By Darrin Hill
TOLEDO -- There can be only one World Champion. On Tuesday, there were 284 bowlers. Today, four bowlers competed head-to-head, slugging it out for the largest first place check in professional bowling history and the title of PBA World Champion.
All the power bowlers and crankers have been eliminated. Only bowlers that use finesse, style, and are considered strokers remain. Experience played a huge factor. And some luck. And in the end, it was a bowler and his "Snuffy" smiling bowling ball that has won tournaments in Toledo and Detroit who carried home the championship trophy. Doug Kent of Newark, New York is that man. He defeated Lonnie Waliczek 215-160 to win his second major championship and a check for $120,000. He won the American Bowling Congress Masters in Toledo back in 1991 and won his first title, the 1996 Greater Detroit Open, at Taylor Lanes.
In his 14 years as a PBA member, this was the greatest moment in Kent's career.
"I have never been under so much pressure to throw just one shot in my entire life," said Kent. "After I threw it, my whole body just went numb. Emotions hit me like a ton of bricks. I was in shock. Couldn't breath. Had to lay on the ball return for a few minutes to collect myself."
In Kent's previous four title victories, he won a grand total of $114,000. He topped that total with this one major title. He also leapfrogged into second place on the 2001-2002 money leaders list with a total of $182,260. "The money's great," said Kent. "We'll spend the money, but that trophy will be sitting in front of me every day of the week."
In the first semi-final match, Waliczek advanced to the finals by defeating PBA Hall of Famer Brian Voss of Atlanta, Georgia, 202-200. "I made a couple of mistakes in that game," said Waliczek. "Brian (Voss) was able to take advantage of it. I was lucky to beat him by two pins."
It was clear that Voss didn't have what it took to win any matches on this day.
"I just didn't have it today," said Voss. "Lonnie (Waliczek) missed a 4 pin in the fifth frame. That was the moment for me to pounce on his mistake. Made an awful shot. Left the 4-6-7 split. That was the turning point of the match."
In the second semi-final match, Kent, who threw the first 300 game of the tourney, beat Rick Steelsmith of Wichita, Kansas, 202-194. Luck played a major role in that victory.
"I had two open frames during that match," said Kent. "Rick (Steelsmith) bowled great all week. I was just lucky he didn't get hot like he did yesterday."
Steelsmith bowled a 300 yesterday to eliminate Walter Ray Williams Jr. from the tournament during the round of 16.
The championship match was a battle of wills and composure between Kent and Waliczek.
"The lanes kept changing," said Waliczek. "The front part of the lanes started to dry out while the back end got slicker. I should have made a move. Either move my target or switch balls. I just made a bad decision."
Waliczek failed to convert the 1-2-4 spare in the fifth frame and the 2-4-10 split in the sixth frame.
"After Lonnie had back-to-back opens, I knew that if I keep marking, I'd win," said Kent.
After his victory, Kent's concern switched from himself to his girlfriend, Chrissie. "When I hugged my girlfriend, I asked her if she was alright, cause I wasn't," said Kent. Kent also acknowledged the owners of the PBA Tour in making his fifth title victory so memorable.
"I bought a bowling center back in Newark just because I thought that the PBA was going under and I wanted to continue being a part of the bowling industry," said Kent. "But, when the guys from Microsoft purchased the PBA, I felt a little better. They have worked tirelessly to make bowling a legitimate sport. They have taken bowling to the next level."
The PBA Tour heads to Virginia Beach, Virginia where 32 bowlers will take part in the "Battle of Little Creek".
PBA World Championship
At Southwyck Lanes, Toledo, OH, March 3, 2002
Pos. Name/City & State Total/Games Money
1. Doug Kent, Newark, N.Y. 417 (2 games) $120,000
2. Lonnie Waliczek, Wichita, Kan. 362 (2 games) $ 50,000
3. Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan. 194 (1 game) $ 20,000
T. Brian Voss, Atlanta 200 (1 game) $ 20,000
PLAYOFF RESULTS – In the semifinals, Waliczek def. Voss, 202-200, and Kent def. Steelsmith, 202-194; and in the final, Kent def. Waliczek, 215-160.
Darrin Hill is a free-lance writer, and the publisher/editor-in-chief of Motor City Bowling News. He can be contacted at: motorcitybowling@hotmail.com.
Doug Kent stands on the approach with his infamous "Snuffy" bowling ball by Ebonite in hand to pick up a spare during his match against Randy Pedersen.
ESPN sideline reporter Leslie Gudel interviews Doug Kent after his victory in the semi-finals over Rick Steelsmith.
With his opponent Lonnie Waliczek looking on, right, Doug Kent prepares to stroke his shot on lane 47.
Doug Kent hugs his girlfriend, Chrissie, after defeating Lonnie Waliczek in the finals of the PBA World Championship.
A stunned Doug Kent holds the largest first place check in professional bowling history. The check that Mr. Kent will deposit in his bank account is smaller in size than this one.
