The annual Professional Bowlers Association’s senior regional tour returns to Al-Mar Lanes beginning
Tuesday with the pro-am event.
Those entered in the event include the man with the most PBA titles in its history, Walter Ray Williams
Jr. He will lead a stellar field for the Progressive Insurance/Gerdeman Insurance Agency Senior Classic.

In fact all four of the current senior points leaders are expected to take the lanes. Heading into this
week’s tournament in Deacatur, Ill., Ron Mohr leads Williams on the points list. They are followed by
Harry Sullins and Tom Baker.
Many consider Williams of Ocala, Fla., the greatest bowler in history. He has 47 career titles, including
eight majors, plus two national senior titles. He ranked second to Earl Anthony on the 2009 list of the
50 greatest players in PBA history.
He is a seven-time PBA player of the year award winner. Williams has also won the ESPY award for bowling
seven times. He was named the 2010 Senior Rookie of the Year after he turned 50 and began touring on the
senior circuit along with the regular PBA tour.
Mohr of Eagle River, Alaska, has had the hot hand this season and narrowly lost to Sullins of
Chesterfield, Mich., on Aug. 11. It was Sullins’ second title of the season; while Mohr was going for
his fourth victory this season.
This tournament, though a regional event, features many of the top national touring players each year. It
is traditionally scheduled when the senior tour is in the area and set up to provide a top-level
regional between national stops.
The tournament features a longer format than a traditional regional event as the tournament spans two
days of qualifying beginning on Wednesday, before the field is cut to the top 12 for match play on
Friday.
The stepladder finals are set for 3 p.m. on Friday with an estimated first place prize of $5,000 with a
full field. It annually ranks near or at the top of the largest prize fund for a senior regional in the
country.
"We are always excited to welcome some of the greatest bowlers in the world to Bowling Green,"
said Bill Wammes, Al-Mar Lanes host proprietor.
Other expected entrants with local interest include Guppy Troup, Tim Kauble, Dave Patchen, Dave Soutar,
and Emilio Mora Sr.
One of the best bowlers in Northwest Ohio and a regular BG league bowler Steve Jakubowski is also
entering.
Other local entrants expected are Mike Reyome and Larry Smith.
Currently, there are two squads of qualifying set for Wednesday and Thursday at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. each
day. Friday’s match play begins at 9 a.m.
This tournament is structured similar to the format the seniors have bowled for most of their careers,
making it a very popular event.
This is the first year of sponsorship for Progressive and Gerdeman Insurance. The previous sponsor backed
out late in the process and Wammes was left scrambling.
"This almost didn’t happen," Wammes said. "Bowling Green is very fortunate to have someone
like Gary Luken to step forward with little notice."
Luken’s insurance agency has been one of the contributing sponsors for years, but came up with the
required extra donation to be the title sponsor.
Limited openings are available for the pro-am tournament which will be contested with two squads at 5 and
8 p.m. on Tuesday. The youth will bowl at 5 p.m., with the adults to follow.
There is no admission fee to watch any of the pro sessions. The bowling center is located at 1010 N. Main
St.