Long journey ends with success at USBC Open Championships
May 27, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Not even an erupting volcano could keep the United Kingdom's Ken Iredale from the 2010 USBC Open Championships.
Although his trip to the National Bowling Stadium was delayed by a month, he wasted no time finding his way to the top of the Classified All-Events standings with a 1,810 total Wednesday. Harry Arnold of Falls City, Neb., previously held the lead with 1,796.
The 54-year-old right-hander knew that despite a 168 start in singles, he still had a chance at the top spot if he could finish strong. He closed things out with games of 243 and 221 for a 632 singles set, which is just outside of the top 10 in Classified Singles. David Garcez of Merced, Calif., leads with 669.
"I had an idea of the numbers, and I knew that after the 160, I had to get a good game in," said Iredale, who made his third Open Championships appearance. "Normally, when I'm under pressure I collapse, but this time, I just tried to calm myself, and it worked."
Iredale opened his 2010 tournament campaign with 603 in team and added 575 in doubles.
"Team was wonderful, and I only had a few opens, so I was happy overall," said Iredale, who helped Brits On Tour into 16th place in Classified Team with a 2,648 total Tuesday. "We didn't do as well as we hoped as a group, though, so I wanted to come out today and do my best in doubles and individually."
Iredale attributes his success this week to the lesson he had with USBC Silver coach Mike Jasnau on Sunday. Jasnau evaluated Iredale's game and made some adjustments that made a clear difference.
"He changed the way I bowl just by getting me to approach the shot better," Iredale said. "I bowled in The Forty Frame Game and at the Bowlers Journal (Championships) to make sure the rhythm was right, and I was being consistent. The lesson really made the difference."
Iredale and his Brits On Tour teammates originally were scheduled to bowl in Reno on April 26, but travel became impossible when a volcanic cloud from an erupting volcano in Iceland covered much of northern Europe around April 15.
The particles in the cloud could severely damage jet engines, so the airspace over Britain closed first, followed closely by France, Germany and Poland. Most countries in northern Europe closed their airspace from April 15-20, and travel has been difficult since as volcanic ash continues to be a factor.
Iredale and his teammates flew into New York and then to San Francisco before making the drive to Reno, a trip of more than 6,200 total miles, but it has been completely worth it according to Iredale.
"This is the third trip to this tournament for me, and I look forward to it every year," Iredale said. "We were disappointed when we couldn't make it in April, but glad that we were able to reschedule. Then, we just crossed our fingers that another volcano didn't erupt."
The group enjoys traveling to the Open Championships because they get to see new places, and they appreciate the challenge and competition on the championship lanes. Last year, they finished 25th in Classified Team, and in 2008, Iredale finished 24th in Classified All-Events.
"We come for the fun of it and enjoy the bowling as well as the sightseeing," Iredale said. "My previous experience here really helped me today because I am learning how to play on a Sport shot, which we don't have in the U.K. To do this well is really unbelievable. You always dream and hope you'll do well, but you don't expect to be leading. Now, I'll be looking at the Internet every night for the next five weeks to see how my score is holding up."
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.
Although his trip to the National Bowling Stadium was delayed by a month, he wasted no time finding his way to the top of the Classified All-Events standings with a 1,810 total Wednesday. Harry Arnold of Falls City, Neb., previously held the lead with 1,796.
The 54-year-old right-hander knew that despite a 168 start in singles, he still had a chance at the top spot if he could finish strong. He closed things out with games of 243 and 221 for a 632 singles set, which is just outside of the top 10 in Classified Singles. David Garcez of Merced, Calif., leads with 669.
"I had an idea of the numbers, and I knew that after the 160, I had to get a good game in," said Iredale, who made his third Open Championships appearance. "Normally, when I'm under pressure I collapse, but this time, I just tried to calm myself, and it worked."
Iredale opened his 2010 tournament campaign with 603 in team and added 575 in doubles.
"Team was wonderful, and I only had a few opens, so I was happy overall," said Iredale, who helped Brits On Tour into 16th place in Classified Team with a 2,648 total Tuesday. "We didn't do as well as we hoped as a group, though, so I wanted to come out today and do my best in doubles and individually."
Iredale attributes his success this week to the lesson he had with USBC Silver coach Mike Jasnau on Sunday. Jasnau evaluated Iredale's game and made some adjustments that made a clear difference.
"He changed the way I bowl just by getting me to approach the shot better," Iredale said. "I bowled in The Forty Frame Game and at the Bowlers Journal (Championships) to make sure the rhythm was right, and I was being consistent. The lesson really made the difference."
Iredale and his Brits On Tour teammates originally were scheduled to bowl in Reno on April 26, but travel became impossible when a volcanic cloud from an erupting volcano in Iceland covered much of northern Europe around April 15.
The particles in the cloud could severely damage jet engines, so the airspace over Britain closed first, followed closely by France, Germany and Poland. Most countries in northern Europe closed their airspace from April 15-20, and travel has been difficult since as volcanic ash continues to be a factor.
Iredale and his teammates flew into New York and then to San Francisco before making the drive to Reno, a trip of more than 6,200 total miles, but it has been completely worth it according to Iredale.
"This is the third trip to this tournament for me, and I look forward to it every year," Iredale said. "We were disappointed when we couldn't make it in April, but glad that we were able to reschedule. Then, we just crossed our fingers that another volcano didn't erupt."
The group enjoys traveling to the Open Championships because they get to see new places, and they appreciate the challenge and competition on the championship lanes. Last year, they finished 25th in Classified Team, and in 2008, Iredale finished 24th in Classified All-Events.
"We come for the fun of it and enjoy the bowling as well as the sightseeing," Iredale said. "My previous experience here really helped me today because I am learning how to play on a Sport shot, which we don't have in the U.K. To do this well is really unbelievable. You always dream and hope you'll do well, but you don't expect to be leading. Now, I'll be looking at the Internet every night for the next five weeks to see how my score is holding up."
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.