Behind the Numbers - 2009 Citizen Masters
by Mike Ryan
If you are a stats person like me, then you might appreciate some of the interesting facts that I've found while comparing data this week. 19 bowlers of the bowlers that qualified this year, have also qualified last year. Five of those made it to the final 8 last year. Tom Charles, 1984 & 2000 Champion and Mike Ryan, 2004 & 2008 Champion, try to be the first bowler in Masters history to earn three Masters titles. Paul Samasuck, 1977 Champion, and Pete Bommersbach, 1986 Champion, are the only other two bowlers with a Ted Skowron Memorial trophy. Paul and Pete will try to join these bowlers with two Masters titles: Ted Skowron('63 & '72), Leonard Charles('73 & '74), Ben Appleby('77 & '82), Steve Capella('89 & '90), Steve Feldman('97 & '98), Paul Liechti('91 & '99), Tom Charles('84 & '00), and Mike Ryan('04 & '08). Three of the eight bowlers listed have won the Citizen Masters in two consecutive years: Leonard Charles, Steve Capella, and Steve Feldman. Four bowlers have a Joe Catalfano Runner Up trophy and look to earn their first Masters title: Phil Perkins (1995), Paul Roche (1997), Brian Storrs (2004), and Dan Guzalak (2008). They will try to join the following bowlers who were Runner Up first in their career and then eventually Champion: George Benda (R.U. 1977, Ch. 1983), Joe Bachman III (R.U. 1981, 1991, 1992, Ch. 1993), Rick Liccion (R.U. 1985, Ch. 2007), Bill Kuszaj( R.U. 1989, Ch. 2005), Tom Knapp (R.U. 1994, Ch. 2006), Mike Ryan (R.U. 1999, Ch. 2004).
There are two possibilities of a past title rematch this year. One is a rematch from last year, Dan Guzalak and Mike Ryan. Each bowler would have to win four consecutive matches and would meet on Saturday, 1/24 at Rainbow Lanes. Another way would be if they lose their a match in the same round, the odds of meeting up increases. The other possible title rematch would be from the 2004 Citizen Masters between Brian Storrs and Mike Ryan. Since they are in opposite brackets, a rematch in the Winners bracket wouldn't be possible until the final day, 1/25 at Rainbow Lanes. The winner of that match would then be in the title match.
There are some possible rematches from last year. Will these bowlers get their revenge or does last year's match winner have his opponent's number? I will start with the earliest possibilities.
Jamie Mills vs. Mike Ryan in the first match of the year. They bowled in round 4 of the Winner's bracket last year. Mike Ryan pulled out a third game victory after being down by one pin after two games, 445-446 to earn a finalist spot. Jeff Matty vs. Gary Fedigan. Last year they met late in the loser's bracket on Jan. 20 at Falcon Lanes. Jeff led the match after two games, 430-401 and held on for the win, 643-551. They have a chance to meet in the Winner's bracket on Jan. 17 at Starlite Lanes. Greg Bibbens vs. Derek Locastro. The squared off very early last year. On only the second day of the tournament at Starlite Lanes, the two kegelers battled all day long with Derek leading after two games, 482-460. Derek won the third game 257-247 to earn the victory, 739-707 in a very high scoring match. Derek went on to finish 5th in the tournament. Coincidently, they have a possibility to meet again in the Winner's bracket on Jan. 11, the second day of the tournament, at Cedar House Lanes.
Jamie Mills vs. Jim Locastro. Bowling for the right to be a finalist, these two met up at Falcon Lanes in the Loser's bracket on Jan. 20. This match was all Jim Locastro, winning each game and series, 690-519. Jamie can seek revenge in the Winner's bracket on Jan. 17 at Starlite Lanes. Darrin Emperato vs. Scott Bodner. These two went head to head on Jan. 13 at Starlite Lanes. This was one of those matches that everyone stands behind to watch as it went down to the tenth frame of the third game. The first game was tied at 238 each. Scott pulled ahead by 11 pins the second game, 191-180, putting him in the lead, 429-418. Darrin rallied in the third game, 222-200, to pull out the victory, 640-629, winning by 11 pins. They can meet in the Winner's bracket on Jan. 18 at Starlite Lanes again to see if the number 11 is their lucky number or not. That match will be a little more intense as the winner will be a finalist. Jamie Mills vs. Harold Frisbie. These bowlers met on Jan. 13 at Starlite Lanes. Jamie fired a huge 279 second game at Harold to take a commanding lead, 458-407, and kept his momentum going enough to stop a flying Frisbie in the third game. The series went to Mills, 684-645. They can meet on Jan. 24 in the Winner's bracket at Rainbow Lanes in a Saturday finalist's match. Both bowlers currently bowl in a league at Rainbow Lanes. Mike Ryan vs.Derek Locastro. They met on Saturday, Jan.19 at Falcon Lanes in the Winner's bracket. Mike led Derek after two games, 470-445, and held onto the lead for victory, 737-652. Mike and Derek can meet again in the Winner's bracket in a finalist match, on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Rainbow Lanes. Harold Frisbie vs.Darrin Emperato. Harold and Darrin met on the first day last year, Jan. 12 at Starlite Lanes. Despite Harold shooting a 139 in the first game, he came back with a huge 269 game, going from 67 pins down, to leading by 13 pins after two. Frisbie continued to fly high as he also won the third game for a 629-607 victory. Derek Locastro vs. Pete Bommersbach. Last match was Jan. 20 at Falcon Lanes in a nail biting match. One rightie, one leftie, both struggled the first game with Pete having the edge, 155-153. In the second game, they both found their mark, now with Derek having the Edge, 234-223, and a 9 pin lead going into the third game. Both bowlers keeping their momentum going in the third game, and the match going down to the wire, Derek squeaked out a 2 pin victory, 608-606. Great show guys! Jamie Mills vs. Scott Bodner. Match one, Saturday, Jan. 12, Starlite Lanes. Both bowlers determined to get off to a good start and both are lined up. Mills had a slight upper hand all day long as he won all three games by a very small margin, firing a 684 series, which was the fourth highest score of the day. Bodner had 650, the 13th highest series in a tough loss. The last three matches, if met up in the Winner's bracket, would be for a trip to the Championship match at Rainbow Lanes.
There are some feature matches this Saturday. Why not come down and support a friend that is in the match play portion or just watch the action as it unfolds. You can even enjoy a small meal and a band afterwards. At 4:00 PM, Heavy Rollers Match: John Walters Jr. vs. Dan Bibbens. Proprietor Match. Bill Dockstader vs. Jim Locastro. Leftie vs. Leftie. Angelo Tozzi vs. Dave Sutton. Good to Watch Match: Dan Guzalak vs. Harold Frisbie. At 7:00 PM, Former Champions Match. Pete Bommersbach(1984) vs. Scott Bodner. Paul Samasuck (1977) vs. Shawn Hastings. Same League Match. Phil Perkins vs. Jim Relfe. Proprietor Match. Ron Rizzo vs. Ed Feek. Good to Watch Match. Mike Sheehan vs. Brian Storrs. Steve Suslik vs. Jeff Chalupnicki. Paul Roche vs. Don Paquette. Mike Walker II vs. Brandon Mettler. Chris Plis fought extra hard just to get into match play. Let's see if he can carry his momentum through the Winner's bracket as he faces off in his first match vs. Bill Holmes. Good luck to all bowlers who 'survived' the qualifying round. Your ability to pick spares got you here, now you have to step it up a notch!