5th September, Melbourne: Jason Belmonte and Anne-Maree Putney were announced as Austrlia's AMF Bowling World Cup representative as champions were crowned at the conclusion of the Ebonite South Pacific Classic at AMF Moorabbin Bowl.

In near-flawless style, Perth's Carol Gianotti led throughout the 11 games of matchplay to secure the title for the fourth time, after wins in 1989, 1991 and 1993. The legendary bowler, who has been bowling on the pro-circuit in the United States, shot a superb 233.09 matchplay average to finish 784 over the card on 6184 pins and bonus points.

As runner up, Ann Maree Putney from Newcastle was the top-placed amateur female bowler, earning the right to represent Australia at the 40th AMF Bowling World Cup in Singapore in December. Putney shot a solid 217 average and won eight of today's 11 matches to finish on 5908, 37 ahead of Maxine Nable on 5871. Brisbane bowlers Kate Wilton and Samantha Warby were placed fourth and fifth, ahead of another former South Pacific Classic champion, Amanda Bradley from Newcastle. New Zealand bowler, Julieanne Mollett was the highest-placed international female, finishing seventh on 5442.

In the men's division, 21 year-old Jason Belmonte from Orange withstood a spirited challenge from local bowler and 2002 South Pacific Classic champion, Paul Trotter. The 15-game matchplay final saw the lead see-saw between the two until the in-form Belmonte streaked to a convincing win, boosted by additional bonus points from 12 winning games.

The SPC title is a further benchmark in the young bowler's stellar performance this year, following his dual-Gold and Silver medal achievements at the recent World Youth Championships in Guam. Belmonte has said later he felt he bowled well as he was relaxed, and had really enjoyed bowling with so many of his good friends at the event. He posted an overall average of 221.84 to finish 917 over the card on 7117, 125 pins clear of Trotter, with Brisbane bowler George Frilingos finishing third on 6932.

Illawarra bowler Andrew Frawley finished fourth on 6921, Michael Muir from Perth was fifth on 6841 and Sydney teenager, Glen Loader bowled a career best to finish sixth on 6577 in one of the largest and strongest fields assembled in recent years at the South Pacific Classic.

Yesterday's perfect-game double by Jason Walsh and Paul Trotter was unmatched, and High Game honours went to Ann Maree Putney with a 279 game in the eighth round of today's final.

AMF CEO, Peter Finlayson presented the prize-winners with cheques and trophies, thanking Tournament Director Tony Goodwin, regional and centre staff and technicians for the outstandingly successful tournament. "I am so proud of what happened this year with both local and international interest rejuvenated…the big challenge is to bring even more of our international friends next year and to continue the momentum of enthusiasm that we've seen amongst bowlers right around the country" he said, noting the impressive level of interstate and international participants.

"The re-introduction of Centre and Zone finals has been popular and contributed to the success of this year's event" added Regional Manager, Warren Stewart, "There's been a real buzz in the air, and the atmosphere was electric, but above all, it's the bowlers who are to be congratulated for making this such a memorable tournament" he added.

The tournament was first held in 1965 and has been staged annually. It was announced today that the 2005 Ebonite South Pacific Classic will again be held at AMF's Moorabbin Bowl, while plans to return the event to Sydney in 2006 are also being considered on completion of a state of the art Centre in Bankstown.

For further information, please contact TBA Media Director, Lynne Clay on Mobile + 61 419 444 280 or email lynne.clay@tenpin.org.au.

Photos courtesy of Ian Nicolls.

4th September, Melbourne: Jason Walsh, thrilled spectators in Game 12 of the final squad when he threw a perfect game, the first of this year's tournament. Paul Trotter then matched the feat with a cool 300 in Game 15 to elevate him to second place, just four pins behind the top qualifier, Jason Belmonte.

Along with a record field of international contestants from New Zealand, Hong Kong and Japan, some of Australia's best-known bowling stars have converged on Melbourne for the 2004 Ebonite South Pacific Classic at AMF Moorabbin Bowl.

The 2004 champions will be decided tomorrow following a round-robin final of the top 16 men and top 12 women, with the highly coveted role of Australia's qualifier for the AMF Bowling World Cup, along with significant prize money, beckoning the finalists.

Converting the elusive 7-10 split for was a highlight for the Day One leader, Commonwealth Games dual-medallist Maxine Nable. It was a rare "first" for the 27 year-old Sydney-sider who has been bowling on the pro-circuit in the United States since 1998 following the sport's historic first appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Nable took the champion's crown in the 1998 South Pacific Classic and will be aiming to repeat her win this year, but fellow pro-circuit bowler, Carol Gianotti from Perth overtook Nable's overnight lead this afternoon to finish top qualifier on 3470 for tomorrow's matchplay, notching a 279 game today for good measure. Former SPC champions Amanda Bradley (1999 and 2002) and Ann Maree Putney (2000 and 2001), both hailing from Newcastle, are also vying for top placings while local bowler, Narelle Baker from East Doncaster is currently in fourth place, just one pin ahead of Queensland bowler, Samantha Warby.

In the Men's division, Illawarra's Andrew Frawley began today's block of eight games 250 over the card and with a stunning 231.3 average. Frawley is on track for a win, with the opportunity to represent at the AMF Bowling World Cup in December firmly in his sights. "The SPC hasn't been a happy hunting ground for me in the last few years and I'd like to turn that around" he said. "There were 76 countries represented at the World Cup in Honduras last year ... the sport is played all over the world" said Frawley. "You'd be amazed at the standard of bowling internationally... the Asian countries have really kicked on and caught up with the Americans and Europeans - and it's really powering ahead in South America as well" he added.

The last squad this evening saw Frawley's lead topple. Team captain at the recent ABF Asian Zone Championships in Thailand, Jason Walsh, thrilled spectators in Game 12 of the final squad when he threw a perfect game, the first of this year's tournament, earning the Ballina bowler $300 and a $50 lane award bonus, courtesy of AMF Australia. 2002 South Pacific winner, Paul Trotter from Box Hill then matched the feat with a cool 300 in Game 15 to elevate him to second place, just four pins behind the top qualifier, Jason Belmonte from Orange, on 3603.

Play resumes at AMF Moorabbin Bowl at 9am Sunday morning, and spectators are welcome to view what promises to be an exciting and hotly contested finish to this year's Ebonite South Pacific Classic.

Full scores and statistics from the tournament can be found on the official website of the sport's governing body, Tenpin Bowling Australia - www.tenpin.org.au.

For further information, please contact TBA Media Director, Lynne Clay on Mobile + 61 419 444 280 or email lynne.clay@tenpin.org.au.

Photos courtesy of Ian Nicolls.

30th August, Melbourne: The 2004 Ebonite South Pacific Classic to be held at AMF Moorabbin Bowl in Melbourne this weekend has attracted a capacity field which includes 113 men and an unprecedented influx of 55 women.

Bowlers from New Zealand, Hong Kong, Japan and the United States will be competing with the cream of Australia's tenpin talent in this year's event. The tournament is an officially sanctioned ABF event, earning bowlers ranking points in the sport's international Rankings program.

Over $50,000 in cash and prizes is on offer, with the prestige of becoming Australia's representative at the AMF Bowling World Cup in December a highly sought-after additional incentive. More than 90 countries are expected to send their amateur men's and women's national champions to Singapore for this year's AMF Bowling World Cup, which is the largest annual international sports championship in the world in terms of number of participating nations. Bowlers compete on an individual basis for trophies and the coveted title of BWC champion in what's recognised as the sport's most prestigious and well-established annual event.

Winner of the Men's division in the 2002 South Pacific Classic, Paul Trotter from Box Hill created history at the 2002 Bowling World Cup when he rolled a perfect 300 game in the first match, and followed with two consecutive 298 games establishing a record-breaking 896 series at the Bowling World Cup. Trotter is one of several highly favoured contenders for this year's Ebonite South Pacific Classic, together with reigning World Masters Champion, Michael Little from Newcastle and dual-Gold medallist and Masters runner-up from the recent World Youth Championships, Jason Belmonte from Orange.

Defending champion and pro-bowler Tim Mack from the USA and one of the world's top ranking amateur bowlers, Wu Siu from Hong Kong are also expected to feature in the top placings at the 2004 Ebonite South Pacific Classic.

Last year's winner of the women's division, Carol Gianotti from Perth will return to defend her title but as a professional PWBA bowler will not qualify to represent Australia at the Bowling World Cup if she wins back to back titles this year. Dual Commonwealth Games medallist, Maxine Nable from Sydney who joined the PWBA Tour five years ago, is also expected to be amongst the top contenders in the female division, along with last year's BWC qualifier, Ann Maree Putney from Newcastle. Current leader of Tenpin Bowling Australia's national rankings, Emma Rutten from Ballina is also highly favoured following her outstanding win at the NSW Open in Sydney recently.

The tournament was first held in 1965 and has been staged annually. "Since I returned to AMF three years ago, I've had the dream of seeing the SPC regain the pre-eminent position this tournament has held in tenpin bowling in Australia from the 60's…this year we have over-filled the entries and significantly increased the number of international participants and so I think my dream is becoming reality!" said CEO of AMF Bowling Centres Australia, Peter Finlayson.

Play commences at 9am on Friday, 3 September with qualifying matches in A, B and C squads continuing for two days, and the top qualifying 16 men and 10 women announced at 7pm on Saturday. Matchplay in the men's division begins at 9am on Sunday and at 11am for women, with the Prize Presentations scheduled for 2pm Sunday.

For further information, please contact TBA Media Director, Lynne Clay on Mobile + 61 419 444 280 or email lynne.clay@tenpin.org.au.

Photos courtesy of TotalBowling.com.au.