Kadry on Bowling: Manteca’s Davis takes long route to win Modesto Masters

Steve Davis of Manteca took the long road to victory in the 19th annual Modesto Masters Tournament.

For the third consecutive year, the winner emerged from the losers’ bracket. Davis took the longest possible route to the title after losing his first match in the double-elimination round. He needed to win seven consecutive two-game matches to reach the final against Wayne Garber, who swept through the winners’ bracket.

Davis averaged 251 in the losers’ bracket. Then came the big test: He had to defeat Garber twice for the title, no small task since Garber averaged 256 in his first five matches.

Davis prevailed 511-494 in the first match and 504-471 in the second to collect $3,170. Garber pocketed $1,603 for second.

The high qualifier Saturday was Dennis Horan Jr. of Oakley with a seven-game total of 1,884, a 269.1 average. The last spot to qualify for Sunday’s match play went to Brandon Bates of Modesto with 1,641 (234.4). Local bowlers who made the cut were Don Erickson, Mikey Acosta, Myles Duty and Rich Custer.

The tournament is sponsored by Cal-West Roofing, Bowling Outfitters, McHenry Bowl, Yosemite Lanes and the Modesto USBC Association.

Will and Wayne Garber and Norm Wolff Jr. traveled to Grants Pass, Ore., for the PBA Caveman Bowl Northwest/West Open. Will Garber made the cut to the final round after qualifying in the third spot out of 12. He finished 11th and earned $525. Will Garber and Wolff rolled a 300 during the competition. ...

Modesto youths made a good showing in the regional competition for the Pepsi Youth Championship in Hanford. Twelve bowlers made the cut to represent Modesto at the state finals May 2-3 at Classic Bowl in Daly City. They are Courtney Sheppard, Brittany Scheaffer, Vivian Serrano, Sara Nassberg, Faith Miller, Alysa Alcaraz, Roman Heath, Bollin Gunn, Ashton Russell, Marcella Olson, Braden Spani and Aidan Coleman. ...

Husband and wife Nick and Janie Casucci won their respective divisions in the Swing Into Spring Crazy Bowl at McHenry. Janie Casucci was high for the women with her 886 series. Pat Baskin followed with an 877, and Jeri Canabou tallied 853 for third. Nick topped the men’s list with an 870 set. Gordon Boyce finished second with an 842, and Ricci Gotelli was third with an 840, which included a no-tap 300 game. Janet Spooner and Gene Stamps also posted no-tap 300s. In the Mystery Doubles, Spooner and Earl Purcell won with a 1,678 score. Janie Casucci and Ed Rowen finished second with a 1,676, and Frank Mendes and Jeri Canabou were third with a 1,638. ...

The annual Family and Friends Easter Egg Roll at McHenry is Friday at 4 p.m., with check-in at 3:30. The event will include bowling to music, refreshments and prizes. Call June at (209) 571-2695 for information. ...

On Monday, the Ladies Trio Team Tournament competes at McHenry starting at 9:30 a.m.. Check-in is at 9. ...

Spots are still open in the Strike Out Suicide Bowlathon at McHenry on April 11. Call Stacey at 571-2695 for information.

This story was originally published March 31, 2015 at 11:24 PM with the headline "Kadry on Bowling: Manteca’s Davis takes long route to win Modesto Masters."