Kansas bowler tied for Classified Singles lead at USBC Open Championships
June 03, 2010
RENO, Nev. - After two games of singles at the 2010 USBC Open Championships, Don Clayborn of Kansas City, Kan., had his sights set on the first 700 series of his tournament career but had no idea a big finish also would give him a shot at a Classified Singles title.
The 62-year-old right-hander started singles with games of 202 and 246, and while his 221 finish left him short of his goal Thursday, he now is tied for the lead in Classified Singles with 669. Clayborn shares the top spot with David Garcez of Merced, Calif., who set the bar on March 14.
"After the way I started, I was thinking about a 700 series because I've never had one here before," said Clayborn, who made his 15th Open Championships appearance and entered the year with a high series of 624 in doubles at the 2002 event in Billings, Mont. "Since I didn't know what the leading score was, there was no extra pressure on me. When I found out, it made me feel really good."
Clayborn isn't the same bowler he was prior to a heart attack in 2003, but his passion for the sport and appreciation for the Open Championships keep him coming back to the tournament every year.
"Having a heart attack definitely slowed me down, and I can't throw the ball as hard as I used to, but I love the game, and I love the competition," said Clayborn, who bowls one night each week at Kansas City's Ranch West Bowling Center. "I've made a lot of friends through bowling and the tournament, and I look forward to it every year. The tournament is very enjoyable and well run, and I hope I can continue coming."
Clayborn struggled early in his 2010 tournament campaign at the National Bowling Stadium, but everything seemed to click in his final game of doubles.
"I just found the shot," Clayborn said. "I was throwing the ball too hard in the second game of doubles, so I slowed down and concentrated more the third game. In singles, I focused more on hitting my mark. I did carry a couple of Brooklyns, but overall, I made good shots and covered my spares. Everything just went right.
Clayborn added 527 in doubles and 476 in team for a career-high 1,672 all-events total. Ken Iredale of the United Kingdom leads Classified All-Events with 1,810. Clayborn's previous-best effort was 1,662 at the 2007 event, which also was held at the Stadium.
"Coming to Reno every three years is like coming back to a home bowling center, so winning a title here would make Reno even more special," Clayborn said. "When you come to this tournament, you've really got to bring your game if you want to make the leaderboard or even cash. I always try to do that when I bowl. Some nights you've got it, and some nights you don't. It's just bowling. Right now, I feel really good, and I'm excited to be walking out of here tied for the lead."
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 62-year-old right-hander started singles with games of 202 and 246, and while his 221 finish left him short of his goal Thursday, he now is tied for the lead in Classified Singles with 669. Clayborn shares the top spot with David Garcez of Merced, Calif., who set the bar on March 14.
"After the way I started, I was thinking about a 700 series because I've never had one here before," said Clayborn, who made his 15th Open Championships appearance and entered the year with a high series of 624 in doubles at the 2002 event in Billings, Mont. "Since I didn't know what the leading score was, there was no extra pressure on me. When I found out, it made me feel really good."
Clayborn isn't the same bowler he was prior to a heart attack in 2003, but his passion for the sport and appreciation for the Open Championships keep him coming back to the tournament every year.
"Having a heart attack definitely slowed me down, and I can't throw the ball as hard as I used to, but I love the game, and I love the competition," said Clayborn, who bowls one night each week at Kansas City's Ranch West Bowling Center. "I've made a lot of friends through bowling and the tournament, and I look forward to it every year. The tournament is very enjoyable and well run, and I hope I can continue coming."
Clayborn struggled early in his 2010 tournament campaign at the National Bowling Stadium, but everything seemed to click in his final game of doubles.
"I just found the shot," Clayborn said. "I was throwing the ball too hard in the second game of doubles, so I slowed down and concentrated more the third game. In singles, I focused more on hitting my mark. I did carry a couple of Brooklyns, but overall, I made good shots and covered my spares. Everything just went right.
Clayborn added 527 in doubles and 476 in team for a career-high 1,672 all-events total. Ken Iredale of the United Kingdom leads Classified All-Events with 1,810. Clayborn's previous-best effort was 1,662 at the 2007 event, which also was held at the Stadium.
"Coming to Reno every three years is like coming back to a home bowling center, so winning a title here would make Reno even more special," Clayborn said. "When you come to this tournament, you've really got to bring your game if you want to make the leaderboard or even cash. I always try to do that when I bowl. Some nights you've got it, and some nights you don't. It's just bowling. Right now, I feel really good, and I'm excited to be walking out of here tied for the lead."
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.