onefrombills
05-14-2009, 01:46 PM
LAS VEGAS - For the first time in almost 11 weeks, there is a new leader in Classified Team at the USBC Open Championships.
K&K Bowling Services 11 of Las Vegas put together games of 877, 952 and 984 for a 2,813 total at Cashman Center on Tuesday and moved past Malad Gun Club of Malad City, Idaho, which previously held the lead with 2,745.
Malad Gun Club tied the third-highest Classified team game in history (1,061) and moved into the top spot on Feb. 26. The group held the lead for 76 of the tournament's first 81 days.
"This is amazing, and I'm still shaking," said K&K Bowling Services 11 captain, Robert Yadao. "I'm proud of our team. We are all excited. We all came together and carried each other as a team today."
K&K Bowling Services 11 came together because the 2009 Open Championships is being held in their backyard for the first time since 1986. While two team members have experience on the tournament lanes, three bowlers competed in the event for the first time Tuesday.
Yadao gathered guys from his league and formed a team, and what was meant to be a fun new experience, turned into a memorable achievement.
First-time participant Oscar Jimenez led the team with a 610 series and was followed by tournament veteran Bob Godden (590), first-timer Bruce Burkey (573), Yadao (548) and newcomer Rich Hunter (492). Godden made his 28th Open Championships appearance, while Yadao competed for the sixth time.
"We all bowl together, and we are all friends," Yadao said. "This was supposed to be a one-time thing. We wanted to try something new and have fun."
Along with bowling in league together, Yadao and his teammates all work at the Mirage Las Vegas as dealers or supervisors. While competing Tuesday, they thought some of the Vegas luck casino visitors often talk about had worked for them on the lanes.
"We all work at the Mirage, and we were bowling on the only lanes that had a Mirage symbol above them," Yadao said. "I think it was some sort of karma for us. I've never been so excited."
Going into the 10th frame, the team knew they had to finish clean to have a chance at the lead. By the fourth bowler, the team had the lead and was just adding to its total.
"We didn't know how close we were, but once we took the lead, the place erupted," Yadao said. "It was nice that we had people come to watch and cheer us on. On the lanes, I guess you could say we had home advantage. We also got a lot of breaks with our strikes."
Now that the hard part is over, K&K Bowling Services 11 will have to sit back and wait until the tournament concludes its record 154-day run on July 24.
"This is pretty exciting considering it's already past the halfway point," Yadao said. "Now, everyone will be shooting for our number. Hopefully it holds up. If it gets beat, then that team definitely deserves it. This would be my number one achievement in bowling, and it would be beyond cool."
Godden, who made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1981 event in Memphis, Tenn., did not let his personal success end with the team event Tuesday.
The 49-year-old right-hander returned to Cashman Center on Wednesday morning as a model of consistency on the way to the Classified All-Events lead.
Godden posted a 633 series in doubles and teamed up with Burkey for a 1,181 total and fourth place in Classified Doubles. Godden added 631 in singles for a career-best 1,854 all-events total and moved past Anthony Kastle of Charlotte, N.C., who previously held the Classified All-Events lead with 1,834. Eric Douglass of Goldfield, Iowa, and Troy Schultz of Clarion, Iowa, lead doubles with 1,204.
"I don't really average a lot, but I always try to be consistent and make all of my spares," Godden said. "Being in the all-events lead means I was able to be consistent, and it feels really good. Coming to this tournament has been a lot of fun, and there have been a lot of memorable trips over the years. It is a first for us to be on the board, and that makes it even better."
After their success, the teammates have decided to turn the only-in-their-backyard experience into a regular thing. They had discussed the possibility of competing in next year's event at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., and now that decision is pretty definite.
"It was convenient for us this year, and that's why we came," Yadao said. "We said Reno could be in our sights, but now I'm pretty sure we are definitely bowling."
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.
K&K Bowling Services 11 of Las Vegas put together games of 877, 952 and 984 for a 2,813 total at Cashman Center on Tuesday and moved past Malad Gun Club of Malad City, Idaho, which previously held the lead with 2,745.
Malad Gun Club tied the third-highest Classified team game in history (1,061) and moved into the top spot on Feb. 26. The group held the lead for 76 of the tournament's first 81 days.
"This is amazing, and I'm still shaking," said K&K Bowling Services 11 captain, Robert Yadao. "I'm proud of our team. We are all excited. We all came together and carried each other as a team today."
K&K Bowling Services 11 came together because the 2009 Open Championships is being held in their backyard for the first time since 1986. While two team members have experience on the tournament lanes, three bowlers competed in the event for the first time Tuesday.
Yadao gathered guys from his league and formed a team, and what was meant to be a fun new experience, turned into a memorable achievement.
First-time participant Oscar Jimenez led the team with a 610 series and was followed by tournament veteran Bob Godden (590), first-timer Bruce Burkey (573), Yadao (548) and newcomer Rich Hunter (492). Godden made his 28th Open Championships appearance, while Yadao competed for the sixth time.
"We all bowl together, and we are all friends," Yadao said. "This was supposed to be a one-time thing. We wanted to try something new and have fun."
Along with bowling in league together, Yadao and his teammates all work at the Mirage Las Vegas as dealers or supervisors. While competing Tuesday, they thought some of the Vegas luck casino visitors often talk about had worked for them on the lanes.
"We all work at the Mirage, and we were bowling on the only lanes that had a Mirage symbol above them," Yadao said. "I think it was some sort of karma for us. I've never been so excited."
Going into the 10th frame, the team knew they had to finish clean to have a chance at the lead. By the fourth bowler, the team had the lead and was just adding to its total.
"We didn't know how close we were, but once we took the lead, the place erupted," Yadao said. "It was nice that we had people come to watch and cheer us on. On the lanes, I guess you could say we had home advantage. We also got a lot of breaks with our strikes."
Now that the hard part is over, K&K Bowling Services 11 will have to sit back and wait until the tournament concludes its record 154-day run on July 24.
"This is pretty exciting considering it's already past the halfway point," Yadao said. "Now, everyone will be shooting for our number. Hopefully it holds up. If it gets beat, then that team definitely deserves it. This would be my number one achievement in bowling, and it would be beyond cool."
Godden, who made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1981 event in Memphis, Tenn., did not let his personal success end with the team event Tuesday.
The 49-year-old right-hander returned to Cashman Center on Wednesday morning as a model of consistency on the way to the Classified All-Events lead.
Godden posted a 633 series in doubles and teamed up with Burkey for a 1,181 total and fourth place in Classified Doubles. Godden added 631 in singles for a career-best 1,854 all-events total and moved past Anthony Kastle of Charlotte, N.C., who previously held the Classified All-Events lead with 1,834. Eric Douglass of Goldfield, Iowa, and Troy Schultz of Clarion, Iowa, lead doubles with 1,204.
"I don't really average a lot, but I always try to be consistent and make all of my spares," Godden said. "Being in the all-events lead means I was able to be consistent, and it feels really good. Coming to this tournament has been a lot of fun, and there have been a lot of memorable trips over the years. It is a first for us to be on the board, and that makes it even better."
After their success, the teammates have decided to turn the only-in-their-backyard experience into a regular thing. They had discussed the possibility of competing in next year's event at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., and now that decision is pretty definite.
"It was convenient for us this year, and that's why we came," Yadao said. "We said Reno could be in our sights, but now I'm pretty sure we are definitely bowling."
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.