Illinois duo dances into Classified Doubles lead at Open Championships
March 02, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Bob Zurek of River Grove, Ill., spends his days as a ballroom dancing instructor and showed off his moves at the USBC Open Championships as he and Holly Ventura of Harwood Heights, Ill., danced into the Classified Doubles lead on Monday.
The tandem combined to shoot 1,149 at the National Bowling Stadium and moved past Scott Werner of Overland Park, Kan., and Mark Klyn of Pella, Iowa, who previously held the lead with 1,145.
Zurek led the way with a 612 series, the highest set of his bowling career, while Ventura contributed 537.
A retired U.S. Postal Service worker, Zurek has taught ballroom dancing at Triton College in River Grove for 30 years, and now that he's retired from his day job, he has more time to spend on the lanes. The 70-year-old right-hander made his Open Championships debut last year in Las Vegas.
"I wasn't able to bowl leagues at all because I taught my classes at night, since I worked during the day," said Zurek, who now bowls league at Irving Park Lanes. "My home center asked if I wanted to go last year, and I said, 'yes'."
Zurek and Ventura bowled doubles together for the first time in 2009, and cashed in the event. They also learned some things that helped them to be more prepared for this year.
"The fact that I knew the procedures and how everything worked this time around, made the experience that much more enjoyable," Zurek said. "The key today was just to relax and not worry about open frames."
Ventura, a 39-year-old teacher, was excited to be back on the tournament lanes and glad to be part of the lead-taking effort.
"It's very exciting," said Ventura, who made her sixth consecutive Open Championships appearance and turned in her best doubles performance by 40 pins. "I knew we bowled well, but I had no idea we were even close to taking the lead."
While bowling in only his second Open Championships, Zurek echoed what many bowlers feel every year.
"I am really enjoying this," Zurek said. "The camaraderie is great, the staff is hospitable, the National Bowling Stadium is amazing and the USBC is really doing a wonderful job. It's something that I will never forget."
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 tandem combined to shoot 1,149 at the National Bowling Stadium and moved past Scott Werner of Overland Park, Kan., and Mark Klyn of Pella, Iowa, who previously held the lead with 1,145.
Zurek led the way with a 612 series, the highest set of his bowling career, while Ventura contributed 537.
A retired U.S. Postal Service worker, Zurek has taught ballroom dancing at Triton College in River Grove for 30 years, and now that he's retired from his day job, he has more time to spend on the lanes. The 70-year-old right-hander made his Open Championships debut last year in Las Vegas.
"I wasn't able to bowl leagues at all because I taught my classes at night, since I worked during the day," said Zurek, who now bowls league at Irving Park Lanes. "My home center asked if I wanted to go last year, and I said, 'yes'."
Zurek and Ventura bowled doubles together for the first time in 2009, and cashed in the event. They also learned some things that helped them to be more prepared for this year.
"The fact that I knew the procedures and how everything worked this time around, made the experience that much more enjoyable," Zurek said. "The key today was just to relax and not worry about open frames."
Ventura, a 39-year-old teacher, was excited to be back on the tournament lanes and glad to be part of the lead-taking effort.
"It's very exciting," said Ventura, who made her sixth consecutive Open Championships appearance and turned in her best doubles performance by 40 pins. "I knew we bowled well, but I had no idea we were even close to taking the lead."
While bowling in only his second Open Championships, Zurek echoed what many bowlers feel every year.
"I am really enjoying this," Zurek said. "The camaraderie is great, the staff is hospitable, the National Bowling Stadium is amazing and the USBC is really doing a wonderful job. It's something that I will never forget."
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.