October 2016 -
11
Sean Rash Wins PBA
Badger Open for
Milestone 10th
Career Title
By Jerry Schneider
Rash defeats fellow 10-time winner
Wes Malott, 259-195, for first title of
the season
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (Oct. 5, 2016) -
With two major titles and more than
five Professional Bowlers Association
Tour titles to his credit, 2011-12 PBA
Player of the Year Sean Rash estab-
lished his PBA Hall of Fame eligibility
three years ago. But there’s something
undeniably satisfying about reaching
the 10-title milestone.
Rash, at age 34, became the
51
st
player to enter the 10-win club by
beating another 10-time winner Wes
Malott of Pflugerville, Texas, 259-195,
in the championship match of the PBA
Badger Open at Thunderbowl Lanes.
The finals for the third tournament of
the PBA Fall Swing aired Wednesday
on the CBS Sports Network.
Rash took an early lead that he never
relinquished
,
striking in the first four
frames and failing to strike in only the
fifth and seventh frames. Malott, who
was trying for his first title since winning
the 2015 Roth/Holman Doubles with
partner Norm Duke in March 2015,
struggled to find the pocket until throw-
ing a strike in the fourth frame.
―It seemed like a long time ago that I
got my first win
(West Virginia Champi-
onship in 2005-06), but I’m hoping I can
get the next 10 a little quicker,‖ said
Rash. ―I knew it would be just a matter
of time. You just have to keep knocking
on the door until it opens and it opened
today.‖
Rash also had to deal with the effects
of a hand injury that has bothered him
for nearly a year but through various
therapies plus changing the grip layout
on his ball, he has been able to mini-
mize the pain.
―I’ve tried everything – doctor, chiro-
practor, massage therapy, ice, you
name it. I’ve got it to where it’s man-
ageable and doesn’t have an obvious
effect on my bowling. Overall, I’m work-
ing out to get in better shape, but as far
as my hand is concerned, the key is to
reduce the pressure on my hand. As
you get older I guess things are going
to happen.‖
Rash, the No. 2 qualifier, advance to
the title championship by beating young
Canadian Graham Fach, 224-205, in
the semifinal. Fach, a rookie of the year
candidate
,
won the Barbasol PBA Play-
ers Championship earlier this season.
The finals started with No. 5 qualifier
and three-time reigning Player of the
Year Jason Belmonte squeaking out a
one-pin victory over No. 4 qualifier
Francois Lavoie, 226-225. In the sec-
ond match, Fach dominated beating
Belmonte, 249-161.
With his victory, Rash joined Bear
Open winner EJ Tackett and Wolf
Open titlist Tom Daugherty as the first
three players to earn berths in the King
of the Swing telecast, which will feature
the four PBA Fall Swing title winners
plus the player who finishes highest in
overall points without winning a title.
PBA Fall Swing telecasts on CBSSN
continue with the Detroit Open on Oct.
12 and the King of the Swing special
event on Oct. 19. All Fall Swing shows
air at 9 p.m. ET.
PBA BADGER OPEN
Thunderbowl Lanes, Allen
Park, Mich., Wednesday
Final Standings:
1, Sean Rash, Montgomery, Ill.,
$10,000.
2, Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas,
$5,000.
3, Graham Fach, Canada, $4,000.
4, Jason Belmonte, Australia
$3,500.
5, Francois Lavoie, Canada, $3,000.
Stepladder Results:
Match One – Belmonte def. Lavoie,
226-225
Match Two – Fach def. Belmonte,
249-161.
Semifinal Match – Rash def. Fach,
224-205.
Championship Match– Rash def.
Malott, 259-195.
Players, Industry Leaders, Fans, Urged To
Book Rooms In Reno ASAP
PBA members, industry leaders, bowling writers and PBA fans who plan to attend the
GEICO World Series of Bowling VIII in Reno Nov. 28-Dec. 11 are urged to book their
rooms at the Silver Legacy Resort as soon as possible, due in part to an anticipated
room shortage over the Dec. 10-11 weekend.
The PBA has a special room rate and reservation block of rooms on hold until Mon-
day, Nov. 14.
Reservations can be made online at
r by calling
Silver Legacy reservations at 800-687-8733 and using the code ―WSOB16.‖
Players planning to bowl in WSOB VIII are reminded they must have a reservation at
Silver Legacy, a major sponsor of the World Series, before entering the event.
