Tourney runner-up finish caps Ron Profitt’s comeback
Ron Profitt had his share of doubts — double bypass and hernia surgery in the past 18 months will do that.
The fact that he had only competed in one tournament since early May added to Profitt’s uncertainty. But the 66-year-old Brookville bowler put any doubts to rest as Profitt bowled his way to a second-place finish in the PBA50 Fairborn Central Classic at Bowl 10 Fairborn on Sunday. He placed second to Michael Haugen Jr., of Phoenix, who already had one national and one other regional title to his credit this season. Haugen has cashed in all seven PBA50 national events this year.
“He was the best bowler here,” Profitt said of Haugen. “I would have liked
to have won, but his game is just so good.”
The 51-year-old Phoenix bowler led the field after the eight-game qualifier with 1,790. Dayton bowler Bill Peters was second with 1,735. Profitt was in the middle of the pack of 16 round robin match play qualifiers in eighth with 1,666.
“I knew I had some ground to make up,” Profitt said.
The Brookville bowler made an equipment change after his second game in the 10-game round robin format, choosing a more aggressive ball. Profitt’s strategy paid off as he steadily climbed the leaderboard, landing in second place before the field was cut to the final four.
While Haugen’s lead was insurmountable, plus 489 to Profitt’s plus 260 after 18 games, the Brookville bowler fought to the final frame. Profitt closed out the final game with seven strikes and a 248 to lead the final four competitors. Not bad for a someone who didn’t feel prepared for the tournament.
“No, coming in, I really didn’t feel ready,” he said. “I practiced all last week, but I hadn’t bowled in a tournament since Moorseville (N.C.), the first week of May.
“I was eighth coming in and worked my way up so I’m happy. The competition isn’t as strong as it would be at a national stop, but I’m still pretty excited to finish second.”
Profitt isn’t planning another hiatus anytime soon as he will compete in two upcoming national PBA50 stops — Kokomo and Anderson, Ind. — as well as a regional event in Bowling Green.