North Carolina man sets all-events pace at Open Championships
February 22, 2010
RENO, Nev. - William Banks of Laurel Hill, N.C., used the experience he's gained as a member of the Professional Bowlers Association to help him into the Regular All-Events at the 2010 USBC Open Championships on Sunday afternoon.
The 55-year-old right-hander posted sets of 695 in doubles, 693 in team and 598 singles on the way to a 1,986 all-events total at the National Bowling Stadium. Two-hander Steven Vance of Stone Mountain, Ga., previously held the lead with 1,913.
Banks, a retired Air Force colonel, joined the PBA in 2001 and has honed his skills on the challenging variety of lane conditions at PBA events. He appreciates the emphasis they put on shot making and spare shooting.
"To average 200 at the USBC tournament, you need to be pretty good," said Banks, who competed in his 12th USBC Open Championships. "The shot we had here really forced you to make good shots and decisions."
Banks also bowled internationally during his time in the military and was able to experience the game in different ways.
"They enjoy the game overseas, but the lane conditions are brutal," said Banks, who currently is fifth on the PBA South Region Senior points list. "They threw every kind of condition at you, and you never had the chance to re-enter. You only had one chance to perform, just like at the Open."
Although Banks believes his score will be bested, he is happy for the chance to have his name at the top of the standings and know that the hard work he put in paid off.
"It will be fun while it lasts," Banks said. "I really worked on my spare game before coming out here. When I looked at past scoresheets from this tournament, there were way too many open frames, so I'm glad I improved on that."
Earlier Sunday, the Classified Team lead changed hands as Stuart Bowl 3 of Stuart, Iowa, fired a 2,573 team series to surpass 3 Jokers and 2 Queens of Buford, Ga., which shot 2,536 on the tournament's opening squad Saturday.
Led by Jeff Henderson's 569 series, Stuart Bowl 3 used games of 817, 905 and 851 to jump into the top spot.
"We always pick each other up as a team," said team captain, Brian Allsup, who bowled in his 11th Open Championships. "If one of us is struggling, someone else picks them up."
Henderson was joined by Gregg Wahman (535), Gregg Wahman Jr. (534), Julie Wahman (477) and Allsup (458).
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 55-year-old right-hander posted sets of 695 in doubles, 693 in team and 598 singles on the way to a 1,986 all-events total at the National Bowling Stadium. Two-hander Steven Vance of Stone Mountain, Ga., previously held the lead with 1,913.
Banks, a retired Air Force colonel, joined the PBA in 2001 and has honed his skills on the challenging variety of lane conditions at PBA events. He appreciates the emphasis they put on shot making and spare shooting.
"To average 200 at the USBC tournament, you need to be pretty good," said Banks, who competed in his 12th USBC Open Championships. "The shot we had here really forced you to make good shots and decisions."
Banks also bowled internationally during his time in the military and was able to experience the game in different ways.
"They enjoy the game overseas, but the lane conditions are brutal," said Banks, who currently is fifth on the PBA South Region Senior points list. "They threw every kind of condition at you, and you never had the chance to re-enter. You only had one chance to perform, just like at the Open."
Although Banks believes his score will be bested, he is happy for the chance to have his name at the top of the standings and know that the hard work he put in paid off.
"It will be fun while it lasts," Banks said. "I really worked on my spare game before coming out here. When I looked at past scoresheets from this tournament, there were way too many open frames, so I'm glad I improved on that."
Earlier Sunday, the Classified Team lead changed hands as Stuart Bowl 3 of Stuart, Iowa, fired a 2,573 team series to surpass 3 Jokers and 2 Queens of Buford, Ga., which shot 2,536 on the tournament's opening squad Saturday.
Led by Jeff Henderson's 569 series, Stuart Bowl 3 used games of 817, 905 and 851 to jump into the top spot.
"We always pick each other up as a team," said team captain, Brian Allsup, who bowled in his 11th Open Championships. "If one of us is struggling, someone else picks them up."
Henderson was joined by Gregg Wahman (535), Gregg Wahman Jr. (534), Julie Wahman (477) and Allsup (458).
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.