Jim Godman was named "Rookie of the Year" for 1965 by his fellow pros. And, the 21-year-old Californian rewarded his "backers" by winning his first PBA tournament in the $30,000 Western Open at Frank Thatcher's Saratoga Lanes at San Jose, Calif. Godman came up through the "ranks" in the nationally televised finals to win this one. After finishing second to Les Schissler in the 40-game qualifier. Godman knocked off Bill Allen, 255-207, and Earl Johnson, 197-151. This gave the youngster the shot he wanted and he came through with flying colors, 208-191, over Schissler. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND | Pos. |  | Name, City/State | Amount | | | 1 | | Jim Godman, Hayward, Calif. | $6,000 | | 2 | | Les Schissler, Denver, Colo. | 2,600 | | 3 | | Earl Johnson, St. Paul, Mo. | 1,500 | | 4 | | Bill Allen, Orlando, Fla. | 1,360 | |
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Godman defeated Schissler, 208-191. ROUND ROBIN: Johnson defeated Allen, 206-183 ; Godman defeated Allen, 265-207 ; Godman defeated Johnson, 197-161.
40 GAMES | | | Name, City/State | | Pins | | + | | Tot | | Amt | | | 5 | | Bill Tucker, Los Angeles, Calif. | | 8416 | | 450 | | 8866 | | $1,300 | | 6 | | Mike McGrath, El Cerrito, Calif. | | 8428 | | 400 | | 8828 | | 1,200 | | 7 | | Jim St. John, San Jose, Calif. | | 8474 | | 326 | | 8799 | | 1,150 | | 8 | | Dick Weber, St. Louis, Mo. | | 8414 | | 376 | | 8789 | | 1,100 | | 9 | | Don Johnson, Kokomo, Ind. | | 8361 | | 400 | | 8761 | | 1,050 | | 10 | | Sam Baca, Hayward, Calif. | | 8374 | | 376 | | 8749 | | 1,000 | | 11 | | Billy Golembiewski, Detroit, Mich. | | 23329 | | 400 | | 8729 | | 960 | | 12 | | Larry Turner, Portland, Ore. | | 8273 | | 350 | | 8623 | | 900 | | 13 | | Billy Hardwick, Louisville, Ky. | | 8244 | | 350 | | 8694 | | 850 | | 14 | | Dave Soutar, Detroit, Mich. | | 8245 | | 300 | | 8546 | | 800 | | 15 | | Vern Downing. Rodeo, Calif. | | 8194 | | 350 | | 8644 | | 750 | | 16 | | Mickey Higham, Kansas City, Mo. | | 8127 | | 350 | | 8477 | | 700 | |
24 GAMES | Pos. | | Name, City/State | Total | Amount | | | 17 | | Johnny Guenther, Seattle, Wash. | 4970 | $470 | | 18 | | Norm Meyers, Los Angeles, Calif. | 4959 | 410 | | 19 | | Dave Davis, Phoenix. Ariz. | 4958 | 400 | | 20 | | Jack Biondolillo, Houston, Tex. | 4949 | 390 | | 21 | | Larry Laub, San Francisco, Calif. | 4948 | 380 | | 22 | | Bob Strampe, Detroit, Mich. | 4938 | 370 | | 23 | | Tom Long, Anaheim, Calif. | 4936 | 360 | | 24 | | Harry O'Neale, Charleston, S.C. | 4922 | 360 | |
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