The 53rd Bill Rahm Invitational Bowling Tournament concluded Saturday at Suburban Lanes in Bucyrus and the winner was a first-time champion.
Rick McWaters entered Saturday’s final undefeated, coming out of the winners’ bracket to face losers’ bracket survivor, Nathan Monk.
Bowling on Lanes 9 and 10, Monk won the four-game match by scores of 211-188, 233-194, 238-170 and 248-192 for a 930-744 series win. Since each bowler then had one loss, a one-game roll-off was necessary.
The competitors moved to Lanes 10 and 11 for the tie-breaker and it was tonic for McWaters, who was making his first Rahm finals appearance. Monk is a past champion, winning in 2012.
McWaters threw his only 200-plus game of the day at an opportune time and Monk, while bowling his fifth 200-plus game of the afternoon, left two open frames, paving the way for McWaters’ 247-215 victory.
McWaters was awarded a cash prize and the champions trophy, while Monk also won a prize and the runner-up trophy.