Ben Pettit Makes History at Kegel Queensland Open
By Matt Stevens
The pins were flying, the scores were sky-high, and history was made as Caboolture Bowl hosted the 15th edition of the Kegel Queensland Open over the weekend—an event that proved worth the wait after Cyclone Alfred forced a postponement earlier in the year.
The rescheduled showdown marked the second nationally ranked event of the 2025 TBA Open Division season, following the Australian Tenpin Bowling Open where young phenom Julian Dinham stunned the nation by becoming one of the youngest-ever winners of the prestigious event.
This time, 106 competitors lined up in Queensland, including elite local talent, rising stars, and a strong international contingent. Among them, New Zealand’s Ben Pettit etched his name into the record books in a spectacular finale, becoming the first international bowler to win the Kegel Queensland Open.
Stage 1: Langford Lays Down the Gauntlet
Twelve games stood between bowlers and advancement in Stage 1, and Jarrod Langford, a four-time Kegel champion, reminded everyone why he’s known as the King in the North. Dominant from the first frame, Langford averaged a blistering 241.3 across the block for a 2,895 total, including a 279 game.
Trailing by 84 pins was Ben Pettit, the 17-year-old two-handed star from North City Tenpin in Porirua, New Zealand. Making the semi-finals last year, Ben returned with a crew of fellow Kiwis, impressing with a 2,811 total (234.3 average). Just behind was that name again—Julian Dinham, whose 2,767 (230.6 avg) had him finishing ahead of brothers Jordan (4th) and defending champion, Justin (17th) in a family affair.
Stage 2: Perfect Moments and Climbs Up the Leaderboard
The top 27 returned for Stage 2 with pinfall carrying over. Langford didn’t let up, finishing with 4,340 over 18 games, maintaining top spot. Pettit stayed second, 137 pins behind, while Jordan Dinham surged to third with a strong set.
But the highlight came from PBA titleholder Sam Cooley, who fired a perfect 300 game in Game 2 of the stage to rocket into contention, while Julian dropped to fifth after a rare stumble—a 156 in Game 4.
Also making the cut was local hero and 2022 Champion, Alicia Melton, flying the flag for the women and advancing to the final stage with the best of them.
Stage 3: Tri-Matchplay Brings the Heat
The final 15 faced off in a tri-matchplay format, where bonus pins (40 for a win, 20 for second) could make or break a title bid. No one mastered the format better than Ben Pettit, racking up 220 bonus pins behind four first-place finishes and three seconds.
Pettit closed the stage in style, dropping 268 and 266 in his final two games to secure the top seed with a 6,124 total (5,904 pins + 220 bonus).
Langford followed in second, with Jordan Dinham, Julian Dinham, and Connor Frith rounding out the top five. Frith’s performance ensured a second New Zealander would feature in the finals.
Stepladder Finals – Dinham’s Run, Pettit’s Moment
If you didn’t know the name Julian Dinham before 2025, you do now.
The 16-year-old league bowler from iPlay Tenpin City continued his extraordinary season, beginning his stepladder run with a 248–179 win over Frith. He followed that with a sibling showdown, defeating Jordan Dinham 246–207, then delivered a clutch 227–218 victory over Langford to set up a dream title match.
But the finale belonged to Ben Pettit.
The Kiwi sensation was calm, clinical, and nearly perfect—rolling a jaw-dropping 299–208 victory to become the first international bowler to win the Kegel Queensland Open.
Future Frames
With international flavour, and youth lighting up the lanes, the 2025 Kegel Queensland Open was a celebration of everything that makes the sport great. From Langford’s dominance to Pettit’s historic breakthrough and Julian’s electric run, the weekend was pure bowling theatre.
Tenpin Bowling Australia congratulates Ben Pettit on his victory and all bowlers who gave their best during the three-day event.
Next stop – the Melbourne Tenpin Cup which is scheduled to occur at Oz Tenpin Epping in Victoria from the 13-15 June 2025. Momentum, bragging rights, and more history to be made as the TBA Open Division rolls on. Limited spots remain to enter the Melbourne Cup and more information can be found here.
Winners Journey – Ben Pettit (NZ)
Stage 1
| 226 | 214 | 226 | 204 | 196 | 243 |
| 262 | 236 | 278 | 214 | 266 | 246 |
| Total for 12 Game Stage | 2,811 |
| Average | 234.3 |
| Position | 2nd behind Jarrod Langford -84 pins |
Stage 2
| 216 | 235 | 247 | 255 | 192 | 247 |
| Total for 6 Game Stage | 1,392 |
| Running Total | 4,203 |
| Average | 233.5 |
| Position | 2nd behind Jarrod Langford -137 |
Stage 3 – Tri-Matchplay
| 258 + 20 | 245 + 40 | 235 + 40 | 194 + 20 |
| 235 + 20 | 268 + 40 | 266 + 40 |
| First Places | 4 |
| Second Places | 3 |
| Bonus Pins | 220 |
| Total Pins | 5,904 |
| Total | 6,124 |
| Average | 236.2 |
| Position | 1st ahead of Jarrod Langford by 126 pins and is awarded 1st seed in stepladder final |
Stage 4 – Stepladder Final
- Match 1 – Julian Dinham 248 defeats Connor Frith 179
- Match 2 – Julian Dinham 246 defeats Jordan Dinham 207
- Match 3 – Julian Dinham 227 defeats Jarrod Langford 218
- Match 4 – Ben Pettit 299 defeats Julian Dinham 208
Personal High Game
299
Top 10
- Ben Pettit (NZ)
- Julian Dinham (NSW)
- Jarrod Langford (QLD)
- Jordan Dinham (NSW)
- Connor Frith (NZ)
- Sam Cooley (NSW)
- Bernie Grueso Jnr (VIC)
- Justin Dinham (NSW)
- Brendan Meads (QLD)
- Jesse Ellis (QLD)
Tournament High Game
300 – Sam Cooley
KEGEL QUEENSLAND OPEN
CHAMPIONS
| 2011 | George Frillingos (Mens) (QLD) & Ann Maree Putney (Women’s) (NSW) |
| 2012 | Brendan Meads (QLD) |
| 2013 | Michael Little (NSW) |
| 2014 | Brendan Meads (QLD) |
| 2015 | Jarrod Langford (QLD) |
| 2016 | Sam Cooley (NSW) |
| 2017 | Adam Hayes (VIC) |
| 2018 | Sam Cooley (NSW) |
| 2019 | Jarrod Langford (QLD) |
| 2020 | Jarrod Langford (QLD) |
| 2021 | Jarrod Langford (QLD) |
| 2022 | Alicia Melton (QLD) |
| 2023 | Blayne Fletcher (QLD) |
| 2024 | Justin Dinham (NSW) |
| 2025 | Ben Pettit (NZ) |
