Page’s miscue gives TOC title to Allen

By Andy Samuelson

Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 | 1:11 p.m.

On a day when Earl Anthony was named the Professional Bowlers Association’s top bowler of all-time, Rhino Page had the perfect opportunity to cement his own name beside that of the legendary bowler at Red Rock Lanes.

The reigning PBA Rookie of the Year needed a spare on the final frame to defeat good buddy Patrick Allen and take home the H&R Block Tournament of Champions title.

Having already thrown seven strikes in the ESPN-televised finals before opening the 10th frame with another perfect shot, Page’s day seemed to be playing out, well, perfectly.

But then the Topeka, Kan. native made a mistake by calling for a re-rack to collect himself before his big shot. Having already used the two re-rack allowed, and noticing the 25-second shot clock was winding down, the left-hander let loose an errant shot that misconnected on the head pin.

Only four pins fell and Allen’s awkward facial expression told the rest of the story of how Page missed out on winning his first major title.

“I knew the shot was in trouble when it came off my hand,” Page told pba.com. “I got distracted with the time clock, but sometimes you have to learn the hard way. I still had a great week. I’ll take second after not making the cut the previous three weeks.”

For Allen, a native of Wesley Chapel, Fla., the 267-263 victory — his second major career championship and second win on the Lumber Liquidators PBA tour in three weeks — meant a $50,00 payday and two-year tour exemption.

Plus the unique honor of being the top champ during the week that the PBA celebrated its 50th Anniversary, Allen said.

“He out-bowled me until that shot,” Allen said. “You don’t win out here if you don’t get some breaks, but that’s not the way you want to win.

“It was an honor to be here the whole week. Winning the Tournament of Champions, especially this week, is something I’ll never forget. It was an honor just to be here this week.”

The late Anthony, who was the tour’s first career millionaire, took the top spot on the special list of 50 greatest bowlers over Walter Ray Williams Jr.

“If Earl were here, he would probably say he wasn’t deserving. He wouldn’t turn it down, but he’d be very humble,” said Anthony’s wife, Susie Anthony.

Williams Jr. said he wasn’t disappointed to be named runner-up.

“I’m very pleased to be No. 2,” said Williams Jr., whose 45 career PBA titles mark two more than Anthony’s 43 wins.

“I feel Earl’s record is better than mine because it was more condensed. Earl bowled 14 years and 400 or so events. I’ve bowled well over 600 by now, maybe 700.

“Some people will argue Earl’s era was tougher, but others will argue my era was tougher. The reality is, people threw the ball differently in each era. That’s the way the game is played.”

Dick Weber and Pete Weber were named third and fourth respectively on the list with Mark Roth coming in at No. 5. Mike Aulby, Norm Duke, Don Johnson, Marshall Holman and Parker Bohn rounded out the Top 10.

Andy Samuelson is a sports writer/editor for the Las Vegas Sun. He can be reached at [email protected] or 702-948-7837.