Doubles at Cottage Bowl

What a great weekend in Cottage Grove. The Cardoza family always are great hosts and this weekend was no different. We had 39 teams come out to bowl for the two days. Four different winners were crowned and one person had a day they won't forget anytime soon.

Saturday brought 20 teams out through the foggy valley to The Cottage Bowl. That weather may have affected scoring, as scores were rather considering the talent of the field. High game on the day was 276 by Derek Gomez.

The story of the day was super sub Sabin Ian Gramelt, who was there to work, but got pressed into service due to a communication issue. He had no gear, so borrowed a ball and the shoes of Butch Cardoza, and proceeded to strike like the Buzzsaw himself, leading Jim Lantz to top seed spot at +375. After the 6 games, the led and Aaron Heintzman and Grant Dunigan were #2 at +319 and Derek Gomez and Richard Galaway got in 3rd at +319. Cashing for $125/ea in 4th was Tim Martin and James Donaldson at +294, and in 5th was Rory Rowe and Joe Lipan for $100/ea at +290.

The first stepladder match saw one of the most brutal leaves I've ever seen. With a tenuous lead, Grant Dunigan walloped the pocket only to be stunned with a solid 7-9 split. Just about everyone there stopped in awe. It really derailed their momentum, and allowed Gomez and Galaway to charge back and take the win 479-426. Heintzman and Dunigan took home $150/ea for 3rd, and Grant took the lead in the Player Of The Year standings.

Derek and Richard went on to face Sabin and Jim in the final. Jim won here last year, but Sabin has at least 4 runner-ups since his only title back in 2017. Again, it was a close battle all the way, but Gomez got hot late and was able to establish a lead that couldn't be overcome. They earned the win 464-437 and the first place prize.

It is the first title for Gomez, who now qualifies for the TOC in two months. Richard earned his second title, and they each pocketed $325 for the win. Or at least Corissa Gomez pocketed Derek's half

Sabin and Jim got $225 each for second place.

Sunday morning brought a different circumstance, and a totally different scoring pace. And for Kari Johnson, it was a day to remember.

After an average start, Johnson reeled off 11 strikes in a row to start game 3. With the whole center watching, she stroked shot number and flushed the pocket, only to leave a stubborn 10 pin. Still it was her high game ever at 299 and her best ever series at 660.

While all that was going on, RTB newcomer Jason Mead threw down an amazing 759 series. And in game 5, Brad Jones nearly duplicated his 300 from last Monday with a 299, leaving a Belmonte-esque rocket 7 pin.

Qualifying though belonged to Andrew Rux and AJ Perdue. Staying consistent all throughout the day, they smashed the field with a +489 set to be the top seed. To give you an idea the difference in scoring pace, first place on Saturday would have been FIFTH on Sunday.

Also making the stepladder were Johnson and two time winner this year Luke Arronson along with Timothy Berkey and POY contender Kyle Belcher. 4th Place for $135/ea was Jones and Jeff Adair. 5th place was a tie at +374, so Tyson Keene and Mike Breshears bowled Joesette Triplett and Tim Whiteis in a one game rolloff. It was a white-out from the getgo, with Keene and Breshears shooting a whopping 557 to outpace their opponents. Tyson and Mike got $105/ea for 5th.

The stepladder brought a contest between two POY contenders. If either Belcher or Arronson won the event, they would take the lead in the Player of the Year. Kari and Luke started strong and finished strong, moving to the finals with a 458-408 victory. Belcher and Berkey got $175/ea for 3rd place and Kyle slid into a tie for second with Bill Machin for Player of the Year.

The finals pitted the juggernaut Perdue and Rux against the Cinderella story Johnson and her partner. The 10 pin was a beast again for Johnson, unable to knock it over in 5 tries on the right lane, while striking all day on the left. A fast start by Perdue and a strong mid game by Rux allowed them to pull away late for the title 454-430.

It its the second doubles title for this pair, having won at Lava Lanes Bend last year. They each earned $350 for the win. Johnson and Arronson earned $250/ea for the runner-up spot. Arronson also moved into a tie for second in the POY standings.

The prize fund was bolstered by a generous ball donation by Buzzsaw's Pro Shop and The Cottage Bowl. A Purple Hammer was donated and raised a total for $350 for the prize fund, That plus $100 of added money from the center, allowed us to pay a little more than we would have.

The ball winner was local bowler Joesette Triplett.

We always love coming to The Cottage Bowl. Natalie Cardoza Clark Butch Cardoza, Anita Cardoza, and the rest of the staff are wonderful to work with. The center is always so homey and comforting. We will be back for the Kick-Off event next season, the SUPER Doubles!!!

See you there!!!