Professional Bowlers Association

Walter Ray Williams Jr., defeated Bob Learn Jr., in a battle of the top two earnings leaders for 1996 and top candidates for IOF/PBA Player of the Year, 214-202. The Greater Harrisburg Open became Williams' fifth title of the year and 21st career title. For the victory Williams took home $16,000.

Fittingly, the match came down to the final frame. Williams was in control early, striking in four of his first five frames while Learn started with a double, had an open frame in the third after failing to convert a 2-4-8-10 split then converted two single pin spares.

Williams had a chance to close Learn out, but the 5-pin refused to fall on his first shot in the 10th, giving Learn a chance to win. Needing the first two strikes in his 10th frame, Learn left a screaming 10-pin on his first shot and had to settle for the second-place check worth $8,500.

Williams, who was seeded fourth, started his title run early by knocking off Norm Duke in the opening match of the ESPN telecast, 288-238. A 2-pin on his second shot in the 10th cost him the perfect game.

Next up was Bill Oakes, who Williams defeated, 207-184. The semifinal match was a 228-227 win over Mark Williams, who had a chance to force a two frame roll off, but left the 3-pin on his last shot in the 10th.

The title gave Williams his second consecutive win in as many tournaments as he didn't bowl the Touring Pro-Senior Doubles.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

PLAYOFF RESULTS-W.R. Williams defeated Duke, 288-238; W.R. Williams defeated Oakes, 206-184; W.R. Williams defeated M. Williams, 228-227; and in the championship game, W.R. Williams defeated Learn, 214-202.

42-GAME TOTALS

		Name, City		Pins		Avg		WLT		+		Tot		Amt
1		Bob Learn Jr., Erie, PA		9555		227.5		17-7-0		510		10065
2		Mark Williams, Beaumont, TX		9583		228.2		15-9-0		450		10033
3		Bill Oakes, Lawton, OK		9446		224.9		16-8-0		480		9926
4		Walter Ray Williams Jr., Stockton, CA		9366		223.0		16-8-0		480		9846
5		Norm Duke, Clermont, FL		9439		224.7		12-12-0		360		9799
6		Rick Steelsmith, Wichita, KS		9388		223.5		12-12-0		360		9748		$2,500
7		Ken McNeely, Morganton, NC		9274		220.8		13-11-0		390		9664		2,200
#8		Bob Spaulding, Greenville, SC		9288		221.1		12-12-0		360		9648		2,000
9		Jeff Zaffino, Warren, PA		9287		221.2		12-12-0		360		9647		1,800
10		Jeff Lizzi, Sandusky, OH		9208		219.2		14-10-0		420		9628		1,700
11		Ed Carter, Akron, OH		9159		218.1		14-9-1		435		9594		1,650
12		Doug Kent, Canandaigua, NY		9262		220.5		9-14-1		285		9547		1,600
13		Dale Eagle, Lewisville, TX		9098		216.6		12-11-1		375		9473		1,560
14		Bryan Goebel, Shawnee, KS		9040		215.2		14-10-0		420		9460		1,520
15		Tommy Delutz Jr., Jamaica, NY		9170		218.3		8-14-2		270		9440		1,490
16		Brian Eaton, Amherst, NY		9006		214.4		14-10-0		420		9426		1,460
17		Steve Jaros, Bolingbrook, IL		9086		216.3		11-13-0		330		9416		1,430
18		Ryan Shafer, Elmira, NY		9079		216.2		10-14-0		300		9379		1,400
19		Scoff Alexander, Seattle		9042		215.3		11-13-0		330		9372		1,370
20		Mike Edwards, Oklahoma City		9070		215.9		9-14-1		285		9355		1,325
		Dennis Jacques, Brooklyn, NY		9025		214.9		11-13-0		330		9355		1,325
22		Dave D'Entremont, Middleburg Hts., OH		9122		217.2		6-18-0		180		9302		1,290
23		Tim Criss, Bel Air, MD		9012		214.6		9-15-0		270		9282		1,270
24		Len Blakey, Tacoma, WA		8926		212.5		8-16-0		240		9166		1,250

Pos.		Name, City/State	Amount
25		Justin Hromek, Andover, KS	$1,025
		John Mazza, Shelby Township, MI	1,025
27		Mark Turney, Corpus Christi, TX	1,010
28		Brian Himmler, Cincinnati	1,000
*29		Don Moser, Murrieta, CA	1,010
#30		John Handegard, Las Vegas	980
31		Philip Ringener, Big Spring, TX	970
32		Danny Wiseman, Baltimore	960
33		Lee Cohen, Willingboro, NJ	945
		Amleto Monacelli, Venezuela	945
35		Jeff Morin, Rockaway, NJ	930
36		Curtis Odom, Coldwater, MI	920
37		Jimmy Johnson, Columbus, OH	910
38		Ray Szajko, South Bend, IN	900
39		Dave Arnold, Gilbert, AZ	890
40		Michael Thompson, Venice, FL	880
41		Bob Benoit, Topeka, KS	870
42		Ron Williams, Fort Worth, TX	860
43		Brian LeClair, Hudson, NY	850
44		David Traber, Woodstock, IL	840
45		Greg Kemp, San Antonio	830
46		Don Sylvia, Vero Beach, FL	815
		Pete Weber, St. Ann, MO	815
48		Billy Orlikowski, Grand Rapids, MI	800