Parker Bohn, the only male pro bowler to win three titles in 2001, has been named 2001 Male Bowler of the Year by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

Fran Deken, BWAA President, announced that Bohn was a runaway choice with 102 first place votes out of 126 cast. The Jackson, N. J., lefty had the highest percentage of tournament cashes with 18 out of 20 events. In addition to his three wins, Bohn was runner-up once and third twice.

Bohn’s victories came in the American Bowling Congress Masters, the Senior Touring Doubles and his own Empire State Open.

A distant second was Walter Ray Williams Jr., Ocala, Fla., who won the Professional Bowlers Association National Championship and the Greater Cincinnati Open. Williams was the tour’s leading money winner with $144,500, just beating out Bohn who finished with $143,000.

Third place went to Pete Weber, St. Ann, Mo., who won the Great Lakes Classic and the Greater Louisville Open.

Jason Couch of Clermont, Fla., finished in fourth place. He was the average leader for the tour with 221.49, edging Bohn by less then a pin. Couch won the Villages Open and finished runner-up four times.

The final voting (based on 5-2-1 points) with first-place votes in parenthesis: 1. Bohn (102) 541; 2. Williams (11) 208; (8) 89; 4. Couch (2) 78; 5. Chris Barnes, Wichita, Kan. (2) 54; 6. Mika Koivuiemi, Finland (1) 20.

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