Young left-hander leads all-events at 2016 USBC Open
May 21, 2016
RENO, Nev. - This time last year, most of the bowling world still hadn't heard of Jakob Butturff of Chandler, Arizona, but the young left-hander has had an incredible 2015-2016 bowling season and now is the man to beat at the 2016 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
Butturff threw one of the biggest shots of his career Saturday at the National Bowling Stadium to sneak into the lead in Regular All-Events with a 2,124 total, a 236 average for his nine games.
The 22-year-old knew exactly what he needed as he inched closer to the top spot and calmly struck on his last shot to move past Robert J. Bures of Painesville, Ohio, who held the lead for more than two months with 2,122.
"I knew I needed a mark and good count in the 10th, and when I left the 7 pin, the first thing I did was take an extra deep breath," said Butturff, who finished his third USBC Open Championships appearance with 721 in doubles, 715 in team and 688 in singles. "It's easy to get frustrated in that moment and make a huge mistake, so I made sure to regroup and make the spare. Then, I threw one of the best shots of my life."
Since his breakout performance at the 2015 New Mexico Open, Butturff has thrown a lot of memorable shots, also collecting three Professional Bowlers Association regional titles and two top-five finishes at the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VII presented by Silver Legacy, including his first PBA television appearance.
Both his run of success at the PBA World Series of Bowling VII in December and his win at the PBA Sands Regency West/Northwest Winter Classic Presented by Storm in late January came at the NBS, but he says there are few feelings better than stepping up and throwing a strike with the potential for an Open Championships eagle.
"In just a couple of words, this feels really good," Butturff said. "You're on the big stage, and you know you're capable of competing with the best at this event. Then, it's just a matter of staying focused and throwing good shots. The conditions definitely were difficult, so I'm excited to have been able to bowl well and consistently. This is about as big as it gets. There's not much bigger than winning an eagle."
Butturff and doubles partner Mike Lichstein of Broad Brook, Connecticut, also made a run at the lead in Regular Doubles on Saturday, having a chance to get there with one frame to go, but they both left single pins to start the final frame. The duo settled into a tie for 19th place with a 1,313 total, but the opportunity and adrenaline helped keep Butturff focused.
In his quick move into the bowling spotlight, Butturff has challenged himself to bowl against the best competition he could find, first in local adult tournaments in Arizona and then in the PBA.
Because he's double-jointed in his wrist and thumb, Butturff has developed a unique style, which he describes as being similar to some two-handers or no-thumb players. This has garnered him some additional attention, and he has found much of his success using a variety of urethane balls for a more predictable and controllable reaction.
Now, he'll get to watch the leaderboard as the 2016 Open Championships continues through July 11, but no matter how things turn out, he has handled his whirlwind success like a champion.
"At times, it can be overwhelming because there's so much pressure to make the shots, but I feel like I've been able to overcome that in most situations," Butturff said. "The experience of being on the PBA Tour and learning from the players out there has been very valuable. Seeing the way they approach the mental aspect of things has been especially helpful."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.
Butturff threw one of the biggest shots of his career Saturday at the National Bowling Stadium to sneak into the lead in Regular All-Events with a 2,124 total, a 236 average for his nine games.
The 22-year-old knew exactly what he needed as he inched closer to the top spot and calmly struck on his last shot to move past Robert J. Bures of Painesville, Ohio, who held the lead for more than two months with 2,122.
"I knew I needed a mark and good count in the 10th, and when I left the 7 pin, the first thing I did was take an extra deep breath," said Butturff, who finished his third USBC Open Championships appearance with 721 in doubles, 715 in team and 688 in singles. "It's easy to get frustrated in that moment and make a huge mistake, so I made sure to regroup and make the spare. Then, I threw one of the best shots of my life."
Since his breakout performance at the 2015 New Mexico Open, Butturff has thrown a lot of memorable shots, also collecting three Professional Bowlers Association regional titles and two top-five finishes at the GEICO PBA World Series of Bowling VII presented by Silver Legacy, including his first PBA television appearance.
Both his run of success at the PBA World Series of Bowling VII in December and his win at the PBA Sands Regency West/Northwest Winter Classic Presented by Storm in late January came at the NBS, but he says there are few feelings better than stepping up and throwing a strike with the potential for an Open Championships eagle.
"In just a couple of words, this feels really good," Butturff said. "You're on the big stage, and you know you're capable of competing with the best at this event. Then, it's just a matter of staying focused and throwing good shots. The conditions definitely were difficult, so I'm excited to have been able to bowl well and consistently. This is about as big as it gets. There's not much bigger than winning an eagle."
Butturff and doubles partner Mike Lichstein of Broad Brook, Connecticut, also made a run at the lead in Regular Doubles on Saturday, having a chance to get there with one frame to go, but they both left single pins to start the final frame. The duo settled into a tie for 19th place with a 1,313 total, but the opportunity and adrenaline helped keep Butturff focused.
In his quick move into the bowling spotlight, Butturff has challenged himself to bowl against the best competition he could find, first in local adult tournaments in Arizona and then in the PBA.
Because he's double-jointed in his wrist and thumb, Butturff has developed a unique style, which he describes as being similar to some two-handers or no-thumb players. This has garnered him some additional attention, and he has found much of his success using a variety of urethane balls for a more predictable and controllable reaction.
Now, he'll get to watch the leaderboard as the 2016 Open Championships continues through July 11, but no matter how things turn out, he has handled his whirlwind success like a champion.
"At times, it can be overwhelming because there's so much pressure to make the shots, but I feel like I've been able to overcome that in most situations," Butturff said. "The experience of being on the PBA Tour and learning from the players out there has been very valuable. Seeing the way they approach the mental aspect of things has been especially helpful."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.