Reno, NV (January 20) -- Brett Wolfe became the sixth amateur in 52 years to capture the prestigious ABC Masters at the National Bowling Stadium Sunday afternoon.

"I'm glad it wasn't close," said Wolfe. "I like blowouts."

Wolfe defeated Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) star Dennis Horan Jr. in the title match, 269-172, in front of a hometown crowd to capture a record-tying first-place prize of $100,000.

The 25-year-old was competing in his first ABC Masters event and was the first amateur bowler in history to qualify as the tournament leader in the tournament. Wolfe does not compete in bowling tournaments regularly and took a few days off work to attend the Masters.

Wolfe bowled a clean game that began with a 3-10 spare in the first frame followed by six consecutive strikes.

"It was the shot I expected it to be," said Wolfe. "During practice I was pretty confident and my ball was going right where I wanted it to."

Horan, Temecula, Calif., struggled throughout the match and was unable to pull together a double in the game.

"I didn't trust the ball off of my hand the entire time and it showed," said Horan, who left two opens as a results of splits (3-7-9, frame five; 6-8-10 frame eight).

Horan, who received $50,000 for second place, struck in frames one, three, six, nine and on his fill ball and converted spares in the second (6-pin), fourth (2-4-7-8 combination), seventh (10-pin) and 10th frame (5-pin).

"I was thinking maybe Brett would get nervous being his first telecast and I could catch up," said Horan, who was looking for his fifth PBA win. "But it didn't take long to realize that wasn't going to happen. He deserved that win – I think it's awesome."

Wolfe, who is the first amateur since 1999 (Brian Boghosian, Syracuse, N.Y.) to win the ABC Masters, has no concrete plans on joining the PBA in the future.

"Before this event I wondered if I could be competitive with these guys," said Wolfe. "I had more doubt than confidence but now it is the other way around."

"I'm not sure exactly what'll happen," added Wolfe. "But there is always the future."

Horan advanced to the title match by defeating Ricky Ward, North Fort Myers, Fla., in the semifinal match, 230-224. Ward, who won his sixth PBA title last week in Medford, Ore., earned $25,000 for his third-place finish.

In the first match Ward won over Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill., 216-190. Jaros settled for $15,000 for fifth place.

The PBA Tour will travel to Las Vegas next week for the PBA Orleans Casino Open. ESPN will telecast the taped finals on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 12:30–2 p.m. (ET).

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND RESULTS

ABC MASTERS

At The National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev., Jan. 20, 2002

Pos. Name/City & State Total/Games Money

1. Brett Wolfe, Reno, Nev. 269 (1 game) $100,000

2. Dennis Horan Jr., Temecula, Calif. 618 (3 games) 50,000

3. Ricky Ward, N. Fort Myers, Fla. 224 (1 game) 25,000

4. Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, Ill. 190 (1 game) 15,000

PLAYOFF RESULTS – In the first match, Horan def. Jaros, 216-190; in the semifinal, Horan def. Ward, 230-224; and in the championship match, Wolfe def. Horan, 269-172.