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Feldman refuses to fold in WPBA final By DAVID DAUGHERTY GRANTS PASS -- After a two-year winless drought on the Women's Professional Bowling Association tour, Michelle Feldman had serious doubts if she would ever win again. The 24-year-old Feldman erased any doubts on Thursday, beating Kim Adler, 242-230, in the televised Bowl the Rogue Open final at Showtime Lanes. Feldman served notice to the rest of her PWBA combatants that she is on top to stay as she collected the $11,000 first prize. The victory is Feldman's fourth in her six-year career, but her first since the 1998 Lady Ebonite Classic in Louisville, Ky. "I was really frustrated and didn't think I could win again," said Feldman. "My confidence is back. I really feel I will win at least three more times this year." Feldman's appearance in the television final was her fourth straight, a feat unequaled this season on the PWBA tour this season. But she had come up short in two finals against Carolyn Dorin-Ballard to go along with a third-place finish before Thursday. Feldman's frustration looked like it would be prolonged thanks to Adler, who started the match with five straight strikes, while Feldman suffered a critical open frame in the third. "My first thought was I let another one get away," said Feldman of her open. "When Kim gets lined up, she's on. But we still had five frames to go." The open frame appeared to bring a focus to Feldman's game, as she promptly rolled five straight strikes to keep the pressure on Adler. Feldman's resurrection paid off in the sixth frame, when Adler suffered a devastating open frame of her own. "At that point, that's what I needed," said Feldman. "In my heart I felt I had to win." "I just threw a bad shot," said Adler. "Some times your bad shots end up strikes and some times they leave you open. This one left me open." Adler's miscue allowed Feldman to take a two-pin lead heading into the 10th frame. Feldman responded by striking out on her final three rolls to lock up the crown. "I just told myself to get it right," said Feldman. As long as I left nine I would have been OK. I just wasn't going to lose tonight." Adler took the long route to the title match, besting Carolyn Dorin-Ballard and Wendy Macpherson in a one-game rolloff by rolling a 243. "I had an advantage after that because I had confidence," said Adler, "especially when you're striking a lot." Adler then edged second-seeded Cara Honeychurch, 204-203, in a thrilling match to advance into the title contest. After a hot start and consistent scoring, Honeychurch appeared to have her match with Adler securely in hand heading into the 10th frame. But a costly open frame at the most inopportune time left the door open for Adler, who pounced. "If I feel the match is over, it probably is," said Adler. "You always have to feel like you have a chance, and as luck would turn out, I would have never made it that far." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA