Booker, Curtis return after doubles win at USBC Open Championships
July 12, 2024
LAS VEGAS – It takes a lot to try and defend a title at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and recently, the 2023 Regular Doubles champions returned to the event to try just that.
DeeRonn Booker of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Curtis Jr. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, were able to claim the lead and earn the doubles title last year at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, with a score of 1,482. It marked the first victory for both at the event.
Booker, the 2024 USBC Masters champion, had games of 213, 289 and 258 during the set in Reno for a 760 series, while Curtis bounced back after a 168 start to finish the set with 274 and 280 for a 722 series.
They took the lead late at the 2023 event, posting their score July 22. The event concluded July 24. When they got the call to confirm the win and their spot in the tournament’s record book just a couple days after taking the lead, Curtis said, “I got goosebumps when I got the call – it truly was an incredible moment.”
Coming back to the tournament this year and seeing their names in lights after the win, Booker said, “I’m still trying to believe it.”
Working together is something that comes with ease for them. They have been friends for a long time, and the friendship always comes first.
“We work well together, because bowling is just secondary,” Booker said.
They communicate well with each other on the lanes, too, which helps in their success.
“If I am struggling, he has the ability to help me get back and help me throw the next shot as well as I can, and it’s the same thing for him,” Curtis said.
They put those traits to the test this year at the South Point Bowling Plaza in their title defense. Competing this year may have held a little extra weight to it after their trophy presentation on the lanes and getting to see their championship banner, but they still were able to come out strong and showcase their ability to work together.
“There’s always pressure trying to defend something, and with our recent successes this past year, it is making it a little tough to try and stay sharp physically and mentally,” Booker said.
Booker led their doubles effort in 2024, rolling games of 215, 222 and 279 for a 716 series. Curtis added 246, 216 and 221 for a set of 683, which gave them a doubles score of 1,399. That performance currently places the pair in the top 50 of Regular Doubles at the 2024 USBC Open Championships.
Shawn Evans and Nicholas Fisher of Palm Bay, Florida, lead this year at South Point with 1,531.
For Booker, he added set scores of 677 for his team event to help Bay Area Pro Shop 1 to a 3,062 total, and in his singles event, he finished off the appearance with 776, giving him an all-events score of 2,169.
He's currently 13th in Regular All-Events and 14th in Regular Singles at the 2024 event.
His 2,169 total also is his highest showing at the Open Championships to date through 10 appearances.
Curtis also had a strong showing coming back to the tournament. In his team event, he was able to bowl a 634 series to assist Bay Area Pro Shop 1, and he finished off the year with 651 in his singles event for an all-events score of 1,968. It marked the second highest all-events total in his nine years at the tournament, finishing only one pin behind last year’s score.
Life has been moving fast this year for Booker, who started the year by taking the early lead at the USBC Team USA Trials in January. He went on to win the Masters in March to claim his first Professional Bowlers Association Tour title and major championship, going undefeated in the tournament’s double-elimination bracket to earn the top seed. He secured the victory with a 217-177 win over Patrick Dombrowski in the title match.
Through all of this success, Booker talks highly of his support system.
“As things keep getting better, you have to keep making sure you keep yourself well enough to do so,” Booker said. “I appreciate their support and the continued support for everything for USBCs, PBA, etc. Thank you. This year has been a wild ride, but I still have some unfinished business to do.”
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
DeeRonn Booker of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mark Curtis Jr. of Chattanooga, Tennessee, were able to claim the lead and earn the doubles title last year at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada, with a score of 1,482. It marked the first victory for both at the event.
Booker, the 2024 USBC Masters champion, had games of 213, 289 and 258 during the set in Reno for a 760 series, while Curtis bounced back after a 168 start to finish the set with 274 and 280 for a 722 series.
They took the lead late at the 2023 event, posting their score July 22. The event concluded July 24. When they got the call to confirm the win and their spot in the tournament’s record book just a couple days after taking the lead, Curtis said, “I got goosebumps when I got the call – it truly was an incredible moment.”
Coming back to the tournament this year and seeing their names in lights after the win, Booker said, “I’m still trying to believe it.”
Working together is something that comes with ease for them. They have been friends for a long time, and the friendship always comes first.
“We work well together, because bowling is just secondary,” Booker said.
They communicate well with each other on the lanes, too, which helps in their success.
“If I am struggling, he has the ability to help me get back and help me throw the next shot as well as I can, and it’s the same thing for him,” Curtis said.
They put those traits to the test this year at the South Point Bowling Plaza in their title defense. Competing this year may have held a little extra weight to it after their trophy presentation on the lanes and getting to see their championship banner, but they still were able to come out strong and showcase their ability to work together.
“There’s always pressure trying to defend something, and with our recent successes this past year, it is making it a little tough to try and stay sharp physically and mentally,” Booker said.
Booker led their doubles effort in 2024, rolling games of 215, 222 and 279 for a 716 series. Curtis added 246, 216 and 221 for a set of 683, which gave them a doubles score of 1,399. That performance currently places the pair in the top 50 of Regular Doubles at the 2024 USBC Open Championships.
Shawn Evans and Nicholas Fisher of Palm Bay, Florida, lead this year at South Point with 1,531.
For Booker, he added set scores of 677 for his team event to help Bay Area Pro Shop 1 to a 3,062 total, and in his singles event, he finished off the appearance with 776, giving him an all-events score of 2,169.
He's currently 13th in Regular All-Events and 14th in Regular Singles at the 2024 event.
His 2,169 total also is his highest showing at the Open Championships to date through 10 appearances.
Curtis also had a strong showing coming back to the tournament. In his team event, he was able to bowl a 634 series to assist Bay Area Pro Shop 1, and he finished off the year with 651 in his singles event for an all-events score of 1,968. It marked the second highest all-events total in his nine years at the tournament, finishing only one pin behind last year’s score.
Life has been moving fast this year for Booker, who started the year by taking the early lead at the USBC Team USA Trials in January. He went on to win the Masters in March to claim his first Professional Bowlers Association Tour title and major championship, going undefeated in the tournament’s double-elimination bracket to earn the top seed. He secured the victory with a 217-177 win over Patrick Dombrowski in the title match.
Through all of this success, Booker talks highly of his support system.
“As things keep getting better, you have to keep making sure you keep yourself well enough to do so,” Booker said. “I appreciate their support and the continued support for everything for USBCs, PBA, etc. Thank you. This year has been a wild ride, but I still have some unfinished business to do.”
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.