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In my opinion, one of the most exciting bowlers to watch was John Gant. He was the PBA rookie of the year in 1984. I recall he had some success out on tour through the late 80s before giving it all up to be with his family. After a 6 year layoff, In 1995, Gant came back on tour, and in order to re-qualify for the Tournament of Champions, he needed to win. On March 11, 1995, he qualified 4th in the Johnny Petraglia Open, and marched through the field winning 4 matches to capture his 3rd PBA title. In the reactive resin era, his ball hit harder than anyone I can remember. Even in the urethane era, his ball hit hard! Gant ended up winning 4 titles in his PBA career, with his last being the Tournament of Champions in 1997. The following clip is each of his 10 frames in the championship match from that day, knocking off Ken McNeely, 234-216. I hope that you enjoy watching John Gant:
http://media.putfile.com/John-Gant 170,000 BRUNSWICK JOHNNY PETRAGLIA OPEN
Caroller Lanes, North Brunswick, NJ, Mar 7-11, 1995
Gant Goes The Distance For Win
John Gant has officially returned from a six-year absence from the PBA Tour, having won the $170,000 Brunswick Johnny Petraglia Open at Caroller Lanes in North Brunswick, N.J. Gant, Winston-Salem, N.C., became the first player of 1995 to advance from the fourth-seeded position, and defeated first-time finalist and top-seeded Ken McNeely, 234-216, for the $34,000 first prize and his third PBA title.
McNeely, Morgantown, N.C., opened impressively with a turkey, while Gant bettered him with a four-bagger, spare, double, to lead by 19 pins after seven frames. McNeely's unorthodox "jack sprung-out-of-the box" style was critically wounded when he missed a single 8-pin leave in his fifth frame, and he never got closer than 18 pins of Gant. McNeely's animated performance was salved with the $18,000 runnerup check.
Gant said, "I'm used to losing to Ken, because he usually beats me in our matches back home. I picked the right ball today and that's critical."
Gant began the day against the only non-lefthander, Randy Pedersen of Hollywood, Fla., and the burly former baseball pitcher came through in the closing innings, finishing with five strikes to advance, 224-219. He next posted clutch 101h-frame strikes against Bob Belmont, Dunedin, Fla., 236-227, and bettered another first-time finalist, Billy Myers Jr., with late frame heroics, 236-217. Myers, Temple City, Calif., earned $10,000 for third place, Belmont took home $8,000 for fourth and Pedersen's bid for an 11th PBA title was consoled with the $6,500 fifth-place check.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount
1 John Gant, Winston-Salem, NC 930 (4 games) $34,000
2 Ken McNeely, Morganton, NC 216 (1 game) 18,000
3 Billy Myers Jr., Temple City, CA 217 (1 game) 10,000
4 Bob Belmont, Dunedin, FL 227 (1 game) 8,000
5 Randy Pedersen, Hollywood, FL 219 (1 game) 6,500
PLAYOFF RESULTS-Gant defeated Pedersen, 224-219; Gant defeated Belmont, 236-227; Gant defeated Myers, 236-217; and in the championship game. Gant defeated McNeely, 234-216.
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http://www.mrbowling300.com
