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$131,000 BPAA U.S. OPEN
Bradley Bowl, Windsor Locks, Conn., Mar 16-22, 1980
Martin Roars Through Open
Steve "Tennessee "Twister" Martin leveled a 240-man field of the nation's top professional and amateur bowlers, including runaway top-seeded Earl Anthony, 248-222, for the $21,000 first prize in the prestigious BPAA U.S. Open.
Martin, a 21-year-old right-hander from Kingsport, Tenn., qualified fifth for the stepladder TV finals but found the winning combination against Steve Brichta, Guppy Troup and Mike Aulby with games of 227, 234 and 221.
In the championship match, Anthony, who paced the tournament by 551 pins through 56 games at Bradley Bowl in Windsor Locks, Conn., fell behind with a split in the fifth frame and could not catch up as Martin won his second PBA title.
TELEVISED FINALS
Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount
1 Steve Martin, Kingsport, Tenn. 930 (4 games) $21,000
2 Earl Anthony. Dublin, Calif. 222 (1 game) 11,000
3 Mike Aulby, Indianapolis. Ind. 191 (1 game) 7,500
4 Guppy Troup, Jacksonville, Fla. 197 (1 game) 6,000
5 Steve Brichta, Allentown, Pa. 214 (1 game) 5,000
PLAYOFF RESULTS -- Martin defeated Brichta, 227-214; Martin defeated Troup. 234-197; Martin defeated Aulby. 221-191; and in the championship match, Martin defeated Anthony, 248-222.