1986 Firestone Tournament Of Champions

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$250,000 FIRESTONE TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Riviera Lanes, Akron, Ohio, Apr 22-26, 1986
Million Dollar Marshall Wins Second Firestone T Of C

"This is my greatest moment as a bowler!" yelled a jubilant Marshall Holman, holding a $50,000 check and the trophy symbolic of his second victory in the prestigious $250,000 Firestone Tournament of Champions.

The Medford, Ore., pro duplicated his 1976 win at Riviera Lanes with a 233-211 decision over Mark Baker, Garden Grove, Calif., in the title match.

The victory was Holman's 20th on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, but that was only the first of several milestones he achieved during pro bowling's biggest showcase.

The $50,000 check - the largest in PBA history - put him over the $1 million mark ($1,020,619), making him professional bowling's third millionaire, joining Earl Anthony and Mark Roth. Holman also became the fifth player to win the Firestone more than once and the sixth to win 20 titles.

"I know Earl passed the million dollar mark by winning the Toledo Trust PBA National in Toledo and Mark did it by winning a national tournament in Detroit, so I thought, 'What a great place to do it - the Firestone,' " Holman said.

Before capturing his fourth major title (he also owns a pair of BPAA U.S. Open wins), Holman watched as Don Genalo, Perrysburg, Ohio, eliminated Mike Aulby, 224-210, in the opening game of the nationally televised finals (ABC Sports).

Baker, returning to the T of C after failing to qualify in 1985, then stopped Genalo, 227-190, and edged Firestone "rookie" Del Warren, Lake Worth, Fla., 215-202, to reach the title match.

During the semifinal match, Baker was distracted when Warren accidentally dropped a pair of scissors in the seventh frame with Baker on the approach. Baker stepped off the approach, but then left a solid 4-9 split. That left Warren within striking distance. Baker struck out in the 10th for the win, but his problems on the approach were not over.

In the title match against Holman, Baker stuck at the foul line in the third frame on lane 28 and left the "Greek Church" (4-6-7-9-10 split) to fall behind by 28 pins. Holman, however, failed to take advantage of the situation and made a costly error in the fourth by missing a two-pin.

Baker struck in the fourth and had the opportunity to cut his deficit to just five pins with a strike in the fifth. He got the strike, but his foot went over the foul line, negating the double.

"During the commercial break (prior to his fourth frame) I saw a big black mark on the approach," Baker said. "Lichy (PBA Player Services Director Larry Lichstein) took it out with some steel wool and it seemed OK.

"Then on my next shot there, I slid too far and only fouled by about a foot," he joked. "But, hey, things like this happen. I came back to make a match out of it and I'm proud of myself."

Baker spared after the foul and then struck on his next four shots. By that time Holman had put together a string of five strikes to put the match away.

"I don't know what happened on that two-pin," said Holman. "I must have taken a mental vacation. I guess I didn't know what I was doing. But the only reason I won this tournament is because I had really good carry."

Earlier in the week, after taking the lead in the fifth round, Holman saw a rare opportunity to match a feat by PBA Hall of Famer Mike Durbin. "Mike won the Firestone in 1972 and then again in 1982," Holman noted. "Well, I won it in 1976 and I wanted to do it again in 1986.

"I just hope I don't have to wait another 10 years to win it again," he said.

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount

1 Marshall Holman, Medford, Ore. 233 (1 game) $50,000
2 Mark Baker, Garden Grove, Calif. 653 (3 games) 28,000
3 Del Warren, Lake Worth, Fla. 202 (1 game) 20,000
4 Don Genalo, Perrysburg, Ohio 414 (2 games) 15,000
5 Mike Aulby, Indianapolis 210 (1 game) 10,000

PLAYOFF RESULTS - Genalo defeated Aulby, 224-210; Baker defeated Genalo, 227-190; Baker defeated Warren, 215-202; and in the championship game, Holman defeated Baker, 233-211.