PJBT with Strong Representation at 2017 BEST – MariBeth Baker Wins $1000 Top Handicap Prize

The PJBT met up with the Junior Bowlers Tour (JBT) to conduct our biggest money event of the year.  For the 14th straight year, we have conducted an event that we refer to as a Junior Gold Regional Type Event….the BEST Scholarship Tournament.  BEST stands for Bowlers of Eastern Scholarship Tours.  This event offers a top prize of $5000 in Scholarship!  We also payout a top prize of $1000 in Handicap.

This year’s event saw 141 bowlers compete! We had 29 competing in both divisions of overall scratch and Handicap.  This event is a 12 game qualifier on Saturday (2 6-Game Blocks —on an easy and hard pattern).  After 12 games, the top 40% of the entire field (56 bowlers) advance to Sunday.  Sunday is 2 5-Game Blocks of Match Play.  5 Games and field cut to Top 24.  5 More Games of match play and our field gets trimmed to Top 10.  Top 10 finals was 3 shootout rounds and 3 stepladder matches to determine our champion.  In Handicap, results were final after 12 games of qualifying.  Top 5 win Scholarships.

The 2017 BEST Overall Champion was Adam Zimmerman.  Zimmerman was seeded 4th after the 12 games of qualifying on Saturday at +163.  He only trailed PJBT bowler Dylan Zimmerman, who was the tournament leader by 42 pins. 56th place cut to advance to Sunday was a score of -76.  On Sunday, Zimmerman went 3-1-1 in first round of match play.  He moved up to 3rd place after 1st round of match play.  24th place cut was +78.  In the 2nd round of match play, Zimmerman went 4-1 and moved up to 2nd place entering the finals.  Zimmerman only trailed tournament leader Michael Martell.  Zimmerman entered the finals in the semi-final stepladder match vs Connor Egan of East Northport, NY.  Zimmerman defeated Egan 246-203.  This advanced Zimmerman to the title match vs Michael Martell.  In a close final match, Zimmerman beat Martell 221-196 to take home the title and the $5000 top prize!!

The PJBT had great representation at this year’s BEST Tournament.  MariBeth Baker was the $1000 Handicap Division Champion!  Baker ended up going +74 for 12 games and won the title by 68 pins over 2nd place Sean Cruz.  PJBT bowler Cole Oberst finished 3rd at -26.

In the overall tournament, honorable mentions go out to the following PJBT Bowlers for finishing in the top 24 at the tournament and cashing.  Michael Martell finished 2nd, Andrew Lazarchick 7th, Francis Vitelli 9th, Dylan Zimmerman 12th, Brian Kennedy 13th, Jack Celmer 14th, Joey Ocello 15th, Joey Ciufo 17th, and Alexander Horton 21st.

Overall, the BEST tournament this year gave away over $22,000 in Scholarships.  Thanks to all who bowled in this year’s event!