Youth and talent combined have started to make their presence felt in this 23rd seaon of the Alro Steel – Michigan Junior Masters Association. The first annual Greater Plymouth Open was no exception as youth made the best of their chances and took home titles on both the girls and boys side.

Tori Ferris (Kalamazoo, MI), who does not turn 14 until October 3rd, showed poise beyond her years as she led the 8 game qualifier by being the only girl to average over 200 by shooting 1614 on Saturday. On Sunday Ferris continued her solid play and was the tournament leader after match play, heading into the step-ladder finals. However, there were three other ladies who had won titles previously looking to add to their title counts.

Felicia Goll (St Clair Shores, MI) had won 4 titles coming into this event and had to bowl 214 in the final match play game to make it into the step-ladders, edging out Kara Richard (Tecumseh, MI) for fourth by 6 pins. Goll made the most of that chance as she won her first two matches to make it to the finals against Ferris.

Before getting to Ferris, Goll defeated 7-time champion Kristy Kerr (Bay City, MI) 213-178 and then knocked out the number two qualifier Sarah Lokker (New Baltimore, MI), who just turned 15 years old, 193-183. In the finals, both Goll and Ferris kept it clean all the way through the game but it was Ferris carrying two doubles and then throwing the strike she needed on the first ball in the tenth frame to earn her first Alro Steel – MJMA title and become the youngest bowler to ever win a title in the association.

The guy’s provided just as much in the way of youth challenge as four of the five bowlers to make step ladders had not won a singles title before. Nicolas Sutherland (Grand Blanc, MI) who is only 17, made it to his second finals of the season and made the most of his opportuntiy. Sutherland defeated hometown favorite Logam Mills (Plymouth, MI) in the first step-ladder match 234-193 and then knocked off the defending bowls Bowler-of-the-Year Adam Jablonski (Sterling Heights, MI) 226-184 but then he faced Michael Gossman (Port Huron, MI).

Gossman had led the qualifying with a fabolous 1757 score for his eight games and was leading most of the way in match play until the final few games dropped into second place. Gossman, who turned 18 in May, was bowling in his first ever step-ladder, but showed no nerves what so ever as he dispossed of Sutherland 199-191 by getting the mark he needed in the tenth frame to win. In the finals Gossman was matched up against another 18 year old Doug Mazurco (Brownstown, MI) who moved into top qualifying position in the final game of match play.

In the final match Gossman continued to be as cool as a cucumber and stayed clean throught the first nine frames while Mazurco had a couple of tough frames to open the door for Gossman. Gossman took advantage fo that opening to win his first Alro Steel – MJMA title with a 200-181 win, gaining his first title.

We also awarded the Junior Gold qualifying spots for this event and Tori Ferris, Michael Gossman and Logan Mills punched their ticket to Indianapolis, Indiana for next July to bowl in the National Junior Tournament.

We also awarded $3,400.00 in scholarship money for the weekend, thanks to our presenting sponsor Alro Steel as well as our bowling ball sponsor Brunswick. Alro Steel has once again donated $1,000.00 for this event and with the raffle on the new Smash Storm bowling ball and the 50-50 raffle we were able to add nearly $500.00 to the final totals for the event.

The next event will be at Eastland Bowl in Kalamazoo, Michigan as we move west for the first time this season. Tom deYoung and the staff at Eastland Bowl have always been very helpful in setting the lane patterns and being very accomodating for our events and we are expecting much of the same this season. The event is limited to 96 bowlers so we encourage members to get their entries in early so they will not be locked out.

We want to thank Jerry and Jason Johnson, John Kohler and the staff, especially Steve, at Plaza Lanes for all the assistance they gave to us this weekend. It is not very often that we go to a center the first time and have the kinds of positive feedback from parents, guests and bowlers that we had this weekend. As a result we have already commited to year two, next season. We want to thank everyone for the positive experience we had this weekend and we are looking forward to seeing everyone again next year in September.