1985 Greater Los Angeles Open

Please be sure to stop by http://forums.mrbowling300.com to discuss this and other great bowling topics! $125,000 GREATER LOS ANGELES OPEN Gable House Bowl, Torrance, Calif., Jan 7-12, 1985 Martin Marks Comeback In Torrance After two years of nagging injuries and no victories, Steve Martin, Kingsport, Tenn., broke loose in the championship finals of the $15,000 Greater Los Angeles Open to capture his seventh PBA victory and the $18,000 first prize. He topped leading qualifier Mark Roth, 244-192, in the championship game. Martin, who qualified fifth, opened his first two games against George Pappas, and Larry Laub, with four-baggers In registering 233-203 and 257-202 victories. Against his next opponent, Gary Skidmore, Martin's pin production dropped off rapidly as he fell behind by 33 pins in the fourth frame. Then, as Skidmore suffered back-to-back splits, Martin moved two boards to his left, and went into the lead with a three-bagger and coasted home, 192-170. Against Roth, Martin's newly found line of play more than held up as Roth simply could not hold onto the ball properly. He left a 4-6-7 split in the second frame and was open in the third as Martin pulled away with a double and three game-ending strikes. Martin also had won here at Gable House in 1980. CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND Pos. Name, City/State Total Amount 1 Steve Martin, Kingsport, Tenn. 926 (4 games) $18,000 2 Mark Roth, Spring Lake Heights, N.J. 192 (1 game) 9,500 3 Gary Skidmore, Albuquerque, N.M. 170 (1 game) 7,000 4 Larry Laub, Tucson, Ariz. 202 (1 game) 5,500 5 George Pappas, Charlotte, N.C. 203 (1 game) 4,500 PLAYOFF RESULTS - Martin defeated Pappas, 233-203; Martin defeated Laub, 257-202; Martin defeated Skidmore, 192-170, and in the championship game, Martin defeated Roth, 244-192.