1995 Brunswick Johnny Petraglia Open

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$170,000 BRUNSWICK JOHNNY PETRAGLIA OPEN
Caroller Lanes, North Brunswick, NJ, Mar 7-11, 1995
Gant Goes The Distance For Win

John Gant has officially returned from a six-year absence from the PBA Tour, having won the $170,000 Brunswick Johnny Petraglia Open at Caroller Lanes in North Brunswick, N.J. Gant, Winston-Salem, N.C., became the first player of 1995 to advance from the fourth-seeded position, and defeated first-time finalist and top-seeded Ken McNeely, 234-216, for the $34,000 first prize and his third PBA title.

McNeely, Morgantown, N.C., opened impressively with a turkey, while Gant bettered him with a four-bagger, spare, double, to lead by 19 pins after seven frames. McNeely's unorthodox "jack sprung-out-of-the box" style was critically wounded when he missed a single 8-pin leave in his fifth frame, and he never got closer than 18 pins of Gant. McNeely's animated performance was salved with the $18,000 runnerup check.

Gant said, "I'm used to losing to Ken, because he usually beats me in our matches back home. I picked the right ball today and that's critical."

Gant began the day against the only non-lefthander, Randy Pedersen of Hollywood, Fla., and the burly former baseball pitcher came through in the closing innings, finishing with five strikes to advance, 224-219. He next posted clutch 101h-frame strikes against Bob Belmont, Dunedin, Fla., 236-227, and bettered another first-time finalist, Billy Myers Jr., with late frame heroics, 236-217. Myers, Temple City, Calif., earned $10,000 for third place, Belmont took home $8,000 for fourth and Pedersen's bid for an 11th PBA title was consoled with the $6,500 fifth-place check.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount

1 John Gant, Winston-Salem, NC 930 (4 games) $34,000
2 Ken McNeely, Morganton, NC 216 (1 game) 18,000
3 Billy Myers Jr., Temple City, CA 217 (1 game) 10,000
4 Bob Belmont, Dunedin, FL 227 (1 game) 8,000
5 Randy Pedersen, Hollywood, FL 219 (1 game) 6,500

PLAYOFF RESULTS-Gant defeated Pedersen, 224-219; Gant defeated Belmont, 236-227; Gant defeated Myers, 236-217; and in the championship game. Gant defeated McNeely, 234-216.