David Pavilack Crowned 2016 TAT Champion
Written By: bowlingball.com | Written On: Monday, September 12, 2016 | Updated On: Wednesday, October 19, 2016
8/3/2016
The 2016 True Amateur Tournament Amateur Classic has just concluded after a busy week in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Orleans Hotel and Casino bowling center opened their lanes for over 450 bowlers all week long who competed in multiple events. Altogether, True Amateur Tournaments wrote over 350 checks with the average check being over $550.
We would like to congratulate David Pavilack from Hollywood, Florida who was crowned the TAT Champion and winner of the TAT Cup. David is a 209 average bowler, bowling a 208 in the Championship match to take home $20,000. As always, each of our 5 Division Champions is guaranteed at least $5000 in the final match and we would also like to congratulate them on their great bowling and determination to make it as each of their respective division champions.
Seventy one year-old Harry Mickelson from Yakima, Washington was the runner up, taking second place and winning $10,000, while the 189 & Under Handicap bowler, Joevin Bolanos, from Tustin, California, placed third receiving
$7,500. Eighteen year-old Jacob Klein from East Islip, New York, finished in fourth place for $6,000 and long-time TAT bowler Dwight Burns, from Tucson, Arizona, finished fifth ashing for $5,000. In the Senior's 50 & Over Event, Greg Walters Sr. bowled a 165 to capture the $5,000 first place prize, leaving runner up Greg Neuer winning $2500. In the Scratch's bowlers only event, Derryck Mertz won $3,000 in our match play bracket finals with an entry fee of just $125.
The Storm staff was on hand to help TAT bowlers navigate the challenging and unique TAT pattern. They also stayed busy handing out 403 Storm balls, 80 totes, and 32 Rollers to TAT bowlers. Gary Hulsenberg, and his crew Live Streamed the major TAT events, as well as helped crown The 2016 Storm Challenge champion, Brandon Trowbridge. Brandon comes from Cave Creek, Arizona and took home $5,000 for his Storm Challenge victory.
In other TAT news, Tournament Director Jamie McWilliams has purchased the True Amateur Tournaments from Brad Edelman and High Roller Inc. bringing it back into the McWilliams family where the TAT began. Jamie and his wife, Alicia, are very excited about the opportunity to be involved with the TAT for the foreseeable future.
In February the TAT will form even stricter eligibility rules making a more truly amateur competitive field shooting for the $20,000 First Place Prize. A bowler from each division will have a shot at $20,000 and will be guaranteed
$5,000 for making the Top 5 which is why anyone can win the TAT. The TAT Amateur Classic will also be running several side tournaments including Senior's Only, Scratch Only, No TAP Sweepers, VIP Tournaments, and The Roto-Grip Challenge. With 6 Qualifying Divisions including 2 Handicaps and a Senior division the TAT has something for everyone with the minimum entry being only $200.
The 2017 TAT Amateur Nationals will be held January 30th- February 5th, 2017 at The Orleans in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are sure to have another busy week with several sold out squads so enter early to get squad time preference, free squads, and merchandise. Enter online at www.tatbowl.com or call if you have any questions.
Article was posted with permission from Stars & Strikes, America's Bowling Newsmagazine. www.starsandstrikesbowling.com
