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For a week in August, Mercer and Auglaize County will become a hotbed for professional bowling.
The Professional Bowlers Association Central Region tour hits the Grand Lake area starting today as Minster's Community Lanes hosts the Kremer Roofing Central Classic today through Thursday, with most of the bowlers then making the short trek to Pla-Mor Lanes in Coldwater for the Bowlerstore.com Central Classic Friday through Sunday.
The fact that two tournaments are held within a short distance is enticing to bowlers on the tour.
"For the guys traveling farther, it's a worthwhile trip," said Pla-Mor owner Rick Hartings. "A lot of guys were in Jonesboro, Arkansas last week and will work their way north. To catch two tournaments in one week in one week is huge."
Hartings and Community Lanes owner Doug Davidson, who owns Bowlerstore.com, have worked together to help each other build their tournaments.
"We talk a lot and they kind of mirrored stuff that we did over the years," said Hartings. "They have a great setup over there with their patio and the remodeling they have done."
It's the fourth year Minster has hosted a Central Region tour event, and owner Doug Davidson is appreciative of the talent that makes the trek.
The list of bowlers already signed up for Minster is lengthy and includes last year's champ and PBA star E.J. Tackett along with a number of top regional bowlers. Local bowlers will also take to the lanes, like professional and former Versailles standout Michael Davidson (Doug's son) along with Versailles' Max Voisard and Minster's Matt Kuba and Ryan Lakota.
Last year, Tackett took home $4,000 for winning with a 236-225 victory over Zach Weidman in the final of the stepladder format.
"Doug has some good entries as well," said Hartings.
Action begins at Minster tonight with a practice session followed by a pro-am event. Qualifying begins Wednesday with shifts at 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. with the top third of the field moving on to Thursday. The field will be trimmed down to the final group that advance to the stepladder tournament around 4:30 p.m. Thursday.
The Coldwater event, now in its 16th edition, has drawn not only the top regional stars, but stars of the national tour, with Hall of Famer Parker Bohn III, Ronnie Troup, Rhino Page and Tackett all bringing home championships from Pla-Mor. Last year, Frank Snodgrass took home the $10,000 first-place check by beating Sam DeWitt III in the final stepladder match.
"Ninety-six (bowlers) is our max, and we're sold out already," said Hartings. "They like coming here. It's not a national tournament this year, so there will be a lot of new faces and we're still going to pay $10,000 to win. It's always a fun day to see those guys come in and try and compete and make it to Sunday."
Practice at Coldwater begins Friday at 1 p.m. Pro-am events will take place at 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. Three shifts of qualifying get underway Saturday at 8 a.m.with the top third of the field advancing to Sunday. The field will be pared down to four for the stepladder finals starting around 5 p.m.
