Mike Shady had lead the event after each round of the 2002 Times-News Open in capturing his first title at Greengarden Lanes. The 2003 Times-News started right were the 2002 event left off, with Shady leading.

Shady posted a 5-game block of 1,236 at Rolling Meadows leading 5-time champ Ron Palombi, Jr. by 20 pins. Ralph Toland, Jr. rolled the 7th 300 game in qualifier history in game 3 enroute to a 1,187 total and a 3rd place standing.

The qualifier moved to Classic Lanes for the final 5 games and after a slow start Shady steadied and held on for his second consecutive qualifying title with a score of 1060-2296. Steve Warren made the race for the qualifying title interesting firing the day’s second highest block, 1,170 to close to within 15 pins of Shady and the #2 qualifying position. Palombi, who would climb as high as +278 through 8 games stumbled to 149 and 173 in games 9 and 10 to finish 7th. Dave Bille recorded the days high block, 1,180 fueled by back-to-back games of 279 and 299. He improved 194 pins from round 1 to finish 22nd while Toland, Jr. dropped 210 pins from his round 1 score to finish a disappointing 23rd.

In the finals, with qualifying totals eliminated the cream immediately rose to the top. The first 3 games showed Shady with 259-280-205, Palombi with 277-234-212 and Eighmy with 236-228-246. These three past champions would hold all three top positions except in game 1 where 2001 champion Steve Benke held 3rd. By day’s end Palombi managed to forge a 32-pin lead on the strength of 7 match victories while Shady, who had the greatest pinfall, held 2nd, 57 pins back.

The finals then moved to Eastland and a new experience for Times-News bowlers was in store, a “sport” condition. Accordingly, scores were low as there was an extremely high premium on shotmaking. Even so, Shady jumped out of the blocks with games of 226-256-238, overtaking Palombi in game 9. Shady held onto the lead each game there after as Palombi closed to 10 pins after game 12, dropped back, and then again cut the deficit 34 pins after game 14 by defeating Shady 229-215. Both combatants would lose game 15, Palombi by a count of 198-197 to Chris Moffet, which left Shady in the lead by 19 pins over Palombi.

The winner of the final game would take home the title and it was closely contested from start to finish. Shady held a small lead throughout the game, leading by as much as 13 through 7 frames. Palombi would respond with a strike in the 9th and again on the first shot in the 10th but could not manage the triple he needed to force his opponent to double in the 10th. Needing only a mark, Shady struck on his first shot leading to a 193-188 match game victory and the 2003 Times-News Open Title.