onefrombills
07-05-2009, 09:41 PM
LAS VEGAS - Two years ago, Ray Smarsh of Matawan, N.J., watched his teammates roll what was then the highest doubles score in the history of the USBC Open Championships, and on Saturday, they cheered him on as he enjoyed his own day in the spotlight.
Although he didn't break any records, Smarsh did move into sixth place in Regular Singles with games of 246, 279 and 267 for a 792 series at Cashman Center. Bo Goergen of Midland, Mich., leads with a record score of 862.
"It's all about trying to get comfortable and trying to pick the right ball with the few shots of practice you get," said Smarsh, who made his fifth Open Championships appearance. "What really helped was a suggestion from my doubles partner (Rusty Thomsen) and having the guys there rooting me on. I was able to match up, and it all came together."
Smarsh actually got lined up during his second game of doubles, and while he was hitting the pocket consistently, the pins just weren't falling. He shot 191, 204 and 216 for a 611 series and teamed up with Thomsen for a 1,270 total. When they switched lanes for singles, Smarsh's strategy was the same, but the results were considerably better.
"I don't hook the ball as much as the other guys, so I just try to play to the strengths of my game and make my spares," Smarsh said. "Today, I was able to move in and play a straighter line to the pocket, and everything clicked. I've had years where I made good shots and made my spares, but never really put up any big scores. This is great."
The 37-year-old right-hander struck 28 times in singles, and although he was mathematically eliminated from title contention after an open in the ninth frame of the first game, an 800 series and top-five effort still were possible.
"After the second game, I was just hoping for at least a 225 so I could have a 750 series," said Smarsh, who bowls regularly at Strathmore Lanes. "I knew I couldn't win singles, but after I started with the front six the last game, I knew 800 was still out there. Once I was out of the wood for that, I just wanted to put up the best score I could."
Smarsh was joined on the lanes by 2007 Regular Doubles champions Jonathan Masur of West Orange, N.J., and Jeffrey Butler of Garfield, N.J., whose record score of 1,544 was topped by Brenda Edwards and Stephen Padilla of Mansfield, Texas, when they took the doubles lead with 1,566 last week.
"I've bowled with the same group of guys for four years now, and while we come to the tournament hoping to have a good time, we still hope to bowl as well as we can, too," Smarsh said. "We all bowl in the same league and spend a lot of time together, and it was nice to have them rooting me on. It was exciting to even have a chance at an honor score here, and I'm proud about being able to put up a big number."
Besides having an enjoyable trip with his friends, Smarsh's main goal heading into the Open Championships each year is to break the 1,900 mark in all-events. He added 607 in team this year and finished with a career-best 2,010 all-events total. His previous high was 1,866 at the 2006 event in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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.
Although he didn't break any records, Smarsh did move into sixth place in Regular Singles with games of 246, 279 and 267 for a 792 series at Cashman Center. Bo Goergen of Midland, Mich., leads with a record score of 862.
"It's all about trying to get comfortable and trying to pick the right ball with the few shots of practice you get," said Smarsh, who made his fifth Open Championships appearance. "What really helped was a suggestion from my doubles partner (Rusty Thomsen) and having the guys there rooting me on. I was able to match up, and it all came together."
Smarsh actually got lined up during his second game of doubles, and while he was hitting the pocket consistently, the pins just weren't falling. He shot 191, 204 and 216 for a 611 series and teamed up with Thomsen for a 1,270 total. When they switched lanes for singles, Smarsh's strategy was the same, but the results were considerably better.
"I don't hook the ball as much as the other guys, so I just try to play to the strengths of my game and make my spares," Smarsh said. "Today, I was able to move in and play a straighter line to the pocket, and everything clicked. I've had years where I made good shots and made my spares, but never really put up any big scores. This is great."
The 37-year-old right-hander struck 28 times in singles, and although he was mathematically eliminated from title contention after an open in the ninth frame of the first game, an 800 series and top-five effort still were possible.
"After the second game, I was just hoping for at least a 225 so I could have a 750 series," said Smarsh, who bowls regularly at Strathmore Lanes. "I knew I couldn't win singles, but after I started with the front six the last game, I knew 800 was still out there. Once I was out of the wood for that, I just wanted to put up the best score I could."
Smarsh was joined on the lanes by 2007 Regular Doubles champions Jonathan Masur of West Orange, N.J., and Jeffrey Butler of Garfield, N.J., whose record score of 1,544 was topped by Brenda Edwards and Stephen Padilla of Mansfield, Texas, when they took the doubles lead with 1,566 last week.
"I've bowled with the same group of guys for four years now, and while we come to the tournament hoping to have a good time, we still hope to bowl as well as we can, too," Smarsh said. "We all bowl in the same league and spend a lot of time together, and it was nice to have them rooting me on. It was exciting to even have a chance at an honor score here, and I'm proud about being able to put up a big number."
Besides having an enjoyable trip with his friends, Smarsh's main goal heading into the Open Championships each year is to break the 1,900 mark in all-events. He added 607 in team this year and finished with a career-best 2,010 all-events total. His previous high was 1,866 at the 2006 event in Corpus Christi, Texas.
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.