McCordic successful in return to Las Vegas for second shot at Bowlers Journal Championships
July 11, 2017
LAS VEGAS - Pete McCordic of Katy, Texas, had a successful trip to the 2017 Bowlers Journal Championships presented by the United States Bowling Congress, but even though he rolled a perfect game and left in the top 10 in multiple events, he felt he could've done better.
The 63-year-old right-hander saw an opportunity for a short return trip to Las Vegas this week, and his instincts were correct.
He just missed taking the lead Monday in Senior Doubles with local standout Les Shirwindt and then cruised into the top spot in Senior Singles with an 812 series Tuesday morning.
McCordic averaged more than 259 over the six games, and his singles run Tuesday at the South Point Bowling Center included games of 279, 290 and 243.
It was the fourth 800 series of the 2017 Bowlers Journal Championships and first by a senior player. Two-time USBC Open Championships titlist Bo Goergen of Sanford, Michigan, previously held the lead in Senior Singles with 769.
McCordic's return to Las Vegas came on a whim when his wife decided to go visit family in New York, and he knew he couldn't be away from home that long. He also was motivated by the extra competitive opportunity, since he doesn't get to bowl as often as he'd like.
Though his responsibilities as the manager for the PBA Southwest Region have kept him busy over recent weekends, he used the four days leading up to the trip to practice and prepare.
"When I was there in March, I had a really good look and some decent scores, but I knew if I was a little sharper and had another chance, I probably could do a little better," said McCordic, a two-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion. "Yesterday went well, so that was reassuring. Today, I threw it a little better and got some better carry. Things just fell into place. Sure, I got away with a few, but I made better shots overall, and I'm very happy I came back."
During Monday's doubles performance, McCordic posted games of 213, 255 and 277 for a 745 set, while Shirwindt added 222, 222 and 226 for 670 and a 1,415 total. Robert Brown of Cody, Wyoming, and Billy Langford, Lone Grove, Oklahoma, lead Senior Doubles this year with 1,416.
Like many bowlers competing at the USBC Open Championships, McCordic uses the Bowlers Journal Championships each year as a warm-up for the main event, especially because it now features the same oil pattern used in doubles and singles at the Open Championships.
"We usually plan to get to town a few days early to bowl in the Bowlers Journal and sharpen things up before the Open Championships, and I've been fortunate the last few years to bowl some pretty good scores," said McCordic, who also is tied for fifth place in Super Senior Singles at the 2017 Bowlers Journal Championships. "This year, being able to come back and use what I learned the first time, as well as get some really good partners, turned out very well. I feel extremely fortunate."
The 2017 Bowlers Journal Championships kicked off Feb. 18 in conjunction with the start of the Open Championships, being contested at the nearby South Point Bowling Plaza.
The Bowlers Journal will conclude July 15, and the estimated top prize for Senior Singles is $4,000.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
The 63-year-old right-hander saw an opportunity for a short return trip to Las Vegas this week, and his instincts were correct.
He just missed taking the lead Monday in Senior Doubles with local standout Les Shirwindt and then cruised into the top spot in Senior Singles with an 812 series Tuesday morning.
McCordic averaged more than 259 over the six games, and his singles run Tuesday at the South Point Bowling Center included games of 279, 290 and 243.
It was the fourth 800 series of the 2017 Bowlers Journal Championships and first by a senior player. Two-time USBC Open Championships titlist Bo Goergen of Sanford, Michigan, previously held the lead in Senior Singles with 769.
McCordic's return to Las Vegas came on a whim when his wife decided to go visit family in New York, and he knew he couldn't be away from home that long. He also was motivated by the extra competitive opportunity, since he doesn't get to bowl as often as he'd like.
Though his responsibilities as the manager for the PBA Southwest Region have kept him busy over recent weekends, he used the four days leading up to the trip to practice and prepare.
"When I was there in March, I had a really good look and some decent scores, but I knew if I was a little sharper and had another chance, I probably could do a little better," said McCordic, a two-time Professional Bowlers Association Tour champion. "Yesterday went well, so that was reassuring. Today, I threw it a little better and got some better carry. Things just fell into place. Sure, I got away with a few, but I made better shots overall, and I'm very happy I came back."
During Monday's doubles performance, McCordic posted games of 213, 255 and 277 for a 745 set, while Shirwindt added 222, 222 and 226 for 670 and a 1,415 total. Robert Brown of Cody, Wyoming, and Billy Langford, Lone Grove, Oklahoma, lead Senior Doubles this year with 1,416.
Like many bowlers competing at the USBC Open Championships, McCordic uses the Bowlers Journal Championships each year as a warm-up for the main event, especially because it now features the same oil pattern used in doubles and singles at the Open Championships.
"We usually plan to get to town a few days early to bowl in the Bowlers Journal and sharpen things up before the Open Championships, and I've been fortunate the last few years to bowl some pretty good scores," said McCordic, who also is tied for fifth place in Super Senior Singles at the 2017 Bowlers Journal Championships. "This year, being able to come back and use what I learned the first time, as well as get some really good partners, turned out very well. I feel extremely fortunate."
The 2017 Bowlers Journal Championships kicked off Feb. 18 in conjunction with the start of the Open Championships, being contested at the nearby South Point Bowling Plaza.
The Bowlers Journal will conclude July 15, and the estimated top prize for Senior Singles is $4,000.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.