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It’s time for Taylor Kia Open at Holiday Bowl
By Greg Gulas
STRUTHERS
The third PBA Taylor Kia Open is set for this weekend at Holiday Bowl with more than 100 bowlers expected in this year’s field.
“This will be the first year that the Taylor Kia Open is a combined regional,” said Bob Eisenbraun of Holiday Bowl.
“Bowlers from the East and Central regions will take part. And like our previous two tournaments, the field is accomplished and quite competitive.”
J.R. Raymond of Clinton Township, Mich., who has cashed in 39 times in his 99 pro events, was the event’s charter champion in 2017.
Brad Angelo, of Lockport, N.Y., a pro bowler since 2002 with two titles, 17 perfect games and career earnings of $775,192, is the defending champion.
The complete field will be announced Thursday.
“Seven-time titlist Ryan Ciminelli of Cheektowaga, N.Y., who has nearly $650,000 in tour earnings, and Matt O’Grady, who has one title and eight 300 games, are among the field,” Eisenbraun said. “Also, keep an eye on local amateur and two-time Guinness World Record holder Adam Barta of Girard.”
“We hosted Adam when he set the Guinness world record for most strikes in an hour with 191 [on 308 rolls], breaking the old record by 15. He is one the area’s very best bowlers, and anyone on this list can walk off with the championship.”
The pro-am will be Friday at 7 p.m., with each four-person team utilizing one professional as they compete in 10 Baker games. The field will then be cut to the top eight teams bowling two-game matches.
Cost is $60 each. Twenty-four teams have committed, but space is still available.
The professionals will practice prior to the pro-am.
The tournament begins Saturday with the A squad starting at 9 a.m. and the B squad at 3 p.m.
The top 16 bowlers will advance to the round-robin final at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Added to this year’s event is the Dexter “Footwork of the Pros” workshop Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Guest instructors will be O’Grady, who won his fourth consecutive PBA Hubbard Central Open at Bell-Wick Bowl on March 24 after topping Patrick Dombrowski, and Raymond, a regional champion.
“J.R. actually works for Turbo, which supplies grips, slugs and multiple bowling products,” Eisenbraun said. “He’s a coach for Turbo. O’Grady works for Dexter and has been doing this for a long time. Between the two professionals, you will be receiving top-notch instruction from two of the very best pros in the industry.”
The two-hour clinic, which costs $59 and includes on-lane training and video analysis, is open to bowlers of all ages and skill levels.
“This is a great opportunity for anyone who wishes to take their game to the next level,” Eisenbraun said.
Holiday Bowl hosted three satellite qualifiers for this year’s Taylor Kia Open, providing 12 spots for local bowlers.
Local qualifiers are: Noah Hayes, Jared Shaner, James Hiles and J.R. Marino, all of Pittsburgh; Chuck Zarbaugh and Jim Bryant, both of Liberty; Kyle Condrick and Matt Clemens, both of Austintown; Caleb Johnson, Hubbard; Jesse Hodge, Lake Milton; Corey Bayus, Struthers; and Matt Bertolette, Columbiana.
For more information about any of the activities, call Holiday Bowl, 330-755-1444, or visit the PBA website at pba.com.
Visit the Holiday Bowl Facebook page for updated tournament information.