Columnist John McCarron: Kaiser edges Hardy to take senior tourney at Orleans

John McCarron

Thursday, Oct. 9, 1997 | 8:10 a.m.

BILL KAISER won his third Senior Scratch Bowlers Tour (SSBT) event at The Orleans last Sunday.

Kaiser's ($260) five-game total of 1113 was only 18 pins better than Jay Hardy's ($125) 1095. But Hardy was hot in the optional doubles event, combining with three different teams to take the top 3 spots.

Hardy won with last tournament champion Anthony Marine, placed second with Rene Casels and finished third while Ron DeGroat.

Other top places included: 3, Roger Johnson 1074, $100; 4, Larry Rumple 1061, $85; 5, Dave Deken 1050, $70; 6, Del Driver 1046, $60; 7, Anthony Marine 1045, $50; 8, Tommy Evans 994, $45. 9, Vaughn Doody 992, $40. Super Senior Winners: Jack Todd 974, Marty Boyle 947, $40 each. The Colonel Dave Deken took high game with a fine 269.

The next SSBT event set for 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at the Gold Coast. Call tournament director Gary Walters at 646-8466 for reservations or information.

* TRIVIA TIME: What's the only college to produce two Hall of Famers (WIBC & ABC) and who are they?

* MAHONEY'S WINNERS: Billy Hillers and David Haynes added to their list of titles at two NTBA-affiliated events at Mahoney's Silver Nugget this past weekend. Hillers took the Six 'n Skins title with a six-game total of 1441, a brilliant 240 average. Billy opened with the tournament-high 299 and maintained a comfortable lead over the field led by Skins Game winner and PBA pro Joe Salvemini (1369) and Bob McDonough (1352).

Haynes grabbed his sixth NTBA title in Sunday's Fall Five Shootout with a strong 1225 five-game effort, including games of 287 and a clutch 278 finale. His strong finish held off McDonough, whose 267 final game and 1195 total brought him within a few pins of the title. Ken Wolcott took third with a 1127 and Richard Zenner's 288 was the tournament's high game.

* NTBA GEARING UP: Excitement is growing among NTBA (Nevada Tournament Bowlers Alliance) bowlers and affiliated tournament directors as more and more players are qualifying for the NTBA Grand Championship event in December. Any bowler who competes in at least 10 NTBA-affiliated tournaments throughout 1997 is eligible to enter the 32-game championship event that will take place in five centers in southern Nevada. With 49 tournaments completed and 13 remaining on the schedule, it is still possible for any scratch-level bowler, amateur or pro, to qualify for the championship that will pay at least $4,000 to the winner.

Look for an NTBA schedule at your nearest bowling center or pro shop. For further information call Bart di Bartolo at the NTBA Information line at 451-7474.

* MOVING ON: Two prominent members of the Las Vegas bowling community are leaving to pursue other opportunities in bowling. Jack Cook, director of bowling operations at the Showboat, will become the new vice president of the National Bowling Stadium in Reno. Rich Carrubba, tournament director and teaching pro for the Gold Coast and The Orleans, will become northwest regional sales manager for Storm Bowling. Both will be missed.

* COMING UP: The Mountain View Pahrump 8-gamer is set for 9 p.m. Sunday. Entry fee is $45. Call Rick Fessler (702) 727-7007 for details. ... Terrible's Town is holding an 8-gamer at noon Sunday. Entry fee is $60. Call Steve Beckman at 564-7118 for details. ... Mahoney's Winter Survival Series is set for Sunday evening at 9 p.m. Entry fee is $45. Call Garry Griffin at 656-2750 for information.

* TRIVIA ANSWERS: The college with two Hall of Famers is Chicago State, which produced Pam Buckner and Mike McGrath.