
Kyle Ponzo (1st round) $200
Ryan Riley (1st round) $200
Kyle King (2nd round) $300
Dylan Taylor (2nd round) $300
Ari Wilson (3rd round) $400