onefrombills
04-27-2009, 02:29 AM
LAS VEGAS - Sean Riccardi of Piscataway, N.J., finished 12th at the Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open earlier this month and walked into the 2009 USBC Open Championships with a little extra confidence.
The 34-year-old right-hander was at his best again this weekend as he rolled the 15th perfect game of this year's Open Championships and cracked the top five in Regular Singles and Regular All-Events.
Riccardi put together games of 233, 256 and 300 for a 789 singles effort and now sits third in Regular Singles. He added 728 in doubles and 647 in team for a 2,164 all-events total, which puts him fourth in Regular All-Events. Ron Vokes of Racine, Wis., leads singles and all-events with 857 and tournament-record 2,321, respectively.
"It hasn't hit me yet, but it feels good," said Riccardi, who made his fourth Open Championships appearance. "I've been bowling pretty well lately, but this weekend was really just about getting away with the guys and having some fun. Bowling well was a bonus."
Riccardi has bowled perfect games before, but none compare to tossing one at the Open Championships. He was one of three bowlers on consecutive pairs of lanes to start the last game of singles with nine straight strikes Sunday, and after the other two bowlers failed to finish things out, Riccardi did his best to avoid the sweep. Steve Szakacs of Warren, N.J., finished with 279, and Ronald Alberti of Branchburg, N.J., ended with 261.
Riccardi and Alberti were up to bowl at the same time, so they decided to alternate shots, which kept things light and friendly and helped Riccardi remain relaxed.
"I was hoping all of us would shoot 300, but when the other guys missed, I wanted to do it so we didn't go 0-for-3," said Riccardi, who works in sales for Kellogg's. "This is pretty exciting, and of all my 300s, this is at the top of the list right now."
Riccardi prefers not to set goals when he competes because that just adds more pressure. Instead, he chooses to focus on enjoying himself on the lanes and doing what comes naturally.
"I really don't set goals because it makes you push too hard sometimes," Riccardi said. "If you start thinking, your mind will go 1,000 places a minute. You need to have fun and stay loose and make good shots. You have a better chance if you stay loose."
With even more confidence following his performance at Cashman Center this weekend, Riccardi now will prepare to test his skills at the 2009 Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour Trials, where the top eight competitors after 45 games will earn exemptions for the 2009-10 PBA Tour season. The event will be held at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., from May 26-31.
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 34-year-old right-hander was at his best again this weekend as he rolled the 15th perfect game of this year's Open Championships and cracked the top five in Regular Singles and Regular All-Events.
Riccardi put together games of 233, 256 and 300 for a 789 singles effort and now sits third in Regular Singles. He added 728 in doubles and 647 in team for a 2,164 all-events total, which puts him fourth in Regular All-Events. Ron Vokes of Racine, Wis., leads singles and all-events with 857 and tournament-record 2,321, respectively.
"It hasn't hit me yet, but it feels good," said Riccardi, who made his fourth Open Championships appearance. "I've been bowling pretty well lately, but this weekend was really just about getting away with the guys and having some fun. Bowling well was a bonus."
Riccardi has bowled perfect games before, but none compare to tossing one at the Open Championships. He was one of three bowlers on consecutive pairs of lanes to start the last game of singles with nine straight strikes Sunday, and after the other two bowlers failed to finish things out, Riccardi did his best to avoid the sweep. Steve Szakacs of Warren, N.J., finished with 279, and Ronald Alberti of Branchburg, N.J., ended with 261.
Riccardi and Alberti were up to bowl at the same time, so they decided to alternate shots, which kept things light and friendly and helped Riccardi remain relaxed.
"I was hoping all of us would shoot 300, but when the other guys missed, I wanted to do it so we didn't go 0-for-3," said Riccardi, who works in sales for Kellogg's. "This is pretty exciting, and of all my 300s, this is at the top of the list right now."
Riccardi prefers not to set goals when he competes because that just adds more pressure. Instead, he chooses to focus on enjoying himself on the lanes and doing what comes naturally.
"I really don't set goals because it makes you push too hard sometimes," Riccardi said. "If you start thinking, your mind will go 1,000 places a minute. You need to have fun and stay loose and make good shots. You have a better chance if you stay loose."
With even more confidence following his performance at Cashman Center this weekend, Riccardi now will prepare to test his skills at the 2009 Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour Trials, where the top eight competitors after 45 games will earn exemptions for the 2009-10 PBA Tour season. The event will be held at Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park, Mich., from May 26-31.
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.