Bowling: Couch back in the hunt at Greater Detroit Open

By Darrin Hill

TAYLOR -- After the first half of the season, Jason Couch was battling Parker Bohn III in the race for the PBA Player of the Year title. Couch had a higher average than Bohn, but Bohn was tops in all other stats including victories and money earned. That was before the new format began. Now the playing field is alittle more level, and Couch is on the attack. "It's a horse race between me and Parker," said Couch. "We're both neck and neck. Whoever wins this race will win by a nose."

The best Couch has done in the past five weeks was make the top 64 cut at The Peoria Open and The Miller High Life Open in Indianapolis. After missing last week's Great Lakes Classic in Grand Rapids, Couch has survived to finally reach match play. And with the number one bowler in the world a early elimination victim, Couch is looking to take advantage. "I believe that this new format is suited perfectly for me," says Couch. "I have a tendency to get emotional on TV. This will be the first time that I've bowled in the new arena setting. I'm looking forward to it."

Couch credits all of his success to his coach, Kegal's Richard Shockley. "He is an incredible instructor," says Couch. "I've worked with him for a couple of years now. He is such a great coach, I can call him at anytime, describe what my problem is, and he can tell me exactly what to do to correct it." Shockley was unable to offer Couch any assistance. He lost to Jason Hurd, 3-1. Hurd moves on to meet second seeded Paul Koehler who defeated 18th seed David D'Entremont, 3-1.

In other morning matches, 32rd seed Walter Ray Williams, Jr. needed five game to defeat Jason Queen, 3-2. He will meet the no. 9 seeded Robert Smith in the round of 8, 3-0. Smith swept the only senior bowler to reach match play, Hall of Famer Larry Laub. Ann Arbor resident, Mika Koivuniemi, advances to the round of 8 by beating 13th seed Lee Vanderhoef, 3-1. He will face the fifth seeded Chris Barnes in his next match. In a battle of lefties, the 22rd seed Joe Salvemini losts to sixth seeded Patrick Allen, 3-2. He will met third seeded Steve Hoskins in his next match. Hoskins survived a fierce battle with 19th seed John May, 3-1.

Darrin Hill is a freelance writer.