Chesapeake Super Regional Preview: The Summer Finale

August 19, 2022 Nolan Hughes

The PBA Regional Tour heads to Chesapeake, Va. for the final super regional of the summer. The PBA Booster Club of Hampton Roads Open begins tomorrow morning as the PBA returns to AMF Western Branch.

Sean Rash claimed his 17th career PBA national title at this center one year ago. This year's winner will claim a regional title and $10,000.

Tom Daugherty paced the field in 2021 with a near-250 average through 17 games of qualifying. Though he came up short against Rash in the title match, Daugherty said that match will have no bearing on this weekend’s event.

The four-time PBA national titleist said he’s bowled at AMF Western Branch several times throughout his career, and has become comfortable in the center. However, this year could pose a different challenge for the 47-year old and the field.

“In years past, the gutter always hooks here and I tend to do well in bowling centers that the gutter hooks,” Daugherty said after Friday’s practice session. “This is the first year I can remember coming here where the gutter actually isn't hooking.”

With the 37’ Viper pattern replacing last year’s 32’ Wolf, Daugherty said he expects the scoring pace to come way down this year. In 2021, the first cut was +125 for eight games and 19 players averaged over 230. Tommy Jones averaged over 235 for 17 games to earn the No. 4 seed for the stepladder.

Ryan Ciminelli joins Daugherty as returners from last year’s stepladder finals. PBA national titleists Dick Allen, Cristian Azcona, Shawn Maldonado and Jason Sterner will also be in the field.

Kyle Troup should be sharp fresh off Team USA camp, and fellow PBA Player of the Year EJ Tackett has been hot all summer coming off consecutive top-three super regional finishes.

Competition begins Saturday morning with eight games of qualifying. The top third of the field will move on to Sunday’s advancers round.

Athletes will bowl six more games on Sunday morning before a cut to the top-eight. Players will bowl three more games to determine the four stepladder finalists.

The finals are scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Sunday afternoon. Tune in on the PBA’s YouTube channel.

View the full PBA Booster Club of Hampton Roads Open roster here.

More information on the tournament is available here.