Haugen Wins Delaware's PBA Xtra Frame Gene Carter's Pro Shop Classic
9/9/2016MIDDLETOWN, Del. - Michael Haugen Jr. of Phoenix, Ariz., a noted "old school" bowler who defies contemporary pow er-game standards, was nearly perfect in defeating Bill O'Neill of Langhorne, Pa., 289-255, to win the PBA Tour Xtra Frame Gene Carter's Pro Shop Classic at Mid-County Bowling and Entertainment.
Haugen, in winning his fifth career PBA Tour title, started with 10 strikes before leaving a 4 pin to end his bid for a perfect game. Playing straight up the lanes with minimal hook by today's standards, Haugen picked up his first title since winning the 2014 PBA Scorpion Championship.
"Like they say in movies, I'm old but not obsolete," Haugen said. "Today straight was great. I got to play my 'A' game and it was good."
Haugen tripped a couple of high-pocket again."
Haugen, who turns 50 in December, noted his fifth win means he's halfway to PBA Hall of Fame eligibility, but he hasn't given up hope. "Number five is halfway. It's a long way to
go when you're almost 50, but you never know," he said. "Maybe someday I'll make it to the 'hall.' That's what drives me."
In the semifinal match, O'Neill broke up a 7-
10 split in the ninth frame to keep a string of five strikes intact in a 244-235 win over John Szczerbinski of North Tonawanda, N.Y., ending
Szczerbinski's bid for his first PBA title.
In the first stepladder match, O'Neill struck on eight of his first nine shots to send two-
hander Kyle Troup of Taylorsville, N.C., to the sidelines, 255-220.
Article was posted with permission from Stars & Strikes, America's Bowling Newsmagazine. www.starsandstrikesbowling.com
