Defalco Makes it 2 For 2 while Zombro Wins At Palmyra

The PJBT conducted its 2nd event of the 2016-2017 Season on August 28th.  The PJBT rolled into Palmyra Bowling Center in Palmyra, PA.

This event was our first “house shot” event of the season.  We saw a total of 60 bowlers take to the lanes, including 38 in Scratch and 22 in Handicap.  Format for this event was our standard format of 5 games qualifying, top 40% bowled 3 additional match play games.  After 8 Games, the top 5 bowlers advanced to the stepladder finals.

In Scratch, Jarrett Defalco, for the 2nd straight week, brought home the title.  This win was Defalco’s 4th career PJBT title.  Defalco started the event bowling solid games in qualifying.  He shot 199, 192, 212, 258, and 248 for 1109 or +109.  He was seeded 7th out of 38 bowlers.  The first cut (16th place) was +21.  Defalco made his run at the top 5 in match play.  He went 2-1 with games of 277, 279, and 221.  After 8 Games, Defalco was seeded 3rd.  He only trailed tournament leader Anthony Neuer by 33 pins and 2nd seed Kurtis Stidd by 11 pins in the standings.  In the finals, Defalco entered in Match 2 of 4.  Defalco took on #5 seed Alex Glinski.  In a close match, Defalco outlasted Glinski 211-194.  This advanced him into the semi-final vs Stidd.  This match was exciting.  The match started with Stidd ahead….then Defalco took a late lead….and in the end the match came down to the last shot of the 10th frame.  Defalco inched out Stidd 237-236 to advance to the title match vs Anthony Neuer.  In the title match, Neuer also had a lead but Defalco finished strong and won.  Defalco defeated Neuer in the title match 236-213.  Defalco won the $200 top scholarship prize and plaque for his title.

In Handicap, Darren Zombro III, captured his 1st PJBT title of the season and his 4th career PJBT title.  Zombro put on a dominate performance from start to finish.  Darren entered the event with a 196 average and was receiving only 3 pins handicap.  He shot scratch games in qualifying of 235, 187, 206, 215, and 198.  With his handicap, he stood at 1058 or +58 and was the tournament leader.  The 10th place qualifying cut was -39.  Zombro extended his lead in match play.  He went 3-0 shooting games of 190, 215, and 212.  Zombro was the tournament leader by 25 pins over 2nd seed Kody Creager.  In the title match,  Zombro took on #3 seed Kelsey Creager.  Kelsey had a low average compared to Darren.  Darren gave her 85 pins handicap difference in the final.  In so many of these matches, we see the bowler with the higher average feel defeated by the handicap.  Zombro taught us all an important lesson.  If you bowl your game, you will win….don’t worry about handicap.  That’s what he did in this match.  He shot a scratch game of 257 and won the title with his best game of the day.  Zombro III defeated Kelsey Creager 257-222 to bring home the title.  Zombro won a $200 scholarship top prize and plaque for his win.

Also want to congratulate Gene Blair (scratch 5th place finisher) and Anthony Neuer (scratch 2nd place finisher).  They both rolled honor scores.  They both shot perfect 300 games and won $57 each in the 300 Pot.  Blair rolled his perfect game during qualifying.  Neuer bowled his perfect game in the last game of Match Play (Game 8).  Congrats to both of them.

Next week:  PJBT rolls into New Jersey for the Parker Bohn Scholarship Tournament and PJBT event on Sunday.