Adam Barta headed to ABC Masters event

Youngstown Bowling Association Masters Tournament winner Adam Barta is headed to Milwaukee, in October, for the national ABC Masters.
It's a departure from the usual wintertime event which is held anywhere except near the headquarters of the American Bowling Congress.
But the 25-year-old Girard resident doesn't care where it is or when it is as long as he gets a shot at the $100,000 first prize.
After winning the 18th YBA Masters and $500 and a paid entry to the national event, Barta has his car packed. Accompanied by local bowler Bob Eckenrode, Barta leaves Monday. En route, they'll hook up with professional bowler Ted Hannahs, a friend of both.
The Miller High Life Masters marks the return of a national pro bowling event to the Milwaukee area after a 14-year absence.
Milwaukee is known as the bowling capital of the United States.
Key tournament
The Masters PBA qualifying and match play is Oct. 27-30 with stepladder finals Oct. 31 on specially constructed lanes in right field of Miller Park -- home of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers.
This year's Masters also christens the PBA Tour's 2004-2005 season. The Masters is one of two PBA events that includes amateurs (the U.S. Open is the other).
If Barta won the $100,000, he'd still be an amateur, albeit a richer one.
The recent Youngstown Masters championship was Barta's second. He was also runner-up twice. At age 18, he was the youngest to win the local event.
This will be Barta's fifth national Masters. His highest finish was in the top 16 in 1998 in Albuquerque when he won $5,000. In that tournament, he became the youngest to roll an ABC Masters 300.
This year's field of nearly 600 of the world's best will include such pros as PBA defending champion Walter Ray Williams, Pete Weber, Parker Bohn III, Chris Barnes, Mike Koivuniemi and Norm Duke.
"The ABC has thrown a lot of money in the ABC Masters the last couple years," Barta said. "Because of the PBA's new ownership the last few years, the ABC is trying to promote it more."
The National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., was the site of the ABC Masters for a period of time. Then it was held in different parts of the country before returning to Reno. Due to renovation of the National Bowling Stadium, the ABC Masters is shifting to Milwaukee for a few years.
In 1998, Barta was a match play opponent of Williams.
Was the then-18-year-old intimidated?
"Yes, to say the least," Barta said. "I didn't beat him, but I bowled against him."
This is the first ABC Masters in October. Typically, the Masters would be in January. It's also been in the summer following the ABC tournament.
Barta noted that, since the 2004 ABC Masters was already held in January, this is the 2005 edition.
Busch has 835
Rick Busch had 300-835 in Monday Nite Men's Classic at Wedgewood on Oct. 11, the same night Mark Guthridge rolled 300.
Mike E. Dunn had 813 in Downtowners at West Side on Oct. 12. His top games were 279 and 278. Dunn, bowling for Jack's Auto Body, is a first-year member of Downtowners, an 11-team league. It was only the second night of Downtowners bowling for Dunn, 21, who joined the league late after a vacancy developed.
"They needed another bowler and they brought him in and boom!" said secretary John Vano. "He is a good bowler."
Dunn, a McDonald resident, also bowls at Kay Lanes.
Eric Hazlett, the former Struthers High bowler who had 300 last season, had a perfect game in Tri-County Classic at Holiday on Oct. 12.
Doug Kady threw his first perfect game on Oct. 5 in Charlie's Service/Dr. Ferkula Chiropractic at Holiday. Kady finally finished what he started this time after flirting with a 300 last season. The Struthers resident has had many 299s.
Willie McGaha posted the high single of 299 in F.D. Mason Classic action at A-Plus Family Bowl on Oct. 13.
Brett Brunkenhoefer was a super sub in Doughton Businessmen's League at Bell-Wick on Oct. 13 with 266-694, then he led the Kelley-Robb Funeral Home outing on Oct. 14 with 697.
Among the 13-18s at Bell-Wick on Oct. 16, Ken Sedlacko had 725, powered by a 255. Mark Trgovac, however, had that day's best single of 276.