Missouri duo moves into Regular Doubles lead at USBC Open Championships
February 23, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Larry Pratt of Raymore, Mo., hasn't been to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in more than 20 years, but it definitely didn't show when he made his return to the tournament lanes this week.
The 45-year-old left-hander and fellow southpaw Greg Benefield of Lee's Summit, Mo., moved into the Regular Doubles lead with a 1,255 total at the National Bowling Stadium on Tuesday. Justin Gibbons of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Leigh Trostel of Cumming, Ga., previously held the lead with 1,237.
While bowlers sometimes get burned out and take time off hoping to return to the lanes refreshed and ready to shoot high scores, Pratt's hiatus from the Open Championships simply was because he worked nights, and his schedule wouldn't allow him to travel much.
After being promoted to a management role at Roberts Dairy, Pratt was able to take time off and join Benefield at the Open Championships. The two bowl doubles together whenever they can and were excited to pair up on bowling's biggest stage.
Benefield, 52, led the way with games of 236, 209 and 223 for a 668 effort, while Pratt contributed 184, 205 and 198 for 587.
"We communicate very well," said Pratt, who bowls regularly at Blue Springs Bowl and made his fourth overall Open Championships appearance. "Greg saw that I needed to make a move, so I moved two boards left with my feet and target, and I was able to square up."
Pratt and Benefield have a combined 78 years of bowling experience, mostly in their home state, and stuck with their normal routine before making their way to the Open Championships.
"We both bought new equipment before we made the trip," said Benefield, who finished 14th in Regular Singles in 2008 and made his fifth tournament appearance this year. "We also bowl twice a week, and plenty of tournaments on the weekend, so we get plenty of time on the lanes."
On Monday, Pratt (585) and Benefield (546) led the all-lefty Big Dogs 2 into eighth place in Regular Team with 2,840. Pandorum of Buford, Ga., leads with 3,063.
Benefield added 614 in singles for 1,828 all-events total, while Pratt finished with 621 in singles for 1,739. William Banks of Laurel Hill, N.C., leads Regular All-Events with 1,986.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
The 45-year-old left-hander and fellow southpaw Greg Benefield of Lee's Summit, Mo., moved into the Regular Doubles lead with a 1,255 total at the National Bowling Stadium on Tuesday. Justin Gibbons of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Leigh Trostel of Cumming, Ga., previously held the lead with 1,237.
While bowlers sometimes get burned out and take time off hoping to return to the lanes refreshed and ready to shoot high scores, Pratt's hiatus from the Open Championships simply was because he worked nights, and his schedule wouldn't allow him to travel much.
After being promoted to a management role at Roberts Dairy, Pratt was able to take time off and join Benefield at the Open Championships. The two bowl doubles together whenever they can and were excited to pair up on bowling's biggest stage.
Benefield, 52, led the way with games of 236, 209 and 223 for a 668 effort, while Pratt contributed 184, 205 and 198 for 587.
"We communicate very well," said Pratt, who bowls regularly at Blue Springs Bowl and made his fourth overall Open Championships appearance. "Greg saw that I needed to make a move, so I moved two boards left with my feet and target, and I was able to square up."
Pratt and Benefield have a combined 78 years of bowling experience, mostly in their home state, and stuck with their normal routine before making their way to the Open Championships.
"We both bought new equipment before we made the trip," said Benefield, who finished 14th in Regular Singles in 2008 and made his fifth tournament appearance this year. "We also bowl twice a week, and plenty of tournaments on the weekend, so we get plenty of time on the lanes."
On Monday, Pratt (585) and Benefield (546) led the all-lefty Big Dogs 2 into eighth place in Regular Team with 2,840. Pandorum of Buford, Ga., leads with 3,063.
Benefield added 614 in singles for 1,828 all-events total, while Pratt finished with 621 in singles for 1,739. William Banks of Laurel Hill, N.C., leads Regular All-Events with 1,986.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.