North Carolina bowler rolls perfect game at USBC Open Championships
June 07, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Some people say that laughter is the best medicine, but for Tony Bass of Mount Holly, N.C., it also was a key to success at the USBC Open Championships.
With his friends and teammates there to keep him loose on the lanes, Bass closed out his 2010 tournament campaign with 12 consecutive strikes for the 25th perfect game of this year's event.
The 38-year-old right-hander started singles with games of 170 and 237 and finished with a 707 series at the National Bowling Stadium on Monday. Terrence Syring of Bay City, Mich., leads Regular Singles with 833.
"I really enjoy bowling with people who help me stay loose, and that definitely helped me today," said Bass, who made his 14th Open Championships appearance. "If you're tight, the ball knows it, so I'm glad I was with people who let me be myself. We joked around a lot, and I've probably laughed more with this group this weekend than I have in a while."
Bass kicked things off with a 667 series in team and added 557 in doubles for a career-best, 1,931, all-events total. His previous high was 1,869 at the 2000 event in Albuquerque, N.M.
"This is a great feeling because any bowler who comes here strives for something like this," said Bass, who regularly bowls at Northcross Lanes at the Lake. "I was pretty lined up, but I also had a lot of luck this weekend and carried some stuff I shouldn't have. Everything seemed to fall into place. It's also exciting to know that my name will be in the record books, too."
Along with the camaraderie he enjoys at the Open Championships, Bass attributes his success to more than two decades of coaching and the support of his wife, Angie, who stayed home with their 4-and-a-half-year-old son, Iain, so he could make the trip to Reno.
In order to prepare, Bass went to his local bowling center every Tuesday night for a month to bowl on a variation of the tournament lane condition, which helped him focus on making better shots.
"I have always enjoyed bowling in tournaments, but since we had our son, I don't bowl as much as I used to," Bass said. "My wife understands how important this is to me, and it means a lot to be able to keep coming out here. I am also thankful for my friends, my coach and to my mother for introducing bowling to me. This is the best nine games I've ever had here, and to have a 300 feels incredible. I wish everyone could experience this. Everything came together, and it's rewarding to find success when you know you've worked at it."
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.
With his friends and teammates there to keep him loose on the lanes, Bass closed out his 2010 tournament campaign with 12 consecutive strikes for the 25th perfect game of this year's event.
The 38-year-old right-hander started singles with games of 170 and 237 and finished with a 707 series at the National Bowling Stadium on Monday. Terrence Syring of Bay City, Mich., leads Regular Singles with 833.
"I really enjoy bowling with people who help me stay loose, and that definitely helped me today," said Bass, who made his 14th Open Championships appearance. "If you're tight, the ball knows it, so I'm glad I was with people who let me be myself. We joked around a lot, and I've probably laughed more with this group this weekend than I have in a while."
Bass kicked things off with a 667 series in team and added 557 in doubles for a career-best, 1,931, all-events total. His previous high was 1,869 at the 2000 event in Albuquerque, N.M.
"This is a great feeling because any bowler who comes here strives for something like this," said Bass, who regularly bowls at Northcross Lanes at the Lake. "I was pretty lined up, but I also had a lot of luck this weekend and carried some stuff I shouldn't have. Everything seemed to fall into place. It's also exciting to know that my name will be in the record books, too."
Along with the camaraderie he enjoys at the Open Championships, Bass attributes his success to more than two decades of coaching and the support of his wife, Angie, who stayed home with their 4-and-a-half-year-old son, Iain, so he could make the trip to Reno.
In order to prepare, Bass went to his local bowling center every Tuesday night for a month to bowl on a variation of the tournament lane condition, which helped him focus on making better shots.
"I have always enjoyed bowling in tournaments, but since we had our son, I don't bowl as much as I used to," Bass said. "My wife understands how important this is to me, and it means a lot to be able to keep coming out here. I am also thankful for my friends, my coach and to my mother for introducing bowling to me. This is the best nine games I've ever had here, and to have a 300 feels incredible. I wish everyone could experience this. Everything came together, and it's rewarding to find success when you know you've worked at it."
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.