Amateurs find success on Masters stage
While many of bowling's all-time greats have won the Masters, some relatively unknown players have also earned their piece of bowling immortality as Masters champions.
Rick Steelsmith (1987) and Steve Fehr (1994) both won the Masters as amateurs and went on to have successful careers on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association Tour. In all, only six amateurs have won the Masters since the inception of the PBA in 1958.
Steelsmith, a two-time PBA titlist, was the first amateur to win the event, defeating Brad Snell of Chicago 258-219 to claim the title in 1987. And while the Masters is a stepping stone into the United States Bowling Congress (formerly the American Bowling Congress) Hall of Fame, Fehr, who was inducted in 1993, became the first player to win his title after being inducted the Hall of Fame.
Jason Queen won the Masters as an amateur in 1997 and later found some success on the PBA Tour, while Brian Boghosian, who took the title as an amateur in 1999 and finished fourth in October of 2004, recently became a PBA member too.
"Winning the Masters was a great experience and probably the most memorable moment of my bowling career," said Boghosian, who topped 30-time PBA titlist Parker Bohn III 247-231 for the Masters title in 1999. "I never expected to win the tournament from the beginning, but as the week went on I kept gaining confidence. At the time I was bowling for a living too, and even though I wasn't considered a professional, I knew I could hang with those guys."
Ken Johnson (1992) and Brett Wolfe (2002) are the other amateurs who have taken the title since Steelsmith broke through.
Last year, Milwaukee-area amateur standout Ben Hoefs finished seventh, just missing the finals, which were televised live from Miller Park in Milwaukee. Seven-time Team USA member Diandra Asbaty was the high female finisher, making the final 32.
"It was a tremendous run and there's no doubt about that," said Hoefs, who was inducted into the Greater Milwaukee Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1997. "The condition at the Masters really suited my game, and allowed me to stick to my A-game all week. Whenever you get to compete with the best bowlers in the world it is an amazing experience, and when they come up and tell you how well you did, it definitely means a lot."
Although it is the first major on the PBA Tour schedule, the Masters continues to draw the top amateurs from around the country, as well as the best international players in the world. And unlike other sports, amateurs who compete in the Masters are allowed to keep any prize money they earn.
This year's event will be conducted Nov. 15-20 in Milwaukee, with the finals televised live on ESPN from the U.S. Cellular Arena on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. EST (noon CST).
Even though the stage may be a little smaller than last year's final at Miller Park, the prize is still top notch. Competitors will have their eyes on the $100,000 top prize, which also comes with a two-year PBA Tour exemption.
The Masters is open to all USBC members with a 190 or higher average. For entry information, e-mail Tom.Boedecker@bowl.com
To purchase tickets to the televised finals of the USBC Masters, which will be held at Milwaukee's U.S. Cellular Arena on Nov. 20 at noon, call (414) 276-4545.
By Matt Cannizzaro USBC Communications
Rick Steelsmith (1987) and Steve Fehr (1994) both won the Masters as amateurs and went on to have successful careers on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association Tour. In all, only six amateurs have won the Masters since the inception of the PBA in 1958.
Steelsmith, a two-time PBA titlist, was the first amateur to win the event, defeating Brad Snell of Chicago 258-219 to claim the title in 1987. And while the Masters is a stepping stone into the United States Bowling Congress (formerly the American Bowling Congress) Hall of Fame, Fehr, who was inducted in 1993, became the first player to win his title after being inducted the Hall of Fame.
Jason Queen won the Masters as an amateur in 1997 and later found some success on the PBA Tour, while Brian Boghosian, who took the title as an amateur in 1999 and finished fourth in October of 2004, recently became a PBA member too.
"Winning the Masters was a great experience and probably the most memorable moment of my bowling career," said Boghosian, who topped 30-time PBA titlist Parker Bohn III 247-231 for the Masters title in 1999. "I never expected to win the tournament from the beginning, but as the week went on I kept gaining confidence. At the time I was bowling for a living too, and even though I wasn't considered a professional, I knew I could hang with those guys."
Ken Johnson (1992) and Brett Wolfe (2002) are the other amateurs who have taken the title since Steelsmith broke through.
Last year, Milwaukee-area amateur standout Ben Hoefs finished seventh, just missing the finals, which were televised live from Miller Park in Milwaukee. Seven-time Team USA member Diandra Asbaty was the high female finisher, making the final 32.
"It was a tremendous run and there's no doubt about that," said Hoefs, who was inducted into the Greater Milwaukee Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1997. "The condition at the Masters really suited my game, and allowed me to stick to my A-game all week. Whenever you get to compete with the best bowlers in the world it is an amazing experience, and when they come up and tell you how well you did, it definitely means a lot."
Although it is the first major on the PBA Tour schedule, the Masters continues to draw the top amateurs from around the country, as well as the best international players in the world. And unlike other sports, amateurs who compete in the Masters are allowed to keep any prize money they earn.
This year's event will be conducted Nov. 15-20 in Milwaukee, with the finals televised live on ESPN from the U.S. Cellular Arena on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 1 p.m. EST (noon CST).
Even though the stage may be a little smaller than last year's final at Miller Park, the prize is still top notch. Competitors will have their eyes on the $100,000 top prize, which also comes with a two-year PBA Tour exemption.
The Masters is open to all USBC members with a 190 or higher average. For entry information, e-mail Tom.Boedecker@bowl.com
To purchase tickets to the televised finals of the USBC Masters, which will be held at Milwaukee's U.S. Cellular Arena on Nov. 20 at noon, call (414) 276-4545.
By Matt Cannizzaro USBC Communications