Former PBA Rookie of the Year leads two events at Bowlers Journal Championships
June 12, 2010
RENO, Nev. - As an exempt player on the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour, Paul Fleming of Fort Worth, Texas, was not eligible to compete at the USBC Open Championships.
With his professional career complete, the 1999 PBA Rookie of the Year made a successful return to the championship lanes last year in Las Vegas and wasted no time making an impact at the 2010 event in Reno.
Since last year's trip to the Open Championships did not include a visit to the nearby Storm Bowlers Journal Championships, presented by USBC, Fleming arrived in Reno three days early, so he wouldn't miss out again.
Fleming's decision paid off immediately as he fired games of 235, 245 and 277 and 261 to take the Open Singles lead at the Bowlers Journal Championships with a 1,018 four-game total Thursday. Derek Eoff of Arlington, Texas, previously held the lead with 1,017.
"I needed 261 the last game, and I shot 261," said Fleming, who won the 1991 USBC Team USA Trials and earned a spot on Team USA. "I left a 2-8-10 in the second frame for an early open. I knew 1,017 was the number, and then I calculated my score during the fifth frame, so I knew I had 1,021 left. I knew I couldn't miss after that. I ended up throwing the first two strikes in the 10th frame, and then I was a little soft on the last shot and got seven. It was just enough."
The 42-year-old right-hander started his trip with a short lesson with USBC Silver coach Mike Jasnau at Lane 81, which is located inside the pro shop area at the National Bowling Stadium. Fleming then used his trip to the Bowlers Journal as a warm-up for his appearance at the 2010 Open Championships this weekend.
"Last year was my first Open Championships in 10 years, and I forgot to do a few things as I prepared," said Fleming, who was a two-time All-American at the University of Nebraska and a member of the winning team at the 1991 Intercollegiate Team Championships. "I saw Mike Jasnau to get a tune-up, and I bowled the Bowlers Journal to get in some competition games before the Open Championships."
Fleming has competed in the Bowlers Journal Championships in the past, but has never held the lead at any time.
"This is the first time I have ever been in the lead at the Bowlers Journal," said Fleming, who made his 11th trip to the Open Championships. "I have had some opportunities in doubles, but I never took over a lead in any category. Actually, the good thing is that I never thought about the lead until the last game."
Fleming competed professionally from 1998 until 2008, and his time away from the PBA Tour has allowed him to be more involved with his family and teach the game to his children, Kaitlyn, 9, and Connor, 6.
"After being on tour, it was good to take some time off," said Fleming, who now is a realtor for Relocity Real Estate in Keller, Texas. "I bowled the USBC Masters this year, which gave me the itch to start bowling a little more. I am a lot fresher now, and I enjoy bowling again. My kids are into bowling now. They have a state tournament coming up in July, and we have been practicing for that. I get more enjoyment out of getting them started. I am a big family man, so being able to be with my family has been fantastic."
Fleming, who rolled a 300 game in doubles at the 1999 Open Championships in Syracuse, N.Y., turned in another solid performance in 2010 with a 685 series in team, 647 in singles and 583 in doubles for a 1,915 all-events total, just shy of the 1,922 he shot in his return to the tournament lanes last year.
Fleming returned to the Bowlers Journal for one final set Sunday morning and found additional success as he moved into the Classic Singles lead with games of 282, 225, 247 and 234 for a 988 total. Jeffrey Mersch of Orlando, Fla., and Kevin Cartier of Beverly, N.J., previously shared the lead with 970.
Fleming also is second in Mixed Doubles with Team USA member Stefanie Nation of Arlington, Texas. The two teamed up for a 1,816 total late last week. Fleming led the way with 936, while Nation contributed 880. Robin and Billy Orlikowski of Grand Rapids, Mich., lead with 1,838.
The Storm Bowlers Journal Championships is being held alongside the Open Championships for the 64th year. It is being held at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino and competition runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. 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.
With his professional career complete, the 1999 PBA Rookie of the Year made a successful return to the championship lanes last year in Las Vegas and wasted no time making an impact at the 2010 event in Reno.
Since last year's trip to the Open Championships did not include a visit to the nearby Storm Bowlers Journal Championships, presented by USBC, Fleming arrived in Reno three days early, so he wouldn't miss out again.
Fleming's decision paid off immediately as he fired games of 235, 245 and 277 and 261 to take the Open Singles lead at the Bowlers Journal Championships with a 1,018 four-game total Thursday. Derek Eoff of Arlington, Texas, previously held the lead with 1,017.
"I needed 261 the last game, and I shot 261," said Fleming, who won the 1991 USBC Team USA Trials and earned a spot on Team USA. "I left a 2-8-10 in the second frame for an early open. I knew 1,017 was the number, and then I calculated my score during the fifth frame, so I knew I had 1,021 left. I knew I couldn't miss after that. I ended up throwing the first two strikes in the 10th frame, and then I was a little soft on the last shot and got seven. It was just enough."
The 42-year-old right-hander started his trip with a short lesson with USBC Silver coach Mike Jasnau at Lane 81, which is located inside the pro shop area at the National Bowling Stadium. Fleming then used his trip to the Bowlers Journal as a warm-up for his appearance at the 2010 Open Championships this weekend.
"Last year was my first Open Championships in 10 years, and I forgot to do a few things as I prepared," said Fleming, who was a two-time All-American at the University of Nebraska and a member of the winning team at the 1991 Intercollegiate Team Championships. "I saw Mike Jasnau to get a tune-up, and I bowled the Bowlers Journal to get in some competition games before the Open Championships."
Fleming has competed in the Bowlers Journal Championships in the past, but has never held the lead at any time.
"This is the first time I have ever been in the lead at the Bowlers Journal," said Fleming, who made his 11th trip to the Open Championships. "I have had some opportunities in doubles, but I never took over a lead in any category. Actually, the good thing is that I never thought about the lead until the last game."
Fleming competed professionally from 1998 until 2008, and his time away from the PBA Tour has allowed him to be more involved with his family and teach the game to his children, Kaitlyn, 9, and Connor, 6.
"After being on tour, it was good to take some time off," said Fleming, who now is a realtor for Relocity Real Estate in Keller, Texas. "I bowled the USBC Masters this year, which gave me the itch to start bowling a little more. I am a lot fresher now, and I enjoy bowling again. My kids are into bowling now. They have a state tournament coming up in July, and we have been practicing for that. I get more enjoyment out of getting them started. I am a big family man, so being able to be with my family has been fantastic."
Fleming, who rolled a 300 game in doubles at the 1999 Open Championships in Syracuse, N.Y., turned in another solid performance in 2010 with a 685 series in team, 647 in singles and 583 in doubles for a 1,915 all-events total, just shy of the 1,922 he shot in his return to the tournament lanes last year.
Fleming returned to the Bowlers Journal for one final set Sunday morning and found additional success as he moved into the Classic Singles lead with games of 282, 225, 247 and 234 for a 988 total. Jeffrey Mersch of Orlando, Fla., and Kevin Cartier of Beverly, N.J., previously shared the lead with 970.
Fleming also is second in Mixed Doubles with Team USA member Stefanie Nation of Arlington, Texas. The two teamed up for a 1,816 total late last week. Fleming led the way with 936, while Nation contributed 880. Robin and Billy Orlikowski of Grand Rapids, Mich., lead with 1,838.
The Storm Bowlers Journal Championships is being held alongside the Open Championships for the 64th year. It is being held at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino and competition runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino and Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada. 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.