From Alaska to Florida, some of the best older bowlers in the country will be in Bowling Green this
weekend for the 17th annual PBA 50 (Senior) Midwest Classic.
The tournament is part of the Professional Bowlers’ Association regional program and will be held at
Al-Mar Lanes.
Defending champion Jack Jurek will lead the field of more than five dozen bowlers age 50 or older. Not
only the 2013 champion is entered but also the last four winners.
Also entered are Kevin Foley, Tom Baker and Michael Henry, the 2012, 2011 and 2010 champions,
respectively. The only two-time champion, Tim Kauble (2000 and 2001) of Marion is also entered again
this year.
In addition to Baker, there is also an assortment of national title holders and PBA Hall of Fame members
entered, including Dale Eagle, Henry Gonzalez, Ron Mohr, Bill Henson and Harry Sullins.
Also a national PBA 50 titlist, Dave Patchen of nearby Oregon will take to the lanes on Saturday. Steve
Jakubowski, a regular league bowler, is entered.
Although not a champion here, he’s had great success in past events. Perrysburg resident Larry Smith will
again participate, as will local league bowler Jay Samelak.
Preliminary events begin today as Parker Bohn III will conduct a clinic this afternoon for high school
and junior high bowlers. Bohn, while compiling a stellar career has set many records since becoming a
PBA member in 1984, recently won his first PBA 50 title. Bohn was originally entered in the tournament,
but a death in the family will cause him to miss the regular tourney.
Tonight at 7, local amateur teams of four bowlers will try to outbid the other teams to complete their
team with one of the PBA bowlers in the Team Baker Shoot Out. The auction starts at 6 p.m. Money
invested to acquire PBA partners will be added to the prize fund.
The official PBA practice session is Friday from 1-3 p.m. The pro-am events will follow at 5-8 p.m.
All the bowlers will bowl eight games of qualifying on Saturday on two separate squads, tentatively set
for noon and 6 p.m.
On Sunday, the top 24 bowlers will bowl an additional four games at 10 a.m. before the field is cut to
the top 16. Those bowlers will roll three more games at 12:30 p.m.
After those games, the field will again be cut in half to the top eight. Those eight will bowl two more
games at 2:30 p.m. to cut the field for the final time to four.
Those four will bowl one last game at 3:30 p.m. to determine the champion, based on total pins after 18
grueling games over two days.
There is no admission charge to watch any of the events.
Gerdeman Insurance and Al Smith automobile dealerships are the titled sponsors.