Mandan, ND – When it comes to bowling doubles events in North Dakota this season, one thing remains constant amidst the ever changing landscape of bowlers. Back in November, the weather tried to play spoiler for the NDBPA State Scratch Doubles event in which the traditional tandem of Travis Hersrud and Eric Kempel made it look easy. Fast forward to Super Bowl weekend for the annual Super Bowl Doubles event in Mandan, ND. The weather once again tried to play spoiler as snow and 45 mph winds closed parts of the interstate and triggered blizzard warnings, but it was a different doubles combo that made it look easy.
29 doubles teams made the trip to Midway Lanes dispite the weather conditions. Amongst those teams were Travis Hersrud and Eric Kempel looking to win their second doubles event of the season. Bowling started at Noon and all teams were set to bowl 12 baker games (alternating frames) on a test pattern for the KFYR TV Bowling Classic next weekend. The baker format required teams to work together and communicate lane changes in order to be successful.
With only one doubles team per lane, the games went realatively quick. Even with the quick pace, the doubles combo of Matt Smallin and Daren Seney wasted no time by starting game one with 7 consecutive strikes en route to a 245 start. The duo followed that up with a 234 to give them an early lead in the tournament. Hot on their heels were veterans Aaron Petrowitz and Phil Mann. Mann & Petrowitz put together back to back 259 games in the middle of the 12 game set to take over the lead from Seney/Smallin. Heading into the final 3 games, it was a two team race to the finish. Petrowitz/Mann held a 5 pin advantage on Seney/Smallin as the lanes began to show signs of wear and the carry for both teams started to fade. Entering the final game, Seney/Smallin held a marginal lead and looked to put the tournament away. With both bowlers using an IQ Tour for most of the day, the duo started off game 12 with a nine-spare followed by 7 consecutive strikes to all but seal the deal on the event. The final game 269 gave the pair an 83 pin victory and their first doubles win together.
The win gives Smallin his 3rd victory of the season (10 Game Marathon, FM Bowling Tour Event – September, Super Bowl Doubles). Smallin joins Eric Kempel as the only 3 time winners this year. The win also gives Seney his first win of the season.
Thank you to all bowlers who braved the elements to bowl the event today. The excitement at Midway Lanes will continue into next weekend as they play host to the Annual KFYR TV Bowling Classic. The final ND Major proves to be another exciting event as we will also crown the champion of the NDBowling.com Challenge presented by Burgess Detailing. Current standings are listed under the “NDBowling.com Challenge” tab. NDBowling.com will be providing live updates from the event next weekend. Once again, Congratulations to Matt Smallin & Daren Seney on their doubles victory and we hope to see everyone next weekend.
Super Bowl Doubles Click on link to view
Final Standings