Fears that U.S. bowlers might dominate the International Masters forever dissipated when Florida's Jerry Steele went into a tailspin at El Bol Guadalajara after leading early in the week. By the final day, the only survivors from the original field of 35 were Canada's Jim Kramer, Sweden's Georg Andersson, Germany's Fritz Blum and Mexico's Benny Corona.

Corona, a Tijuana liquor salesman, was a photographer's delight, leaping skyward whenever he struck or converted a spare. But after defeating Andersson in the stepladder opener, all Corona's gymnastics couldn't save him from Blum in the semifinal match. Buoyed by the victory against the hometown favorite Corona, Blum, a locksmith from Mannheim, cruised past Kramer in the final two-game matchup, 385-334.

And all in attendance agreed that mariachis and margaritas under Mexican moonlight could outshine even the nightlife of Paris.