Defending champions, Ray's Lanes,
entered the 11th annual IAA World Team Challenge tournament as the prohibitive favorite to
repeat. Already sporting a power-packed lineup featuring 2003 ABC Singles Champion Mark
Millsap, the team added IAA Team Challenge "Bowler of the Decade" John Riffle,
to replace Scott Golden who moved out of state. And, the team lived up to expectations,
defeating a surprisingly strong "Dirty Five" quintet in the
championship match 413-348.
Ray's turned a 38-pin deficit after three games of regular bowling into a fourteen pin
advantage after 14-games of baker-match play. The team's 5,948 total edged the Dirty
Five's 5,934 to gain the top seed in the championship round. Rounding out the stepladder
finals threesome was perennial power Kofoid's Pro Shop with a 5,704 total. The first match
of the stepladder finals witnessed Tim Croy and his Dirty Five teammates Ed Olszewski,
John Yanek, Mike Pollard, and Al Dobrowolski slip past Kofoids 403- 366 to advance to the
title match. Ray's used a mixture of experience and intimidation to conquer both their
upstart opponents and the difficult "sport" conditions presented to the field of
fourteen teams in the title match.
Joining Riffle and Millsap were Steve Kinder, Jay Bridges, and Don Draia. Kofoids Pro
Shop was represented by Bob Kammer Jr, Rick Tucker, Rick Woloszyn, Willie Rivera, and Gary
Younkers. The Green Machine (Tim Green, Gary Purcell, Jerry Brann, Greg Schmied, and Randy
Vania) used a strong baker segment to catipult from seventh to fourth claiming the final
cashing position. Rays was awarded $900 for their championship efforts.
The second- chance pool proved to be very exciting as only nine pins separated three
teams (The Mix, I/N Tek, and Kofoid's Girls) for the final stepladder spot heading to the
final baker match. The Mix survived to claim the third and final second chance stepladder
position. The Mix then defeated Dilla's Five, and Hebron IAA to capture the $300 top prize
as the Second Chance winners. The second chance pool included the six teams that failed to
finish in the top eight after regular bowling.
Once again scoring proved difficult as only 10 of the 74 bowlers were able to break the
magical 600 barrier. Tim Croy's 673 led all participants Al Dobrowolski (639), Tony Miller
(636), Mark Millsap (633), and Scott Hansen (628).
The event was held at Hebron lanes December 12, 2004.
