News

Congratulations to Norm Smith on his 2nd SSO Title as he defeated Dan Gennety 242-222 at Woodland Lanes in Livonia. In the championship match, Gennety was able to pull out to an early lead with a triple in frames 2-4, but a big split in the 5th frame (3-4-6-7-10) turned out to be his undoing. That open frame opened the door for Smith who promptly threw a 5 bagger in frames 6-10 to close out the match. Smith received $1,000 for his first-place finish while Gennety, looking for his first title, collected $500 for second. We had another great turnout of 84 bowlers at Woodland Lanes.

Congratulations to Brad Gray for winning his 3rd SSO title at Oak Lanes in Westland. Gray defeated Pete Kaczmarczyk 213-192 in the title match. In the championship match, carry issues plagued both bowlers – Gray left five 7-pins, while Kaczmarczyk left five 10-pins. Unfortunately for Kaczmarczyk, a missed 10-pin in the 7th frame proved to be costly, Gray was able to catch a 3-bagger and stay clean the rest of the way to capture the title. Gray received $1,000 for his first-place finish while Kaczmarczyk, looking for his fourth title, collected $500 for second. We had another great turnout of 88 bowlers at Oak Lanes.

Congratulations to Randy Warnken for winning his 2nd SSO title at Summit Entertainment Center in Washington. Warnken defeated Kerry Kreft 237- 218 in the title match. In the championship match, this looked like it was going to be a blowout, with Warnken starting the match with a 5-bagger, while Kreft had carry issues on the right lane. Kreft finished strong, however, Warnken built up a lead he would never relinquish. Warnken received $1,000 for his first-place finish while Kreft, looking for his first title, collected $500 for second. We had another great turnout of 99 bowlers at Galaxy Lanes.

Congratulations to Jeff Austreng and Charles Easton for winning the SSO Over/Under doubles tournament at JAX 60 in Jackson. Austreng and Easton defeated Gary Duarard and Justin O’Hara 440-368. In the title match, it was Easton who figured out the tricky championship pair shooting a 247, while partner Jeff Austreng grinded out a 193. Duarard and O’Hara couldn’t get anything going, carding a 180 & 188 respectively. Austreng, winning his 4^th SSO title, and Easton received $5000 for their first-place finish while Duarard and O’Hara collected $2500 for second. For Easton, this was his 3^rd SSO doubles title, winning twice with Steve Jakubowski in 2017 & 2019.

Congratulations to Mike Calvin for winning his 7th SSO title at Galaxy Lanes in Grand Blanc. Calvin defeated Gary Duarard 228- 192 in the title match. In the championship match, this looked like it was going to be a blowout, with Calvin starting the match missing a 10 pin, while Duarard opened with a triple. However, Duarard had an open of his own as he struggled later in the match on the left lane. Calvin strung together strikes in the middle of the game to take the lead and never looked back. Calvin received $1,000 for his first-place finish while Duarard, looking for his second title, collected $500 for second. We had another great turnout of 95 bowlers at Galaxy Lanes.

Congratulations to Trent Marner for winning his 2nd SSO title at Bonanza Lanes in Warren. Marner defeated Jamie Adams 237- 196 in the title match. In the championship match, both bowlers got out of the gates slow, each having carry issues. However, Marner managed to string together a 7-bagger to end the game and come out victorious. Marner received $1,000 for his first-place finish while Adams, looking for his first title, collected $500 for second. We had another great turnout of 126 bowlers at Bonanza Lanes, our most popular stop for the SSO.

Congratulations to Hall of Famer Larry Walker for winning his 13^th SSO title at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park. Walker defeated Travis Franz 215-189 in the title match. In the championship match, both bowlers got out of the gates slow, in fact, through 6 frames both bowlers only managed one strike with one open. The turning point was a ball change by Walker in the 7^th frame. Larry threw a 4-bagger to put the game out of reach. Walker received $1,000 for his first-place finish while Franz, bowling in only his second SSO tournament, collected $500 for second. We had another great turnout of 112 bowlers at Thunderbowl Lanes.

Congratulations to Troy Stus on his 5^th SSO title held at Astro Lanes in Madison Heights. This was our SSO Grand Final which drew 115 bowlers looking to bring home the winner’s share of $2,000! Stus defeated Bob DeCheney Jr. 247-241 in the championship match to bring home the title. Ironically Troy’s last win was right here at Astro Lanes, also in the Grand Finals. The 5-man stepladder featured top seed Stus, 2^nd seed DeCheney, 3^rd seed Jeff Austreng, 4^th seed Eddie Mintz and 5^th seed, last year’s Grand Finals winner Jerry Sikora.

Welcome to the winner’s circle Larry Salvati! Larry won his first SSO title at 5 Star Lanes in Sterling Heights by defeating Todd Pawlak (also looking for his first title) 249-237. The championship match was neck and neck the whole way. Pawlak missed a 10 pin late, while Salvati struck out from the 9th frame on to finish with 249. Pawlak still had a chance to win getting up in the 10th, however, a pesky 7 pin stood on his first shot allowing Salvati to earn the victory. Salvati received $1,100 for his win, while Pawlak settled for $600 with his 2nd place finish. 

Congratulations to Larry Walker for winning his 12th  SSO title at Plaza Lanes in Plymouth. Walker defeated Steve Boos 269-225 in the title match. In the championship match, Boos, looking for his first SSO title, got out of the gates a little slow throwing a strike and three spares, which was well behind the pace…