jedi_bowler
Is the Force with you?
Jason Couch snapped a 42-event winless streak and captured his 12th career Denny’s PBA Tour title Sunday as he defeated Joe Ciccone, 217-204, in the title match of the 2005 Chicago Classic at Hawthorn Lanes.
Couch overcame a slow start in which he struck just twice over his first five frames, by striking in frames 6-8. Ciccone, who struck in five of his first six frames, opened the door for Couch with a devastating open in the 9th, when he left the 4-6-7 split.
“You don’t get that chance out here ever, so you have to take advantage of that,” said Couch (Clermont, Fla.), who earned $40,000 and an exemption for the 2006-07 season.
The left-hander did take advantage of the situation. Needing to mark in the 10th, Couch struck out to capture his first Tour title since 2003.
Couch, who used an Ebonite The One strike ball, advanced to the title match with a 235-232 semifinal win over 22-time title winner Norm Duke. Couch struck on seven shots, none more important than his final shot of the 10th frame, which put Couch in his 24th career title match. Duke was making his third televised finals appearance of the season.
In the other semifinal, Ciccone defeated 30-time title winner Parker Bohn III, 224-200. Ciccone struck in three of his final four frames, forcing Bohn to double in the 10th. Bohn left a 7-9 split on his first shot in the 10th, giving Ciccone his first career win on TV.
Ciccone (Buffalo, N.Y.) earned $20,000 for his 2nd place finish while Duke (Clermont, Fla.) and Bohn (Jackson, N.J.) earned $10,000 for their respective 3rd and 4th place finishes.
The Denny’s PBA Tour moves to Hammond, Ind., for the 2005 BowlersParadise.com Classic, Nov. 30-Dec. 4 at Stardust Bowl I. The nationally televised ESPN finals take place Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. EST.
Couch overcame a slow start in which he struck just twice over his first five frames, by striking in frames 6-8. Ciccone, who struck in five of his first six frames, opened the door for Couch with a devastating open in the 9th, when he left the 4-6-7 split.
“You don’t get that chance out here ever, so you have to take advantage of that,” said Couch (Clermont, Fla.), who earned $40,000 and an exemption for the 2006-07 season.
The left-hander did take advantage of the situation. Needing to mark in the 10th, Couch struck out to capture his first Tour title since 2003.
Couch, who used an Ebonite The One strike ball, advanced to the title match with a 235-232 semifinal win over 22-time title winner Norm Duke. Couch struck on seven shots, none more important than his final shot of the 10th frame, which put Couch in his 24th career title match. Duke was making his third televised finals appearance of the season.
In the other semifinal, Ciccone defeated 30-time title winner Parker Bohn III, 224-200. Ciccone struck in three of his final four frames, forcing Bohn to double in the 10th. Bohn left a 7-9 split on his first shot in the 10th, giving Ciccone his first career win on TV.
Ciccone (Buffalo, N.Y.) earned $20,000 for his 2nd place finish while Duke (Clermont, Fla.) and Bohn (Jackson, N.J.) earned $10,000 for their respective 3rd and 4th place finishes.
The Denny’s PBA Tour moves to Hammond, Ind., for the 2005 BowlersParadise.com Classic, Nov. 30-Dec. 4 at Stardust Bowl I. The nationally televised ESPN finals take place Sunday, Dec. 4 at 1 p.m. EST.
