Groves edges Lear for title in 55th Rahm tourney

BUCYRUS — Repeating as champion is difficult in any sport and bowling is no exception.

Mike Lear, 2020 Bill Rahm Invitational Tournament champion, went to the 2021 championship on Saturday, coming out of the winners’ bracket. Lear faced losers’ bracket champion, Curtis Groves.

Groves won the four-game series to force a fifth-game roll-off, which Groves won, 235-219, to claim his first Rahm title in just his third appearance in the field, the 55^th edition of the tournament at Suburban Lanes.

Groves created the fifth game by edging Lear in the first game, 235-225 and 226-215 in the second game. Groves then built a 47-pin series lead in the third game, topping Lear, 211-185.

In the fourth game, Lear made a comeback, topping Groves, 227-197, but it was not enough, as Groves took the series, 869-852.

Groves then regained the momentum in the roll-off to secure his 16-pin victory.

Dave Shock finished third, Jo Metz was fourth, Rick McWaters claimed fifth place and Butch Pangallo was sixth.