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Norm Duke Repeats as BWAA Kegel Bowler of Month
 Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., has been named the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for March. Duke also was named last month for the same honor.
In a nearly-unanimous decision, Duke was selected on the basis of his victory at the 65th U.S. Open at Brunswick Zone Carolier Lanes in North Brunswick, N.J. March 30. Duke defeated Mika Koivuniemi in the final match, 224-216 by virtue of converting the "bucket" spare, completing his victories in the Grand Slam of professional bowling (USBC Masters, Tournament of Champions, World Championship and U.S. Open). Only Mike Aulby had been able to achieve the same distinction.
This was Duke's second Major victory in five weeks. He won the Denny's World Championship in February for his third Major title.
Other nominees garnering significant votes were Rhino Page, a PBA rookie and member of Team USA out of Topeka, Kan., who won his first title (Go RVing Classic) March 9 in Norwich, Ct., Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, who earned his 10th Denny's PBA Tour title winning the Don Johnson Buckeye Classic March 2, and Tommy Jones, who won the Geico Classic on Long Island March 23 for his10th title.
Duke named BWAA Kegel Bowler of the Month (February)
Norm Duke, Clermont, Fla., has been named Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the Month for February.
Duke defeated Ryan Shafer, Horseheads, N.Y., 202-165 in the championship match to win the Denny's World Championship, a major tournament in the Denny's PBA Pro Tour. Not only did Duke receive $50,000, but also a much-needed two-season Tour exemption.
Plagued with injuries throughout the season, and nursing a cold during the tournament, Duke had dropped to 51st on the PBA points list, which would have made him ineligible as an exempt tour player next season (the top 39 via the point rankings earn exemptions at season's end). This was Duke's third career Major title, and 27th overall.
Other nominees garnering significant votes were Chris Barnes, Double Oak, Texas, who earned his ninth Denny's PBA Tour title winning the 2008 Bayer Classic in El Paso, and Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, who won four televised matches to win the Pepsi Championship in Elkhorn, Neb.
Michael Haugen, Jr. named BWAA Kegel Bowler of Month (January)
 Michael Haugen, Jr., Cave Creek, Ariz., was the overwhelming choice for the Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA) Kegel Bowler of the month for January.
In dramatic fashion, Haugen won his first career Major and second career title at the H&R Block Tournament of Champions at Red Rock Lanes in Las Vegas. Battling back from a sore throat and swollen tonsils just two days earlier, Haugen overcame a 50-pin deficit to defeat Chris Barnes, 215-214 in the title match.
Haugen won his first career title in the 2007 Lake County Indiana Classic in November, defeating Wes Malott, 247-239. He became the second bowler in history--and the first since Joe Joseph in 1962--to win his first career title and the Tournament of Champions in the same season. He earned the $50,000 top prize and a two-year exemption on the Professional Bowlers' tour.
Other nominees earning a significant number of votes for Bowler of the Month were Tommy Jones, Simpsonville, S.C., who won his 11th title at the Construction Jobs.com PBA tournament in Reno, and Mike Scroggins, Amarillo, Texas, who won his fourth career title at the Motel 6 Dick Weber Open by coming from fifth to champion. Scroggins also finished third with Bill O'Neill in the PBA Exempt Doubles Classic and ninth in the Lumber Liquidators Earl Anthony Medford Classic in January. |
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