Jack Jurek
Jack Jurek
Jack Jurek of Lackawanna, New York is a two-time winner on the PBA 50 Tour, having first captured victory at Tums Classic in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, back in 1995. Additionally, he works full-time at a bowling pro shop.
“He does not plan on undertaking another Appalachian Trail trip, but is considering more hiking as he sets his sights on running faster marathon times.
Early Life and Education
Jurek was raised in Proctor, Minnesota with a deep connection to nature that developed through hunting and camping trips. To train for cross country skiing he started trail running to prepare himself. Through trial running he eventually discovered ultramarathoning; winning Western States endurance race on first attempt; setting course records at Badwater 100 mile trek through Death Valley and Spartathlon marathon races (153 mile marathon in Greece).
Eat & Run: My Unexpected Journey to Ultramarathon Greatness provides running tips and recipes for healthy living, and he also operates Transit Lanes Pro Shop in Lackawanna where he earned the Professional Bowlers Association Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award this season.
He currently teaches Russian Politics through the SUNY Brockport Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program – an online virtual classroom which pairs professors from one country with students from another – 15 students are currently enrolled from Lutsk in his class.
Professional Career
Jack Jurek is an award-winning professional bowler who has competed on the PBA Tour since 1991. He is two-time tournament title holder, boasting 17 career 300 game finishes in addition to owning and operating his own pro shop in Lackawanna, New York.
Tommy Page knew going into Sunday’s final match against Jack Jurek at Go RVing Classic that he was taking on one of the tournament’s favorites and began pumping his fist and shouting out encouragement to the ESPN crowd.
Jurek proved a crowd favorite as well, winning his second tour title in 14 years. The 46-year-old from Lackawanna, N.Y. beat Mike Scroggins and Mike Edwards before reaching the final round against Hess, who struggled with his equipment resulting in him leaving a 7-10 split that gave Jurek his opportunity.
Achievement and Honors
Jurek, who runs his pro shop at Transit Lanes in Lackawanna, New York, received the Steve Nagy Sportsmanship Award twice this season. Additionally, he is two-time PBA Tour winner as well as holding several championships on senior tour.
Jurek defeated Bob Learn 264-224 in the final match to capture his second Miller High Life Classic championship on the Professional Bowlers Association 50+ circuit. Jurek completed nine consecutive strikes at George Pappas’ Victory Lanes to seal victory and claim victory.
Jurek triumphed after both players tied at 218-218 after regulation play had concluded, in a sudden death rolloff determined by sudden death scoring. This victory marked his first tour title win since 2002 and broke the record for longest drought between tournament titles won.
Personal Life
Jurek won his tournament dedicated to his late father by rolling nine consecutive strikes during an early opening at George Pappas’ Victory Lanes for George Pappas’ Miller High Life Classic tournament. Learn, Jr. had won five PBA Tour wins and two PBA50 Tour wins since 2005 and faced off against him before eventually defeating Jurek by an overwhelming score of 264-224 at George Pappas Victory Lanes.
Hess had the chance to capture his childhood dream of winning a major championship during the ninth frame, but let one shot slip by while trying to split against Jurek’s pured ball. That left Hess one pin away from fulfilling that childhood wish.
Jeanne was an adept crafter who could create amazing Halloween costumes, stunning dresses and home decor items. She was also an adoring mother and grandmother; together with Jack she loved hosting dinner parties for family and friends on Sundays.
Net Worth
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He has won two United States Bowling Congress Masters Tournaments and 17 career 300 games on the PBA Tour, is a USBC Silver Certified Coach, operates his own pro shop – Bowler’s Choice at Transit Lanes in Lackawanna NY as well as being on both USBC Player Committee and PBA50 Tour boards of directors; additionally he was inducted into Bowlers Journal Hall of Fame twice and awarded Amateur of the Year honors by Bowlers Journal magazine.