Martin Starts With 300 Game, Finishes With 67-Pin Lead

Steve J. Martin of Kingsport, Tenn., who earlier in the day rolled a 300 game, bowled with consistency Thursday night to maintain his lead in the $125,000 Greater Los Angeles Open at Gable House Bowl in Torrance through the first round of match play.

Martin, who had opened the third round with his perfect game, finished the first round of match play with a 224 average and a total pinfall of 5,985. He held a 67-pin lead over Gary Skidmore of Albuquerque, who had a 220 average and 5,918 pins.

Skidmore won six of the eight matches, while Martin won five.

Other leaders were Mark Roth with a 220 and 5,905 (6-2 record), Mats Karlsson of Sweden with a 214 average and 5,749 pins (6-2), Walter Ray Williams Jr., of Chino with a 215 average and a 5,745 total (5-3), and Bob Chamberlain of Auburn Hills, Mich., with a 215 average and 5,711 pins (4-4).

Among the prominent competitors who failed to qualify for match play were Marshall Holman, tied for 58th place, Guppy Troup (41st), Mike Durbin (26th) and Bob Handley, who came in 25th, missing the cutoff by one pin.