(Photo Courtesy of PBA LLC)

November 2, 2009 – Andover, Massachusetts – On October 6th, 2009, Walter Ray Williams, Jr. celebrated his 50th birthday. This milestone granted Walter Ray eligibility to bowl on the PBA Senior Tour, a place most of his PBA Tour competitors surely hoped he would compete exclusively. Unfortunately for them, it seems that Walter Ray will be doing more than merely sticking around the Tour, as he once again displayed why he is one of the all-time greats by winning the Motor City Open. The win marked his 46th career PBA victory, the most all-time.

The top seed in the stepladder format, Williams edged former PBA Player of the Year and Dexter teammate Chris Barnes 238-230 in what proved to be a highly competitive final match. Barnes got off to a tremendous start, striking in seven of his first eight frames, but an open frame in the 9th allowed Walter Ray to capture the lead for the first time in the match. Going into the tenth frame, Barnes still had a chance to win the match with a double strike and 8 pins, but left a ringing 7 pin on his first shot, allowing Walter Ray to rewrite the record books yet again.

“As long as I feel good and stay competitive, I’ll keep on bowling,” said Walter Ray following the match. “I don’t want to be out here if I’m not competitive; I’d be too frustrated. When I can’t compete, when it isn’t fun, I’ll retire. I have no issue with that. But I feel like I’m still doing pretty well.”

Walter Ray refuses to slow down. In fact, he looks as strong as ever.

“I keep saying one more (title), and now it’s 46,” he joked after the match. “Winning a tournament is the best thing in the world, but you never know when it’s going to be the last one.”

“He’s unbelievable, out there competing against and beating guys half his age,” said Dexter Bowling Vice President Bud Clapsaddle of Walter Ray Williams, Jr. “It’s a testament to the shape he stays in, both physically and mentally. What a way for him to start the new season!”

Along with Walter Ray’s victory, Team Dexter was well represented in the Motor City Open. Chris Barnes defeated Bill O’Neill in the semifinals before ultimately suffering a narrow defeat at the hands of the PBA all-time wins leader. Tommy Jones also made the final telecast, starting in the fifth position, but falling to Bill O’Neill in the opening match 201-169.