Sometimes you can fight fate, karma or even the bowling gods. Brian Huther, of Tampa had to overcome a couple of equipment mishaps in route to his victory at the Sardegna’s Scratch Sweeper at Pin Chasers Midtown on Saturday, August 27, 2011.
During the 1st game, his Hammer Black Onyx Vibe bowling ball totally cracked out in the bridge area making the ball totally unplayable. Brian was somewhat disappointed because he felt very confident in how that ball was striking on the Modified House Shot. He was then forced to switch to his Ebonite Mission $250K and after getting lined up with that ball; one of his finger grips flew out of the ball and disappeared into the pit area of the lane. After scrambling to find another grip and super glue, he proceeded to shoot a 747 series for the last 3 games of the 5-game block to capture his first Sardegna’s Scratch Sweeper title. Brian’s scores were: 257, 214, 223, 279 and 245.
Brian who is 25 years old recently moved to Tampa from Huntsville, Alabama due to a job change. Even though he is a young bowler, Brian is certainly no newcomer to the game sporting a 232 average with over ten 300 games and four 800 series with the highest at 824. Regarding the ball changes during the tournament, “I was pretty confident with making the ball change because I know my equipment very well. Both the Black Onyx Vibe and Mission $250K are drilled a little similar, but since the $250K rolls a little earlier, I had to move left to get the ball into the oil a little sooner.”
The sweeper drew 23 bowlers from the Tampa Bay area. Listed below are the standings for the Sweeper (includes bowler name, 5-game total and winnings):
1st – Brian Huther – 1218 - $400.00
2nd – Richard Eggar – 1145 - $200.00
3rd – Jesse Hawver – 1093 - $100.00
4th – Don Helsel – 1082 - $75.00
5th – Lucy Sandelin (Tie) – 1077 - $27.50
5th – Brad Whery (Tie) – 1077 - $27.50
High Senior – Steve Steinbacher – 1031 - $40.00
The next Sardegna's Scratch Sweeper is schedule for Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 6:00 pm at Liberty Lanes in Largo. That event will be sponsored by Taylor Door and Hardware Supply. The first place prize of $600 is being offered if there are 35 entries or more. The format is still 5 games across 10 lanes and the oil pattern will be 39 feet. The entry fee is $55.00 (cash only) with both Nassaus and Brackets available at check-in. There is also a special prize for High Senior Out of the Cash if there are 5 or more seniors (50 +) entered into the tournament. This special prize is also available if 5 or more women bowl in the sweeper.
All bowlers are welcome to come out and test your skills with some of the top bowlers in the Tampa Bay area. In the 3 years of this tournament, there have been 39 different champions….the next one could be you.
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