onefrombills
02-22-2009, 06:48 PM
LAS VEGAS - Entertainer Terry Fator recently celebrated the debut of his own show in Las Vegas, and the celebrity impressionist/singer/comedian/ventriloquist was on hand to help kick off the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships at Cashman Center on Saturday night.
Fator, who won "America's Got Talent" in 2007, entertained more than 250 bowlers and a standing-room-only crowd as the USBC Open Championships officially started its record 154-day run.
Joined by two authentic Las Vegas showgirls, Mayor Oscar Goodman, USBC Hall of Famer Jim Schroeder and soon-to-be hall of famer Wendy Macpherson, dignitaries and sponsors took part in the opening-night festivities, which also included the traditional Mass Ball Shot, ribbon cutting and the crowning of "Joe Bowler."
Roger Hutchison of Mason, Ohio, earned the distinction of Joe Bowler, a tradition that began in 1951, and rolled the ceremonial first ball (a nine count), signifying the official start of the 2009 event. The tournament will run from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily until July 24.
"I was sitting in the squad room thinking to myself that there is no way I was going to be picked to be Joe Bowler," said Hutchison, who made his 14th appearance at the Open Championships. "The treatment they gave me was out of this world, and I'm just really excited to be here tonight."
This year, the Open Championships returns to Las Vegas for the first time since 1986, when the storied event reached 10,000 teams (10,019) for the first time. In all, 17,200 five-player teams are scheduled to compete this year, making it the second-largest tournament in history behind the 1995 event at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.
On the lanes Saturday, Macanudos of Auburn, Ga., an Opening-Day regular, posted games of 988, 993 and 959 to set the bar in Regular Team with a 2,940 team total.
Randy Russell led the way for Macanudos with a 648 set and was followed by Ed Ilano (629), Chad Pierce (579), Dan Smith (576) and USBC Hall of Famer Lisa Wagner (508).
"The shot's a lot tougher this year, so it's nice to start off on top," Russell said. "We know the score probably won't last, but we have fun every year, and that's the most important thing for us."
In the Classified Division, Fairbault Foods of Cokato, Minn., rolled into the team lead with games of 824, 843 and 842 for a 2,509 total.
Rick Carlson led the way with 549 and was followed by Thomas Teske (524), Jesse Carlson (508), Francis Wren (496) and Ron Carlson (432).
Competition continues Sunday at 7 a.m. as the first of more than 86,000 bowlers return to the lanes at Cashman Center for doubles and singles.
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.
Fator, who won "America's Got Talent" in 2007, entertained more than 250 bowlers and a standing-room-only crowd as the USBC Open Championships officially started its record 154-day run.
Joined by two authentic Las Vegas showgirls, Mayor Oscar Goodman, USBC Hall of Famer Jim Schroeder and soon-to-be hall of famer Wendy Macpherson, dignitaries and sponsors took part in the opening-night festivities, which also included the traditional Mass Ball Shot, ribbon cutting and the crowning of "Joe Bowler."
Roger Hutchison of Mason, Ohio, earned the distinction of Joe Bowler, a tradition that began in 1951, and rolled the ceremonial first ball (a nine count), signifying the official start of the 2009 event. The tournament will run from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. daily until July 24.
"I was sitting in the squad room thinking to myself that there is no way I was going to be picked to be Joe Bowler," said Hutchison, who made his 14th appearance at the Open Championships. "The treatment they gave me was out of this world, and I'm just really excited to be here tonight."
This year, the Open Championships returns to Las Vegas for the first time since 1986, when the storied event reached 10,000 teams (10,019) for the first time. In all, 17,200 five-player teams are scheduled to compete this year, making it the second-largest tournament in history behind the 1995 event at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev.
On the lanes Saturday, Macanudos of Auburn, Ga., an Opening-Day regular, posted games of 988, 993 and 959 to set the bar in Regular Team with a 2,940 team total.
Randy Russell led the way for Macanudos with a 648 set and was followed by Ed Ilano (629), Chad Pierce (579), Dan Smith (576) and USBC Hall of Famer Lisa Wagner (508).
"The shot's a lot tougher this year, so it's nice to start off on top," Russell said. "We know the score probably won't last, but we have fun every year, and that's the most important thing for us."
In the Classified Division, Fairbault Foods of Cokato, Minn., rolled into the team lead with games of 824, 843 and 842 for a 2,509 total.
Rick Carlson led the way with 549 and was followed by Thomas Teske (524), Jesse Carlson (508), Francis Wren (496) and Ron Carlson (432).
Competition continues Sunday at 7 a.m. as the first of more than 86,000 bowlers return to the lanes at Cashman Center for doubles and singles.
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.