AMF World Cup 2008 in Hermosillo, Mexico
7. - 15. November

15.11.2008
High scoring finals see championship titles go to Singapore and the USA

In some of the highest scoring finals ever seen, Jasmine Young-Nathan of Singapore and Derek Eoff of the USA took home the championship titles from the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, today. In the first rung of the step ladder finals, the defending champion, Australian Ann Maree Putney, defeated England’s Zara Glover by two games to nil, 246 to 219 and 248 to 202. In the men’s section, Martin Larsen of Sweden defeated Zulmazran Zukifli of Malaysia, by two games to one, 203 to187, 180 to237 and 249 to187. So Ann Maree and Martin moved forward to meet our top seeds, Jasmine and Derek. Both matches lived up to the expectations of a World Cup. In the first game, Ann Maree scored 222 but was outpaced by Jasmine who threw the first 9 strikes, leaving a big split in the 10^th frame to finish on 263. The second game was of the highest quality; this time Jasmine threw the first eleven strikes before hitting eight with her final ball, setting a new record of 298 for the World Cup finals. Ann Maree hit 215, so the title went to Singapore. Jasmine, a 20-year-old student of media and communications, said afterwards: “I just tried to throw the best ball I could and if that meant a 300, then that is what it meant. I have been having some psychology sessions before coming here and concentrating on my refocusing plan, coping with setbacks. These sessions have really helped me.” Jasmine paid tribute to her coach, Mervyn Foo. “He was in our national team for many years and it is great to have a coach who understands what a major tournament is all about.” This is the first time that Singapore has ever won the Bowling World Cup in either the men’s or the women’s section. “I have been keeping in touch with home by texting my family on my i-phone,” Jasmine said. “I know there is a lot of interest in what I have done here but I don’t know what to expect when I get home.”

The men’s final produced the highest scores ever seen in the Bowling World Cup. Martin won the first game 229 to221. Then both men hit strike after strike to draw the game 279 apiece. This meant a 9^th-10^th frame roll off, the first time that has happened in World Cup history. Derek hit three strikes and a 9; Martin strike, nine spare, 7. So it went to a final game. Derek continued where he had left off and hit 278, a total of 778, a new championship record. Martin could only manage a 196, so the trophy and title went to the USA, the 6^th time in seven years that the USA has taken one of the titles. Derek, who is 28 years old and works for the USBC on the Sport Bowling programme, commented: “This is by far my biggest win ever – way ahead of anything else. I knew I would be up against some great players and I kept looking at the QubicaAMF web site to see who would be playing here. “I was very lucky to have Jeri (Edwards) as my coach here. She has so much experience of previous World Cups and really helped me here this week.” Derek went to University in Nebraska, attracted there by their bowling programme, and studied for a degree in business management. He plays other sports, notably baseball, soccer and softball, but his key way to keep fit is to take his rescue dog, Reeses, for a walk.

Roman Fuerbacher

Patricia Klug

The top country award went to Sweden, Martin Larsen having come second and Helen Johnsson 4^th.

14.11.2008
An amazing women’s semi final

The semi final went right to the wire in the women’s section of the 44thQubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico. There were just two pins separating Helen Johnsson of Sweden and Zara Glover of England with one game to go and they were playing each other in the position round. It was nip and tuck all the way. Zara opened the first frame but Helen opened the 4^th. Then both girls started striking. Zara left a single pin in the 10^th and spared it, then struck, meaning that Helen had to strike with her first balls. She left a single pin, finishing with a 225 game to Zara’s 237, giving Zara the coveted last spot in tomorrow’s stepladder final. Zara said afterwards: “I feel sick. I am shaking so much. I really thought I had blown it with that nine count in the 10^th frame, as Helen was lined up so well and I was sure she would strike. I can’t believe it – I had a good first day but I had to come from so far behind to make the finals. It’s brilliant!” In top place is Singapore bowler Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, although defending champion Ann Maree Putney from Australian ran her very close and did move to the top of the leader board during the round robin semi final.

The men’s competition was a staid affair by comparison. The top three were settled before the position round and it was merely a question of the order they would finish in. When the dust settled, it was Derek Eoff from the USA on top with Martin Larsen of Sweden in second. Martin actually won their head to head position round but not by quite enough. In third place is Zulmazran Zulkifli from Malaysia. Malaysia and Singapore have never won the QubicAMF BowlingWorld Cup either in the men’s section or the women’s. The two players will surely be trying to change that tomorrow.

The finals will be a step ladder format, with the third place player against the second in a best of three match. The winner will go forward to play the number one seed. The first match tomorrow will be Zara Glover against Ann Maree Putney, followed by Zulmazran Zukifli against Martin Larsen.

13.11.2008
Joy for Canada: disappointment for France

Jennifer Park of Canada was 23 pins off the cut for the top eight with just one game to go but she produced a game of 237 to finish with a total of 6798, a 212.4 average and qualify for the semi final of the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo by just eight pins. Her eight game set this morning was 1731. Jennifer was delighted afterwards and said: “I was lying 13^th last night so my aim today was simply to make the top eight. I knew it might be close, but I didn’t realise it would be that close, so I am really very happy to be in there for the semi finals.” The unlucky player to lose out was Isabelle Sacco of France, whose 206 final game, which included a big split at a crucial stage, was not enough. She finished just out of the reckoning on 6790. She had previously finished 5^th twice, in 2000 and 2005, when she was Isabelle Saldjian but this August she and top French male player Francois Sacco got married. Francois is himself playing in the Bowling World Cup and was lying in 8^th place after the 24 qualifying games.

The qualifiers for the semi finals are:
Name                                      Country          Pinfall             Average
Jasmine Yeong-Nathan           Singapore       7259                226.8
Ann Maree Putney                  Australia        7210                225.3
Helen Johnsson                       Sweden         7171                224.0
Zara Glover                             England         7048                220.2
Krista Pollanen                        Finland          6996                218.6
Lisanne Breeschoten               Netherlands    6884                215.1
Shannon Pluhowsky               USA               6832                213.5
Jennifer Park                           Canada          6798                212.4

Jasmine Yeong-Nathan of Singapore remains in the lead. High series for the eight games in the quarter final went to Zara Glover of England with 1852. The women will bowl eight games this afternoon (Thursday) in a round robin with 30 pins bonus for a win. The finals will be played tomorrow and will be live on television.

13.11.2008

USA still in the lead: Malaysia now in second

The USA’s Derek Eoff remains in the lead after the 24 games of qualifying in the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico with a total pinfall of 5500, an average of 229.1. Moving up into second place after a six game block of 1437 was Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia; Zulmazran’s total pinfall is 5402. Sweden’s Martin Larsen in 3^rd on 5326 and Jack Guay of Canada in 4^th on 5281. But the star of this afternoon’s bowling was Leonidas Maragkos from Greece who shot 1468 and came from 15^th place into 7th. His comment was: “Sounds good! I didn’t do anything different today but lady luck was with me and pins that yesterday did not fall, somehow fell today. I carried everything!” Local hero Rodolfo Corona has also made it to the next round, lying in 11^th place on 5172 and only 38 pins off the 8^th spot he will be aiming for tomorrow. Rodolfo is the nephew of Benny Corona who came second in the Bowling World Cup in 1971 in Hong Kong. Currently in 8^th place is Francois Sacco of France on 5260. Just making it into the top 24 were Won-young Choi of Korea, Marek Przezpolewski from Poland and Jonathan Hocsman of Argentina who all who tied on 4988. The unlucky player to miss out, 25 pins off the cut, was Erwin Pascual of Spain on 4963. The top 24 all averaged over 207 and the overall average for all the men was 199.7. Tomorrow the top 24 men and women will bowl the quarter finals, consisting of eight games. After that, the top eight will bowl a further eight games in a round robin with bonus points for winning.

12.11.2008

Jasmine still on top: Katrien just makes it

Jasmine Yeong-Nathan remains on top of the leader board after all of the qualifying games in the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup at the Bol 300 centre in Hermosillo, Mexico. She has a score or 5477, a 228.2 average. But the key point today was to qualify for the top 24 and Katrien Goossens from Belgium, who thought she was out at one point, made it with 22 pins to spare. The unlucky player in 25^th spot was Cookie Lee of Hong Kong, despite her 300 game earlier in the week. All the top 24 women averaged over 200 and the overall average for all 63 women is 192.5. In second place is our defending champion from Australia, Ann Maree Putney, on 5370, with Helen Johnsson of Sweden in 3^rd. Helen had the high six game block of the day with 1415, but even a score like that only saw her advance one place. She said afterwards: “I bowled better than yesterday, and the main differences are that I did not leave so many splits and I made fewer errors.

“I am really looking forward to the rest of the tournament and I am determined to improve on my results in previous World Cups. I have played – I’ve come 5^th twice and 6^th twice!” The tournament now moves to the quarter final stage, and the women will bowl again tomorrow morning (Thursday). They will play eight games before the cut to the top eight and the top eight will then bowl a further eight game round robin with bonus pins for winning.

12.11.2008

USA’s Derek Eoff stretches his lead

Derek Eoff of the USA increased his lead in the men’s competition of the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico, after 18 games. He has a pinfall 4156, an average of 230.8. In second place is Jack Guay of Canada on 4053, with Hussain Al-Suwardil of the UAE in 3^rd on 4030. Jack had today’s high set of six games with 1397. Early leader Martin Larsen from Sweden is now in 4^th place on 4005. Denmark’s Jimmy Mortensen played well today, shooting 1385 to move up from 18^th to 8^th. George Frilongos of Australia also did well with a 1354 series which pulled him up from 22^nd place to 12^th. The overall scoring has been high with the 82 men in the competition posting a joint average of 199.46. There are only six games more to play and the competition to be in the top 24 is fierce. Currently in 24^th place is Jonathan Hocsman of Argentina, though Chris Vandamme of Belgium is just 5 pins off the pace. Chris came 5^th when the tournament was held in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The final round of qualifying will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) and is expected to finish at about 8pm local time.

11.11.2008

Jasmine Yeong-Nathan from Singapore consolidated her lead in the women’s section of the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo today (Tuesday) shooting 1394 over her six games to give her a running total of 4210, an average of 233.89. In second place after 1366 today is defending champion, Australia’s Ann Maree Putney on a total of 4013, with Krista Pollanen of Finland in 3^rd on 3982. Cookie Lee of Hong Kong became the third woman to shoot a 300 game in this tournament to haul herself up into 22^nd place overall. Cookie, who played in the Bowling World Cup in South Africa in 1993 when she placed 38^th, is a pro shop operator in her native country. She said afterwards: “I have had four perfect games before this one, but never at an event as important as this. Even so, I was not nervous in the 10^th frame at all.” The women now have just one set of six games to play before the cut to the top 24. At the moment the cut is 3589, a 199.3 average, with Michelle Ayala of Puerto Rico. Just off the pace is Nina Burmistrova of the Ukraine who has 24 pins to make up to catch up.

11.11.2008

Jasmine Yeong-Nathan, the 20-year-old student from Singapore, blitzed the lanes this evening in Hermosillo in the second qualifying block of six games of the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup. Lying second overnight she shot 1436 including a 300 game to move to the top of the leaderboard, 77 pins ahead of Finnish player Krista Pollanen in second place with two-times champion Shannon Pluhowsky of the USA in third on 2650. Yasmine was clearly overwhelmed with her perfect game, which was the last of her six. She did not even know she was leading the tournament before she played that last game. “I didn’t look at the scores. I had a bad game in the fifth game, a 182, and I was just concentrating on recovering from that. I am just really happy!” she said, tearfully. Defending champion, Ann Maree Putney of Australia, made up a lot of ground after a poor first set of six. She shot 1443 today to move herself up from 20^th overnight into contention in 4^th place.

Overnight leader Zara Glover from England dropped to 11^th place. As with the men, the women are now at the halfway mark of the qualifying. The cut for the top 24 will be made on Wednesday evening and at present 16-year-old Polish player Daria Pajak, the youngest player in the tournament, is in 24^th place on 2368, a 197.3 average, though Galina Maslova of Russia is just two pins behind in 25^th place.

11.11.2008

Scoring remained high in the men’s second qualifying group of the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermosillo, Mexico and when the dust settled the lead had changed hands. In the lead now is Derek Eoff of the USA on 2790, an average of 232.5, having shot 1450 in his six game block today. In second place is Hussain al Suwadil of the UAE on 2659, with Luis Rodriguez of Puerto Rico and Jack Guay of Canada in joint third a further three pins behind. Despite these scores, the high spot of the day was the first men’s 300 in this tournament, bowled by 20-year-old Nikita Koshilev of Russia. Nikita said afterwards: “This is just awesome, unbelievable. I never thought I would bowl a 300 in such a prestigious tournament as this. I feel I can fly!” esterday’s leader, Martin Larsen of Sweden, is now in 6^th place, 159 pins off the lead. The tournament is now half-way through the men’s qualifying and the cut for the top 24 is currently a 207.0 average, Jonathan Hocsman ofArgentina. Edmunds Jansons of Latvia is just five pins off the cut at this stage in 25^th place.

10.11.2008

Zara Glover of England tops the leader board after the first six games for the women at the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in Hermsillo, Mexico. She is on 1424, 44 ahead of Jasmine Yeong-Nathan of Singapore with Finland’s Krista Pollanen in third place on 1373. Zara hit two 278 games in her block and said afterwards: “In the middle three games my timing went off so I had to try to get it back and it really worked with two good games to follow. “This is my first time at the Bowling World Cup and I am so excited to be here. Everyone has told me what a great tournament it is and I have come second in our qualifying twice. I have been trying to get through to the World Cup for 10 years so to be on top is especially thrilling for me, even if it is only after six games. Zara was not the only star. Sara Vargas of Columbia thrilled the big crowd when she hit the magic 300, becoming the 7^th woman to roll a perfect game in the history of the Bowling World Cup. Sara was only able to play in the tournament as the original winner of the Columbian qualifying was unable to come. Sara commented: “I am so lucky to be here and I am so grateful for the chance to play. And then to bowl a 300! I can just imagine my parents’ faces when they look on the internet! “I’ve been working in Saudi Arabia for two years, coaching the children so although I have not bowled many games myself, my game has actually been improving. I did wonder about my mental game, but I guess it’s OK!” As with the men, the women will play four blocks of six games before the top 24 will go forward to the next round. At present, the cut is a 197.6 average with Beatrix Pesek of Hungary in the key 24^th place. Nina Burmistrova of the Ukraine is in 25^th place, five pins off the cut.

Martin Larsen of Sweden took an early lead in the 44^th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup after the first squad in the Bol 300 centre Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, today (November 9^th). Martin hit 1372 over his six games, an average of 228.6, putting him 32 pins ahead of second placed Derek Eoff of the USA with Jack Guay of Canada just three pins further back on 1337. Martin’s set was very consistent with games of 234, 237, 234, 228, 241 and 198. He said afterwards: “I know the World Cup is a very long format and I wanted to focus on throwing a good ball, not chasing strikes but making my spares. And then I missed a single pin in the very first frame! After that, it went well and I am very pleased with my game today. High game of the tournament so far goes to Nikita Koshelev of Russia with 278.

After a further three sets of six games, giving a total of 24, the field will cut to the top 24. Currently in 24^th place is Pithakvarakorn Phiriyahbhoon of Thailand on 1255, a 209.1 average, but Rahul Solanki of India is only one pin behind. Yesterday the tournament got off to a magnificent start with an opening ceremony and welcome party featuring local music and dances. The Governor of the State of Sonora, Eduardo Bours, who was a leading figure in supporting the bid to bring the Bowling World Cup to Bol 300, was present to officially open the championship. One highlight of the opening was a presentation to Fernando Gutierrez, owner of the host centre Bol 300, by Jack Guay. Jack played in the Bowling World Cup in 1994 when it was last in Hermosillo and became the first player ever to shoot a perfect game. He presented Mr Gutierrez with the very ball he had used and a picture to commemorate the achievement. The tournament will finish on Friday 15^th November and the finals will be live on Mexican television and on Eurosport in Europe.

2.11.2008
Mexico’s Corona family to the fore again

In 1971, Benny Corona represented Mexico in the Bowling World Cup in Hong Kong, finishing second. Now, 37 years later, his nephew, Rodolfo, will proudly take part, this time in his home country, and will surely be trying to go one better than his uncle and win the title. Family connections are again strong this year and we will be welcoming four married couples. From France come Isabelle and François Sacco. Isabelle, better known as Isabelle Saldjian, is an old Bowling World Cup friend, having played in the event three times already finishing 5th in 2000 and 2005 while François will be coming back to Hermosillo as he competed there in 1994. The couple got married last August. Lithuania will be represented by Marius and Odette Piticariu. Each has played once before, Marius in 2006 and Odette in 2005. Participating for Romania will be Zilvana Perminas, bowling in the World Cup for the first time, and Daiva Perminiene, who played in 2004, 2005 and 2007. And making their Bowling World Cup debuts will be Ali Aziz Zadeh and his wife Hanieh Mashaallah Aziz Zadeh from Iran.

The 44th QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup, now the world’s largest annual sports event in terms of the number of countries participating, will be held at the newly built Bol 300 centre in Hermosillo, Mexico, from 7th to 15th November 2008.

Aida Granillo of El Salvador will be taking part in the event for the 17th time, an all-time record for men or women. She made her first appearance in 1982 and has only missed one Bowling World Cup this century. Another old friend making a welcome return is Ingellimar Contreras of Venezuela. Ingellimar has only played in the tournament once before, in Portugal in 2000, but she was the prime mover and local organiser behind our 2005 event in Caracas. Since then, she has got married and had a baby! The QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup is also noted for its ‘Sportsmanship’ award, voted for by the players themselves. This year, three previous winners of this award will be with us in Hermosillo: Bashar Kalaji of Syria, who was chosen in 2001, Guy Caminsky of South Africa (2002) and Beatrix Pesek of Hungary (2003).

17.9.2008
Australia’s Ann-Maree Putney will try to emulate her compatriot Jeanette Baker Finch and win back-to-back QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup titles when she competes at Hermosillo’s superb new Bol 300 centre in Hermosillo, Mexico, in November. Jeanette Baker Finch won the title in 1982 in Scheveningen, the Netherlands, and 1983 in Mexico City. Ann-Maree won this prestigious title last year in St Petersburg, Russia and will be taking part for the 7^th time when she comes to Mexico. “We are delighted to have another returning champion in addition to Shannon Pluhowsky, our champion in 2002 and 2004,” commented Anne-Marie Board, QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Manager. “They are both wonderful champions and I’m looking forward to seeing them compete again.”

Bol 300, the venue for the 2008 QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup, opened for business in July, impressing all those present. The magnificent state of the art centre has 32 QubicaAMF lanes equipped with the very latest scoring equipment. It is owned by the remarkable Fernando Gutierrez who hosted the event in 1994 and fell in love with the Bowling World Cup. The centre will have ample opportunity to be put through its paces before the World Cup as it will host a number of tournaments before then and league play will get under way.The local organisers have been working hard to encourage sponsorship and are pleased that Corona, the top selling beer in Mexico and popular in many other countries as well, has given its backing to the tournament. Anne-Marie said: “We are always grateful to our local sponsors as without them the tournament would not be the great event it is, and we are delighted that a brand as big as Corona is backing the event.”

There are now 93 countries confirmed as entering although not all have yet nominated their players. Among the new names on the start list, Zara Glover of England stands out. She has won numerous international medals including gold medals in the World Championships and is a member of the World Bowling Writers Hall of Fame, but, perhaps surprisingly, this will be her first Bowling World Cup.

Others of note in the women’s event include Laura Rhoney of Scotland who finished 4^th in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2006, and hit a 300 game to take the high game trophy, and Ann Louise Haugen, third in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 2005. Germany’s Tina Hulsch came 3^rd last year in St. Petersburg, Russia, and will be aiming to finish on top in Hermosillo, while Helen Johnsson of Sweden will be making her sixth appearance and has never finished lower than 6^th.

Over with the men, Chris van Damme of Belgium will be competing. Chris came 3^rd in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2000 and 5^th in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, in 2003. Chris is so far the oldest male competitor registered, at 50 years old, but this is eclipsed by Antonieta Costa of the Azores who is 71.

Marin Tranier of New Caledonia will be making his 11^th appearance in the event, though the record for appearances is still held by Mohammed Khalifa al-Qubeisi of the UAE with 14.

21.6.2008

Jack Guay of Canada will take part in the 44^th QubicaAMF in November Bowling World Cup returning to Hermosillo, Mexico, the city where he became the first player to hit a perfect game in the tournament in 1994. He even repeated that feat the following year in Sao Paolo, Brazil, as well as finishing joint 5^th in Singapore in 2004. This time the event will be held in a brand new centre, Bol 300, which like the venue for the 1994 event, Bol Satelite, is owned by local businessman, Fernando Gutierrez, who was one of the best bowlers in northern Mexico.

Shannon Pluhowsky of the USA will also be participating, trying to become the first woman to win the event three times. She won in Riga, Latvia, in 2002 and in Singapore in 2004. US national champion Derek Eoff will join her, hoping to bring the men’s championship back to the States for the second time in a row, after Bill Hoffman’s victory in St. Petersburg (Russia) last year. Among other notable entries received so far is Ann Louise Haugen of Norway, who placed 3^rd in Ljubljana (Slovenia) in 2005. She is also the sister of Kim Haugen, our champion in 2001. Norway’s male participant will be Mads Sandbaeken, the reigning world youth masters champion.

As usual, a number of players will be returning to the Bowling World Cup. Belinda Tan of New Zealand will be making her fourth appearance, while the male player for New Zealand, Adrian Judd, will be playing in the tournament for the first time but coming for the second time, having been the team coach last year. Portugal’s Christophe Guimaraes will be taking part for the second time and we will also be welcoming the ever-smiling Dominique Merlot of Reunion, taking part for the third time. The Netherlands Antilles will be represented by Samir Daou, son of the late Fares Daou who played in the tournament three times in all,

Anne-Marie Board, QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup Manager, said: “It is always a pleasure to meet up with regular Bowling World Cup players but it will be particularly pleasing to welcome Jack Guay again, back in Hermosillo, which must hold such good memories for him. “The new centre will be opening soon and looks fantastic. I know that Fernando and his team are ready to welcome everyone to Hermosillo and we are really looking forward to the event.”

March 2008
QubicaAMF is delighted to announce that the 44^th Bowling World Cup will be held in Hermosillo, Mexico, from 7^th to 15^th November 2008. The world’s most prestigious annual bowling tournament will be held in a brand new 32-lane centre, which will be opening in June. Ian Holland, Vice President of QubicaAMF signed the contract with owner and manager of the centre, Fernando Gutierrez, who has great experience of the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup having hosted the event in 1994. Fernando commented: “I always knew the Bowling World Cup was a great tournament, but when we hosted it in 1994, I fell in love with it. I dreamt then of hosting it again – and now that dream is coming true.”

Hermosillo is a city of 800,000 and is known as ‘The Sun City’. It lies in the state of Sonora in the north of Mexico just 250 kilometers from the border with the USA. The 2008 Bowling World Cup has the personal and governmental backing of the governor of Sonora, Eduardo Bours, and of the Mayor of Hermosillo, Ernesto Gandara. Anne-Marie Board, QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup manager, said: “Hermosillo is a lovely city and the new centre will be superb. The Gutierrez family will make this a very special event indeed and I know that all our players, officials and guests will be warmly welcomed.” The 1994 event - the 30^th edition – was won by Tore Torgerson of Norway for the men and Anne Jacobs of South Africa for the women. Mohammed Khalifa al-Qubeisi from the UAE, who now holds the record for the most appearances in the tournament with 14, came second – and Luis Javier Iserte, now QubicaAMF’s manager in Mexico*, came 7^th.

1994 also saw the first ever perfect game bowled in the tournament when Jack Guay of Canada hit the magic 300 figure.