onefrombills
02-27-2009, 02:11 AM
LAS VEGAS - After a five-year hiatus, Dave Girrell of Toledo, Ohio, made his return to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships a memorable one by posting the first perfect game of the 2009 event at Cashman Center on Wednesday night.
The tournament's fifth day was coming to a close and nearly 3,000 bowlers had completed their nine games of competition when Girrell became the first to string together 12 consecutive strikes. His 300 came in his second game of singles between games of 162 and 171 for a 633 series.
"My teammates couldn't believe it," said Girrell, who made his 13th appearance at the USBC Open Championships. "They were more excited than I was. I was just happy."
The 52-year-old right-hander was in familiar surroundings in Las Vegas, where he made his tournament debut in 1986. He participated sporadically until 2003 before a series of knee and back injuries kept him off the lanes.
"It was unbelievable to be here that first year," Girrell said. "I fell in love with bowling, and I have been doing it ever since. I want to get back into it. This is going to help. It's just so exciting."
Although Girrell didn't bowl as well as he would've liked overall, shooting 300 at the Open Championships was a special accomplishment and a memorable highlight to his comeback. It also made him think of his father, who taught him to bowl.
"I'm not unhappy with they way I bowled," Girrell said. "I mean, I'm not thrilled that I didn't bowled what I think I should have, but when you shoot 300, it makes your whole year. I thought of my dad when I did it. He is the one who started me in bowling years ago. I never took it seriously and he passed away of cancer a few years back."
Even though he's not 100 percent yet, Girrell accomplished something that only 632 other bowlers have achieved in 106 years of Open Championships competition. Each year he returns to the event, he will be recognized in the squad room for his accomplishment.
Girrell rounded out his tournament comeback with 570 in doubles and 506 in team for a 1,709 all-events total.
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.
The tournament's fifth day was coming to a close and nearly 3,000 bowlers had completed their nine games of competition when Girrell became the first to string together 12 consecutive strikes. His 300 came in his second game of singles between games of 162 and 171 for a 633 series.
"My teammates couldn't believe it," said Girrell, who made his 13th appearance at the USBC Open Championships. "They were more excited than I was. I was just happy."
The 52-year-old right-hander was in familiar surroundings in Las Vegas, where he made his tournament debut in 1986. He participated sporadically until 2003 before a series of knee and back injuries kept him off the lanes.
"It was unbelievable to be here that first year," Girrell said. "I fell in love with bowling, and I have been doing it ever since. I want to get back into it. This is going to help. It's just so exciting."
Although Girrell didn't bowl as well as he would've liked overall, shooting 300 at the Open Championships was a special accomplishment and a memorable highlight to his comeback. It also made him think of his father, who taught him to bowl.
"I'm not unhappy with they way I bowled," Girrell said. "I mean, I'm not thrilled that I didn't bowled what I think I should have, but when you shoot 300, it makes your whole year. I thought of my dad when I did it. He is the one who started me in bowling years ago. I never took it seriously and he passed away of cancer a few years back."
Even though he's not 100 percent yet, Girrell accomplished something that only 632 other bowlers have achieved in 106 years of Open Championships competition. Each year he returns to the event, he will be recognized in the squad room for his accomplishment.
Girrell rounded out his tournament comeback with 570 in doubles and 506 in team for a 1,709 all-events total.
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.