Still on the mend, but good enough for first
Graham Fach is on the mend and back on top.
Not quite back to 100%, after a roller-blading accident resulted in a broken arm in mid-October, Fach won the Springfield Clark County United States Bowling Congress Masters Tournament last Sunday at Victory Lanes. He placed second and third in his two other recent tournament outings in late December and early January.
“When I first started back, I’d bowl three games and I’d be sore,” Fach said. “I bowled six games Saturday and 10 on Sunday and I’m doing OK.”
The Canadian — who calls Urbana home — was the top seed after the position round Sunday. That meant playing spectator for a bit while the other four finalists battled it out in the stepladder finals. Curtiss Rasnic Jr. topped Michael Haggitt, 217168, to secure his place in the final match against Fach.
The USBC Masters pattern proved to be tough for both bowlers but Fach prevailed, 179-159, for the title — one he also claimed in 2019. The timing couldn’t have been better as Fach hoped to carry the confidence and momentum with him to the PBA Players Championship-East Region in Virginia.
“It’s a relief to be back on the lanes,” Fach said. “It’s a much-needed sense of normalcy in these times.”
Fach wasn’t the only champion crowned at Victory
Lanes Sunday as Dana Knoop won the Springfield Clark County USBC Queens tournament. Knoop, the top seed heading into the stepladder finals, defeated Kari Dawson, 241-183, for the title.
“I felt like I had a good look,” Knoop said. “And I like bowling head-to-head because it’s faster paced. I don’t like sitting, I like to keep bowling.”
Bowling is a family affair for Knoop, whose husband, Trent, competed in the Masters event, finishing seventh. The couple, in fact, met at a bowling tournament in 2018. And Dana works at Bel-Mar Lanes, in Sidney, which is owned by Trent’s parents.
It was more than a win for Knoop, it was motivation as she plans to get her PWBA card and try her hand at some PWBA regional events this year.