Mark Hodges bested Nate Gelling 246 to 180 in the title match to capture this year’s title at the 35th Annual Bill Meagor Memorial Tournament held at Star Lanes. It was the 57 year old left hander’s fourth straight triumph at the tournament and the 8th of his career. Hodges averaged 236 and won 10 ½ Peterson points in his run toward the title.
Gelling, who rolled a 300 for the tournament’s high game and 802 for high series, had defeated Helena’s Tony Woodward 253 to 249 to advance to the title match. Woodward edged 4th seed Joe Martinich 216-215 in the previous match, with Martinich winning the first stepladder match 211 to 204 over 5th seed Keith Meagor.
Thirty eight of Butte’s best bowlers toed the line at this year’s tournament. The top 5 bowlers earned their spots with series over 700 being shot. Hodges had a 714 & 771; a 715 by Nate Gelling; 713 & 781 by Woodward and Meagor rolled a 793. Also shooting 700’s were Dave Martinich, Jr., 727; Dave Martinich, Sr., 724; Mike Krankowski, 706; Denton Martinich and Kurt Kramer both shot 704.
In this year’s side competitions, Denton Martinich and Jeff Preston swept their sides in the annual “skins game” to both emerge victorious. In the “Count-down/Count-up” Challenge, Mike Krankowski defeated second place finisher Wayne Marchie, 5 to 4 in overtime to capture this year’s champion. Neil Midtlying and Walt Parrett shared the consolation prize.
The remaining Sunday-morning tourney qualifiers and their Peterson point totals follow:
6. Dave Martinich, Jr., 61.19;
7. Pat O’Rourke, Sr., 59.46;
8. Harry Shaffer, 59.06;
9. Denton Martinich, 58.12;
10. Mike Krankowski, 56.44;
11. Dave Martinich, Sr., 56.12;
12. Brad Cottom, 55.28;
13. Franky Butori, 55.20;
14. Kurt Kremer, 54.28;
15. Bill Abraham, 59.05;
16. Brandon O’Connell, 53.42;
17. Mike Martinich, 53.04;
18. Ryley Bosch, 52.13;
19. Kalee Tripp, 51.06;
20. Jeff Preston, 46.41;
— Submitted by tourney manager Walt Parrett.