Celmer & Potts Capture 1st Major Titles of Season 19

The PJBT kicked off its 19th Season of Competition with its 1st Major of the Season.  The event was our traditional 1st Major at 222 Dutch Lanes in Ephrata PA.

This event saw the debut of our newly created Kegel Patterns for Majors this season.  Kegel is making our tour unique never-bowled-on before patterns for all our majors.  This week’s pattern was 41 feet and worked out well.  We had a couple good scores but overall the field was tested by the conditions.

Our first event saw 87 bowlers take to the lanes.  We had 54 in Scratch and 33 in Handicap.  Format was 6 Games, Top 40% in each division bowled 3 games of match play with scores carrying forward.  At completion of 9 games, the top 4 bowlers in each division advanced to our bracket final.  1vs4, 2vs3, and winners bowl each other for title.  We also paid out the Top 9 in Scratch and 6 in Handicap based on entries.  In addition, top 2 girls in scratch and top girl in Handicap earned bonus scholarships.

In Scratch, Jack Celmer captured his 18th career PJBT title.  This win was significant for him because he tied Jennifer Sparks (Elicker) and Tyler Herrman for the 3rd most wins all time in PJBT History.  Celmer had a solid day near the top of the leaderboard.  During qualifying, he shot games of 209, 243, 190, 244, 198, and 233 for 1317 (+117) for 6.  He was seeded 3rd entering the match play round.  Round 1 cut for 22nd place was -98.  In Match Play, Celmer was able to better his position by winning some matches.  He was +256 after 9 games and was seeded 2nd in the 4 bowler bracket final.  Celmer’s semi-final match was vs #3 seed Alex Glinski.  Glinski sadly struggled early and often…opening the door for a fairly easy win for Celmer.  Celmer respectively shot 190 and beat Glinski’s 133.  This advanced Celmer to the title match to take on #4 seed Michael Martell.  Martell defeated #1 seed Brandon Runk in their semi-final match 168-162.  In the title match, Celmer outlasted Martell 187-165 on the fresh re-oiled pattern for the finals with GOLD PINS.   The win earned Celmer a $300 scholarship and Glass Bowling Pin for his Major Title.

In Handicap, Bryce Potts of Mechanisburg, PA, won his 1st ever PJBT Title.  Bryce’s road to victory was very similar to Jack Celmer.  Potts was near the top of the leaderboard all day.  Potts entered the event with a 161 average and 35 pins handicap per game.  He shot 144, 142, 168, 159, 165, and 156 during qualifying.  He was at 1144 (-56) and that seeded him 3rd entering match play.  Round 1 cut for 14th place was -130.  Potts won a couple of matches in match play and advanced up the leaderboard to 2nd place entering the final.  Potts took on #3 seed Parker Laubach in his semi-final match.  This match was a classic because it ended in a TIE, our first TIE of the season.  They tied at 169 and went to a 2-frame 9th/10th frame rolloff.  Potts won the rolloff 28-17 to advance.  Potts then took on #4 seed Melia Mitskavich in the title match.  Mitskavich won her semi-final match over #1 seed MariBeth Baker 154-131.  The title match went back and forth.  It was a match where both bowlers struggled….but in the end….Potts defeated Mitskavich 149-136 to capture the title.  The win earned Potts a $300 scholarship and Glass Bowling Pin for his win.

Congrats also to Jennifer Fitts $50 and Amanda Barna $30 for being our top 2 Girl Finishers in Scratch.  Honorable mention also to Melia Mitskavich for winning $40 for being the top Girl in Handicap.   Besides all of our normal sidepot winners….Ben Rynes won $34 scholarship and MariBeth Baker $10 scholarship for our new Lucky Shot Jackpot!  The lucky shot is our new fun drawing for bowlers to earn scholarship while we tally the scores of qualifying.  Rynes was able to hit 1 of his 3 shots to win some bonus money!

Next Event:  Sunday August 27 — Regular Season Singles Event at Palmyra Bowling Center, Palmyra PA  10:30am start