By Ken Charrette -- Michigan Majors

The 12th annual Tournament of Champions at Indian Lanes in Wyandotte was like no other in the history of the Budweiser Michigan Majors Bowling Association. It was a very somber start of the tournament. Lou Ivancik, MMBA Executive Director was rushed to Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn the night before. He was diagnosed with a blood clot on his brain.

Dale Hofmeister of Essexville had a 300 game and paced the 37 champions with a 2415 qualifying score for 10 game. Jeff Austreng of Waterford also had a perfect game in the qualifying round but failed to reach the finals.

Nick Wissinger of Utica won his second Tournament of Champions title and his ninth MMBA title overall. Wissinger had the only perfect game in the finals. Wissinger received $1,000 and a new Storm ball for his efforts.

The first match of the five-man stepladder finals saw Nunzio Marino of Howell start with the first eight strikes in a 265-234 win over Ken Kossick. After an open in the third frame, Marino closed with nine straight strikes for a 258-234 victory over Scott Weston of Bay City in match number two. Wissinger turned the tables on Marino by starting with the first seven strikes for a 276-249 victory in the semifinal match.

The championship match was between Wissinger and top seed Dale Hofmeister. Dale is also a two-time T of C winner with 11 titles overall. There was no doubt as to the winner when Hofmeister opened in his second frame. The only drama was whether Wissinger would roll his second perfect game of the day. Nick left a 4-pin on his 11th toss for a 289-223 win.

Wissinger summed up the feelings of all the MMBA membership when he stated that he was pleased and relieved that the operation to eliminate the blood clot was a success. Wissinger dedicated this victory to his good friend Lou Ivancik and wished him well on his recovery. Amen to that.

I want to thank our sponsors, Budweiser, and co-sponsors, Ansara Big Boy Restaurants amd Storm Bowling Balls. They made this a very successful Tournament of Champions.

I want to wish everyone a most happy and prosperous New Year. May the bowling gods be kind to everyone.

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS FINAL RESULTS

Nick Wissinger (Utica) $1,000

Dale Hofmeister (Essexville) $600

Nunzio Marino (Howell) $400

Scott Weston (Bay City) $350

Ken Kossick (Canton) $300

Trey Edwards (Oak Park) $240

John Veld (Kalamazoo) $220

Russ Shaffer (Grosse Ile) $205

Jeff DeHubber (Wyoming) $175

Rod Radant (Whitmore Lake) $160

Bob Stempien (Wyandotte) $50