onefrombills
03-06-2009, 03:07 PM
Players seek perfection at Open Championships
3/5/2009
By Matt Cannizzaro and Jason Pinter
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Mark Wolford of West Liberty, Ohio, couldn't have picked a better time for the first perfect game of his bowling career.
The 26-year-old right-hander has been close to perfection before, but never was able to close the deal. He finally reached that pinnacle when he rolled the second 300 game of the 2009 USBC Open Championships at Cashman Center on Saturday night.
"I've had my share of 299s, but I could never get that last pin, which usually is the 10," said Wolford, who made his third Open Championships appearance. "This time, I threw a great ball and had a great reaction. It's amazing to have my first 300 game happen at the Open."
After 10 solid shots Saturday, Wolford needed a little luck to continue his run at perfection.
"I tugged my 11th shot a little bit, but kept it in the oil, so I got lucky and it crushed the 10 pin," Wolford said. "The next ball, I'm thinking to myself, don't do that again, and whatever you do, do not leave the 10 pin."
His final offering came off his hand cleanly and buried the pocket. After the pins fell, a huge weight lifted off of his back.
"Once that 10 pin went down, it was surreal," Wolford said. "I finally accomplished perfection. Throwing a 300 with all my friends and family around was amazing. I couldn't believe how many people were there to see my last ball and congratulate me."
Wolford's 300 came in his first game of team, and he added 201 and 218 for a 719 series and helped Al-Mar Lanes Three to a 2,761 team total. Dave Girrell of Toledo, Ohio, owns the only other 300 at this year's Open Championships.
Later in the team event, Grant Yednock of Streator, Ill., had a shot at the third perfect game of the year, but fell short when he crossed over and left the 1-3-6-10 after 11 consecutive strikes and finished with 296. He opened the night with games of 154 and 180, and his 630 series helped Rhythm Lanes 1 to a 2,786 team 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.
3/5/2009
By Matt Cannizzaro and Jason Pinter
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Mark Wolford of West Liberty, Ohio, couldn't have picked a better time for the first perfect game of his bowling career.
The 26-year-old right-hander has been close to perfection before, but never was able to close the deal. He finally reached that pinnacle when he rolled the second 300 game of the 2009 USBC Open Championships at Cashman Center on Saturday night.
"I've had my share of 299s, but I could never get that last pin, which usually is the 10," said Wolford, who made his third Open Championships appearance. "This time, I threw a great ball and had a great reaction. It's amazing to have my first 300 game happen at the Open."
After 10 solid shots Saturday, Wolford needed a little luck to continue his run at perfection.
"I tugged my 11th shot a little bit, but kept it in the oil, so I got lucky and it crushed the 10 pin," Wolford said. "The next ball, I'm thinking to myself, don't do that again, and whatever you do, do not leave the 10 pin."
His final offering came off his hand cleanly and buried the pocket. After the pins fell, a huge weight lifted off of his back.
"Once that 10 pin went down, it was surreal," Wolford said. "I finally accomplished perfection. Throwing a 300 with all my friends and family around was amazing. I couldn't believe how many people were there to see my last ball and congratulate me."
Wolford's 300 came in his first game of team, and he added 201 and 218 for a 719 series and helped Al-Mar Lanes Three to a 2,761 team total. Dave Girrell of Toledo, Ohio, owns the only other 300 at this year's Open Championships.
Later in the team event, Grant Yednock of Streator, Ill., had a shot at the third perfect game of the year, but fell short when he crossed over and left the 1-3-6-10 after 11 consecutive strikes and finished with 296. He opened the night with games of 154 and 180, and his 630 series helped Rhythm Lanes 1 to a 2,786 team 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.