Cook Beats Ellenburg in Final Match for His First Bowling Win Since 1983

VENICE, Fla. —  Steve Cook of Roseville, Calif., defeated top-seeded Frank Ellenburg of Mesa, Ariz., 245-211, Saturday to win the $200,000 Bowling Proprietors Assn. of America U.S. Open.

Cook, 6-7, won the battle of the giants over the 6-6 Ellenburg with a string of five straight strikes late in the final match.

It was the ninth career PBA title for Cook, but the first in singles competition since the 1983 Touring Players Championship.

“I used to not get so nervous on TV,” said Cook, who collected $38,000 for the victory. “But after a while you start to wonder if you’ll ever win again.”

David Ozio of Vidor, Tex., trying for his second straight title, advanced with a pair of high-scoring wins over Del Ballard Jr. of Richardson, Tex., and Brian Voss of Tacoma, Wash. Ozio beat Ballard, 240-235, and Voss, 247-236.

But Cook had too much firepower for Ozio to handle, and the Texan was eliminated, 222-205.

Ozio took the money lead with his $11,000 payday. His earnings for 1986 total $49,075.