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Bette Addington: Scott Norton wins Glover Masters Tournament
| Tuesday, Sep 30 2008 4:39 PM
Last Updated: Wednesday, Oct 1 2008 8:33 AM
The late Don Glover had to have been smiling down on AMF Southwest Lanes over the weekend (Sept. 27-28) as the second annual Glover Masters Scratch Tournament took place. Not only did the tournament nearly double the number of entries that it had at its inaugural event last year, but the prize fund doubled, not only for the champion but there was a visible increase in all the monies given to the Top 20 who placed.
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Scott Norton
To top it off, a former youth state standout, who was bowling his first year in the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA), became the 2008 Champion.
Scott Norton of San Francisco emerged as the 2008 Don Glover Masters Scratch Champion and took home $3,055.
It wasn't an easy win for Norton, who ended up the No. 2 seed, as he had to win his Stepladder Final match against fourth seed Jeff Gordon, who dominated the Stepladder matches by beating fifth seed PBA standout Tony Reyes 269-238, then third seed Daniel Watanabe 247-189. Norton and Gordon had a great match, but Norton emerged with a win 279-245 and then faced top seed Mason Sherman, the current PBA Western Regional points leader, who started the final match strong with a string of strikes.
Norton had a strike in the first frame but spared in the second. But Norton turned on the strikes and finished with a 280 game to Sherman's 255. More than 60 spectators enjoyed an afternoon of terrific matches.
Norton was the 2000 CWBA (California Women's Bowling Association's) Star of Tomorrow and also the Chuck Hall Star of Tomorrow. He received four Gold medals in the Tournament of Americas and one Gold medal in the World Youth Championships. His career took off as he became the National Youth Amateur Champion and then just one year later the National Adult Amateur Champion. He has been on Team USA.
This year, he joined the PBA where he has captured one title. A left-hander, as Don Glover was, Norton and Watanabe were the only two lefties making the Stepladder Finals. He was bowling with Brunswick balls.
Norton bowled the first squad of qualifying on Saturday and came out strong with a 279 game, and averaged 235 to make the top 10 of that squad. He then came back Saturday night to compete with the top 20 bowlers (top 10 from two qualifying squads) and bowled six games averaging 230, but more importantly, rolling a 299 for his fifth game of the night to help him end the night at plus-395 to secure his spot in the Top Ten Finals for Sunday.
Sunday morning's nine games of Match Play Finals had him averaging 226 and winning four of his matches. For the position round following the match play finals, he beat his opponent Mason Sherman 205-195 to secure his No. 2 seed in the Stepladder Finals.
Scott Norton was truly a class act. His parents making their way from down south to watch him compete in the Finals on Sunday made his story of victory even more interesting. Scott's mom, Virginia Norton, is a well-known State and National Hall of Famer, and knew Don Glover.
There were two 300 games rolled Saturday during the qualifying squads. First one was by Bakersfield's Diz Francisco in game 5. The second was rolled by Tony Reyes in the second qualifying squad for his sixth game ending with plus-247.
DC Williams, representing GEUSBC (Golden Empire United States Bowling Congress) presented a trophy to the highest finishing youth bowler from Bakersfield -- Patrick Smith, who qualified with plus-67 in the first squad.
Final results are as follows:
1. Scott Norton, San Francisco ($3,055)
2. Mason Sherman, Moorpark ($1,000)
3. Jeff Gordon, Ventura ($750)
4. Daniel Watanabe, Bakersfield ($600)
5. Tony Reyes, San Bruno ($500)
6. Steve Smith, San Diego ($450)
7. Lee Patterson, Antioch ($400)
8. Ivan Miyasato, Fresno ($350)
9. Jim Joy, San Pablo ($300)
10. Carlie Medina III, Bakersfield ($250)
11. Aris C. Anadilla, Bakersfield ($245)
12. Donald Benner, Bakersfield ($240)
13. John Whisler, Bakersfield ($235)
14.Aris Anadilla, Bakersfield ($230)
15. Russ Mayberry, Visalia ($225)
16. Chris Williams, Los Angeles ($220)
17. Gary Duran, Commerce ($215)
18. Jim Roberts, Tulare ($210)
19. Zack Newman, Bakersfield ($205)
20. Mike Wilk, Temecula ($200)
Special thanks to all the 2008 Event Sponsors because without their help and support, we could not have attained the prize payout we had: Golden Empire USBC; Ebonite/Ed Gallagher; Fabrications by Addington/Chris Addington; Tom Smith/GEUSBC Director; Jim Trino/Bakersfield Bowling Hall of Fame; Jim Foss/PGA Professional (Kern River Golf Course); Dale & Karin McVey; Confidence UST Services, Inc./Doug & Cheri Young, Owners; Justin Paquette, MD/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Robb's Pro Shop/Robb White (AMF Southwest Lanes); The Bowlers Edge Pro Shop/Mike Hefley (Regency Bowling Center); Stroope Realtors, GMAC Real Estate/Loren Stroope, Owner; True Amateur Tournaments/Ed McWilliams (Las Vegas); We The People - Legal Self Help/Carol Glover, Owner; AP Architects; Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy; The Bowler's Alley/Mark Davis (Buena Lanes, Ventura); and Gary Cole & Russ Tweedy/Bakersfield 6-Gamer.
PATRICK SMITH WINS FIRST JAT TITLE
Local youth bowler Patrick Smith won his first JAT (Junior Amateur Tour) title on Sept. 20, at Canoga Park Bowl.
AMF WESTCHESTER BOWL PRESENTS "STRIKE IT RICH FOR CHARITY"
For anyone wanting to go open bowling, consider going bowling at AMF Westchester Bowl (1819 - 30th St.). From now through Oct. 10, they are conducting a Food Drive called "Strike It Rich for Charity." From 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., every day, if you bring in two cans of food you will receive one free game of bowling, no limit, and shoe rental not included. Contact AMF Westchester Bowl at (661) 324-4966.
WEEKLY SUPER SCORES
300s abound!
Russ Tweedy rolled a 300 game in the St. Nick's Christmas Club league on Sept. 18 at Regency Bowling Center. Rick Matthews rolled his first 300 of this season in the Monday night Elks and Friends league on Sept. 22 at Regency Lanes. This was Matthews' 14th career perfecto. And, Randy Carter rolled a 300 game in the Stockdale Men's league on Sept. 25 at AMF Southwest Lanes.
Other honor scores: Jimmy Hefley rolled a 290 on Sept. 13 in the Saturday Junior's league at Regency. And, there were two 780 series at Regency. The first, 780, was by Becky Hardwick on Sept. 16 in the Tuesday Ladies Handicap league and the second was by Robert Turner in the Senior Golden Years league on Sept. 22. It is believed that Hardwick's 780 is the highest local women's series ever in Bakersfield.