onefrombills
04-19-2009, 11:06 PM
In the coming months, we'll talk with some of best-known bowlers at the USBC Open Championships and get their thoughts on their time at the tournament and what it takes to succeed on the championship lanes.
This week, we heard from Terry "Koolie" Kulibert, who will be in Las Vegas to compete in this year's event on April 20 and 21.
Kulibert, a three-time champion at the Open Championships, will be competing in his 33rd consecutive tournament. The last of his three titles came at Cashman Center when the tournament made its first trip to Las Vegas in 1986.
During his bowling career, Kulibert has been one of the most recognizable faces and influential bowlers in the Wisconsin bowling community (including giving four-time titlist Jeff Richgels of Oregon, Wis., his big break at the Open Championships in the 1980s).
Kulibert helped the United States to a silver medal in Men's Trios at the 1979 World Championships and traveled overseas again a year later for an eight-day, eight-city tour of Germany where he and five other bowlers put on a series of exhibitions.
He found success at the Open Championships at the side of USBC Hall of Famer Rich Wonders before turning his attention to the management side of bowling.
In January of 1987, Kulibert came down with a virus called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which affects the lining of the spine and causes paralysis in most people. With treatment, doctors were able to reverse the effects of the virus, and Kulibert was able to remain competitive, despite a slight loss of drive and ability due to the illness and the loss of his father at the same time.
In 1989, Kulibert added a 300 game to his tournament resume, and while his competitive days may be behind him, he still looks forward to joining his friends on the lanes at the Open Championships each year.
Kulibert currently is the general manager at Super Bowl in Appleton, Wis.
HOMETOWN: Oshkosh, Wis.
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS APPEARANCES: 33
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS TITLES: 3 (Team All-Events in 1982, '83 and '86)
BOWLING BALL WEIGHT: 13 1/2
FAVORITE BRAND OF BOWLING BALLS: Storm
ONE all-time favorite host city: Baton Rogue
TWO best Open Championships memories: 1. 300 at Wichita in 1989; 2. First TAE championship in '82
THREE keys to success at the Open Championships: 1. Teamwork to build a shot; 2. Find out the shot before you get there and drill right equipment; 3. Bowl with great bowlers that get along
FOURgettable Open Championships moment: Shooting 506 in team event and team took 3rd place (came back in singles and doubles with a couple of 670+ scores)
FIVE bowlers in history on your Open Championships fantasy all-star team: Rich Wonders, Jeff Richgels, Mike Shady, Steve Richter, Lennie Boresch Jr.
SIX bowling balls currently in your Open Championships arsenal: Virtual Gravity (2); Cell Pearl (2); High Road; Special Agent
SEVEN cities you'd like to see the Open Championships go to/return to: New Orleans, Orlando, Nashville, Baton Rogue, Memphis, Dallas, Jacksonville
EIGHT favorite bowling balls ever: Yellow Dot, LT48, Black U Dot, Cell Pearl, Blue Hammer, Pink Hammer, White Dot, Special Agent
NINE other current/eligible bowlers you would choose to join you on your ideal pair of companion teams at the Open Championships: Jeff Richgels, Steve Richter, Dale Traber, Gary Daroszewski, Lennie Boresch Jr., Gus Yannaras, Steve VanDomelen, Erik Gialdella, Justin Stuck
TEN seconds or less, who is your favorite bowler of all-time?: Pete Weber
ELEVEN strikes in a row to start a game at the Open Championships, what'sgoing through your head?: Make a good shot
TWELVE years from now, where do you hope to be in your bowling career?: Hopefully still bowling in the Championship and getting close to my 50th year.
This week, we heard from Terry "Koolie" Kulibert, who will be in Las Vegas to compete in this year's event on April 20 and 21.
Kulibert, a three-time champion at the Open Championships, will be competing in his 33rd consecutive tournament. The last of his three titles came at Cashman Center when the tournament made its first trip to Las Vegas in 1986.
During his bowling career, Kulibert has been one of the most recognizable faces and influential bowlers in the Wisconsin bowling community (including giving four-time titlist Jeff Richgels of Oregon, Wis., his big break at the Open Championships in the 1980s).
Kulibert helped the United States to a silver medal in Men's Trios at the 1979 World Championships and traveled overseas again a year later for an eight-day, eight-city tour of Germany where he and five other bowlers put on a series of exhibitions.
He found success at the Open Championships at the side of USBC Hall of Famer Rich Wonders before turning his attention to the management side of bowling.
In January of 1987, Kulibert came down with a virus called Guillain-Barre Syndrome, which affects the lining of the spine and causes paralysis in most people. With treatment, doctors were able to reverse the effects of the virus, and Kulibert was able to remain competitive, despite a slight loss of drive and ability due to the illness and the loss of his father at the same time.
In 1989, Kulibert added a 300 game to his tournament resume, and while his competitive days may be behind him, he still looks forward to joining his friends on the lanes at the Open Championships each year.
Kulibert currently is the general manager at Super Bowl in Appleton, Wis.
HOMETOWN: Oshkosh, Wis.
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS APPEARANCES: 33
OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS TITLES: 3 (Team All-Events in 1982, '83 and '86)
BOWLING BALL WEIGHT: 13 1/2
FAVORITE BRAND OF BOWLING BALLS: Storm
ONE all-time favorite host city: Baton Rogue
TWO best Open Championships memories: 1. 300 at Wichita in 1989; 2. First TAE championship in '82
THREE keys to success at the Open Championships: 1. Teamwork to build a shot; 2. Find out the shot before you get there and drill right equipment; 3. Bowl with great bowlers that get along
FOURgettable Open Championships moment: Shooting 506 in team event and team took 3rd place (came back in singles and doubles with a couple of 670+ scores)
FIVE bowlers in history on your Open Championships fantasy all-star team: Rich Wonders, Jeff Richgels, Mike Shady, Steve Richter, Lennie Boresch Jr.
SIX bowling balls currently in your Open Championships arsenal: Virtual Gravity (2); Cell Pearl (2); High Road; Special Agent
SEVEN cities you'd like to see the Open Championships go to/return to: New Orleans, Orlando, Nashville, Baton Rogue, Memphis, Dallas, Jacksonville
EIGHT favorite bowling balls ever: Yellow Dot, LT48, Black U Dot, Cell Pearl, Blue Hammer, Pink Hammer, White Dot, Special Agent
NINE other current/eligible bowlers you would choose to join you on your ideal pair of companion teams at the Open Championships: Jeff Richgels, Steve Richter, Dale Traber, Gary Daroszewski, Lennie Boresch Jr., Gus Yannaras, Steve VanDomelen, Erik Gialdella, Justin Stuck
TEN seconds or less, who is your favorite bowler of all-time?: Pete Weber
ELEVEN strikes in a row to start a game at the Open Championships, what'sgoing through your head?: Make a good shot
TWELVE years from now, where do you hope to be in your bowling career?: Hopefully still bowling in the Championship and getting close to my 50th year.