sterling10

Mason Brantley, runnerup; Pam Byrd, Manager Sterling Lanes
Dale Hofmeister, Champion

                                  DALE HOFMEISTER WINS 15TH TITLE

  Dale Hofmeister has finally caught Dick Beattie. Hofmeister tied Beattie for most titles in the
Budweiser Michigan Majors when he won his 15th title at Sterling Lanes in Sterling Heights.
  There was enough fire works scoring at Sterling Lanes to make it seem like July instead of
mid February. Mike Calhoun rolled 1567 to pace the 66 entrants in the qualifying round.
There were five 300 games by Calhoun, Abed Daher, Mason Brantley, Randy Warnken and
Jason Johnson. Then to top it all off Brantley had back to back 300 games in the 3 game
semi-final to vault into the number #1 seed in the stepladder final.
  Terry Haines defeated Craig Nidiffer 237-188 in the opening match of the stepladder.
Mike Calhoun defeated Haines 220-179 to advance.
  Hofmeister started the semi-final with five strikes to build a 22-pin lead and eliminate
Calhoun 257-227 in the semi-final match.
  The championship match was all Hofmeister. Hofmeister rolled the first 11 strikes before
coming high in his final toss for a 297-205 win over Brantley and his 15th title.
  Brantley said, “Dale just bowled great. I started with a split and never got untracked until
after the 5th frame.”
  Hofmeister said, “I didn’t think I had a chance the way Mason finished the semi-final with
those 300 games. It just feels great to tie someone like Beattie.”
  The next tournament is the 1st leg of the Michigan Majors “Triple Crown.” The Match Game
Championship on March 20-21 at Parkway Lanes in Trenton.
STANDINGS
Dale Hofmeister (Essexville) $1000
Mason Brantley (Detroit) $600
Mike Calhoun (Wyandotte) $600
Terry Haines (Dearborn Hgts) $400
Craig Nidiffer (Trenton) $300;
Jason Johnson (Brighton) $240
Randy Warnken (Clinton Twp) $230
Jeff Roche (Dearborn) $220
Troy Stus (South Lyon) $210
Nick Kokenos (St. Clair Shores) $200:
Carleton Chambers (Detroit) $160
Steve Murnighan (Fowlerville) $150
Jeff Edwards (Sterling Hgts) $140
Scott Christie (Southgate) $130
Mike Busch (Waterford) 125
George Juszczyk (Dearborn Hgts) $120
John Weiss (Saginaw) $110
Jason Overmeyer (Jackson) $100.