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$150,000 TRUE VALUE OPEN
Landmark Recreation Center, Peoria, III., Feb 23-28, 1987
Gant Chews Up Bohn
John Gant ended nearly three years of championship finals frustration in capturing the $150,000 True Value Open by defeating Parker Bohn III, 223-190, for his second PBA title.
Gant, Independence, Ky., the PBA Tour's average in 1986, not only collected the $27,000 first prize, but re-qualified for the Firestone Tournament of Champions with his win. The 29-year-old hard throwing lefthander was the leading qualifier in the tournament and found the top-seeded position much to his liking, after having qualified in the second slot six times previously. He had finished third in last year's True Value tournament, also hosted at Landmark Recreation Center.
Gant led Bohn, who was appearing in his first championship round finals, by nine pins through five frames until Bohn left the 4-6-7-10 "Big Four" split in the sixth and struggled In vain to catch up.
The opening game paired Akron, Ohio's Ron Bell against Dave Husted, Milwaukie, Ore., with Bell prevailing on the strength of a 10th frame double, 214-205. Bell then was nipped by Houston's Pete McCordic, 238-234.
Bohn was hardly intimidated in his initial game before network cameras and matched McCordic through 10 frames, forcing a two-frame rolloff after their 245 tie. Bohn was first up and struck, and McCordic then spared twice and Bohn closed the match out with a spare and strike to advance, 40-35.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount
1 John Gant, Independence, Ky. 223 (1 game) $27,000
2 Parker Bohn III, Freehold, N.J. 435 (2 games) 14,000
3 Pete McCordic, Houston 483 (2 games) 8,500
4 Ron Bell, Akron, Ohio 448 (2 games) 7,000
5 Dave Husted, Milwaukie, Ore. 205 (1 game) 6,000
PLAYOFF RESULTS - Bell defeated Husted, 214-205; McCordic defeated Bell, 238-234; Bohn defeated McCordic, 40-35, in a two-frame rolloff after a 245 tie; and in the championship game, Gant defeated Bohn, 223-190.