Minnesota bowler surges into lead at 2015 USBC Open Championships

By Matt Cannizzaro and Mel Lindemann
USBC Communications 

EL PASO, Texas -
When Scott Endersbe of Waite Park, Minnesota, stepped onto the approach to finish his singles set at the 2015 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, he was unaware that a double in the 10th frame would put him at the top of the Regular Singles standings.

The 32-year-old right-hander coolly delivered three clutch shots to close out a string of eight consecutive strikes and a 785 series on games of 268, 238 and 279. He struck out in the final frame of each game at the El Paso Convention Center on Tuesday and slipped past fellow Minnesotan Chad Oachs of Mankato, who previously held the lead with 772.

"Shaky, I'm still shaky," said Endersbe, who made his 12th USBC Open Championships appearance and topped his previous-best singles score of 677, which came in 2013 at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada. "I can't believe this is happening right now. I didn't know what I needed. I just wanted to be sure and make solid shots and hit my mark. Doubles was not pretty, so I had to move my eyes a little bit and throw quality shots, which I did, so I'm happy about that."

Endersbe struggled to get lined up on the 39-foot Sport Bowling-certified doubles and singles lane condition, but a supportive group of teammates and good communication in staying ahead of the transition got things on track for his singles run.

"The shot was playable, but it was very tough at the start, and you had to be very soft," Endersbe said. "If you grabbed it, even a little bit, it hooked a lot more. The biggest thing with this pattern is being able to stay ahead of the adjustments. Having the teammates we have was important because being able to break down the pattern was a big deal. I give my teammates a lot of credit for being able to stay ahead of the adjustments, otherwise this never would have happened. This is one of the tougher patterns I've bowled on."

Tuesday's performance is another highlight in an already memorable year on the lanes for Endersbe, who is leading the 378 & Over Handicapped Doubles event at the 2015 Minnesota State USBC Open Championships with his girlfriend Nicole Franzwa.

Endersbe had 651 in team and 554 in doubles this week in El Paso, and his 1,990 all-events total also is a career best. Chad Maas of Waukesha, Wisconsin, leads Regular All-Events with 2,152, while Endersbe is seventh overall.

"I've done this for a few years, and on a tough pattern like this, you've got to make the adjustments at the right time," Endersbe said. "This is the best I've ever done overall. I don't really have words to explain it. I'm just on a high note right now."

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