4/16/11

By Matt Cannizzaro and Emil Williams Jr.
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - Chad Nelson of Owatonna, Minn., made a run at perfection at the 2006 USBC Open Championships, but a stubborn 5 pin left him with a 299 game and endless ribbing from his friends and teammates.

Five years later, the 38-year-old right-hander got a shot at redemption and finished the job with the ninth perfect game of the 2011 Open Championships. The 300 came between games of 219 and 237 for a 756 singles series at the National Bowling Stadium on Saturday.

"Getting close to 300 is always big here, and having a second chance to finish it off was really special," said Nelson, who made his 21st Open Championships appearance. "I've shot 300 before, but this is the one I am always going to cherish. It was a relief to finally do it. I took a lot of ribbing for that 299."

Nelson added 688 in doubles and 679 in team for a career-best, 2,123, all-events total and helped The Locker Guy 1 of Mankato, Minn., into sixth place in Team All-Events with a 9,834 total. Cambridge 1 of Feeding Hills, Mass., which includes Team USA member Shannon O'Keefe and Team USA assistant coach Bryan O'Keefe, leads with 10,023.

Nelson was joined by Dan Bock (1,975), David Langer (1,962), Dan Langer (1,939) and Sam Sylvester (1,835).

"The 300 is great, but it's just one game," said Nelson, who keeps his skills sharp at Southpark Lanes in Owatonna. "I feel like I bowled really well for nine games, and I'm more proud of my all-events score. I did leave some pins out there, though, and I'm a little disappointed about that. I'd be happy to give the game back to get the Team All-Events eagle."

Nelson said it was his teammates who helped keep him calm and focused, while the experience of having been in the same position before left him relaxed on the approach. The group also communicated well, and that helped assure him that his moves were good and he was staying ahead of the lane changes.

Earlier on Saturday, Scott Smith of Zeeland, Mich., flirted with perfection and a spot in the tournament record books.

The 39-year-old right-hander started his final game of singles with 11 consecutive strikes and was one shot away from becoming the 21st bowler in 108 years of tournament history to record two perfect games on the championship lanes. Instead, a 10 pin on his final offering left him with the seventh 299 of this year's event.

"I was just trying to make the best shot I could," said Smith, whose first 300 at the Open Championships came in team at the 1999 event in Syracuse, N.Y. "I was disappointed because I don't like 299 games, but I'll take that out here anytime. The last shot wasn't the best shot, but at least I gave it a chance."

Smith came into his 19th tournament with a career average of 208.1 and turned in his best performance yet. He finished with a 759 singles series and added 719 in team and 618 in doubles for a 2,096 all-events effort. His high series at the tournament before Saturday was 738 at the 2000 event in Albuquerque, N.M., which helped him to his previous-best all-events total of 2,073.

"This is my best performance by far, and definitely my best at the Stadium," Smith said. "I usually struggle here, but it seemed a little more forgiving this year, which really boosted my confidence. I started out strong in team and thought I had a good reaction overall."

Click here to watch video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.
Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, 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.