Professional Bowlers Association

In the ultimate fairy tale finish, Bob Benoit, appearing in his first PBA championship round, tossed a 300 game in defeating Mark Roth, 300-255, for a record $127,000 payday in the $150,000 Quaker State Open.

In addition to the $27,000 Quaker State first prize, Benoit collected a $100,000 bonus from True Value Hardware Stores for his perfect game heroics. As if that were not accomplishment enough for the eight-year pro, minutes after he defeated the PBA's career money leader ABC Sports named Benoit co-Athlete of the Week, along with downhill skier Alberto Tomba.

Benoit's 300 game was just the fifth in 27 years of PBA televised finals (spanning nearly 5,000 games) and was the first to occur in the title match. Additionally ironic was Benoit's triumphant return to host Forum Bowling Lanes, where he had bowled in league activity for 11 years before relocating to Topeka, Kan.

Roth was appearing in his third consecutive championship round and looked invincible entering the championship match-up. After disposing of roommate, Berardi, 223-212, in the semifinal, Roth was eager to notch his 34th PBA title and second Quaker State crown against the inexperienced Benoit.

"I wouldn't have liked my chances going into this game knowing I would have to top Mark Roth and his 255 game to win my first title in my first TV appearance," Benoit understated afterwards. The afternoon's competition began with defending Quaker State champion Brian Voss, coming from behind to down Steve Wunderlich, St. Louis, 258-248. Voss, Tacoma, Wash., then bowed to Berardi, 196-171, before Roth entered the fray.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

PLAYOFF RESULTS- Voss defeated Wunderlich, 258-248; Berardi, defeated Voss, 196-171; Roth defeated Berardi, 223-212; and in the championship game, Benoit defeated Roth, 300-255.

42-GAME TOTALS

		Name, City		Pins		Avg		WLT		+		Tot		Amt
#1		Bob Benoit, Topeka, Kan.		9343		222.5		19-5-0		570		9913
2		Mark Roth, Spring Lake Hts., N.J.		9261		220.5		18-6-0		540		9801
3		Joe Berardi, Brooklyn, N.Y.		9084		216.3		15-8-1		465		9549
4		Brian Voss, Tacoma, Wash.		8932		212.7		16-7-1		495		9427
5		Steve Wunderlich, St. Louis		9006		214.4		13-11-0		390		9396
6		Tom Baker, Buffalo, N.Y.		8927		212.5		11-12-1		345		9272		$4,500
7		Rey Perez, Cincinnati, Ohio		8873		211.3		13-11-0		390		9263		4,000
8		Randy Pedersen, Santa Maria, Calif.		8846		210.6		13-10-1		405		9251		3,500
9		Tom Crites, Tampa, Fla.		8885		211.5		12-12-0		360		9245		3,200
10		Del Warren, Lake Worth, Fla.		8851		210.7		12-11-1		375		9226		3,000
11		Dave Husted, Milwaukie, Ore.		8910		212.1		10-14-0		300		9210		2,800
12		Steve Anderson, Colo. Springs, Colo.		8818		210.0		13-11-0		390		9208		2,600
13		Jeff Miller, Canal Winchester, Ohio		8817		209.9		13-11-0		390		9207		2,400
14		Harry Sullins, Sterling Hts., Mich.		8835		210.4		11-13-0		330		9165		2,300
15		Chris Warren, Dallas		8834		210.3		11-13-0		330		9164		2,200
16		Alvin Kiemele, Vancouver, Wash.		8806		209.7		11-13-0		330		9136		2,100
17		Sam Maccarone, Glassboro, N.J.		8803		209.6		11-13-0		330		9133		2,000
18		Kent Wagner, Palmetto, Fla.		8698		207.1		13-11-0		390		9088		1,900
19		Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas		8845		210.6		8-16-0		240		9085		1,800
20		Frank Ellenburg, Mesa, Ariz.		8803		209.6		8-16-0		240		9043		1,700
21		David Ozio, Vidor, Texas		8683		206.7		9-15-0		270		8953		1,600
#22		Steve Martin, Kingsport, Tenn.		8616		205.1		8-14-2		270		8886		1,550
23		Jeff Bellinger, Columbia, S.C.		8555		203.7		9-15-0		270		8825		1,500
24		Joseph Firpo, Lake Worth, Fla.		8595		204.6		7-16-1		225		8820		1,450

Pos.		Name, City/State	Amount
*25		Dave Arnold, Campbell, Calif.	$1,425
26		Wayne Webb, Waco, Texas	1,280
27		Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, Kan.	1,270
28		Mats Karlsson, Sweden	1,260
29		Jimmy Williams, Bethpage, N.Y.	1,250
30		Mike Jasnau, Wichita, Kan.	1,240
31		George Branham III, San Diego, Calif.	1,230
32		Pete McCordic, Houston	1,220
33		Del Ballard Jr., Richardson, Texas	1,205
		Tony Westlake, Edmond, Okla.	1,205
35		Robert Lawrence, Austin, Texas	1,190
36		David Traber, Woodstock, Ill.	1,180
#37		Mark Fahy, Chicago.	1,170
38		Norm Duke, Fort Worth, Texas	1,160
39		George Pappas, Charlotte, N.C.	1,150
40		Mal Acosta, Manteca, Calif.	1,135
		Jim Murtishaw, Vista, Calif.	1,135
#42		Paul Ashby, Mentor, Ohio	1,120
43		Tim Weisbrod, Cincinnati, Ohio	1,110
44		Jimmy Certain. Huntsville, Ala.	1,100
45		Mike Edwards, Tulsa, Okla.	1,090
46		David Guindon, W. Seneca, N.Y.	1,080
47		John Huffman, Linwood, Kan.	1,070
48		Scott Devers, Centerville, Ind.	1,060
49		Todd Agee, Akron, Ohio	1,050
50		Allen Johnson, Chandler, Ariz.	1,035
		Chuck Lande, Dallas	1,035
52		Walter Ray Williams Jr., Stockton, Calif.	1,020
53		David Sill, Westland, Mich.	1,010