MOMS RULE AT 2009 QUBICA/AMF INTERNATIONAL FAMILY TOURNAMENT

Top Teams Each Net $5000 Scholarships 

Donna Durbin - Pat Cinello - Erica Drubin

Melissa Williams - Pat Ciniello - Mark Williams

Arlington, Texas – It was mother’s day at the 34th QubicaAMF International Family Tournament (IFT) where moms led four of the six top finishers in the two-day event held July 30-August 1 at Main Event Entertainment in Grapevine, a few miles north of the International Bowling Campus in Arlington.  In the Parent/Teen division, 15 year-old Mark Williams and mother Melissa (Ind.) took home the big trophy, while 12 year-old Erica Durbin and mother Donna (N.C.) won the Parent/Youth division capping two days of competition. 

In the Parent/Teen Division, the Williams’ posted a 212-200 score to beat 14 year-old Mariah Maugham and dad, Joe (Texas), while 17 year-old Joshua Phillabaum and his father Robert (Md.) finished third.  In the Parent/Youth Division, the Durbin doubles team bested 10 year-old Melecia Martho and mom, Tandreya Jackson (Calif.), 247-201.  Third place went to 11 year-old Conner and Melissa Mumm (Neb.).

Both champions each earned scholarship checks worth $5000 toward their college education according to the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America.  Second place was worth a $3000 scholarship and third place, $2500 in each division. 
  
Additional scholarships of $500 each for boys and girls in each division were awarded to Youth and Teen Division bowlers for bowling the highest six-game scratch total during the qualifying round.  The overall scholarship purse was worth $70,000.

67 teams representing 27 states as well as Canada won their state finals to make it to North Texas.  After competing all day Friday, the top 8 teams in each division advanced to a ‘Baker-format’ match play round on Saturday morning.  The afternoon session saw the top three teams in each division play in a Baker stepladder final match to decide the winners.

The crowd was treated to a little added excitement on Friday when 17 year-old Nathan Fore (N.C.) nearly pulled off a perfect game, leaving only the 4 pin in the 10th frame to post a scratch 299. 

As part of competition weekend, contestants and their families attended a welcome reception Thursday evening at the Sheraton Arlington Hotel (host hotel) that featured a strolling magician, face painter and a tattoo artist who offered temporary body art.  On Friday night families attended a Texas Rangers baseball game (vs. the Seattle Mariners) where they enjoyed the game in the all-you-can-eat section of the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

On Saturday PBA pros Norm Duke, Mike Machuga and Bob Learn Jr. put on a trick shot demonstration during the lunch break.  The trio of tricksters showed off their skills for nearly an hour then stayed a while afterwards to sign autographs.

At the awards banquet Saturday evening, Duke, Machuga and Learn fielded questions from the group and stayed late to sign more autographs.  In addition to all the awards, tournament chairman Jack Moran presented Nathan Fore with a special crystal pin, acknowledging his near-perfect game. 
   
Contestants from across North America won their state competitions qualifying them for an all-expense paid trip to Dallas-Fort Worth to compete for the scholarships.  The IFT is the only sporting event in the United States in which parents participate with children and youth for an International Championship and scholarship funds.
   
The 2009 IFT was made possible by the generous contributions of title sponsor QubicaAMF Worldwide and presenting sponsors Pepsi-Cola, the official soft drink of bowling along with Frito Lay and Nestle.  Full final standings will be available on www.BPAA.com as will a link to pictures from the event.
       
About the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America
Founded in 1932 and headquartered at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, BPAA represents the business interests of bowling center owners worldwide.  BPAA's mission is to enhance the profitability of its member centers and its vision is to be an essential resource to bowling centers and to lead a united, growing, more prosperous and highly regarded bowling industry.

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