Mark Hodges defeated Nick Stone 257 to 224, to capture the title at this year's 32nd annual Bill Meagor Peterson Point bowling championship. The victory was the fifth for Hodges at this tournament, a record for the Mining City bowlers.
Forty six of Butte's best keglers toed the foul line at this years event. Thirteen 700-series were rolled during the tournament, and it took over a 200 average to make the top 24 cut. Nick Stone finished the tournament as the number 1 seed, winning 10 of 12 peterson points and averaging 233. He also shot the high series, a 753.
The top 5 stepladder to determine the champion began with no. 4 Todd Edelen defeating no. 5 Tony Woodward, 221 to 216. No. 3 Hodges then bested Edelen, 169 to 158. In the semifinal match, Hodges defeated the 2nd seed Barry Butori, 189 to 172, setting up Hodges triumph over top seed Stone, in the championship.
Jim McKenzie was the alternate of this year's tournament, finishing 6th with a total of 57.37 peterson points.
The remaining Sunday-morning tourney qualifiers and their Peterson point totals follow:
7. Joe Martinich, 56.22;
8. Kurt Klapan, 55.48;
9. Brad Cottom, 55.46;
10. John Covert, 55.31;
11. Jim McBee, 54.38;
12. Mike Martinich, 54.27;
13. Ryley Bosch, 54.16;
14. Bill Keller, 53.30;
15. Brenda Rathbun, 53.02;
16. Nick Taylor, 52.41;
17. Dan Newton, 52.24;
18. Jess Tracy, 52.09;
19. Raylene Shaffer, 51.35;
20. Mickey Doherty, 51.03;
21. Dan Grundhauser, 50.23;
22. Ray Grundhauser, 50.02;
23. Franky Butori, 47.42;
24. Travis Bragg, 47.41;
Tourney Sidelights - The tournament's high game was shot by Todd Edelen with a 289. The tournament also saw what most observers believe was the highest tie in the history of the tournament with a 279-279 shootout between John Covert and Brad Cottom. The tournament also saw the veteran Covert shoot his first 700 series with a 712.
In the skins game competition, Mike Martinich was the big winner capturing 7 skins to emerge as the champion while Lee Edelen was runner up.
In this year's countdown-countup challenge, Bill Keller was victorious over Jim McBee 12-6 to capture this year's championship.
The consolation was a three way tie between Brandon O'Connell, Shannon Woodward and Walt Parrett.
— Submitted by tourney manager Walt Parrett.