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It took an extra game but Jack Book emerged from the pile of pins knocked down over the weekend with the 51st Bill Rahm Invitational Championship on Saturday.
Book squared off with Butch Pangallo who made it to the championship out of the losers’ bracket.
Pangallo shot games of 269-242-279 (790) and 246 for a 4 game total of 1036 to top Brian Patrick’s record 779 three game total and Dave Skaggs 1019 four game total for a finals. Pangallo0’s record-setting performance with the undefeated Book.
Book bowled games of 248-247-259 (754) and 259 for a 1013 total breaking the record for the highest 4 game losing series of 990 by Lenny Gaskell and 2049 total pins for 2 bowlers to top the 2 bowler series of 1919 by Dave Skaggs-Lenny Gaskell. Book and Pangallo each had 36 strikes in their 4 game series.
In Game 5 Pangallo started with 3 strikes in a row before leaving the 8-10 split. After picking up 1 pin he threw 3 more strikes. Jack meanwhile strung the first 5 strikes before leaving the 4-6-7 split. Jack picked up 2 pins and then struck. Both bowlers got 9 spare in the 8th frame giving both Jack and Butch 165 in the 7th with a spare in the 8th.
It basically came down to a ninth and tenth frame roll-off. Pangallo left a 10 pin in the 9th and missed it. Book got up and struck in the ninth and first ball in the tenth to shut out Pangallo. Book’s fill ball was an 8 count and spared. Pangallo struck out in the tenth giving Book a 233 to 223 win to become only the 5th back-to-back champion in the tournament’s history.
Records were set for total pins in a 3 game series, 4 game series and combined 4 game total series.
Skip Heimlich and Rick McWaters tied for 5th and each received $100. Keith Hildreth finished 4th picking up $150.
Shawn Ridgeway received $250 for his 3rd place finish. Pangallo received his runner-up trophy and a check for $300, and Book received $500, his championship trophy, a new patch for his green blazer. His sponsor, Bookies Lawn Service, (his brother) received the sponsors plaque.
Thanks to everyone for making this another great year.