Ciccone, Buffalo, defeated Eric Johns, 669-564 in the final 3-game match Sunday, after Johns had defeated Ciccone in the first final match, 708-666. Ciccone, who had emerged from the winners bracket, needed to be defeated twice in the double-elimination match play format.
It was the second Obenauer win for Ciccone, who won the event in 2000 when it was also held at AMF Thruway Lanes.
Ciccone became the 7th bowler in the history of the event to win multiple titles, joining Phil Dewey, Mike Hanes, Dave Guindon, Mike Newmann, Mike Faliero, and Brad Angelo. Newmann holds the record for most titles in the Obenauer, winning four times, in 1988, 1989, 1995, and 1996. Angelo, Dewey, and Hanes have all recorded three titles each.
45th Annual George A. Obenauer Masters Championship
Presented by the Greater Buffalo USBC Association
AMF Thruway Lanes, Cheektowaga, NY
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
Final Standings
1. Joe Ciccone, Buffalo, $1400
2. *Eric Johns, Niagara Falls, $800
3. Joe Burgio, Buffalo, $600
4. Matt Zasowski, Kenmore, $450
Championship Match Results
Johns def. Ciccone, 708-666 in the first match, and Ciccone def. Johns, 669-564 in
the final match
Contender's Bracket Final
Johns def. Burgio, 644-581
Winner's Bracket Final
Ciccone def. Johns, 668-560
Contender's Bracket Semi-Final
Burgio def. Zasowski, 601-482
*Johns earned paid entry and trip to the 2009 USBC Masters, which was awarded to the highest finishing non-exempt PBA bowler of the event.

