High Rollers Feb. 2000

February 4, 2000, Las Vegas- Las Vegas was just cleaning up from it's
many New Year's celebrations, trying to forget the Y2K scare when the
Super Bowl High Roller and it's 5,000 participants and guests roared
into town!
     The 11th annual event supplied more fireworks than could be
imagined, and, provided it's own Y2K-the "K" for Kiszewski!
     The High Roller extravaganza eclipsed its own record setting pace
of the pre-millennium era as more than $1.6 million was disbursed to
1,972 entrants.
     The world watched the ball drop at Times Square earlier in the
month, but 34 year old Brad Kiszewski dropped a couple of his own-and he
dropped them right where he wanted to. The late rounds of match play
were all his, as the standing-room-only crowd watched him win the last 5
matches with 202-213-205-205-227 on a typically demanding High Roller
condition, much to the dismay of his opponents who just couldn't keep
up.
     The lanky right-hander from upstate New York made his presence
known during High Roller Sweepers in the past couple of years. But it
wasn't until this event, that Kiszewski showed he had some "killer"
match game prowess as well. His 6'4" height and his accuracy (12 pocket
shots in the finale) left an imposing impression on his 12 match play
victims.
     High Roller veteran Kerry Kreft also entered the final round
undefeated in match play. The 27 year old Kreft, from Michigan, had
already proven his ability over the years with some fine performances.
Kreft also has the distinction of having the same sponsor as the 1999
July High Roller champ Arnie Goldman. So sponsor-extraordinaire Gary
Jones was thinking back-to-back!
     But Kiszewski stood in the way, 227-196, so the Michigan contingent
couldn't boast "book ends". However Kreft's $50,000 runner-up take was
certainly worth the effort.
     Wichita's Richard Renollet certainly had his best effort with his
3rd place $25,000 finish. Renollet, in his 6th High Roller event,
posted a 10-1 match game record. Unfortunately, his only defeat came in
the semi-final round at the hands of Kreft.
     In the "consolation" match for 3rd and 4th, Renollet fired 242 at
John Palmer. 42 year old Palmer had quite a run of match victories
until he ran into a couple of buzz saws in the late rounds. His $12,500
check was reward for a great performance.
     Another major performance came from the $50,000 Brunswick Best Ball
Challenge. Greg McMahan left the snow and ice of Tennessee to take part
in the "40 & Over" Classic as he has done every year since its
inception! And, as he has done every year, McMahan stayed for the Super
Bowl High Roller. The difference this year? On the way home, he had
enough to pay for a college education for his son!
     That was McMahan's 1st observation after winning $32,250 with some
key strikes. He had qualified for the Challenge by becoming one of the
top cashers in the final Sweeper of the week. In that Sweeper, he made
a run from 11th to 3rd in the 2-game roll-off!
     A record number of Sweeper entrants battled for the five $10,000
top prizes. They were won by Brian Brazeau, Tim Mack, Adam Colton,
Chris Sand and Robby Porter.
     Kevin Cartier and Tony Manna each shot 300, each winning a "VIP"
event and $3,000.

Ken Racette Wins "40& Over" Classic
     Ken Racette, 52 years old from Southern California won the $20,000
top prize when he defeated Mal Cowen 215-181 in the title match.
     Racette, a veteran of 20 High Roller tournaments, qualified for the
match play finals with 865 in his 4-game block and then really turned it
on in match play.
     Cowen, bowling in his first High Roller event at the age of 48
picked up $10,000 for his runner-up finish. Jim Moran and Ron Mohr each
picked up $5,000 prizes for their semi-finals appearance.
     Ron Vandevanter, from Montana, also earned a $5,000 prize as he
bested 1,200 entries in the Early Bird Tune-Up. Vandevanter fired 513
for his 2-gamer to win by a single pin over Greg Jackson of California.