BOWLING / PBA AT TORRANCE : Holman Starts Quickly--With Perfection

Marshal Holman, the all-time money-winner in pro bowling, began his 18th season on the national pro tour Wednesday with a flourish of strikes and a perfect game in taking the lead in the $175,000 AC/Delco PBA tournament at Gable House Bowl in Torrance.

“It’s nice to get out of the gate with a good score,” Holman said after bowling a 279 to open his first round. “You start the year off right, and it’s liable to be a good one all the way.”

The year did get better in a hurry.

His morning total of 1,486 on games of 279, 248, 225, 247, 253 and 234 was overshadowed in the night action when he included a perfect game in a 1,498 round on games of 236, 246, 205, 300, 254 and 257.

At one point Holman had 20 consecutive strikes. The last three games gave him an 811 series.

After 12 games, Holman, 37, is more than 100 pins ahead of longshot Dan Natarelli of Mission Hills, who recently scored two 300 games in a league series.

The original field of 160 will be cut to the top 24 bowlers after the third round today. After that, the semifinalists bowl 24 games of match play through Friday to determine five finalists for Saturday’s title rolloff.

Other tour stars in contention to make the cut include Norm Duke, Wayne Webb, Dave Ferraro, Pete Weber and Del Ballard Jr.

Another Southern Californian with a chance is Scott Kraye of La Habra.

Kraye’s first game of the tournament was perfect. He flirted with a PBA record by starting with 17 strikes. The record for consecutive strikes to start a tournament is 23, by Jim Tilton of Palmdale in 1985.

Holman, 37, said there is something about the lanes at Gable House that fits his style. “I’ve never won here but always bowled well in the center,” he said.