ORANGE’S Jason Belmonte lucked out just shy of a final berth in the Professional Bowlers Association King of the Swing.
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The two-handed star went down to eventual winner EJ Tackett in the semi-final of the series, the PBA’s Fall Swing Finale, the PBA’s unofficial version of an All Star event.
Belmonte progressed past the opening match of the King of the Swing titles at the Thunderbowl Lanes in suburban Detroit, knocking off Wes Malott before accounting for Tom Daugherty in game two, the scores close, 199-185 and 219-208 respectively.
But in the semi-final, Tackett proved too great a hurdle, the Bear Open champion employing a great strategy in defeating Belmonte, the three-time reigning PBA Player of the Year, 226-194.
Tackett, then defeated Badger and Detroit Open winner Sean Rash 192-189 in the title match.
The King of the Swing, a special showcase event, did not award a PBA Tour title, but it provided a unique challenge and a $10,000 bonus to the winner.
The competition required the finalists to compete on a dramatically different lane condition on each lane – the 32-foot Wolf lane condition on the right lane and the 52-foot Badger lane condition on the left lane – putting a premium on adjustments, shot-making and equipment selections for the players.
Belmonte earned his spot in the finals as one of two top non-winners in Fall Swing points, alongside Malott.
It’s a unique challenge that you don’t see all year.
- EJ Tackett on bowling on two very different lane conditions.