Join the Track Legion
TRACK’S FAGAN TAKES A PERFECT SECOND
Oct 06, 2011
Sometimes perfection just isn’t enough.
Track staff member and two-time PBA winner pro Michael Fagan learned this lesson during the finals of the inaugural PTT World Bowling Tour Thailand 2011 tournament in Bangkok.
The 30-year-old advanced to the championship match, and faced off against two-handed Australian and fellow PBA player Jason Belmonte. It was where Fagan wowed the capacity crowd with a 300 game that was nationally televised from host center Brunswick Blu – O Paragon.
Unfortunately for Fagan, the 300 game wasn’t the end of the tournament. As the No. 1 seed, Belmonte had to be defeated twice for Fagan to win the title. And in a true show of one-upmanship, Belmonte rolled 300 to win the second and deciding stepladder final match.
Fagan qualified second for the eight-player stepladder finals, which were staged on a specially constructed pair of lanes constructed in the foyer of the Siam Paragon Shopping Center. In the semifinal match, Fagan faced a red-hot Ryan Ciminelli. The lefthander averaged 261 in the three games prior to his match with Fagan, and led most of the semifinal match. But a closing six-bagger by Fagan, and an open in the 10th frame by Ciminelli gave Fagan the victory, 234-214, to earn a place in the decider against Belmonte.
The finals were a rematch of the 2009 The Bowling Foundation Long Island Classic, which Belmonte won 215-201 for his lone PBA title. In the opening match, the Australian opened twice in the first four frames, and struggled with his control in losing to Fagan 300-211. But the tables turned in the second match, as Belmonte found his stride, while Fagan failed to keep up with the torrid pace.
“Well, it looked like Jason proceeded to repay me the favor,” said Fagan of the second match, which Belmonte won 300-205.
Even in defeat, Fagan was able to put the experience into the proper perspective.
“Although I did not win the event, it will still be one of the most memorable weeks of my bowling career,” said Fagan via email. “The atmosphere for the arena show was electric and the crowd was more than you could ever ask for. This was truly one of the best events I have ever been a part of.”
For the win, Belmonte received 1Million Thai Baht (approx. US$32,000), while Fagan received 500,000 Baht (approx. US$12,000) for second. Ciminelli, Cheektowaga, N.Y., earned 300,000 Baht (approx. US$9,600). Columbia 300 staff member Dan Maclelland finished fourth for 200,000 Baht (approx. US$6,400).
For Fagan, the week in Bangkok was a memorable and pleasant experience.
“This was my first trip to Thailand, and I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed by the hospitality, the facility where the bowling center was located, as well as the presentation of the tournament and sponsors.”
The World Bowling Tour Thailand 2011 was the sixth leg of the inaugural World Tenpin Bowling Association World Bowling Tour, hosted by the Thai Tenpin Bowling Association. PBA pros from United States, pro bowlers from Korea and Japan together with top amateur bowlers from Europe and Asia participated in the championship.
— Ebonite Bowling Balls & Bowling Equipment - Ebonite is a brand of Ebonite International, Inc. Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Ebonite International is a privately-owned company that services bowling centers, distributors and retail outlets domestically and internationally. In addition to Ebonite, the company’s consumer product brands include Hammer,Columbia 300,Track, Robby’s and Powerhouse™; its commercial product brand is Ebonite Bowling Center Direct.
