onefrombills
07-21-2009, 05:29 PM
LAS VEGAS - Kenneth Reed of Stone Mountain, Ga., had only competed in one bowling tournament prior to his USBC Open Championships debut this weekend, but now he's already looking forward to competing at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., next year.
Between his first trip to Las Vegas and first Open Championships, it has been an exciting week for the 33-year-old right-hander, who moved into to eighth place in Classified All-Events with a 1,792 total at Cashman Center on Monday.
"I was hoping to at least get a 170 every game, but the pins were falling for me," Reed said. "I figured I could get at least one 200, but I never expected to be as consistent as I was. I was surprised. I feel so good right now. I'm very happy."
Reed has been bowling for five years, and his arsenal includes two plastic balls, both with conventional drillings. One ball is lighter, so he can switch if he starts to get tired. He throws the ball straight, and has no desire to change his style or equipment.
"I've always done it this way, and I'm a little afraid to change," said Reed, who shot 624 in singles, 615 in doubles and 553 in team. "I hear most people say that when they change something, their averages drop and then come back up. My average has kept going up, so why would I try to fix something that isn't broken?"
Reed, who bowls league at Brunswick Zone Marietta, was most impressed with the enormity of the Open Championships venue and most intimidated by all of the people around him on the lanes and in the stands.
"I've never seen so many lanes in one place, and it's such a big area, especially with the stands and all of the people watching," Reed said. "It definitely made me nervous. This is a little different with everyone's eyes on you, especially when you are trying to do well for your team. I even fell down once, but after my first couple of closed frames, I was able to calm down."
One of the bowlers in Reed's league thought it would be fun to get some of the league members to try their luck at the Open Championships, and it turned out to be an experience Reed will never forget.
"I like everything about Vegas, and everything about the tournament is great," Reed said. "Everything is so nice. I never expected any of this attention, but I'll take it any day. I'm already looking forward to next year."
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.
Between his first trip to Las Vegas and first Open Championships, it has been an exciting week for the 33-year-old right-hander, who moved into to eighth place in Classified All-Events with a 1,792 total at Cashman Center on Monday.
"I was hoping to at least get a 170 every game, but the pins were falling for me," Reed said. "I figured I could get at least one 200, but I never expected to be as consistent as I was. I was surprised. I feel so good right now. I'm very happy."
Reed has been bowling for five years, and his arsenal includes two plastic balls, both with conventional drillings. One ball is lighter, so he can switch if he starts to get tired. He throws the ball straight, and has no desire to change his style or equipment.
"I've always done it this way, and I'm a little afraid to change," said Reed, who shot 624 in singles, 615 in doubles and 553 in team. "I hear most people say that when they change something, their averages drop and then come back up. My average has kept going up, so why would I try to fix something that isn't broken?"
Reed, who bowls league at Brunswick Zone Marietta, was most impressed with the enormity of the Open Championships venue and most intimidated by all of the people around him on the lanes and in the stands.
"I've never seen so many lanes in one place, and it's such a big area, especially with the stands and all of the people watching," Reed said. "It definitely made me nervous. This is a little different with everyone's eyes on you, especially when you are trying to do well for your team. I even fell down once, but after my first couple of closed frames, I was able to calm down."
One of the bowlers in Reed's league thought it would be fun to get some of the league members to try their luck at the Open Championships, and it turned out to be an experience Reed will never forget.
"I like everything about Vegas, and everything about the tournament is great," Reed said. "Everything is so nice. I never expected any of this attention, but I'll take it any day. I'm already looking forward to next year."
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.