Ken Wyatt Captures his 11th MMBA Title at Thunderbowl Lanes
The Budweiser Michigan Majors Bowling Association’s opened its 47 th year of tournament action at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park on January 11 th . Hall of
Famer and Executive Director Ken Wyatt of Sterling Heights started off his 30th year of MMBA competition in style winning his 11 th title, defeating Craig Nidiffer
of Trenton 238-209. Wyatt received a check for $1,000 along with the championship trophy while Nidiffer settled for 2 nd place and received a check for $500.
Wyatt paced the field of 52 bowlers with a six game qualifying round of 1467. The cut score to make the 14 man semi-final round was 1273. This month’s
tournament featured Kegel’s Broadway lane condition, part of Kegel’s Challenge series. This lane pattern proved to be a good test for all of the players.
The stepladder finals began with fifth seed Justin Neiman of Warren facing fourth seed Mike Bradfield of Lansing. Bradfield, bowling in only his 2 nd MMBA
tournament, showed no signs of being nervous as he defeated Neiman in a tight match 226-225. Neiman had a chance to close out Bradfield with three strikes in
the 10 th but left a pocket 7-10 on his second ball to finish with 225. Bradfield needed to fill at least 19 pins to close out the match and did just that with a strike
on his first shot in the 10 th and filling 9 on his next two shots. Neiman received a check for $300 with his 5 th place finish.
Bradfield then met fellow Lansing native Robert Mireles. Mireles struggled to find the pocket, opening with splits in the 3 rd and 5 th frames while Bradfield was
solid the whole game defeating Mireles 227-155. Mireles, owner of 3 MMBA titles, received $350 for his 4 th place finish.
Next up for Bradfield was qualifying leader Ken Wyatt. This was a great match as both players were in the pocket all game long. Wyatt used a six bagger in frames
5 through 10 while Bradfield failed to strike on the left lane twice down the stretch, losing 249-237. Bradfield received a check for $400 for his efforts.
Wyatt then met 2011 Bowler of the Year Craig Nidiffer. Nidiffer, already with 8 MMBA titles in his young career, started the match slowly, failing to strike until
the 5 th frame. Wyatt started the match with a spare and three strikes, taking an early 38 pin lead. Nidiffer threw strikes in frames 5 -7, however failed to strike in
the 8 th and 9 th frames leaving the door open for Wyatt. Wyatt closed the door with a three bagger in frames 6-8 to go on and win 238-209.
Thank you to Tom Strobl, proprietor of Thunderbowl Lanes, and General Manager Charlie Cassise along with the rest of the staff for again opening a new season
for the MMBA. We’re proud to have Budweiser as our major sponsor. A big thank you to A.J. Mathews and West Side Distributing for sponsoring another
successful tournament. Again for 2014 Storm is our ball sponsor - thank you to Chris Sand for his continued support of the MMBA. We also welcome a new
sponsor in 2014 – General Maintenance Works. MMBA member Bill DeFrance is owner/operator so please visit his website at
http://generalmaintenanceworks.com for a great list of services.
Our next tournament will be held at Sterling Lanes in Sterling Heights on February 15 th with a start time of 10:00 a.m.
FINAL STANDINGS
1. Ken Wyatt (Sterling Heights)
2. Craig Nidiffer (Trenton)
3. Mike Bradfield (Lansing)
4. Robert Mireles (Lansing)
5. Justin Neiman (Warren)
6. Pete Brown (Holt)
7. Mason Brantley (Detroit)
8. Bill DeFrance (Clinton Township)
9. Mike Calhoun (Wyandotte)
10. Gerry Lobdell (Jackson)
11. Dale Hofmeister (Essexville)
12. Jeremy Dixson (Bay City)
13. Rick Gregor (Sterling Heights)
14. Mark Milasinovich (Macomb)
$1,000
$ 500
$ 400
$ 350
$ 300
$ 200
$ 180
$ 160
$ 150
$ 140
$ 130
$ 120
$ 110
$ 100
For information on participation or joining the Budweiser Michigan Majors, contact the tournament Office at (586) 871-7651 or visit the official website at
www.michiganmajors.com.