BOWLING : Last Frame Proves Frosting on the Cake

In an all-Texas, same-name final, featuring a gutterball and disheartening one-pin taps, Ron Williams of Ft. Worth won the $200,000 AC-Delco Tournament Saturday at Gable House Bowl in Torrance.

His 225-193 victory over Mark Williams of Beaumont was worth $42,000 and came two days after his 31st birthday.

Williams won the first of his three PBA titles on the birthday of his wife, Bonnie, in November of 1988. Three years ago he won at Torrance while celebrating over a cake with 28 candles.

The victory requalified Ron Williams for entry into the event every pro wants to bowl--the Firestone Tournament of Champions. And also made him the PBA’s first “king of the hill.”

Only winners along the winter tournament tour become “king” under a new format for PBA televised finals starting next Saturday at Phoenix. The format reduces seeded players from five to four, who settle the tournament title in three matches. The fourth match will be a $5,000 “king of the hill” challenge.

A one-pin tap is a pocket hit that fails to strike, leaving a single pin. The Williamses each suffered five taps in the title showdown. A gutterball on a try for a spare was the downfall of the loser while Ron Williams struck out in the last frame to seal the victory.

Mark Williams blamed his loss on letting pressure get to him, “but I’m happy with the second place money ($22,000). It’s more than I made all last year. I had to take out a loan to get here.”

Third place went to Tony Westlake of Edmond, Okla.