EJ Tackett holds up three fingers, signifying his third straight PBA World Championship title. Tackett defeated Jason Belmonte of Australia in the final match for the $100,000 first prize. Photo courtesy of PBA.
It was a week for the ages for EJ Tackett, who has firmly planted himself as the top-ranked bowler on the planet.
In case you happened to miss the televised final rounds on FS1, here’s what the Bluffton, Ind., resident was able to accomplish at the Mike Aulby PBA Nevada Classic and Professional Bowlers Association World Series of Bowling in Reno, Nevada:
— March 15 – Mike Aulby PBA Nevada Classic, Coconut Bowl, second place, $18,000.
— March 16 – PBA Scorpion Championship, National Bowling Stadium, third place, $10,000.
— March 17 – PBA Viper Championship, National Bowling Stadium, second place, $13,500.
— March 18 – PBA Chameleon Championship, National Bowling Stadium, fourth place, $7,500.
— March 19 – PBA Shark Championship, National Bowling Stadium, first place, $20,000.
— March 22 – PBA World Championship, National Bowling Stadium, first place, $100,000, defeating Jason Belmonte of Australia, one of the all-time greats, 242-222, in the title match.
Tackett now has won the World Championship tournament three consecutive years, joining Belmonte and Jason Couch on that short list.
Amazingly, Tackett qualified for every championship round during the World Series of Bowling, joining Sean Rash (2011) as the only players to earn that distinction.
With his runner-up finish in the PBA Mike Aulby Nevada Classic, Tackett set the official PBA record with six straight championship round appearance.
For all intents and purposes, Tackett, the face of the increasingly popular MOTIV ball company, has locked up his third straight PBA Player of the Year honor. Entering next week’s USBC Masters, Tackett has four titles this season – with no other bowler having more than one.
Should Tackett win the USBC Masters, he would achieve the career Grand Slam of major tournaments (U.S. Open, World Championship, Masters and Tournament of Champions) – something that has been done by only Aulby, Belmonte and Norm Duke. Tackett won the U.S. Open earlier this season.
Qualifying for the USBC Masters begins on Monday. All rounds of qualifying and match play will be livestreamed on BowlTV, followed by the two-part, televised championship round on March 29 (FS1) and March 30 (FOX).
NO-TAP EVENT RAISES $3,500 FOR SPARTANS’ BASEBALL
The Spartans’ Youth Baseball program was the big winner earlier this month as 86 teams came out to bowl in a no-tap triples handicap tournament at Oak Orchard Bowl in Albion.
A portion of the entry fees along with various fundraisers generated $3,500 for the organization.
On the lanes, the Medina team of Max Jurinich, Jackie Jurinich and Jason Mahnke placed first with a 2,619 score, taking home $600.
Al Nolan, Chris Armijo and Jeremy Vallance, league bowlers at Mancuso Bowling Center in Batavia, finished second with 2,577 ($300) and Albion bowlers Melissa Metcalf, Jay Foss and Curtis Foss tallied 2,560 ($240). Fourteen teams cashed.
PERRY BOWLING CENTER HOSTING NO-TAP TOURNEY
The 2nd annual Cranker’s Pro Shop three-person handicap no-tap tournament is scheduled for April 2 and April 5 at Perry Bowling Center.
The entry fee is $90. The event will feature an optional singles tournament and 300 game jackpot.
Squad times are 7 p.m. on April 2 and 1, 3 and 5 p.m. on April 5.
To enter call Perry Bowling Center at 237-6358.