The Manitoba Open has been a fixture in Winnipeg for over 40 years. The tournament has produced legendary performances from greats like Michael Schmidt, Daron Hansen, Jeff Smith and many others. This season, another legendary performance was orchestrated by a bowler who has been so close to the title so many times.
The action started on Friday evening in the first of 3 qualifying shifts. Bowlers took on the 2022 Super Senior Classic pattern in what proved to be a very playable condition. Throughout the qualifying shifts, scores started strong early on in the block, but would simmer later on putting an emphasis on spare shooting. Doug Wagner turned in the high game of the tournament on Saturday and claimed the $1200 300 game pot en route to a 1375 qualifying total.
When the dust settled on Saturday evening, 2022 champion Mitch Hupe turned in the top 6 game score of 1471. Hupe received a $150 bonus for being the qualifying leader. The cut to the top 32 was David Pashina at 1172. Pashina finished 1 pin ahead of 3 players who tied for the alternate. Andrew Hill would go on to win a roll off over Nick Solar and Marshall Nykoluk for the alternate position.
On Sunday, the top 32 returned to Chateau Lanes for Match Play. Bowlers would be placed into 4 groups of 8 for round robin matches within their respective groups. Reigning NDBowling.com Player of the Year, Thomas Wolf, blitzed the field by averaging over 240 for the 8 games to claim the #1 overall seed on NDBowlTV by over 100 pins. Wolf would be joined in the 8-person stepladder finals by Zach Wilkins, Doug Wagner, Dustin Herold, Mitch Hupe, Austyn Ducharme, Jamey Kragh, & Israel Potter.
NDBowlTV Finals: (#1 seed must be defeated twice)
Game 1:
Ducharme 231
Kragh 190
Potter 175
Game 2:
Hupe 236
Ducharme 231
Herold 194
Hupe def. Wagner 213-175
Wilkins def. Hupe 259-180
Wilkins def Wolf 237-226, 226-193
You can watch the entire NDBowlTV show HERE
The championship match featured two bowlers who have long been looking for the elusive NDBowling.com Major Title. Both players have appeared in multiple championship matches over the years and this one did not disappoint. Ultimately, it was Wilkins who would come away with the victory following an impressive display of shotmaking on a pair of lanes that tend to always play drastically different. The win gives Wilkins his first Manitoba Open Title which comes after finishing 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th in years past. Great bowling, Zach! Look forward to watching your progress on the PBA Tour this season.
As for Wolf, the Major title will have to wait at least a couple more weeks. Wolf has now appeared in the championship match in 3 of the 4 NDBowling.com Majors. With the 2nd place finish, Wolf strengthens his grip on the NDBowling.com Player of the Year race seeking his 3rd career Player of the Year honor.
Big thank you to Melody Savage and the entire crew at Chateau Lanes who were able to raise enough money this season to provide nearly $25,000 in total prize fund for the event. Would also like to thank Felicia Wong, Johnathan Domingo, and Michael Schmidt for joining me in the NDBowlTV booth on Sunday.
