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LACAZE HAMMERS IT HOME FOR A WIN - Best of both worlds with Hammer and Track
Jan 19, 2010
Rookie Anthony LaCaze scored a win by utilizing the best of both worlds in the PBA Earl Anthony Memorial Classic at Earl Anthony’s Dublin Bowl, Dublin, CA.
In his first semifinal match, against Mike Wolfe, LaCaze chose the Track 505A, a ball that had worked well for him throughout the week of qualifying competition. In the best-of-seven qualifying matches, LaCaze took all seven games to defeat Tommy Jones to make it to the televised competition on Sunday.
Track Brand Manager Paul Figliomeni was on hand to assist all week, and noted how little time each bowler had to prepare for the television finals.
“In preparation for the television show, each bowler only got four shots on the lanes to be used,” explained Figliomeni. “Since the 505A had proven to give LaCaze a successful look during the week, it was the obvious choice for the semifinals.”
After the first game, the brutal lane condition, which was forty feet of a fairly flat application of lane conditioner, began to take its toll. When the lane pattern is tough, the bowler who keeps his head about him and capitalizes most on his spares will be the victor. Missing a single-pin spare is not an option, and mental focus is crucial.
LaCaze’s good friend and fellow PBA member Bill O’Neill was there for him. O’Neill took time to help LaCaze focus on what mattered.
“We competed against each other in LaCaze’s first television appearance,” explained O’Neill. “We’ve been friends for a long time. I told him just to try to keep his composure and make good shots.”
For the final match, LaCaze needed a different angle to the pocket. The lanes had broken down so much under the glare of the television lights, that he needed something more aggressive. O’Neill recommended Hammer’s Onyx Vibe, a ball that’s helped him to a win many times.
LaCaze faced Mike Machuga in the final match, and started strong with a strike. Both players struggled through the game, a real nailbiter, but LaCaze finished strong, with a strike in the 9th and two in the 10th. This forced Machuga to double-9 to win, but Machuga couldn’t seal the deal.
“I wanted him to throw the ball the best he could,” said LaCaze. “I was wishing him well the whole time.”
Anthony LaCaze made the decision to bowl full-time after placing in the television finals of the 2008 PBA Lake County Indiana Golden Anniversary Championship, the tournament he lost to his friend O’Neill. Because LaCaze was not an exempt player, he had to try out for every tournament by bowing in the Pre-Tournament Qualifier event each week, in what can be a grueling process.
Winning the PBA Earl Anthony Memorial Classic, LaCaze not only earns an exemption for the 2010-2011 season, but he also gets a spot in next week’s PBA Tournament of Champions, to be held in Las Vegas, Nev.
“LaCaze made the right choice in equipment,” said Hammer Brand Manager Jeff Ussery. “We’re proud to be a part of his first win, and hope he’ll continue to make smart choices in competition.”
Based in Hopkinsville, Kent., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that currently services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets both domestically and internationally. The company’s consumer product brands include Ebonite, Hammer, Robby’s, Columbia 300, Track and Powerhouse™. Its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
