Iowa bowler shoots 298 at 2010 OC
May 03, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Three weeks ago, Andy VanBlair of West Des Moines, Iowa, got a new bowling ball and immediately found success, which included the highest series he's ever bowled.
The 33-year-old right-hander brought the ball to the National Bowling Stadium this weekend and hoped to continue the magic at the USBC Open Championships.
VanBlair started his second game of singles Sunday with 11 consecutive strikes, giving him a chance to roll the first perfect game of his bowling career, and 14th of this year's tournament. He pulled the last shot, however, and left the 6-10 for a 298 game. He finished singles with 210, 298 and 227 for a 735 series. Terrence Syring of Bay City, Mich., leads Regular Singles with 833.
"I pulled the last ball a little bit," said VanBlair, who made his fourth Open Championships appearance and rolled the fourth 298 of the 2010 tournament. "That was my fifth try at a 300 game. I have three 299s, and now I have two 298s. My dad kept telling me to think just like it was the first shot, but I was pretty nervous on the last shot."
VanBlair sharpens his skills at Cardinal Lanes in Newton, Iowa, which his father has owned for more than 30 years.
"I grew up in the bowling center, and have bowled there for most of my life," VanBlair said. "My dad just drilled me a new ball about three weeks ago. The first time I used it, I bowled my high series of 824 with it. Tonight, I bowled a 298, so I definitely have to thank him for all he has done."
Traveling to the Open Championships has become a family affair as well.
"I come out with my father, brother and friends," said VanBlair, who uses a three-finger, no-thumb delivery. "It's fun to get away once a year and do this, and this performance might motivate me to practice more, even though I grew up in a bowling center."
VanBlair made his tournament debut at the 2007 event, also at the National Bowling Stadium, and used that experience to his advantage this weekend.
"This is by far the best I have ever bowled at the Open Championships," said VanBlair, who works as an occupational therapist. "I have a better understanding of what to expect when I come out here because of my previous tournaments. I was also able to practice on the condition before I made the trip, and I made sure to watch the squad before me to see where they were playing on the lanes."
VanBlair added 623 in doubles and 591 in team for a career best, 1,949 all-events total. His previous high was 1,706 in 2007. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with 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 33-year-old right-hander brought the ball to the National Bowling Stadium this weekend and hoped to continue the magic at the USBC Open Championships.
VanBlair started his second game of singles Sunday with 11 consecutive strikes, giving him a chance to roll the first perfect game of his bowling career, and 14th of this year's tournament. He pulled the last shot, however, and left the 6-10 for a 298 game. He finished singles with 210, 298 and 227 for a 735 series. Terrence Syring of Bay City, Mich., leads Regular Singles with 833.
"I pulled the last ball a little bit," said VanBlair, who made his fourth Open Championships appearance and rolled the fourth 298 of the 2010 tournament. "That was my fifth try at a 300 game. I have three 299s, and now I have two 298s. My dad kept telling me to think just like it was the first shot, but I was pretty nervous on the last shot."
VanBlair sharpens his skills at Cardinal Lanes in Newton, Iowa, which his father has owned for more than 30 years.
"I grew up in the bowling center, and have bowled there for most of my life," VanBlair said. "My dad just drilled me a new ball about three weeks ago. The first time I used it, I bowled my high series of 824 with it. Tonight, I bowled a 298, so I definitely have to thank him for all he has done."
Traveling to the Open Championships has become a family affair as well.
"I come out with my father, brother and friends," said VanBlair, who uses a three-finger, no-thumb delivery. "It's fun to get away once a year and do this, and this performance might motivate me to practice more, even though I grew up in a bowling center."
VanBlair made his tournament debut at the 2007 event, also at the National Bowling Stadium, and used that experience to his advantage this weekend.
"This is by far the best I have ever bowled at the Open Championships," said VanBlair, who works as an occupational therapist. "I have a better understanding of what to expect when I come out here because of my previous tournaments. I was also able to practice on the condition before I made the trip, and I made sure to watch the squad before me to see where they were playing on the lanes."
VanBlair added 623 in doubles and 591 in team for a career best, 1,949 all-events total. His previous high was 1,706 in 2007. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with 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.