DATE: May 7, 2021
LOCATION: The Bowling Alley Ionia Sprummer Sweeper
OIL PATTERN: Kegel Sunset Strip, 40 feet, medium volume
We've had quite a few new MSBS champs lately, and on this night it would be Tyler Kelly of Greenville, MI who would claim his first title. Kelly defeated Aaron Phillips of Grand Haven, MI in the finals 246-164. Phillips recently won The Gate Big Rapids Challenge and finished 3rd in two sweepers following that. That means he's been in the top four in four consecutive events now wow. Kelly has been slowly improving since he started bowling MSBS events back in November. The highlight of the night was certainly during the semifinal match between Kelly and Matt Roberts of Grand Rapids, MI, when Kelly converted the 2-4-10 split in the 10th frame. The spare forced Roberts to throw the first two strikes in the 10th frame, and he failed to do so. Also in the top 4 was first time casher in an MSBS sport shot event Tony Hart of Holt, MI.
Scott Campbell of Mt. Pleasant, MI made his MSBS cashing record 2 for 2, losing in the quarterfinals to Phillips. Sean Embrey of Blanchard, MI made his first cut in MSBS competition and lost to Hart in the semis. Another rising star Cameron Gove of St. John's, MI also made the top 8 along with high qualifier Jordan Dennie of Lowell, MI. Dennie shot 858 for the 4 games of qualifying which was one of only 5 bowlers who would average 200+ for the event. The cut score was 760 for 8th place out of the 42 bowler field, and the last cash spot (11th place) was 750.
The pattern is not generally a very difficult oil pattern compared to most of the patterns we use. The host center is notoriously difficult when any type of pattern is put out on the lanes, however. We saw this once again at this event. The center seemed to run good, the service was solid, and we thank the staff and management for hosting our event again this year.