| Ken Charrette, Executive Director makes presentation to Match Game Champion Craig Nidiffer on right. Randy Warnken, runnerup on left. |
CRAIG NIDIFFER WINS MATCH GAME CHAMPIONSHIP
Craig Nidiffer won the 36th annual Match Game Championship, the first leg of the
Budweiser Michigan Majors “Triple Crown,” at Parkway Lanes in Trenton.
This was the 3rd title for Nidiffer.
Terry Haines paced the 75 entrants with a six game qualifying score of 1518. Haines was
eliminated in the 1st round of Match Game play by Troy Stus 237-214, 269-258. There have
been only two members, Larry Walker and Ryan Wilson, to win the Championship after
being the leading qualifier.
The format is the best of a three game match. The Championship match is the best of five
game match.
Nidiffer started by defeating Brian Newcomb 216-118; 188-200; 236-215. Mike Chism 248-
202; 280-193. Jeff Hicks 226-184; 247-259; 247-227.The championship match went the five
game distance. Nidiffer won the 1st game 279-225. Warnken came back to win the next
two246-234; 245-214. Nidiffer won 258-203. The turning point came in the 3rd frame.
Warnken had an open frame after starting with a double. Nidiffer jumped all over it by
stringing 9 strikes for a 277-214 win.
Warnken started by defeating Mason Brantley, the Detroit Match Game champion, 201-
246; 269-188; 236-225. Warnken started with a 300-258 win over Troy Stus. Lost 277-217;
won 248-235. Defeated Doug Evans 220-201; 235-243; 290-247. Moving on to the
championship match.
Warnken said, “I just quit carrying the last two games and Craig bowled great. It would
have been nice to win for the 2nd time in two years. I’ll be back next year.”
Nidiffer said, “I thought it was all over after the 3rd game. I made a ball change and it all
worked out. This is the greatest thing to happen to me so far in my career. To win a Major
title is the best.”
FINAL STANDINGS
Craig Nidiffer (Monroe) $1500
Randy Warnken (Clinton Twp) $800
Jeff Hicks (Allen Park) $500
Doug Evans (Gibraltar) $500
Abed Daher (Brownstown) $375
Harry Sullins (Chesterfield) $375
Mike Chism (Farmington Hills) $375
Troy Stus (South Lyon) $375
Terry Haines (Westland) $275
Mason Brantley (Detroit) $175
Ray Eddy (Saginaw) $175
Scott Kapke, (Canton) $175
Brian Newcomb (Romulus) $175
Trey Raynes (Wayne) $175
Jeff Roche (Dearborn) $175
Jamie Adams (Macomb Twp) $175
Tim Maine (Dearborn) $125
Cory Miller (Grand Blanc) $125
Ryan Mitter (St. Clair Shores) $125.
Craig Nidiffer won the 36th annual Match Game Championship, the first leg of the
Budweiser Michigan Majors “Triple Crown,” at Parkway Lanes in Trenton.
This was the 3rd title for Nidiffer.
Terry Haines paced the 75 entrants with a six game qualifying score of 1518. Haines was
eliminated in the 1st round of Match Game play by Troy Stus 237-214, 269-258. There have
been only two members, Larry Walker and Ryan Wilson, to win the Championship after
being the leading qualifier.
The format is the best of a three game match. The Championship match is the best of five
game match.
Nidiffer started by defeating Brian Newcomb 216-118; 188-200; 236-215. Mike Chism 248-
202; 280-193. Jeff Hicks 226-184; 247-259; 247-227.The championship match went the five
game distance. Nidiffer won the 1st game 279-225. Warnken came back to win the next
two246-234; 245-214. Nidiffer won 258-203. The turning point came in the 3rd frame.
Warnken had an open frame after starting with a double. Nidiffer jumped all over it by
stringing 9 strikes for a 277-214 win.
Warnken started by defeating Mason Brantley, the Detroit Match Game champion, 201-
246; 269-188; 236-225. Warnken started with a 300-258 win over Troy Stus. Lost 277-217;
won 248-235. Defeated Doug Evans 220-201; 235-243; 290-247. Moving on to the
championship match.
Warnken said, “I just quit carrying the last two games and Craig bowled great. It would
have been nice to win for the 2nd time in two years. I’ll be back next year.”
Nidiffer said, “I thought it was all over after the 3rd game. I made a ball change and it all
worked out. This is the greatest thing to happen to me so far in my career. To win a Major
title is the best.”
FINAL STANDINGS
Craig Nidiffer (Monroe) $1500
Randy Warnken (Clinton Twp) $800
Jeff Hicks (Allen Park) $500
Doug Evans (Gibraltar) $500
Abed Daher (Brownstown) $375
Harry Sullins (Chesterfield) $375
Mike Chism (Farmington Hills) $375
Troy Stus (South Lyon) $375
Terry Haines (Westland) $275
Mason Brantley (Detroit) $175
Ray Eddy (Saginaw) $175
Scott Kapke, (Canton) $175
Brian Newcomb (Romulus) $175
Trey Raynes (Wayne) $175
Jeff Roche (Dearborn) $175
Jamie Adams (Macomb Twp) $175
Tim Maine (Dearborn) $125
Cory Miller (Grand Blanc) $125
Ryan Mitter (St. Clair Shores) $125.