Max Cavender wins Central Division Singles Playdowns

(Special reporter, Carl Landgren, recounts the exciting finish in the Central Division singles playdowns.)Going into the last game of the round robin format used in the playdowns, Bob Schneider has no losses, Leif Andresen and Max Cavender have one loss each – with Max needing a critical win in his game against Bob to stay alive.While a marriage ceremony is performed just east of the greens - Max wins handily against Bob, while Leif wins his game against John Devine, resulting in a 3-way tie for first.Based on "plus points", Max gets the bye with Bob taking on Leif. Bob finds his form and plays his usual extraordinary game. The result is a quick win for Bob, putting Leif in 3rd place. Next up – it's Max and Bob in the playoff final with the winner earning the right to represent Central Division at the US National Championships later this summer in Seattle. (Please keep in mind that Bob has not missed qualifying for a US Championships in years.)The game begins evenly for the first few ends.  Then, Max begins to lose his edge slightly, and Bob takes advantage to stake himself to a large lead. With Bob winning end-on-end, it begins to look like he's heading to Seattle. It looks almost certain when Max resorts to a couple of drive shots.After a miss on a drive shot, Max manages to regain his edge. Over several ends Max chips away at Bob's huge lead, and when Max draws 3 on a medium length jack, the lead has evaporated into a draw at 18 – 18.The drama is just beginning. Next end -- Max draws to the Jack...Bob draws off Max's shot bowl...Max is through...Bob draws another shot...Max delivers an overdraw but misses...Bob draws wide, but lays 2...Max needs to cut down, but his overdraw slips through the hole...Bob can win the game with a close draw shot, but on the 13.5 sec greens, he's a bit heavy and his shot goes through the head. Still Bob gets two and leads 20-18.Bob throws a long jack but his first bowl is short...Max is narrow but it lays shot...Bob is wide and through – is it a shot?  (From the other end of the green it's difficult to tell!) ..Max delivers – it's a bit narrow but lays shot...Bob – narrow...Max – through and into the ditch...Bob – wide...Game is 20 – 20.Max throws a medium short jack,  but his first bowl is narrow...Bob– narrow but shot...Max – draws for shot...Bob – narrow...Max – forehand, a draw and trail...Bob – a backhand to draw off the shot – narrow...Max – backhand, draw and trail to lay 2...Bob – last bowl and it has to work. He delivers a beautiful overdrive that is on target and takes the jack - - - but goes to Max's back bowl! Max lays one and Game!!!

Max Cavender, 18, wins his first Central Division playdown title and will represent the division at the Championships along with Charlene Harmon, the lone entry on the women's side.