Saturday’s action at the 55th Brunswick Ballmaster Open was packed with excitement, as two final qualification squads remained for bowlers seeking a place in the finals. Adding to the drama, a crowded desperado squad fought fiercely for the last three spots in Final Step 1. Despite the pressure, players delivered spectacular performances, with six perfect games scored, raising the tournament’s total count to nearly 20.
In the morning squad, young bowling prodigies Robin Ilhammar from Sweden and Brandon Bohn from the USA each rolled a 300 game. However, it was Brandon's father, Parker Bohn III, who stole the spotlight. The 2016 Ballmaster Open champion scored a total of 1412, narrowly advancing to the next round by just five pins, finishing 34th—barely above the cut line.
As the penultimate qualification squad unfolded, the tension at the historic Tali Bowling Hall was palpable. In this do-or-die atmosphere, some bowlers rose to the occasion. Sweden’s Anton Ahlgren bowled a perfect game, while his compatriot Adam Andersson delivered an impressive 1462 total, securing a place in Final Step 2 by finishing 12th in the overall standings. Finland’s Nooa Vilokkinen also rose to the challenge, finishing strong with a 246 game to push his total to 1414—just enough to claim a spot in Final Step 1.
With qualification squads concluded, the desperado round offered three final spots in the finals. Elissa Mehmet (284), Loick Coolen (259), and Killian Ecoffey (256) advanced, securing their places with the highest single-game scores. In a dramatic finish, Ecoffey edged out Ireland’s Christopher Sloan in a two-frame roll-off after both tied with 256.
Once all the finalists were determined, the spotlight shifted to recognizing excellence and contributions to bowling.
For the second consecutive year, Tomas Käyhkö was named Bowler of the Year 2024. The 27-year-old had an outstanding year, finishing second in the PBA Delaware Classic and winning the Singapore International Open in June. The Finnish Bowling Association selects the Bowler of the Year annually.
Meanwhile, Timo Palermaa was posthumously inducted into the Finnish Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame. Palermaa dedicated his life to the sport, becoming a pioneer of live bowling broadcasts in Finland. His tireless efforts brought competitions to fans' homes for years, setting new standards for live coverage. His Hall of Fame diploma was received by his family members, Toni, Emma, and Osku Palermaa, in an emotional ceremony honoring his legacy.
Following the awards ceremony, the focus returned to the lanes as 32 bowlers competed in Final Step 1. The stakes were high, with players vying for a top-16 finish to advance. The six-game round was played from scratch, and the spectators witnessed three more perfect games, achieved by Linus Boström, Joonas Jehkinen, and Carl Eklund.
Despite their 300 scores, only Jehkinen and Eklund advanced. Jehkinen led the field with a stellar 1505 total, while Eklund finished fifth with 1431. Unfortunately, Boström fell short, ending in 18th place with 1316.
Brunswick Ballmaster Open action will contunue on Sunday with Final Step 2 starting on 10 AM.
Fans of Ballmaster can catch all the action via live streams and stay updated through regular posts on BowlingLife, the tournament's official media partner, across their website and social media platforms. In addition, all pictures of the event can be found here. Don't forget to follow Ballmaster Open Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as to subscribe their YouTube channel. Live commentary and streaming from Tali Bowling Hall will begin on Saturday, offering fans an in-depth look at the final qualifying action.
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