MOJAVE INVITATIONAL

Scratch champ Cameron Smith

        Cameron Smith added to his outstanding record in JBT major events, going the long way to capture the 2013 Mojave Invitational, hosted by Texas Station.

        Qualifiers rolled 5 games on a very demanding pattern, after which the top 11 bowlers joined the five exempt bowlers in a grueling, 16-bowler triple elimination finals.  Smith, not exempt for the first time in memory, was on the verge of missing the cut until a 277 game five jumped him all the way into the second seed for the finals.  He then promptly went 0-2 in matchplay, meaning every game he bowled from then on spelled elimination with a loss.

        Meanwhile, Ben Canfield and Cortez Schenck got through three rounds undefeated, and Cortez won their game four matchup to gain control of the event, while top seed Eric Hatchett earned the first bye in round five.   The above four survived until the final four, where in round eight, Smith and Canfield stayed alive with wins over Schenck and Hatchett, forcing a flip-flop in round nine, where Hatchett eliminated Schenck, and Smith eliminated Canfield, setting up a single game title match.

        Hatchett had just thrown 532 for his last two games on a very low scoring day, but Smith hadn't shot under 200 since digging himself his 0-2 hole, including a tournament-high 289 in round four.  In the ensuing battle of wills, Cameron outlasted Hatchett, earning the title and $1,000 top scholarship prize.  It's his sixth career JBT major title, and third Mojave Invite win, adding to his 2011 and 2008 titles.

        The simultaneous Girls Invitational event came down to the tenth frame, as top two qualifiers Correen Lieber and Randi Speiler competed in a one-game, winner take all match for $200, courtesy of Impact Bowling.  After Speiler doubled in her tenth but only got six on her fill, Lieber needed 29 to win.  Lieber calmly threw the double, but then made the same mistake as Randi did, only getting six on her fill ball, handing the match back to Speiler 203-201 in a gut-wrenching tenth frame.

      Josh Franz earned the top spot in the handicap division, and the $1,000 top scholarship prize.  Anthony Dang, Alexis Atkin, and Jakob Butturff held on to their points leads heading into the Invitational to claim Handicap, Girls, and Scratch Bowler of the Year honors.  The top 20 in Mojave points now move on to the Touring Players Championship, featuring a $2,000 first place prize.

      Thanks to Jerry Francomano and the crew at Texas for another great job hosting our Tour.  Nearly $6,000 in prizes were awarded to all ages and averages.  Want in on the fun?  Come see us during the big summer events, and gear up for season 18, starting in September!

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