Michael Henry of Brunswick, Ohio, was the only one who could stop the David Ozio juggernaut, beating him 249-218 to capture his first professional title in the Generations Pro Bowling Tour Kegel Classic Jan. 16 at the Kegel Training and Tournament Center.
Henry never trailed in the match as he and Ozio each opened with a strike and spare. Henry then added six consecutive strikes. Ozio, however, kept the match close enough to force Henry to get at least a spare in his final frame. Henry responded with a powerful strike and Ozio was the first to embrace him as he stepped off the lane.
"I tried to relax all week. That was my philosophy," Henry said, adding that rolling games of 300, 299 and 289 during qualifying helped toward that relaxation.
Henry needed all the calmness he could muster after waiting in the wings while Ozio ran roughshod over the other finalists. The fourth-seeded Ozio started slowly in each of his three previous matches, coming from behind to win them all.
Ozio's first victim was fellow PBA Hall of Famer Dave Davis. Davis needed two strikes in the final frame, but left a 7-pin on his first shot and fell 212-205. Ozio then defeated 1984 PBA National Championship winner Bob Chamberlain, 248-238.
To earn his title shot, Ozio then knocked off Dale Eagle 258-238 to set up the match with Henry.
The unique tournament format guarantees both Senior (age 50-59) and Classic (age 60 and over) division bowlers compete for the title. Davis and Eagle represented the older players in this championship round.
Henry's win netted $7,500. Ozio was consoled with $4,000 as runner-up. Eagle collected $3,000, Chamberlain earned $2,500 and Davis cashed for $2,000.
Henry never trailed in the match as he and Ozio each opened with a strike and spare. Henry then added six consecutive strikes. Ozio, however, kept the match close enough to force Henry to get at least a spare in his final frame. Henry responded with a powerful strike and Ozio was the first to embrace him as he stepped off the lane.
"I tried to relax all week. That was my philosophy," Henry said, adding that rolling games of 300, 299 and 289 during qualifying helped toward that relaxation.
Henry needed all the calmness he could muster after waiting in the wings while Ozio ran roughshod over the other finalists. The fourth-seeded Ozio started slowly in each of his three previous matches, coming from behind to win them all.
Ozio's first victim was fellow PBA Hall of Famer Dave Davis. Davis needed two strikes in the final frame, but left a 7-pin on his first shot and fell 212-205. Ozio then defeated 1984 PBA National Championship winner Bob Chamberlain, 248-238.
To earn his title shot, Ozio then knocked off Dale Eagle 258-238 to set up the match with Henry.
The unique tournament format guarantees both Senior (age 50-59) and Classic (age 60 and over) division bowlers compete for the title. Davis and Eagle represented the older players in this championship round.
Henry's win netted $7,500. Ozio was consoled with $4,000 as runner-up. Eagle collected $3,000, Chamberlain earned $2,500 and Davis cashed for $2,000.
