onefrombills
05-17-2009, 07:02 PM
LAS VEGAS - On the way to a career-best performance at the USBC Open Championships, Edward Lavery of Williamsville, N.Y., found himself one stubborn 7 pin away from perfection on the tournament lanes Friday night.
The 27-year-old right-hander started his final game of doubles with 11 consecutive strikes before finishing with 299. He added games of 214 and 245 for a 758 series, his best doubles set in five years of participation at the Open Championships, and teamed up with Joe Wagner of Buffalo, N.Y., for a 1,387 total. Marc McDowell of Monona, Wis., and Mike Shady of Fairview, Pa., lead Regular Doubles with 1,474.
"I thought I had a fantastic shot," Lavery said. "I couldn't believe it. I could only say, 'you've got to be kidding me.' But I can't be too mad about a 299."
Lavery has been close to perfection at the Open Championships before, but was unable to reach the pinnacle.
"I've had the front nine here before, but I left the 10 pin," Lavery said. "I knew what to expect, but I was still nervous. I knew I needed the first one in the 10th to get 740. The second one was nice because it seems to be the hardest one. On the last one, I thought I had it."
Heading into this year's event at Cashman Center, Lavery took more of a laid back approach and focused on having fun.
Lavery's approach paid off as he added 679 in singles and 671 in team, both career highs, for a 2,108 all-events total and 18th place in Regular All-Events. Ron Vokes of Racine, Wis., leads with 2,321.
Lavery's all-events total is his highest by more than 200 pins (1,877), and his 758 in doubles bested his previous high series on the tournament lanes by nearly 100 pins (673).
"I did alright in team, so I wanted to follow it up in doubles and singles," Lavery said. "It's my highest score ever and my first honor score, so I'm happy."
There have been 21 perfect games, 10 299s and a 298 at this year's Open Championships.
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 27-year-old right-hander started his final game of doubles with 11 consecutive strikes before finishing with 299. He added games of 214 and 245 for a 758 series, his best doubles set in five years of participation at the Open Championships, and teamed up with Joe Wagner of Buffalo, N.Y., for a 1,387 total. Marc McDowell of Monona, Wis., and Mike Shady of Fairview, Pa., lead Regular Doubles with 1,474.
"I thought I had a fantastic shot," Lavery said. "I couldn't believe it. I could only say, 'you've got to be kidding me.' But I can't be too mad about a 299."
Lavery has been close to perfection at the Open Championships before, but was unable to reach the pinnacle.
"I've had the front nine here before, but I left the 10 pin," Lavery said. "I knew what to expect, but I was still nervous. I knew I needed the first one in the 10th to get 740. The second one was nice because it seems to be the hardest one. On the last one, I thought I had it."
Heading into this year's event at Cashman Center, Lavery took more of a laid back approach and focused on having fun.
Lavery's approach paid off as he added 679 in singles and 671 in team, both career highs, for a 2,108 all-events total and 18th place in Regular All-Events. Ron Vokes of Racine, Wis., leads with 2,321.
Lavery's all-events total is his highest by more than 200 pins (1,877), and his 758 in doubles bested his previous high series on the tournament lanes by nearly 100 pins (673).
"I did alright in team, so I wanted to follow it up in doubles and singles," Lavery said. "It's my highest score ever and my first honor score, so I'm happy."
There have been 21 perfect games, 10 299s and a 298 at this year's Open Championships.
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.