LIVONIA, Michigan - For Derek Smith of Hicksville, Ohio, the New Year started off right when he won the GLSBA’s first tournament of the 2002 season, the Vision Lanes Open at Vision Lanes in Westland in January. Smith, who qualified third, defeated the always-tough Dick Beattie of Dearborn to take home the winner’s prize of $850. Beattie received $425 for his runner-up effort. The overall leader in the six-game qualifying round was Bob Noonan of Whitehouse, Ohio, with a very nice 1415 series. High games in qualifying were posted by Mike David of Montrose with 300, followed by Bill Dunkle of Fort Gratiot with 279, Nick Beelaard of Windsor, Ontario, with 278, and Fred McClain of Allen Park with 276.

The road to the finals started with Smith getting by David in a 237-to-212 victory. Next, Smith met Jack Kerkau of Bay City and squeaked out a 201-to-180 win. Smith then coasted by John Milletics of Sandusky, 207 to 150. Vic Portalatin of Jackson, winner of the GLSAB’s 2001 Championship tournament, couldn’t put the brakes on Smith either, losing 238 to 204. This win guaranteed Smith a spot in the finals and a two-game bye.

Meanwhile, Beattie started out with a loss to Dennis Feloni of Farmington Hills, 226 to 194. Moving to the loser’s bracket, Beattie was paired against Harley Trumbull of New Boston, and in a close one, Beattie just survived, 194 to 193. Beattie’s next encounter was against Scotty Laughland of Windsor, Ontario, and he again emerged the winner, 235 to 215. His next challenger was Leo Scantamburlo of Riverview, and Beattie won quite easily, 255 to 167. Beattie continued his winning performance by beating Portalatin, who had just dropped into the loser’s bracket, 195 to 173. Just one more game stood in the way of Beattie moving into the finals, and his opponent was Noonan, who was traveling with his own cheering section, "the Ohio five." Noonan had managed to average 218 in his last four games by pulling out several ninth and 10th frame heroics. Could he do it again? Not against Beattie, who prevailed 236 to 208.

Lanes 15 and 16 were the designated pair for the final match. Smith needed to win only one game to capture the tournament. The opening game remained very close, with Beattie having an opportunity to lock it up in the 10th frame and force game two. But a wide-open split spelled disaster for Beattie, and Smith rolled on to a 241-to-221 victory to take the Vision Lanes Open title.

The next GLSBA tournament is Feb. 9, 2002 at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park. For information on this or any other tournament call 734-522-9315.