USBC Open Championships (aka "nationals")

[JAnderson]

So how did you do this year at this event? I love hearing stories from fellow bowlers about their trials and tribulations at nationals. Discussion also helps make bowlers aware of this fantastic event. I'm still amazed at the number of regular league bowlers who have never heard of the national tournament but who bowl their city and state tournaments religiously every year.

Anyone notice the disparity in scores? The "Low to Cash" scores were down slightly, but there are a bunch of records being broken at the same time including singles, doubles, and all-events. I'm wondering if there might be a rebound effect next year in Reno.

[PSBA10]

This was the first year at Nationals that my equipment actually matched up with the condition. We bowled team on a Monday at 2:30. The first game I was totally searching. I did however make my spares. Nothing to write home about. Then about the 7th frame in game 2 I found a line I could play that yielded success. Game 2 was decent. In game 3 I shot well. I was anticipating singles and doubles the next moorning at 9:30am. We put our equipment in the lockers and left.

The next morning I left the condo I rented about 8:00am. It was only about 8 miles from the condo to the Cashman Center. Well, I got stuck in a traffic jam and walked into the Cashman Center at 9:15. I grabbed my equipment out of the locker and literally ran through inspection. I didn't even have time to get into any brackets, good thing. I just finished tying my shoe laces when we were led out to the lanes. OK we are ready to go. I'm calm and my head is where it needs to be. That is until I tried to put my thumb into the ball. It wouldn't fit. My thumb was swelled so much that I couldn't get it into the ball. I had 2 pieces of tape in the thumb hole from yesterday which I removed. Still no joy. Try my other ball. Same thing. I couldn't even get into my spare ball. I'm on the lanes now and unable to have one of the pro shops make adjustments. Needless to say singles and doubles were a disaster.

It was so dry out in Vegas that I had a hard time staying hydrated. I was always drinking something and I paid the price. The moral of the story: check your fit before you go through inspection and don't get stuck in traffic.

[onefrombills]

well I had a good time but I dont think its a good idea to jump on a team as a "SUB".....hers my story:

I started game one of team w/ 192 and felt good.....than the train wreck started. The team I had subbed on was a lot lower avg than myself and all they did during the team event was throw highly polished balls right up 10 and w/ all the carry down they made it went right over my hook spot and I lost reaction for a game and a half and finished w/ 536

Singles and Doubles went a better well enough to sneak in a get a check in both Div.

I finished at 1715 for 9 games and I guess its not a total loss right ??????

ON WARD TO RENO !!!!!!!

[JAnderson]

Wow - I'm always paranoid about getting to the center too late, especially in strange cities of unknown traffic patterns and street construction. The thumb swelling thing is unfortunate though. What did you end up doing, just bowling without your thumb?

[PSBA10]

Actually I dropped the ball a lot. There was really nothing much I could do. I put my thumb into the ball to the first joint and prayed that it would come off.

[JaxBowlingGuy]

I really hope to make it to reno next year.. I was scheduled to be bowling today and tomorrow... BUTTT the person that was going with me couldnt come up with the $$ and I am not old enough to get a hotel out there.. ugh.. soo i had to back out.

[Bygnel]

I've never been, although I am planning to within the next two years.. It sounds like a lot of fun..

[JAnderson]

There's something unique and special about nationals. It doesn't surprise me that there are die-hard bowlers that return year after year for 25, 30, even 50 years. We use it as a reunion of sorts to gather friends from all over the country and a measuring stick for improvement over the last year. There's something magical about being able to shoe up and compete against 60,000 sometimes 70,000 other bowlers. Winning an event at nationals is huge. Even just finishing in the top 100 is an accomplishment.