Jason Couch claims March Bowler of the Month

Jason Couch (pictured), Clermont, Florida, has been named the March 2011 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

Couch captured the PBA Mark Roth Plastic Ball Championship, defeating Parker Bohn III, Jackson, New Jersey, in the title match, 219-175. The win is his 16th career PBA title and first since January 2007. After the 2006-07 season, the three-time Tournament of Champions winner faced knee surgery knocking him out of the 2007-08 season.

"It's a big monkey off my back to win. I'm very happy to see that my hard work has paid off and that my body is keeping up with me," Couch said after clutching the trophy.

The 1992 PBA Rookie of the Year took the lead after the 14-game qualifying round and stayed in the top 4 through the remainder of the tournament. He qualified as the top seed in the four-man stepladder TV finals.

Others receiving votes were Chris Loschetter, winner of the 8th Kuwait International Open, Randy Weiss, top 3 finalist in the PBA Dick Weber playoffs, Dick Allen, also a top 3 finalist in the PBA Dick Weber Playoffs and Clara Guerrero, Colombia, winner of the European Bowling Tour's Brunswick Euro Challenge.