Illinois bowler achieves perfection at USBC Open Championships
May 24, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Ken Barton of Palatine, Ill., may be a slow starter, but he certainly closed out his trip to the 2010 USBC Open Championships in style when he rolled the 19th perfect game of this year's event Sunday.
The 44-year-old right-hander averaged just 174 in the first game of each of his three events this year and 220 and 255 in his second and third games, respectively.
"My first game of doubles, I shot 159," said Barton, who bowls league at River Rand Bowl in Des Plaines, Ill., and made his 14th Open Championships appearance. "I just kept telling myself to stay calm, and I made sure I didn't get upset. As the games went on, the lanes began to open up, and they were very conducive to my ball roll. I was able to get to the right spot of the lane. I didn't start well, but I finished the best way possible."
After starting singles with a 181 game, he made a ball change and finished with 254 and 300 for a 735 series. He added 624 in team and 589 in doubles for a career-high 1,948 all-events total at the National Bowling Stadium.
"This is very special," Barton said. "It is very difficult to shoot 300 here, primarily because of nerves. I have shot a few 300s throughout my career, but I haven't been that nervous in the 10th frame in a long time. It was just matter of taking a couple extra deep breaths, making a good shot and hoping the shot would carry. It's always nice to accomplish a goal."
Barton was coming off a sub-par 1,602 all-events effort last year in Las Vegas and decided to take a closer look at his equipment choices for this year's event.
"I was a little more diligent in making my equipment choices," Barton said. "In previous years, I really just came with what I had. This year, I talked with my local pro shop operator to get some feedback. I decided on a couple balls, and they worked pretty well. I also had more confidence because the league I bowl in at home is very difficult. It's not a Sport shot, but it's also not a typical house shot. The shot forces you to make good shots and pay attention to your moves. I also bowled well at a recent tournament before making the trip to Reno, so it was nice to come in with some confidence."
Barton also was happy to share the moment with his brother, Kevin, who he doesn't see very often because he lives in Kansas.
"He is one of the main reasons why I enjoy coming to the tournament," Barton said. "He lives just outside of Wichita, Kan., so other than Thanksgiving or Christmas, this is the only time we really get to see each other and hang out. It was great to experience that with him."
Barton's previous-high all-events total was 1,912 at the 2003 event in Knoxville, Tenn. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with a record 2,326.
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.
The 44-year-old right-hander averaged just 174 in the first game of each of his three events this year and 220 and 255 in his second and third games, respectively.
"My first game of doubles, I shot 159," said Barton, who bowls league at River Rand Bowl in Des Plaines, Ill., and made his 14th Open Championships appearance. "I just kept telling myself to stay calm, and I made sure I didn't get upset. As the games went on, the lanes began to open up, and they were very conducive to my ball roll. I was able to get to the right spot of the lane. I didn't start well, but I finished the best way possible."
After starting singles with a 181 game, he made a ball change and finished with 254 and 300 for a 735 series. He added 624 in team and 589 in doubles for a career-high 1,948 all-events total at the National Bowling Stadium.
"This is very special," Barton said. "It is very difficult to shoot 300 here, primarily because of nerves. I have shot a few 300s throughout my career, but I haven't been that nervous in the 10th frame in a long time. It was just matter of taking a couple extra deep breaths, making a good shot and hoping the shot would carry. It's always nice to accomplish a goal."
Barton was coming off a sub-par 1,602 all-events effort last year in Las Vegas and decided to take a closer look at his equipment choices for this year's event.
"I was a little more diligent in making my equipment choices," Barton said. "In previous years, I really just came with what I had. This year, I talked with my local pro shop operator to get some feedback. I decided on a couple balls, and they worked pretty well. I also had more confidence because the league I bowl in at home is very difficult. It's not a Sport shot, but it's also not a typical house shot. The shot forces you to make good shots and pay attention to your moves. I also bowled well at a recent tournament before making the trip to Reno, so it was nice to come in with some confidence."
Barton also was happy to share the moment with his brother, Kevin, who he doesn't see very often because he lives in Kansas.
"He is one of the main reasons why I enjoy coming to the tournament," Barton said. "He lives just outside of Wichita, Kan., so other than Thanksgiving or Christmas, this is the only time we really get to see each other and hang out. It was great to experience that with him."
Barton's previous-high all-events total was 1,912 at the 2003 event in Knoxville, Tenn. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with a record 2,326.
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.