Northwest bowler storms into lead at 2017 USBC Open Championships
April 07, 2017
LAS VEGAS - Despite saying some of his best years on the lanes are behind him, Fred Phillips of Richland, Washington, looked like he still was in his prime Wednesday at the 2017 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships as he moved into the lead in Standard Singles.
The 74-year-old right-hander got stronger with each game during singles at the South Point Bowling Plaza, using games of 204, 216 and 238 to claim the top spot with a 658 series. John Dowell of Portland, Oregon, previously held the lead with 651.
Phillips needed a big finish to take the lead and was focused on just keeping the ball in play, but he rallied early and started the finale with five consecutive strikes. Phillips stayed clean through the first nine frames, so a strike to start the 10th frame and good count on his second offering were enough to pass Dowell.
"I just wanted to keep the ball in play and pick up my spares," said Phillips, who made his 12th USBC Open Championships appearance. "I wasn't looking to shoot that much, but I was fortunate to start with a five-bagger and stay clean from there."
An exuberant Phillips knew the number he needed to reach, and his teammates deservedly enjoyed celebrating alongside him after the group worked together throughout doubles.
"Everybody pretty much played the same line, so the shot opened up quite nicely," said Phillips, who added sets of 557 in team and 476 in doubles for a 1,691 all-events total. "All of a sudden, I had a look I did not have in doubles. The teamwork really went a long way today."
That teamwork included working with longtime doubles partner Don Gana, also from Richland, whom Phillips has been bowling doubles with since 1959 when they captured their first victory together.
Phillips' start in the sport dates back to the 1950s, but his passion was developed thanks to two-time Open Championships titlist Leo Rollick, who collected wins in Regular Team and Regular Singles at the 1946 event in Buffalo, New York.
"Leo taught me how to bowl," Phillips said. "I was about 14, and I bought a book on how to bowl, since I was in a junior league. I tried to bowl like the book showed me, and I just so happened to be at the bowling alley Leo ran. He came down to watch and told me, 'you know, kid, of all the bowlers I have here, you could be the best.' That was huge to have a national champion say that to a 14-year-old kid. It changed my life."
Phillips believes his score may not be enough to hold on for the win in the new Standard Division, but the experience of taking the lead is something he won't forget.
"It's an unreal experience going into first place in this tournament," Phillips said. "I don't think it will hold up because there are a lot of good bowlers left to come, but it would be absolutely stunning if it held on. I've been a bowler for almost 60 years now, and I have never encountered anything quite like this. I used to be a pretty good bowler, and, once in a while, I still get lucky."
The oldest champion in 114 years of Open Championships history was Glenn Smith of Grove, Oklahoma, a Booster Team winner in 1996 at the age of 75.
Standard Singles includes bowlers with entering averages of 181-209.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
The 74-year-old right-hander got stronger with each game during singles at the South Point Bowling Plaza, using games of 204, 216 and 238 to claim the top spot with a 658 series. John Dowell of Portland, Oregon, previously held the lead with 651.
Phillips needed a big finish to take the lead and was focused on just keeping the ball in play, but he rallied early and started the finale with five consecutive strikes. Phillips stayed clean through the first nine frames, so a strike to start the 10th frame and good count on his second offering were enough to pass Dowell.
"I just wanted to keep the ball in play and pick up my spares," said Phillips, who made his 12th USBC Open Championships appearance. "I wasn't looking to shoot that much, but I was fortunate to start with a five-bagger and stay clean from there."
An exuberant Phillips knew the number he needed to reach, and his teammates deservedly enjoyed celebrating alongside him after the group worked together throughout doubles.
"Everybody pretty much played the same line, so the shot opened up quite nicely," said Phillips, who added sets of 557 in team and 476 in doubles for a 1,691 all-events total. "All of a sudden, I had a look I did not have in doubles. The teamwork really went a long way today."
That teamwork included working with longtime doubles partner Don Gana, also from Richland, whom Phillips has been bowling doubles with since 1959 when they captured their first victory together.
Phillips' start in the sport dates back to the 1950s, but his passion was developed thanks to two-time Open Championships titlist Leo Rollick, who collected wins in Regular Team and Regular Singles at the 1946 event in Buffalo, New York.
"Leo taught me how to bowl," Phillips said. "I was about 14, and I bought a book on how to bowl, since I was in a junior league. I tried to bowl like the book showed me, and I just so happened to be at the bowling alley Leo ran. He came down to watch and told me, 'you know, kid, of all the bowlers I have here, you could be the best.' That was huge to have a national champion say that to a 14-year-old kid. It changed my life."
Phillips believes his score may not be enough to hold on for the win in the new Standard Division, but the experience of taking the lead is something he won't forget.
"It's an unreal experience going into first place in this tournament," Phillips said. "I don't think it will hold up because there are a lot of good bowlers left to come, but it would be absolutely stunning if it held on. I've been a bowler for almost 60 years now, and I have never encountered anything quite like this. I used to be a pretty good bowler, and, once in a while, I still get lucky."
The oldest champion in 114 years of Open Championships history was Glenn Smith of Grove, Oklahoma, a Booster Team winner in 1996 at the age of 75.
Standard Singles includes bowlers with entering averages of 181-209.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.