LAS VEGAS -- Jim Johnson started 2002 the way he ended 2001 - with a major title. Both were at the Castaways in Las Vegas, one sponsored by Roto Grip and one by Dyno-Thane.

The 54 year old from Ohio won High Roller’s Senior Classic in November of ‘01 but apparently was just getting started. Now, Johnson joins the elite club of just 9 others decorated with 2 High Roller titles. This one carried with it a $100,000 winner’s check.

“Wasn’t really thinking about that 2nd title.” said Johnson. “The money is always a factor, but I was just trying to make good shots. I saw a lot of matches lost during the week because a player couldn’t make that good shot when he needed it and it made me concentrate a little harder.”

Johnson also mentioned a key frame when he converted the 2-4-6-7 in the 10th frame of an earlier round forcing Jeff Fehr to strike. “Striking when you need to in a do-or-die situation is as tough as it gets,” said Champ Johnson. Johnson also wanted to give credit to Hank Boomershine from Dyno-Thane and Dino DePascuale at the Innovative booth.

This marked the first time that the championship match consisted of 2 senior players. In fact, the average age of the 4 finalists was 45. Russ Mills, of Auburn, New York, made a smashing High Roller debut by advancing all the way through “all of those younger veterans” to get to bowl for the top 2 positions. 51 year old Mills, the Eastern Regional Director for the PBA, was obviously thrilled with a $50,000 runner-up prize in his first outing. Johnson piled up 8 strikes in the title match winning 247-190.

Johnson, the only left-hander in the final 4, will use the money for bills and perhaps a car for wife Sandra. After all, it was Sandra’s advice not to take on a sponsor for the event but to pay themselves. Good idea. Johnson, who joined the ranks of the unemployed just prior to his win in November, is already looking forward to the upcoming Senior Easter Classic.

Making one of the longest journeys to Las Vegas was Anders Ohman from Sweden. The 32 year old was the youngest of the final 4 and eventually carried off the $25,000 prize for his 3rd place finish. He defeated Randy Ray, 44 year old from Texas in the consolation match. Ray took home his largest prize to date, $12,500.

Tony Szeluga, Tennessee, also added his name to the list of 2-time winners with the Red Hot title now in his corner. Szeluga, a former “40 & Over” champ, fired 299 in the championship round picking up the $15,000 top prize in that inaugural event. The event was special in that it featured just a $65 entry fee.

One of the most exciting events of High Roller week featured a new finals format. The $50,000 Dyno-Thane Strike Challenge had the crowd out of the seats watching Derek Sapp win the $15,000 top prize. Earlier in the week, the 40 & Over Classic was featured as 240 players battled for the $15,000 top prize. Californian Joe Merrill threw strikes from the 9th frame to overtake Hal Wilber, from Vegas, to win the title.

The Super Bowl High Roller attracted 1,414 participants and disbursed more than $1.4 Million. Full results will soon be available in a souvenir edition. High Roller events have now paid more than $64 MILLION since 1982. Got your brochures? Call toll free 1-800-257-6179.