LAS VEGAS, N.V. - On Saturday, November 10, 2001, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard etched her name among the all-time PWBA greats. The North Richland, Texas native took home her seventh title of the 2001 season after winning the $100,000 Brunswick Women's World Open. A four-time runner-up for the PWBA Player of the Year honors, Dorin-Ballard defeated Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y. 280-258 in the title match. The victory tied Dorin-Ballard with Patty Costello's all-time professional women's bowling record of seven titles in one season.
"I'm just on cloud nine right now," said Dorin-Ballard. "This has been a very special year for me. I can't imagine Hollywood writing a better script."
The PWBA leader in titles (7), earnings ($125,670) and averages (214.44) this season, Dorin-Ballard made her 18th televised championship round appearance in 22 events. The championship match was the highest combined score of the2001campaign.
"Michelle is extremely talented and is going to win a lot of titles. Hopefully those wins will come after I retire. I guess you could say this was one of those matches where the first person to not strike had to lose."
The bout between Dorin-Ballard and Feldman resembled two heavyweight fighters trading knockout punches. Feldman took an early lead with a double to start the tilt while Dorin-Ballard went strike, spare. The third frame opened up the scoring floodgates as Dorin-Ballard registered a ten-bagger while Feldman recorded eight strikes in her next ten tosses.
For her efforts, Dorin-Ballard took home a first place check for $15,000.Feldman earned $7,500 for second place.
"Obviously I'm disappointed I didn't win, but I don't know too many people that are going to get beat after bowling a 258," said Feldman. "Carolyn was great today. She deserved to be the champ."
Dorin-Ballard moved into the title match after defeating Lisa Bishop, Belleville, Michigan 217-210 in the semi-finals. Bishop, who was seeded third, won the opening shootout 268-209-164 over Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y. and Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J. Bishop's third place was good for $5,000 while Johnson and Kulick claimed $4,300 and $3,700 respectively.
Today's event will be televised on ESPN2 Monday, November 12 at 9 p.m. and the 13th at 3:00 a.m. (all times are Eastern).
LAS VEGAS, NV -- Championship-round results and their scores, earnings and playoff results in the PWBA's $100,000 Brunswick Women's World Open;
1. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, N. Richland Hills, Texas, 497 -2 games- $15,000
2. Michelle Feldman, Skaneateles, N.Y., 258 -1 game- $7,500
3. Lisa Bishop, Belleville, Mich., 478 -2 games- $5,000
4. Liz Johnson, Cheektowaga, N.Y., 209 -1 game- $4,300
5. Kelly Kulick, Union, N.J., 164 -1 game- $3,700
Playoff Results:
Shootout Match: Bishop def. L. Johnson & Kulick 268-209-164; Semi-Final
Match: Dorin-Ballard def. Bishop 217-210; Championship Match:
Dorin-Ballard def. Feldman 280-258.
