Former co-workers take Classified Doubles lead at USBC Open Championships
February 28, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Mark Klyn of Pella, Iowa, and Scott Werner of Overland Park, Kan., used to be co-workers at their local bowling center, and this weekend, they did some work together on the lanes at the 2010 USBC Open Championships.
The pair combined to shoot 1,145 and eased into the Classified Doubles lead at the National Bowling Stadium on Saturday. Christine and Stephen Stewart of South Elgin, Ill., previously held the lead with 1,098.
Werner led the way with games of 186, 208 and 219 for a 613 series, while Klyn added 227, 176 and 129 for 532.
"We come to this tournament looking to have fun and give it our best," said Werner, a 48-year-old right-hander who bowled in his seventh USBC Open Championships. "We just went out there, relaxed, and had a good time. We made some good equipment choices, as well."
Klyn and Werner, who worked together at Pella Excit-A-Bowl until Werner's move to Kansas last year, take to the tournament lanes every year just looking to enjoy the experience. This year, they found that staying loose was the key to success on the tournament lanes.
"I love coming out to nationals," said Klyn, a 37-year-old left-hander who made his ninth Open Championships appearance. "We just try to take our time and relax. You can't let the size of the event affect your game, and you really need to slow things down and take it one shot at a time."
Both bowlers were excited and surprised to find their names at the top of the leaderboard and look forward to watching their progress online throughout the rest of the 136-day event, which concludes on July 5.
"It would be nice to win, but there is no need to be greedy," said Werner, who now works as a recreation specialist for Lakemary Center in Paola, Kan. "But it would be awesome if our score placed in the top 10."
Klyn hopes to join the Professional Bowlers Association some day and sees his performance this weekend as a steppingstone toward reaching that dream.
"I'm looking to improve each year, and hopefully, I will join the PBA one day," Klyn said. "For now, I'm going to watch the scores closely, since there is always a possibility that our score will hold up."
Werner added a 547 series in singles and 543 in team to finish his 2010 event with a 1,703 all-events total. Klyn rolled 522 in singles and 437 in team for 1,491.
To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less and 360 or less for doubles. Individuals must have an average of 180 or less for singles and all-events.
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 pair combined to shoot 1,145 and eased into the Classified Doubles lead at the National Bowling Stadium on Saturday. Christine and Stephen Stewart of South Elgin, Ill., previously held the lead with 1,098.
Werner led the way with games of 186, 208 and 219 for a 613 series, while Klyn added 227, 176 and 129 for 532.
"We come to this tournament looking to have fun and give it our best," said Werner, a 48-year-old right-hander who bowled in his seventh USBC Open Championships. "We just went out there, relaxed, and had a good time. We made some good equipment choices, as well."
Klyn and Werner, who worked together at Pella Excit-A-Bowl until Werner's move to Kansas last year, take to the tournament lanes every year just looking to enjoy the experience. This year, they found that staying loose was the key to success on the tournament lanes.
"I love coming out to nationals," said Klyn, a 37-year-old left-hander who made his ninth Open Championships appearance. "We just try to take our time and relax. You can't let the size of the event affect your game, and you really need to slow things down and take it one shot at a time."
Both bowlers were excited and surprised to find their names at the top of the leaderboard and look forward to watching their progress online throughout the rest of the 136-day event, which concludes on July 5.
"It would be nice to win, but there is no need to be greedy," said Werner, who now works as a recreation specialist for Lakemary Center in Paola, Kan. "But it would be awesome if our score placed in the top 10."
Klyn hopes to join the Professional Bowlers Association some day and sees his performance this weekend as a steppingstone toward reaching that dream.
"I'm looking to improve each year, and hopefully, I will join the PBA one day," Klyn said. "For now, I'm going to watch the scores closely, since there is always a possibility that our score will hold up."
Werner added a 547 series in singles and 543 in team to finish his 2010 event with a 1,703 all-events total. Klyn rolled 522 in singles and 437 in team for 1,491.
To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less and 360 or less for doubles. Individuals must have an average of 180 or less for singles and all-events.
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.