Tom Smallwood of Saginaw won the Michigan State Masters at Airport Lanes in Jackson Sunday when he defeated Travis Raskey of South Lyon 442-349 to win the $5,000 first prize and the title. Raskey settled for the second place check of $2,500.

 Smallwood qualified 13^th with a six-game total of 1,287. In match play he remained undefeated by beating Toby Sambueno of Saginaw 417-387, Dale Hofmeister Jr. of Essexville 465-358, Terrence Syring Jr. of Bay City 527-315, Jeff Austreng of Waterford Township 438-424 and Raskey 435-382 to advance to the championship match.

 “Anytime you can win a title in Michigan against the best bowlers around it is satisfying.” said the 31-year-old Smallwood. “You know you’ve earned it when the condition is this much of a test and the best bowlers are involved.”

 Smallwood beat the best bowlers in the state of Michigan on a difficult lane pattern under tight Sport Bowling requirements averaging 222.8. The lane pattern was the same as the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Masters Tournament.

 He also won a paid entry into the 2010 USBC Masters, which will be contested in Reno in February 2010.

 Raskey qualified 18^th with 1,265. He remained in the winner’s bracket with victories over Aaron Koch of Grand Rapids 381-345, Dale Strike of Saginaw 389-349, Mason Brantley of Detroit 488-440 and Bruce Falcon of Bay City 438-308 before losing to Smallwood 435-382. In the loser’s bracket he beat Austreng 421-333 for the opportunity to avenge the defeat to Smallwood. It was not to be as Smallwood won 442-349.

Defending champion Austreng qualified 17^th but was seeded ninth by virtue of his victory in 2008 with 1,265. He remained in the winner’s bracket with triumphs over David Carroll of Wyoming 494-426, Jason Battishill of Clarkston 389-349, Brian Waliczek of Birch Run 460-447 before falling to Smallwood 438-424. In the loser’s bracket he beat Brantley 422-354 and Carleton Chambers of Taylor 443-360 before losing to Raskey 421-333. Austreng received a check for $1,500.

 Chambers qualified fifth with 1,336. In match play he lost his first match to Terrence Syring Jr. of Bay City 453-452 to fall into the loser’s bracket. Once in the loser’s bracket he defeated Brian Regan of Swartz Creek 485-348, James Fedorka of Madison Heights 410-315, Robert Hutchings of Marshall 374-346, avenged his loss to Syring 503-475, Waliczek 452-401, Falcon 436-352 before getting knocked out by Austreng 443-360. He took home $1,000.

 Top qualifier Waliczek led qualifying by 46 pins with 1,411. He beat Jason Overmyer of Jackson 425-326 and Craig Nidiffer of Trenton 460-445 before falling into the loser’s bracket with a loss to Austreng 460-447. In loser’s bracket he beat Dale Strike 417-412 before getting knocked out of the competition by Chambers 452-401. Waliczek cashed for $600.

 The field of 122 bowlers averaged 191.67 during the six games of qualifying. The top game in qualifying was recorded by Brian Regan with 289. In match play Tom Smallwood of Saginaw had the top game with 279.

 The top 32 qualifiers averaged 213.5 during qualifying and 200.1 in match play. 

The Michigan State USBC Masters Tournament is a USBC certified event operated by the Michigan State USBC Association.

 ALTERNATE FOR MATCH PLAY

     33   Trey Raynes                           Wayne                                    1230               $     175.00