GeorgeF
Hypercell = Hyperhook!
Jason Couch became the first player in history to three-peat as champion of champions Sunday in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tournament of Champions at Mohegan Sun Arena.
Couch, Clermont, Fla., defeated Ryan Shafer, Elmira, N.Y., in the championship, 266-224, and earned his 10th career title along with the $100,000 top prize. The victory was also Couch’s fourth career major title, tying him for fifth all-time in the category.
“I can’t believe it,” Couch said of his unprecedented accomplishment. “Year-after-year, there are so many talented players in this field. Just to win once is an unbelievable feeling. To win it back-to-back was amazing… and now this. I just can’t put it into words.”
The 33-year-old joins hall-of-famer Mike Durbin as the only player to win the prestigious title three times. Durbin won in 1972, ’82 and ’84. Couch’s previous triumphs came in 1999 and 2000. The tournament was not held last season for the first time since its inception in 1965.
Couch, who also beat Shafer for the 2000 title (198-166), led by 21 pins after six frames. Shafer then missed a crucial 10-pin spare attempt in the 7th frame and trailed by 43 pins after the miscue. Couch finished with four strikes and a spare to lock up the win.
“Jason deserved to win,” said Shafer, who pocketed $30,000. “He threw 10 perfect shots. Shooting 220 is usually a good game on that (oil pattern). But, it wasn’t good enough today. Jason just likes to throw the 260s at me.”
In the semifinals, Couch beat Robert Smith, 212-201, while Shafer knocked off Patrick Healey Jr., 234-230. Healey, Mexico, and Smith, Simi Valley, Calif., earned $10,000 apiece in third place.
The first-half of the 2002-03 PBA Tour is complete. The season continues with the PBA Earl Anthony Classic presented by Emerald Queen Casino at Pacific Lanes (Tacoma, Wash.) beginning Jan. 1. The finals will be held at Emerald Queen on Jan. 5, televised live on ESPN from 12:30-2 p.m. (ET).
On the scale of things this is more rare than bowling a 900 or a 1200 series for 4. An unbeleivable acheivment!
Couch, Clermont, Fla., defeated Ryan Shafer, Elmira, N.Y., in the championship, 266-224, and earned his 10th career title along with the $100,000 top prize. The victory was also Couch’s fourth career major title, tying him for fifth all-time in the category.
“I can’t believe it,” Couch said of his unprecedented accomplishment. “Year-after-year, there are so many talented players in this field. Just to win once is an unbelievable feeling. To win it back-to-back was amazing… and now this. I just can’t put it into words.”
The 33-year-old joins hall-of-famer Mike Durbin as the only player to win the prestigious title three times. Durbin won in 1972, ’82 and ’84. Couch’s previous triumphs came in 1999 and 2000. The tournament was not held last season for the first time since its inception in 1965.
Couch, who also beat Shafer for the 2000 title (198-166), led by 21 pins after six frames. Shafer then missed a crucial 10-pin spare attempt in the 7th frame and trailed by 43 pins after the miscue. Couch finished with four strikes and a spare to lock up the win.
“Jason deserved to win,” said Shafer, who pocketed $30,000. “He threw 10 perfect shots. Shooting 220 is usually a good game on that (oil pattern). But, it wasn’t good enough today. Jason just likes to throw the 260s at me.”
In the semifinals, Couch beat Robert Smith, 212-201, while Shafer knocked off Patrick Healey Jr., 234-230. Healey, Mexico, and Smith, Simi Valley, Calif., earned $10,000 apiece in third place.
The first-half of the 2002-03 PBA Tour is complete. The season continues with the PBA Earl Anthony Classic presented by Emerald Queen Casino at Pacific Lanes (Tacoma, Wash.) beginning Jan. 1. The finals will be held at Emerald Queen on Jan. 5, televised live on ESPN from 12:30-2 p.m. (ET).
On the scale of things this is more rare than bowling a 900 or a 1200 series for 4. An unbeleivable acheivment!
