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$200,000 BPAA U.S. OPEN
Galaxy Lanes, Venice, Fla., Feb 9-15, 1986
Cook Sizes Up U.S. Open Crown
Two of the biggest men in professional bowling, Steve Cook, a six-foot, seven-incher from Roseville, Calif., and six-foot-four Frank Ellenburg, Mesa, Ariz., hooked up in the finals of the $200,000 BPAA U.S. Open and it was Cook who emerged on top.
The burly 260-pound former national junior archery star rolled to a 245-211 victory over the top-seeded Ellenburg, who just couldn't get it going in the championship match. The win netted Cook $38,000 and a second leg in professional bowling's "Triple Crown." Cook captured the equally prestigious Firestone Tournament of Champions in 1981.
Ellenburg and Cook were joined in the finals by David Ozio, who was trying to win his second straight title, Brian Voss, and 21-year-old Del Ballard Jr.
Ozio started strongly, coming from behind to oust Ballard, 240-235, and he won another thriller from Voss, 247-236, when Voss missed on a "must" strike in the 10th frame.
Enter Cook. His match with Ozio was nip and tuck until the eighth frame when Ozio missed a 2-4-5 spare and Cook recovered from a split In his ninth frame with a game-ending turkey to shut out Ozio, 222-205.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount
1 Steve Cook, Roseville, Calif. 467 (2 games) $38,000
2 Frank Ellenburg, Mesa, Ariz. 211 (1 game) 20,000
3 David Ozio, Vidor, Texas 692 (3 games) 11,000
4 Brian Voss, Tacoma, Wash. 236 (1 game) 8,000
5 Del Ballard Jr., Richardson, Texas 235 (1 game) 6,400
PLAYOFF RESULTS - Ozio defeated Ballard, 240-235; Ozio defeated Voss, 247-236; Cook defeated Ozio, 222-205 and in the championship game, Cook defeated Ellenburg, 245-211.