Tom Clark's No. 8: Duke Defies The Odds In Indy
Tom Clark's No. 8: Duke Defies The Odds In Indy
Coming in at No. 8 on PBA Commissioner Tom Clark's favorite shows of the past decade was Norm Duke's win at the 2019 PBA Indianapolis Open.
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This the third in a 10-part series by PBA Commissioner Tom Clark.
As PBA Commissioner, my greatest privilege has been having a front row seat to PBA history.
I've worked more than 250 PBA finals since 2008. One thing has been guaranteed: Our events and our players always deliver compelling drama. Every time.
But as last decade came to a close, I singled out my 10 most memorable shows from 2010-19, with some personal notes:
No. 8: 2019 PBA Indianapolis Open, Woodland Bowl, Indianapolis
Norm Duke won his 39th title at age 54, defeating the hottest player on the planet Jason Belmonte, to do it.
Sometimes you get the match everyone wants to see. This was it. Duke vs. Belmo. One handed vs. two handed. Old school vs. new wave. Living legend vs. legend in the making. Big personality vs. big personality.
No matter how great Norm has been for decades, not many expected to see him back in this position, advancing past such a tough field to make a show at this age. Everyone expected Belmo.
The drama with each shot was so thick, you could literally see fans gasping for breath. You could sense bowling fans around the country texting each other, making sure they were watching this thing unfold.
Both players have a unique sense for the moment, a quality that invites fans in. When Norm made the 4-9, and threw a reserved first into the air as the fans went wild, it was one of the great moments I've seen in sports.
Randy said it best, "If you don't like this, you don't like bowling! Turn the channel."
No one did.
Watch the full show here:
Tom Clark’s Top 10 Countdown
1. To be released June 6
2. To be released May 30
3. To be released May 23
4. To be released May 16
5. To be released May 9
6. To be released May 2
7. To be released April 25
8. 2019 PBA Indianapolis Open
9. 2018 USBC Masters
10. 2012 PBA WSOB Scorpion Championship