Vazquez Wins PBA50 Northern California Classic for First PBA50 Tour Title
7/6/2016BRENTWOOD, Calif. - Noel Vazquez of Sacramento, Calif., won the PBA50 Northern California Classic presented by MOTIV for his first career PBA50 Tour title and in the process ended Pete Weber's record run of consecutive PBA50 Tour titles at four.
Vazquez, who has won two PBA regional and six PBA50 regional titles, defeated Weber255-224 in the title match at Harvest Park Bowl.
"I'm shocked and at a loss for words," said the 56-year-old Vazquez. "To bowl against the greatest bowlers in the game is unbelievable and something you only dream about."
Vazquez, who qualified third for the finals, took an 11-pin lead in the fifth frame and then threw five consecutive strikes which were too much for Weber, who was the finals top qualifier, to overcome.
"I just had to keep thinking to stay within myself and make the shots I'm capable of," Vazquez said. "You bring your "A" game and win or lose you can take satisfaction that you did your best.
"I'm pretty goal oriented," Vazquez added. "That's what helped me win my regional titles and it helped me get this win. I've always kidded my friends that if I won a national title I'd retire but I'm rethinking that right now."
Vazquez's previous best PBA50 Tour finish was 11th in the 2015 Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open.
Weber, a 37-time winner on the PBA Tour, which includes a record-tying 10 majors, was trying for his ninth career PBA50 Tour win. His streak of four wins started with the UnitedHealthcare Sun Bowl In The Villages in April which was followed by wins in the Mooresville Ford Open, Johnny Petraglia BVL Open and his second consecutive Suncoast PBA Senior U.S. Open win.
"My hat is off to Noel," said Weber, who is the defending PBA50 Player of the Year. "He broke the streak by bowling great and deserved to win."
Vazquez reached the title match by beating Ty Dawson of Sunnyvale, Calif., who was also making his first finals appearance, 213-195, in the semifinal. In the opening stepladder match two-time PBA50 Player of the Year and eight-time PBA50 Tour winner Ron Mohr of Las Vegas defeated Brian LeClair of Delmar, N.Y, 256- 238, who was trying for his second title. In the second match, Dawson defeated Mohr 279-235 to advance to the semifinal.
Article was posted with permission from Stars & Strikes, America's Bowling Newsmagazine. www.starsandstrikesbowling.com
