Kelly Kulick draws crowd at USBC Open Championships
June 14, 2010
RENO, Nev. - When Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J., took to the lanes at the 2010USBC Open Championships this weekend, bowling fans filled the seats and lined the concourse at the National Bowling Stadium hoping to see her add to what already has been a magical season.
The 33-year-old right-hander threw a lot of strikes and didn't disappoint her fans on the way to a 1,986 all-events total, but as much as she likes to win, her trip to Reno was about a lot more than just bowling.
"It's the one time of year where everyone comes out with the hopes and dreams of bowling well and enjoying themselves with friends," said Kulick, who made her fifth Open Championships appearance. "It's a special place to bowl. Wherever the venue is, it will always be a special place."
Kulick delivered three strikes in her final frame of singles Sunday and now must indefinitely say goodbye to the Open Championships as she makes her return to the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour in the fall.
As an exempt player on the PBA Tour, Kulick will not be eligible to compete at the Open Championships. She earned a two-year Tour exemption with a history-making win at the PBA Tournament of Champions in January. She was the first woman ever to compete in the event and became the first woman to claim a PBA national title.
Kulick's dream season began last August when she won the PBA Women's Series Shark Championship. She found the winner's circle again in September with a victory at the Women's World Championship, which earned her a berth into the Tournament of Champions.
The momentum continued with a win at the 33rd Canon Malaysian International Open in March, the USBC Queens in April, the U.S. Women's Open in May and the PBA Northwest Region Tacoma Dodge Open in June.
Every time she competes now, there's a swarm of attentive spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of history, and Kulick has taken all of the attention in stride.
"It's been a little overwhelming," said Kulick, who is a six-time Team USA member and made history in 2006 when she finished sixth at the PBA Tour Trials and became the first woman to earn a Tour exemption. "At the same time, I would hope that when I saw someone I truly respected and idolized, they would take the time to take a picture with me or sign an autograph. I try to look at things from their point of view, and I'm very appreciative of the attention. The more I can get myself out there, the better chance the sport has to grow."
Despite the crowds at the Stadium this weekend, Kulick was able to focus on spending time with her team, which included two-time Team USA member Debbie Kuhn, PBA South Region standout Lee Vanderhoef, who rolled a 300 game at the Open Championships in 2009, Kennie Lane and Bernard Kuhn.
Although the group only shot 2,889 in team Saturday, Kulick was consistent overall, shooting 682 in singles, 654 in team and 650 in doubles for a career-best all-events effort. Her previous high was 1,948 last year in Las Vegas.
Kulick now will turn her attention to preparing for her second stint on the Tour, and she has some goals she'd like to achieve this time around.
"I want to make a better showing than I did the last time," said Kulick, who is one of three bowlers to win the Queens (2007, 2010) and U.S. Women's Open (2003, 2010) twice each. "I think I am definitely smarter, wiser and a stronger player. I only made a few cuts the last time, but I am looking to change that. I would love to make another show and win again. I have proven to myself I can win out there, so I will have a lot more confidence this time around. I can compete out there, and I have shown that."
Since the Professional Women's Bowling Association closed its doors in 2003, competitive opportunities for women have been limited, but Kulick has helped make sure there's a spotlight on women's bowling.
"I think I need to be a spokesperson for women's sports," said Kulick, who was the 2001 PWBA Rookie of the Year. "As much as I would like an endorsement for myself, I want to see it spread across the sport. If I can make a positive image of myself and describe to people what it's like to bowl 16 games a day, maybe someone will pay attention. I just want to do anything to help, not only the women, but the men as well. I want to see the education of the sport get stronger. My goal is to progressively make the sport better."
Kulick's doubles and singles sets Sunday were broadcast live as one of USBC's live-streaming efforts from the Open Championships this year. It was the 10th of 11 broadcasts, with the final one scheduled for Sunday, June 27 at 2:40 p.m. Eastern as defending Regular Doubles champions Brenda Edwards and Stephen Padilla of Mansfield, Texas, put their title on the line.
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 threw a lot of strikes and didn't disappoint her fans on the way to a 1,986 all-events total, but as much as she likes to win, her trip to Reno was about a lot more than just bowling.
"It's the one time of year where everyone comes out with the hopes and dreams of bowling well and enjoying themselves with friends," said Kulick, who made her fifth Open Championships appearance. "It's a special place to bowl. Wherever the venue is, it will always be a special place."
Kulick delivered three strikes in her final frame of singles Sunday and now must indefinitely say goodbye to the Open Championships as she makes her return to the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour in the fall.
As an exempt player on the PBA Tour, Kulick will not be eligible to compete at the Open Championships. She earned a two-year Tour exemption with a history-making win at the PBA Tournament of Champions in January. She was the first woman ever to compete in the event and became the first woman to claim a PBA national title.
Kulick's dream season began last August when she won the PBA Women's Series Shark Championship. She found the winner's circle again in September with a victory at the Women's World Championship, which earned her a berth into the Tournament of Champions.
The momentum continued with a win at the 33rd Canon Malaysian International Open in March, the USBC Queens in April, the U.S. Women's Open in May and the PBA Northwest Region Tacoma Dodge Open in June.
Every time she competes now, there's a swarm of attentive spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of history, and Kulick has taken all of the attention in stride.
"It's been a little overwhelming," said Kulick, who is a six-time Team USA member and made history in 2006 when she finished sixth at the PBA Tour Trials and became the first woman to earn a Tour exemption. "At the same time, I would hope that when I saw someone I truly respected and idolized, they would take the time to take a picture with me or sign an autograph. I try to look at things from their point of view, and I'm very appreciative of the attention. The more I can get myself out there, the better chance the sport has to grow."
Despite the crowds at the Stadium this weekend, Kulick was able to focus on spending time with her team, which included two-time Team USA member Debbie Kuhn, PBA South Region standout Lee Vanderhoef, who rolled a 300 game at the Open Championships in 2009, Kennie Lane and Bernard Kuhn.
Although the group only shot 2,889 in team Saturday, Kulick was consistent overall, shooting 682 in singles, 654 in team and 650 in doubles for a career-best all-events effort. Her previous high was 1,948 last year in Las Vegas.
Kulick now will turn her attention to preparing for her second stint on the Tour, and she has some goals she'd like to achieve this time around.
"I want to make a better showing than I did the last time," said Kulick, who is one of three bowlers to win the Queens (2007, 2010) and U.S. Women's Open (2003, 2010) twice each. "I think I am definitely smarter, wiser and a stronger player. I only made a few cuts the last time, but I am looking to change that. I would love to make another show and win again. I have proven to myself I can win out there, so I will have a lot more confidence this time around. I can compete out there, and I have shown that."
Since the Professional Women's Bowling Association closed its doors in 2003, competitive opportunities for women have been limited, but Kulick has helped make sure there's a spotlight on women's bowling.
"I think I need to be a spokesperson for women's sports," said Kulick, who was the 2001 PWBA Rookie of the Year. "As much as I would like an endorsement for myself, I want to see it spread across the sport. If I can make a positive image of myself and describe to people what it's like to bowl 16 games a day, maybe someone will pay attention. I just want to do anything to help, not only the women, but the men as well. I want to see the education of the sport get stronger. My goal is to progressively make the sport better."
Kulick's doubles and singles sets Sunday were broadcast live as one of USBC's live-streaming efforts from the Open Championships this year. It was the 10th of 11 broadcasts, with the final one scheduled for Sunday, June 27 at 2:40 p.m. Eastern as defending Regular Doubles champions Brenda Edwards and Stephen Padilla of Mansfield, Texas, put their title on the line.
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.