1997 Bowling Promotion PBA French Cup

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Source Bowlers Journal International (Bernard Mora):

In Annecy, France, some 300 spectators paid 200 francs (US$35), to watch the PBA players compete against 76 bowlers from France, Switzerland, Austria and Italy. France's Bernard Chavaz (14) from St Julien was paired with Parker Bohn III, and won the double title with a 220 average (Bohn 248, Chavaz 191). In the all events, Bohn won with 231.7, followed by Ozio at 231.4 and a 21-year-old French amateur, physical training student Cedric Vargelli from Montpellier, with 228.4. Everyone in the crowd was talking about hopes for a new PBA Tour for Europe in '98, and the '97 demonstration was superbly appreciated.

Inside the Tour (Jason Couch):

Saturday, December 6 (1997) ~ It's a scenic four-hour drive to our next stop, Annecy, France, which is about 20 miles from Geneva and Albertville (site of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games). Ebonite is the sponsor, which makes me the host pro, and we're joined by Ebonite vice president Mike Quitter. This event is in conjunction with the Professional Bowlers France Association (now Bowling Promotion Association), under the direction of its young executive Bruno Bidone. We're scheduled to bowl seven games with PBFA members. Along with my partner Cedric, we finish third, but a long way behind Parker, who average a "mere" 250. Parker helps me set up trick shots, and I get lucky and convert all of them before the sold-out crowd.

Sunday, December 7 (1997) ~ We bowl eight games of head-to-head competition before cutting to the top five for a stepladder final. Parker, to no one's surprise, wins by holding off Doug. Maybe this will help turn Doug's luck around in cards, because we've all been sharing in a piece of his $50,000 Japan Cup '97 check over the past few days, given his winless streak.

Pictures of the 97 Stop in Annecy (France)

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Pete Weber in discussion with french bowlers (Photo Bernard Mora Bowling Presse)

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Practice BP Cup ~ L to R ~ David Ozio ~ Parker Bohn III ~ Pete Weber (Photo BM)

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Doubles competition Championship (Photo Bernard Mora Bowling Presse)

Please click to enlarge (Press 1997 Bowling Promotion Cup)

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