Parker Bohn III Wins 11th PBA50 Title at The Villages Classic
The Villages, Florida – Parker Bohn III is a proven winner and yet every time he earns another title, he still gets chills. The legendary lefty earned his 11th PBA50 Tour title Thursday at the 2024 PBA50 The Villages Classic.
After throwing a strike on his first shot in the 10th frame in his semifinal match against Chris Barnes to advance to the championship match, Jason Couch shouted toward Bohn III, “I’m tired of bowling you, man.”
These lefties have been bowling on tour together for about 35 years Bohn III said and they always enjoy matching up against one another. Combined, they own 51 National Tour titles and now 13 PBA50 Tour titles.
“We are best friends off the lanes as much as we are on the lanes and we both want to win,” Bohn III said. “We have been fortunate to have a fair amount of success through the years."
Couch was the top seed in the stepladder, while Bohn III was the second seed. Both players went with urethane during their friendly battle. Bohn III admits his key was staying patient.
“Jason Couch is going to run over me way more with a urethane ball than Parker Bohn is going to run over him,” Bohn III said. “Yet, I am not afraid to throw it when I need to.”
Couch took an early nine pin lead through four frames before leaving a 7-10 split in the fifth frame. “From my viewpoint, it looked like it was a little bit wide down the lane, but he got the ultimate bad break,” Bohn III said. “I had to stay focused on me and do what Parker Bohn can do best.”
He responded with three straight strikes to take a 15-pin lead. Couch doubled but left the 4-7-10 in the ninth frame for his second open of the match. Bohn III stepped up and delivered three straight strikes starting in the ninth frame ending up with the 246-208 victory. He immediately hugged his son, Justin and his buddy, Couch.
“As much as I am extremely happy for me, my heart bleeds for my friend because he bowled incredible all week,” Bohn III said. “Jason and I together felt like we had a fair amount of hook there. I can combat that with a little bit more speed and I know he can too. Fortunately for me, it matched up right and I was able to overcome it.”
This was Bohn III’s second PBA50 title at Spanish Springs Lanes, a bowling center he has so many fond memories of.
“I had the fortune and the pleasure of coming here for a Brunswick Skins Game that we were here back in the day (1998). Every time I come back here it brings back nothing but great memories and to stand tall now, winning again in front of the crowd is over the top.”
In the opening stepladder match, Iowa native Don Breeden struggled to settle in as Dan Knowlton rolled five straight strikes on the way to a 231-151 victory. Knowlton then battled with Barnes. Both right-handers kept the match close throughout. Barnes posted strikes in seven out of his first nine frames and he closed the door on Knowlton with a 243-212 win.
The semifinal match between Barnes and Bohn III came down to the end. Barnes had just one strike on the right lane, sending multiple messengers toward the 10-pin to no avail, while Bohn III also left three 10 pins. Neither player could put three strikes together. Barnes finished the match first leaving a 2-4-5, which he converted, followed by a strike for 204. Bohn III doubled in the 10th for 223.
Championship Round Scores
Match 1: Knowlton def. Breeden 231-151
Match 2: Barnes def. Knowlton 243-212
Match 3: Bohn III def. Barnes 223-204
Championship match: Bohn III def. Couch 246-208
2024 PBA50 THE VILLAGES CLASSIC FINAL STANDINGS:
- Parker Bohn III, $8,000
- Jason Couch, $4,500
- Chris Barnes, $3,000
- Dan Knowlton, $2,500
- Don Breeden, $2,000