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Jan 25, 2024

PBA Regional Recap: Chris Barnes Celebrates PBA50 WSOB Win with Victory Lap at Spectrum Lanes

Chris Barnes, who endured nearly a full calendar year without a win on the PBA50 Tour, ended his title drought at last month's inaugural PBA50 World Series of Bowling in Jackson, Mich. He led PBA50

Chris Barnes, who endured nearly a full calendar year without a win on the PBA50 Tour, ended his title drought at last month's inaugural PBA50 World Series of Bowling in Jackson, Mich. He led PBA50 World Championship qualifying through 24 games, but bowed out in the first round of the Ballard and Monacelli Championship brackets and fell just short of a title in the Petraglia Championship. All the while, Barnes had his eyes on the World Championship, which he eventually captured.

Barnes apparently never got tired of winning (or bowling) because he immediately traveled an hour and a half to continue his busy itinerary. For Barnes, this event wasn’t just about bowling — it was about honoring Mike Eaton Sr., the proprietor of Spectrum Lanes who recently passed away following a battle with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Barnes said as soon as he saw this event on the regional schedule, he knew it would also be a part of his schedule.

In a post-WSOB PBA50 event, a handful of touring pros made the trek from Jackson to Wyoming, Mich. In a field with multiple national-level players, local Gordon Kaufman grabbed the final qualifying spot at +66 for eight games. On day two, Barnes made a run to cap off his week in Michigan, needing a position-round win against Peter Dohan Jr. to clinch the title. In that round Barnes rattled off a 246 to Dohan’s 214 to claim his 34th regional title after winning the first-ever PBA50 World Championship.

PBA50 Mike Eaton Sr. Memorial Central/Midwest Open Final Standings

PBA50 Mike Eaton Sr. Memorial Central/Midwest Open Full Results

In a double-dose of bowling, Yosemite Lanes in Modesto, Calif., hosted a PBA and PBA50 event during the late July weekend. Hunter Mayes qualified first at +176 for eight games to claim the one seed, but drew a demanding opponent in the 16-seed PJ Haggerty. The first match was close, but Haggerty squeaked out Games 4-5 to move on. From there, the field stood no chance against the 19-time titleist. Haggerty eventually defeated Lanndyn Carnate in the finals, 234-197, to earn his 20th career title.

PBA Vanessa Brown Homes Open Final Standings

PBA Vanessa Brown Homes Open Full Results

The PBA50 Tour also took on the 38-foot Wayne Webb pattern in Yosemite, where Rich Corwin smoked the conditions, going +226, higher than anyone in the PBA division. Unfortunately, he fell as the one seed in the first round, leaving the door open for everyone else. Gerald Vertigan knocked out David Leverage in the first semifinal, while Rick Meneley defeated Anthony Braga in the other semi. In the finals, Vertigan shot a 201 to Braga’s 188 to pick up his second career title.

PBA50 Vanessa Brown Homes Classic Final Standings

PBA50 Vanessa Brown Homes Classic Full Results

After the performance Anthony Neuer put on at this event, Anthony Neuer is indeed a good bowler. Neuer smashed the Mark Roth pattern, averaging over 254 for his eight games; through two advancers rounds and six more games, he dropped his average from an astounding 254.63 to just a measly 253.71.

It wasn’t over yet, as Neuer still had one game to win as the top seed in the stepladder. Alex Cavagnaro defeated Eric Cornog 249-212 in the first match, then defeated Peter Fox 258-204. But in the finals, Neuer continued his astonishing performance, winning 278-193 for his fourth regional title.

PBA www.GoodBowler.com Open Final Standings

PBA www.GoodBowler.com Open Full Results

In a post-post-PBA50 WSOB event, Bowling Green, Ohio, hosted 96 bowlers. The PBA League’s Chicago Breeze manager Jason Couch led the eight-game qualifying round at +323, but with plenty of games to go and plenty of bowlers behind him, he had plenty of work to do. But through the three advancers rounds, Couch, much like Neuer, still led and took the one-seed for the stepladder.

In the opening match, Brian LeClair defeated Dan Knowlton 245-178, but LeClair was then defeated by Brad Angelo 211-169. The lefty couldn’t be beaten in the end, as Couch won 216-189 for his 27th regional title and first in the PBA50 division.

PBA50 U.E.I. Chris Lindquist/PROGRESSIVE/Gerdeman Insurance Agency Central/Midwest Classic Final Standings

PBA50 U.E.I. Chris Lindquist/PROGRESSIVE/Gerdeman Insurance Agency Central/Midwest Classic Full Results

View the 2023 points leaders in each region here.