McCordic Continues to Set Bowling Pace

Fourteen years is a long time to wait for a victory on the pro bowling tour but Pete McCordic is still waiting.

Friday, however, the Houston bowler took what might have been a giant step toward the elusive tour victory in the Greater Los Angeles Open at Gable House Bowl in Torrance.

McCordic defeated six of eight opponents in the match play and after 32 games his average is 228. Still, his lead is a tentative one over two Californians.

Behind McCordic, the “old man” in the field of 24 semifinalists at 33, were Ricky Corona of Diamond Bar and Jess Staybrook of San Diego.

The same trio has been running atop the standings since the 18-game mark Wednesday, when 136 of the original field of 160 bowlers failed to make the cut.

McCordic, who has six second-place finishes in PBA play, is aiming to be at least among the top five after 42 games for today’s nationally televised roll-off at noon for the $18,000 first prize.

Corona, only 32 pins behind, is only a few years out of the amateur ranks.

Before turning pro, the former Bay Area youth starred on Southern California’s junior amateur tour and later was an All-American in college bowling at the University of California.

Staybrook, 27, one of four left-handers in contention, credits married life for his strong bowling.

He was wed last month. “With Kathy in the stands rooting for me, I’m a different bowler,” he said. Staybrook has been bowling the PBA part time for three years without a high finish.

Fourth was Kentuckian John Gant and fifth was Mats Karllson. Karllson, from Sweden, is the only foreign bowler to have won on the PBA tour. He won at Riverside last year.

Miami’s Rod Pasteur rolled a perfect game Friday, beating perennial champion Marshall Holman in their match.