Rick Erce topped a Hall of Fame studded stepladder field to win the fifth MBA Senior Masters tournament on Saturday, November 16. Erce qualified second (1291), averaging just over 215, and won two tight matches for the victory. Erce defeated 2007 MBA Hall of Famer Greg Stauffacher 210-207 in the semi-final, then dispatched high qualifier and 2009 MBA Hall inductee Jeff Prein in the title match 234-223.
While there were only 27 entrants into this year’s Senior Masters tournament, the second lowest turnout since the inaugural year (19), the quality of bowling did not suffer one iota. The competition was very tight, as well, 17 of the 27 entries were within the cash line at some point in the tournament. There were plenty of strikes across the score monitors – but it was readily apparent that poor shots would not be rewarded … save the occasional Brooklyn. Long strings were few; high games on the day were a 268 by Jeff Barsness and a 267 by defending champion Jeff Richgels.