1985 Firestone Tournament Of Champions

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$200,000 FIRESTONE TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
Riviera Lanes, Akron, Ohio, Apr 16-20, 1985
Firestone "Rookie" Mark Williams Wins T Of C For 2nd Straight Title

A year ago Mark Williams was ready to call it quits on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour. He then became the champion of champions by knocking off top-seeded Bob Handley, 191-140, to capture the prestigious $200,000 Firestone Tournament of Champions.

The 27-year-old Texan worked his way past three opponents for the second consecutive week to claim the $40,000 first prize. He captured the $150,000 Pat Boone Open in Windsor Locks, Conn., a week earlier.

Williams watched Brian Voss eliminate 13-year Firestone veteran Gary Dickinson, 198-173, in the opening game of the nationally televised (ABC Sports) finals.

Williams appeared to be the loser in the second game against Voss, who needed to convert the 2-4-5 spare to win the match. Voss, however, chopped the 2-4 and left the 5-pin standing to leave the score at 211 and force a two-frame roll-off. The error proved costly for Voss, as Williams won the roll-off, 38-29.

In the semifinal match against Pete Weber, Williams had five strikes in his first seven frames while Weber failed to double. Williams won the match, 214-197, to advance to the finale.

Williams thrilled the capacity crowd at Riviera Lanes by converting the 4-7-10 split to open the title match. Handley responded by suffering through opens in his first three frames to fall behind by 44 pins.

Despite a missed 10-pin in the sixth frame, Williams held on for the win, as Handley managed only one strike in the game.

"When I picked up that split, I figured it was so early in the match that I had to go for it," said Williams, who almost quit the Tour to run a bowling center near his home in Beaumont. When the job fell through, the redhead decided to try the Tour again despite four years without a profit. It turned out to be a good decision.

The victory, which was the first for a Firestone "rookie" since Mike Berlin turned the trick in 1977, earned Williams a seven-year berth in the tournament, which is one of pro bowling's "Triple Crown" events.

Handley, who had not won a title in two years, said he never got lined up on the championship pair. "On my first practice ball I picked off three pins on the left," he recalled. "I started using different balls in the title game out of desperation. I'm not taking anything away from Mark, because he bowled a good game," he added. "But I wouldn't have felt better if I had lost with a 210. Losing is losing."

CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND

Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount

1 Mark Williams, Beaumont, Texas 616 (3 games) $40,000
2 Bob Handley, Pompano Beach, Fla. 140 (1 game) 22,000
3 Pete Weber, St. Louis 197 (1 game) 15,000
4 Brian Voss, Tacoma, Wash. 409 (2 games) 10,000
5 Gary Dickinson, Burleson, Texas 173 (1 game) 7,000

PLAYOFF RESULTS - Voss defeated Dickinson, 198-173; Voss and Williams tied at 211 and Williams won the roll-off, 38-29; Williams defeated Weber, 214-197; and in the championship match, Williams defeated Handley, 191-140.