By Elira Benavari

It had been two years since he competed professionally. But you wouldn't know it from Professional Bowling Association Hall of Famer Jason Couch's first foray back on the pro-bowling circuit since retiring in 2012.

Couch, 44, of Clermont was victorious at the PBA Gene Carter Pro-Shop Classic held last month in Middletown, Del., which drew 171 participants from 18 states and two Canadian provinces.

"It wasn't expected and I had not really trained a lot but it makes me feel really good!" said Couch, who added the "super-regional" tournament was neck-and-neck, coming down to defeating longtime competitor Ryan Shafer of Horseheads, N.Y., in the 10th frame. Couch walked away with his 26th career PBA regional title and the $15,000 first-prize purse, the largest payoff in the PBA eastern regional history, according to PBA officials.

"I feel for him because we are good friends, too — but he has never beaten me in a title match or a tournament," said Couch, the only bowler in PBA history to win three consecutive "Tournament of Champions" titles from 1999-2002. He was pitted against Shafer in the final two of those three tournaments.

After starting his professional bowling career at 20, it didn't take long for Couch to start making history.

He was named PBA Rookie of the Year in 1992 on his way to winning 16 PBA Tour titles. Consistency has been a hallmark of Couch's — he won at least one title six straight seasons through 2004.

In 2009, Couch was ranked 24th on the list of "50 Greatest Players in PBA History." He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 2012 and the United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame in 2013. He returned to the tour in 2008 and 2009 after knee surgery in 2007 to repair a torn meniscus and cartilage damage, but decided to retire.

"I plan on doing some events, especially the Tournament of Champions in March, but this doesn't mean I am coming out of retirement fully," Couch said. "I am bone on bone on my right knee right now, but everything fell into place at the right time at this event and it was just great to bowl without pain for a change."

Since retiring, he has been busy with his wife, Kim Couch, and their daughters Kailyn, 7, and Keira, 5. He golfs whenever possible, watches the Washington Redskins and Florida Gators football teams and works as district sales manager for Ebonite International, one of the largest manufacturers of bowling equipment and a prior sponsor of Couch for 23 years.

"I love having this time with my family and do not miss living out of a suitcase all of the time," Couch said. "But I still gotta pinch myself sometimes to feel how lucky I have been."

He is next due to compete in the PBA World Series of Bowling VI Oct. 24-Nov. 2 in Las Vegas.