Smith claims Windy City Classic
Despite a painful hip injury that left him unable to walk for two months last year, Robert Smith completed his PBA recovery and comeback Sunday by winning his first title in four years.
Smith captured the Professional Bowlers Association CLR Windy City Classic on Sunday at Hawthorn Lanes in Vernon Hills. It was his seventh career championship.
Smith, who suffers from popping-hip syndrome (hip socket), won the final match over Brad Angelo 223-205 for a $25,000 first prize and his first PBA victory in 55 events dating to February 2004.
"I was glad to put myself in a position to win," said Smith, who's from Captain Cook, Hawaii. "Winning was gravy. It's just a relief to come out here and bowl."
Smith, a right-hander, also had an unusual approach in the final, lofting the ball a quarter to a third of the way down the lane and using the seventh arrow as a target.
"That's my trick, and the other guys (bowlers) know it," said Smith, who also used a three-step delivery and started in front of the ball return (right lane). "It's where I had to go and not lose my angle. That's the difference these days in the equipment."
Brad Angelo of Lockport, N.Y., went after his first title and almost won four straight matches but couldn't keep up with Smith in the last one.
"I knew the further he would go left, it would be hard for him to carry," Smith said. "I still thought he had a good game and I had no problem in losing to him."
Angelo won his first two matches by throwing 7 strikes each game. He rolled past Ritchie Allen (Columbia, S.C.) 265-168 and Mika Koivuniemi (Hartland, Mich.) 256-233.
In the semifinal, Angelo escaped Chris Barnes (Double Oak, Texas) 162-151 in a match that had 7 splits, 2 for Angelo and 5 for Barnes.
"There was a huge transition and we stretched the pattern," Angelo said. "It makes it unique and different for the fans to appreciate it."
After the tournament, it was announced that Hawthorn Lanes has been sold to Brunswick. What is not known is the return of the tournament to Vernon Hills for next year. While the PBA would like to be back, no official announcement has been made.