Toledo Trust PBA National Championship
$235,000 TOLEDO TRUST PBA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Imperial Lanes, Toledo, Ohio, Mar 3-9, 1985
Aulby Tops Cook In National; Battle Of PBA Brothers-In-Law
Just before the championship game in the $235,000 Toledo Trust PBA National Championship, a newsman was heard to remark, "It's one thing to keep it in the family, but this is ridiculous." He was talking about the looming match between towering Steve Cook, and his smaller, but equally potent brother-in-law and pro bowler, Mike Aulby, who were about to meet and compete for $70,000 in the title game . . . $45,000 to the winner and $25,000 to the loser. It was Aulby who came out on top, defeating Cook by a count of 253-211 and recording his second PBA National Championship, the first coming when he was only 21 and defeated Earl Anthony in 1979. "I didn't feel anything too different about bowling Steve for the title," said Aulby afterward. "I was just thinking about winning my first game with Bob Handley and then maybe having a shot at the big one," he finished. Aulby didn't get into action at Imperial Lanes until the third game. He waited until Dave Husted, Milwaukie, Ore., disposed of Paul Gibson, O'Fallon, III., 189-171, and Handley then rolled into action with a booming 256-196 win over Husted. Handley's next opponent was Aulby, and in one of the most thrilling matches ever televised by ABC Sports in Pro Bowlers Tour long history, Aulby toppled Handley, 223-222. Aulby held a three-pin lead going into the ninth frame and then almost bowled himself out of it when he left a 6-7 split. Handley then blew a golden opportunity to take a commanding lead by leaving the 4-6-7-10 "big four" split. That meant the game would be decided in the 10th frame and Handley responded with a three-bagger, sitting down with 222. It left Aulby alone and needing a double and eight pins to win and he got the first two strikes. To the immense delight of the packed crowd and national television audience, he also got the needed eight pins for the edge. As thrilling as it was, the title game was close through the fifth frame only with Aulby holding a 118-114 lead, but he then strung six more strikes for the resounding 253. This marked the third time Imperial Lanes has hosted a PBA tourney finals in which brothers-in-law met in the final game. Dick Weber, St. Louis, defeated his late brother-in-law Norm Meyers twice, in 1971 and in 1973. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
PLAYOFF RESULTS - Husted defeated Gibson, 189-171; Handley defeated Husted, 256-196; Aulby defeated Handley, 223-222; and in the championship game, Aulby defeated Cook, 253-211. 56-GAME TOTALS OTHER CASHERS * - Match play alternate. ** - TV finals alternate. 32-game qualifying leader - Joe Salvemini, 7131. 60th place - Tim Weisbrod withdrew after 29 games, 5965. # - Dave Husted, Warren Nelson and Joe Salvemini rolled 300 games ($100 each). PRO-AM CASHERS - Jim Poulos, Jim Miller, Randy Stoughton, John DiLutis, Gary Skidmore, Kevin Gillette, Henry Gonzalez, Tom Baker, Scott Devers, Art Trask, Dennis Jacques, Johnny Petraglia, Don Boyed, Paul Gibson, Randy Pedersen, Joe Berardi, BiII Peters, Dan Sheaks, Rick Sajek, Alan Granat, Teata Semiz, Ted Malicki, Allie Clarke and Rick Vittone ($50 each). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
