Larry Lichstein, former player services director for the PBA had told me a while ago that Mike Berlin won the regional players invitational event held in Minot, North Dakota back in 1976. That made him eligible for the 1977 Firestone. Low and behold, Mr. Berlin's first national tour title was the 1977 Firestone Tournament of Champions held in Akron, Ohio. His next national title was a doubles crown with the late Jimmy Certain [1978].
its CATS I do believe and that system is just awesome. If you watch Kelly's shots at the break point (40 feet down the lane near the tracer boards) she is dead on, on just about every shot, even the 4th frame late trip. The 5th frame she was a touch wide causing the flat 7-10 which was deserved if you ask any professional. Excellent performance and flawless technique by Kelly. Congrats!
@papalo1111 The pattern used in this tournament is a special 39-footer. Based on the two styles of Kulick and Barnes, it takes an up-the-back roll to get all 10.
Bigreenleaf, in regards to your comment about Kelly Kulick saying she needs to be a champion on PBA tour to win tournament of champions...I have never seen u on tv or in any results on the pba tour. Kelly Kulick earned her way by winning a couple of pba womens series titles. The pba changed that rule as soon as the inaugural womens series started in taylor Michigan in 2007. Take that info!
@irishpogi Very, very interesting. They always talked about Berlin being the first "rookie" to win the Firestone... I thought that just meant he did it by winning in his first year eligible. Didn't they count the RPI as a PBA title back then, though? I know when Mark Roth won his record 8 titles, the last one was the RPI, IIRC.
@sumtwig07 I completely see what you are getting at with every shot she threw being over the same target. All of her shots were crossed that dark board at 40 ft. and the shot that left the 7-10 was about 2 boards to the right at the breakpoint. No real chance to miss target on a sport shot and get away with murder. That would be possible on a house shot, but not on a sport shot. But, ALL props go to Kelly for beating the guys.
If there is anyone to "blame", I believe it is the technology. Today a 14 pound ball can hit just as hard as a 16 pound ball where it was never like that back in the day. In reality, you don't need a Men and Women's league...everyone is throwing on the same pattern.
Don't take this the wrong way... but i believe she got lucky, Barnes kept getting really bad breaks even on some of his good shots, which ended up working to her advantage.
I believe that everyone needs to see the KATS...she repeated every shot. Isn't that was bowling is supposed to be about? I don't think she got lucky; lets be real, Chris has contiually CHOKED on TV beginning from last year. He has has maybe one bad break but he seems to not be able to deliver anymore when he is on television. Randy reminded us all about how Chris has given up 50 pin leads to lose. Kelly delivered when she had to...she did what she was supposed to.
shes a good bowler but she got lucky and barnes got bad breaks like the 1st shot he left2 and she got a strike. shes good but she jus got more lucky breaks
Kelly's shot is so smooth. Every time, it's just picture-perfect. I love it!
thanks for posting this!!! yey for all the women bowlers out there!!!
Kelly is my biggest Idol.
She is such a great Bowling Player.
I play Bowling now since six years an i hope i will reach her level^^
Larry Lichstein, former player services director for the PBA had told me a while ago that Mike Berlin won the regional players invitational event held in Minot, North Dakota back in 1976. That made him eligible for the 1977 Firestone. Low and behold, Mr. Berlin's first national tour title was the 1977 Firestone Tournament of Champions held in Akron, Ohio. His next national title was a doubles crown with the late Jimmy Certain [1978].
thank for posting
its CATS I do believe and that system is just awesome. If you watch Kelly's shots at the break point (40 feet down the lane near the tracer boards) she is dead on, on just about every shot, even the 4th frame late trip. The 5th frame she was a touch wide causing the flat 7-10 which was deserved if you ask any professional. Excellent performance and flawless technique by Kelly. Congrats!
@papalo1111 The pattern used in this tournament is a special 39-footer. Based on the two styles of Kulick and Barnes, it takes an up-the-back roll to get all 10.
Kulick's approach is the same as mine! :D
Bigreenleaf, in regards to your comment about Kelly Kulick saying she needs to be a champion on PBA tour to win tournament of champions...I have never seen u on tv or in any results on the pba tour. Kelly Kulick earned her way by winning a couple of pba womens series titles. The pba changed that rule as soon as the inaugural womens series started in taylor Michigan in 2007. Take that info!
@Kidlat432 it became the PWBA. But that ended up folding in 2003 due to lack of corporate sponsership.
I like that clean strike at 8:09
Kelly is a real sweetheart, I should know, I deliver her mail every day.
@irishpogi Very, very interesting. They always talked about Berlin being the first "rookie" to win the Firestone... I thought that just meant he did it by winning in his first year eligible.
Didn't they count the RPI as a PBA title back then, though? I know when Mark Roth won his record 8 titles, the last one was the RPI, IIRC.
@StefanyNunchucks I'm so behind having been away from the bowling world for 13 years. What ever happened to the LPBT?
Kelly is the best women bowler in the world
thats what this sport is about, you take the breaks when they come
@sumtwig07 I completely see what you are getting at with every shot she threw being over the same target. All of her shots were crossed that dark board at 40 ft. and the shot that left the 7-10 was about 2 boards to the right at the breakpoint. No real chance to miss target on a sport shot and get away with murder. That would be possible on a house shot, but not on a sport shot. But, ALL props go to Kelly for beating the guys.
I may be a sap(well yes I am) I cried when she won. It is a piece of history
without the 7-10 kelly woulda had a 299 game. I hope she makes more shows in the future
If there is anyone to "blame", I believe it is the technology. Today a 14 pound ball can hit just as hard as a 16 pound ball where it was never like that back in the day. In reality, you don't need a Men and Women's league...everyone is throwing on the same pattern.
Don't take this the wrong way... but i believe she got lucky, Barnes kept getting really bad breaks even on some of his good shots, which ended up working to her advantage.
what is the patterns
All Stephanie had to do was win the world championship at the World Series of Bowling, then she would have been there
@Kidlat432 Since there is no women's tour, no.
Haha she got a 7-10 split at 7:10
Barnes kinda looks like Carl Edwards
I believe that everyone needs to see the KATS...she repeated every shot. Isn't that was bowling is supposed to be about? I don't think she got lucky; lets be real, Chris has contiually CHOKED on TV beginning from last year. He has has maybe one bad break but he seems to not be able to deliver anymore when he is on television. Randy reminded us all about how Chris has given up 50 pin leads to lose. Kelly delivered when she had to...she did what she was supposed to.
Because Stefanie didn't win the Women's World Championships. Kelly did.
Women can now join the men's tour. Can the men join the women's?
thanks for ruining the ending... lol jk
Man I'm not a barnes fan....................
shes a good bowler but she got lucky and barnes got bad breaks like the 1st shot he left2 and she got a strike. shes good but she jus got more lucky breaks