TOURING PLAYERS' CHAMPIONSHIP

champs Andy Byer & Taylor Brennan

Andy Byer, Albuquerque NM, and Taylor Brennan, Prescott AZ, walked off with $1,000 scholarship prizes in the most prestigious event on the JBT SW calendar, the season-ending Touring Players Championship, held at Tri-City Bowl.

Byer had to climb the ladder on the demanding conditions to earn his 6th career JBT SW title.  This task wasn't as daunting as it may be to other players, though, as he already has climbed the ladder for four of his previous five titles, a pretty amazing accomplishment.

He began his road to the championship with a 210-184 win over brandy Silva, also of Albuquerque. The two-time scratch winner wrapped up her excellent JBT career with a clean game and a fifth place finish in a very tough event, good for $400 in scholarships.  Byer then defeated Michael Cripe, San Diego CA, 188-163.  Cripe picked a fantastic time to have his best tournament of the year, as his fourth place finish earned him a cool $500.  

In the semifinals, Byer snuck by David Sevier, Gilbert AZ, 202-188.  Byer remained locked in on the right hand lane, and that gave him the edge he needed, as Sevier fought valliantly to stay in the match.  In the end, the 9-time winner couldn't get the double he needed in the tenth, and he was forced to call it a career after 36 top-5 finishes and over $7,200 in scholarships earned.

Top qualifier BJ Baker, Tempe AZ, was looking to wrap up a very emotional and very successful season with a TPC win, but it was Byer that remained in control the entire match.  A shrewd ball change on the right lane kept him dialed in, forcing Baker into a hole he couldn't climb out of.  The 225-189 score wrapped up a terrific season for Byer, who is also this season's NM-TX JBT SW Bowler of the Year. In addition to his $750 runner-up prize, BJ's finish was enough for him to earn all-conference Bowler of the Year honors.

In the handicap division, Nick Lamek opened the stepladder with a 212-175 win over Eric Rubin, Phoenix AZ.  Rubin's 5th place finish was his highest of the season, good for a $400 scholarship check. In round two, Brennan defeated Lamek, 207-182.  Lamek's defeat wrapped up an awesome season for the Las Vegan, who also claimed Mojave Conference Bowler of the Year honors as well as $500 for a 4th place TPC finish.

The semifinal match against Mark Mares, Los Lunas NM, turned out to be all Brennan.  Though they both rolled solid games, Taylor easily won the match 238-214.  Mares completed his comeback season in fine style with a $600 third place finish.  

Top qualifier Shane Peck, Riverside CA, had already locked up the all-conference Bowler of the Year award by qualifying as the TPC's top seed, but the talented righty was looking to add a major to his resume after some close calls in the past. A late four bagger by Brennan put him in control of the match, until a disastrous 4-pin whiff in the tenth frame gave Peck a shocking chance to double for the win.  Unfortunately for Peck, his first ball came up high leaving the 3-6, resulting in a 208-204 final score, giving the stunned Brennan his fourth career JBT SW title, and second career 'major'.  

Thanks to everyone at Tri-City Bowl for hosting a truly special event.  Thanks in part to all of the extra money raised by our silent auctions, and the generous sponsorships of literally dozens of businesses and individuals throughout the year, an unreal $10,537 was awarded to the 66 TPC qualifiers. 

The 10th season of JBT SW action begins in late August, so be sure to visit our website, www.jbtsw.com, for all the details.           

For more info, feel free to write us at jbtsouthwest@aol.com.