BUCYRUS — It was bowling’s version of overtime.
Mike Lear needed a one-game roll-off to defeat Don McLaughlin to win the 54th Bill Rahm Invitational Bowling Tournament at Suburban Lanes on Saturday.
Lear — in only his third appearance in the Rahm — rolled a 217 to McLaughlin’s 200 to win the trophy. Lear had entered the finals from the winners’ bracket undefeated. McLaughlin came out of the losers’ bracket.
The two first bowled a four-game series, which McLaughlin — two-time champion himself and veteran of 14 tournaments — ultimately won, 960-873.
Lear won the first game, 237-213, but McLaughlin rolled 258 and 269 to build a 740-637 after three games. Lear won game four, 236-220, but it was not enough to salvage the series.
With Lear now also having one loss in the tournament, a fifth-game tiebreaker was necessary. The two bowlers each started with two open frames, prompted somewhat by the move from lanes nine and 10 to 11 and 12, before settling down.
Lear was presented a check for $500, the championship trophy, and will get a green jacket and his picture on the champions wall for next year. McLaughlin was awarded the runner-up trophy — his second — and a check for $300.