Jason Sterner rolls 299 to win his first title in PBA Don Carter Classic
01/26/13
Jason Sterner (pictured left) of McDonough, Ga., who had never finished higher than seventh place in a Professional Bowlers Association Tour event before the 2012-13 season, won his first PBA Tour title in the Don Carter Classic with a nearly-perfect 299-235 victory over top qualifier Wes Malott (right) of Pflugerville, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 26, at Thunderbowl Lanes.
Sterner, who lost a 199-177 decision to eventual champion Tom Daugherty in his only previous PBA television appearance in the Bowlers Journal Scorpion Championship during the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling earlier in the season, lost his chance at the 23rd nationally-televised 300 game in PBA history when he left a solid 10 pin on his final shot.
He also lost a bid to join Bob Benoit of Topeka, Kan., as only the second player to win his first PBA Tour title with a 300 game. Benoit won the 1988 Quaker State Open in Grand Prairie, Texas, for his first title in his first PBA television appearance.
"The biggest thing I learned from my first show was getting rid of the nerves, and to trust your decisions," Sterner said. "It's a little added pressure to bowl on TV, but once you get comfortable, and trust your decisions, it's a lot easier.
"I felt very confident," he added. "I had the right ball, I knew what moves I needed to make and it was just a matter of going through my routine and believing in it. After the first couple of shots, I could see how the lanes were changing, and it just came easy. It was definitely a great feeling.
"When I realized the match was done, I realized I had a shot at 300, and the pins just kept falling," Sterner continued. "I don't think I've ever bowled that good of a game under pressure, ever.
"The last shot, I liked. I thought it was a great shot, but at that point I was so ready to celebrate the win, the 300 game wasn't even important."
With his first title, Sterner also earned his first opportunity to compete in the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions, March 26-31 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis.
PBA Don Carter Classic
Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., United States (Jan. 24-26, 2013)
Championship: Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga. ($15,000) def. Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas ($7,500), 299-235.
Wes Malott, Jason Sterner earn berths in PBA Don Carter Classic title match
2012-13 PBA Tour Schedule & Champions
2012-13 PBA Tour #9
10 pin on final ball prevents bid for place in PBA history
Jason Sterner (pictured left) of McDonough, Ga., who had never finished higher than seventh place in a Professional Bowlers Association Tour event before the 2012-13 season, won his first PBA Tour title in the Don Carter Classic with a nearly-perfect 299-235 victory over top qualifier Wes Malott (right) of Pflugerville, Texas, Saturday, Jan. 26, at Thunderbowl Lanes.Sterner, who lost a 199-177 decision to eventual champion Tom Daugherty in his only previous PBA television appearance in the Bowlers Journal Scorpion Championship during the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling earlier in the season, lost his chance at the 23rd nationally-televised 300 game in PBA history when he left a solid 10 pin on his final shot.
He also lost a bid to join Bob Benoit of Topeka, Kan., as only the second player to win his first PBA Tour title with a 300 game. Benoit won the 1988 Quaker State Open in Grand Prairie, Texas, for his first title in his first PBA television appearance.
"The biggest thing I learned from my first show was getting rid of the nerves, and to trust your decisions," Sterner said. "It's a little added pressure to bowl on TV, but once you get comfortable, and trust your decisions, it's a lot easier.
"I felt very confident," he added. "I had the right ball, I knew what moves I needed to make and it was just a matter of going through my routine and believing in it. After the first couple of shots, I could see how the lanes were changing, and it just came easy. It was definitely a great feeling."When I realized the match was done, I realized I had a shot at 300, and the pins just kept falling," Sterner continued. "I don't think I've ever bowled that good of a game under pressure, ever.
"The last shot, I liked. I thought it was a great shot, but at that point I was so ready to celebrate the win, the 300 game wasn't even important."
With his first title, Sterner also earned his first opportunity to compete in the Barbasol PBA Tournament of Champions, March 26-31 at Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis.
PBA Don Carter Classic
Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., United States (Jan. 24-26, 2013)
Championship: Jason Sterner, McDonough, Ga. ($15,000) def. Wes Malott, Pflugerville, Texas ($7,500), 299-235.
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