jedi_bowler
Is the Force with you?
Mike Scroggins notched the biggest win of his career, defeating 22-time Denny’s PBA Tour winner Norm Duke, 245-238, in the title match of the 2005 USBC Masters Sunday at U.S. Cellular Arena.
Scroggins, who earned the $100,000 top prize and a two-season Denny’s PBA Tour exemption, got off to a strong start in the title match, striking in frames 2-8. He left a 7-10 split in the 9th frame, however, which let Duke back in the game.
Duke, looking for his third career major title, struck on five straight shots, including a double in the 10th, forcing Scroggins to mark. The left-hander responded by converting the 6-pin in the 10th to clinch his first career major win on Tour.
“Sometimes it’s harder to get a mark (in the 10th) rather than having to strike on your first shot,” said Scroggins (Amarillo, Texas). “Sometimes you get up there and get tentative…you need throw an aggressive shot.”
Duke, who entered the day as the top seed and lone right-hander in the stepladder finals, had averaged 240.66 in 36 previous title match appearances.
Scroggins advanced to the title match by defeating Art Brown in the semifinal, 240-202. Scroggins was down early but capitalized on Brown’s open 6th frame by striking on his final six shots.
Against Brown, Scroggins needed to convert three single-pin spares before switching to a Brunswick Strike Zone in the 7th frame.
Brown defeated Ken Muscato (Canandaigua, N.Y.), 201-180 in the day’s opening match. Brown managed a clean game while Muscato opened twice in the match.
Duke (Clermont, Fla.) earned $50,000 for his 2nd place finish while Brown (Lansing, Mich.) earned $25,000 for 3rd and Muscato won $15,000 for 4th.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Pos. Name, hometown Total/Games Money
1. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 485 (2 games) $100,000
2. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 238 (1 game) $50,000
3. Art Brown, Lansing, Mich. 403 (2 games) $25,000
4. Ken Muscato, Canandaigua, N.Y. 180 (1 game) $15,000
Scroggins, who earned the $100,000 top prize and a two-season Denny’s PBA Tour exemption, got off to a strong start in the title match, striking in frames 2-8. He left a 7-10 split in the 9th frame, however, which let Duke back in the game.
Duke, looking for his third career major title, struck on five straight shots, including a double in the 10th, forcing Scroggins to mark. The left-hander responded by converting the 6-pin in the 10th to clinch his first career major win on Tour.
“Sometimes it’s harder to get a mark (in the 10th) rather than having to strike on your first shot,” said Scroggins (Amarillo, Texas). “Sometimes you get up there and get tentative…you need throw an aggressive shot.”
Duke, who entered the day as the top seed and lone right-hander in the stepladder finals, had averaged 240.66 in 36 previous title match appearances.
Scroggins advanced to the title match by defeating Art Brown in the semifinal, 240-202. Scroggins was down early but capitalized on Brown’s open 6th frame by striking on his final six shots.
Against Brown, Scroggins needed to convert three single-pin spares before switching to a Brunswick Strike Zone in the 7th frame.
Brown defeated Ken Muscato (Canandaigua, N.Y.), 201-180 in the day’s opening match. Brown managed a clean game while Muscato opened twice in the match.
Duke (Clermont, Fla.) earned $50,000 for his 2nd place finish while Brown (Lansing, Mich.) earned $25,000 for 3rd and Muscato won $15,000 for 4th.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Pos. Name, hometown Total/Games Money
1. Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas 485 (2 games) $100,000
2. Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla. 238 (1 game) $50,000
3. Art Brown, Lansing, Mich. 403 (2 games) $25,000
4. Ken Muscato, Canandaigua, N.Y. 180 (1 game) $15,000
