Bowling: Koehler stumbles, Bohn charges into lead of Greater Detroit Open

By Darrin Hill

TAYLOR -- The second round of qualifying was just business as usual for the number one ranked bowler in the world. Parker Bohn III found his groove and surged into the lead at this weekend's Greater Detroit Open going into the first round of match play. "Each match is like a mini-tv event," says Bohn. "So much emphasiss is put on every shot. One ball. One shot. One game at a time. That's the way that you have to take it."

With three tournament victories, six tv appearances. Bohn is the front runner for the PBA Tour Player of the year title. But, that was with the old format. According to Bohn, "With this new format, you can't worry about being here on Tuesday if you don't win your match today. Tuesday is a long way off." Truer words were never spoken as the number one seeded Bohn lost to the 32rd seed, Hall of Famer Walter Ray Williams, Jr., 3-2. Bohn and Williams were all-even through five frames of the rubber game of the match. Bohn's shot in the sixth ran high leaving the 4-6-7-8-10 split know as the "Greek Church". "I had two chances to shut-out Walter Ray (Williams) in the last two games, but I gased it twice. I'm heading home to (New) Jersey, regroup and try again next week."

Paul Koehler, who lead after the first round of qualifying yesterday, went into match play as the number two seed. He beat Bryan Goebel, 3-2. Third-seeded Steve Hoskins swept the 30th seed Mike Sealy II, 3-0. Fifth seed Chris Barnes defeated Nick Vogelgesang, 3-0. "With this new format, pinfalls in the qualifying round no longer matter," said Bohn. "Everybody that made the top 32 cut is on the same playing field."

Local pro Chris Sand of Chesterfield Township placed 23rd to reach match play competition for the second time this season. "I perfer this format over the old one," said Sand. "No more whining about lefties vs. righties, crankers vs. strokers. Head-to-head bowling. Win or go home." Mr. Sand will be heading home after being swept by Jason Hurd, 3-0. Hurd swept Sand's friend, Kurt Pilon at last week's Great Lakes Classic.

Mika Koivuniemi, a citizen of Finland currently living in Ypsilanti, placed 29th. Koivuniemi has reached match play eight times so far this year and made the championship round once. He upset No. 4 seed Pete Weber to advance to the round of 16, 3-2. Sean Quinn of Holland placed 24th. This was the Quinn's fourth match play appearance this year. He was quickly ousted by Robert Smith, 3-0.

Missing the cut: Jimmy Levondowsky of Grand Rapids, Curtis Odom of Coldwater, Dale Strike of Saginaw and Travis Raskey of Farmington Hills. The round of 32 begins Monday at 9am at Taylor Lanes. The round of 16 competition starts at 6pm Monday night with the TV finals beginning at 8pm airing live on ESPN.

Darrin Hill is a freelance writer.