The 6th Times-News Open, following the 4 previous events had a 20-game qualifier and 24 games of match play. The ’69 venues were Eastway, Lakewood and Eastland Bowl (con- clusion of the qualifier and all rounds of the finals).

Dave Mackowski began the tournament as round 1 leader with 1,352 followed by 1967 Champ Marion Bartnik at 1,293.

Bartnik, the current State Men’s Singles champ and holder of the single season average record (220 in 1967-68) moved to the front with 1,315 as Al Mancuso slid into the second spot fueled by a 299 5th game and a 1,370 block.

Vince Sitter, Jr., who sat third after 2 rounds raced to the qualifying title with 1,645 for a total of 4,174. Bartnik slowed to 1,544 but was still good enough for second, 22 pins behind.

Bartnik, just one of 4 bowlers averaging over 200, managed just 1,607 for the 8 games but, with 275 bonus pins in tow, lead Bud Nick by 18 pins and Leroy Smith by 22 after round one of the finals.

Lee Smith averaged almost 220 in round two, and with his sweep of his matches leaves him with a total of 4,019. Bartnik drops to second, now 203 pins behind and 2-time champion Tom Hickey moves into third.

Once again the scoring was low (a 198 average) but Bartnik had the answer, shooting 103 pins better than Smith over the 8 games. Add an additional 100 bonus pins (over Smith) and, you guessed it … you have a tie.

In the rolloff pitting the 1966 Champ Smith against the 1967 Champ Bartnik, Bartnik opened with a slim 201-197 victory. Smith bounced back to claim game two 215-213 but the 2-pin victory was only half of what was needed to catch Bartnik.