Oklahoma bowler shoots 299 at USBC Open Championships
April 25, 2010
RENO, Nev. - On a day when the leaderboards at the USBC Open Championships were given a slight jolt, Darrell Banks of Edmond, Okla., etched his own name into the history books with the fifth 299 game of this year's event.
The 38-year-old right-hander started his team event with 11 consecutive strikes before leaving the 10 pin standing on his final shot. Banks finished his set with games of 206 and 222 for a 727 series and helped Lil Bit A Shine to a 2,999 team total at the National Bowling Stadium on Saturday night. There have been nine perfect games at the 2010 Open Championships.
"This is a great feeling," said Banks, who made his sixth Open Championships appearance. "I was just trying to make sure I got the ball off my hand clean. Luckily, I was able to get a break in the sixth frame that kept the string going. I really thought my last shot was better than the 11th ball, but the 10 pin stood."
Banks is coming off of a career-best, 1,845, all-events effort last year in Las Vegas. After gaining several years of experience, he decided to try something new for his second trip to the National Bowling Stadium.
"I have a completely different outlook this year," said Banks, who owns Lil-Bit-A-Shine Mobile Car Detail in Edmond, Okla. "I just want to be more relaxed and throw the ball well. You definitely want to have fun and enjoy the tournament, but my personal goal this year was to just relax and throw the ball well. I think I achieved it."
While growing up, Banks bowled at Edmond's Boulevard Bowl. He gives a lot of credit to Richard Altman, who is the former proprietor there and sponsored many bowlers from the area, providing them with opportunities to compete against some of the best bowlers in the country. Banks has bowled against several current and former professional bowlers including Chris Barnes, Dino Castillo, Mike Edwards and Randy Pedersen.
"I bowled against these guys during the urethane days," Banks said. "Although it was a long time ago, I gained a lot of confidence and experience bowling against those guys. Richard Altman sponsored several people, and everyone I bowl with will tell you the same thing."
The Open Championships is a one-of-a-kind tournament, and Banks always looks forward to the challenges provided by the event.
"This tournament will always present a challenge," Banks said. "Every year, there will be something to look forward to because I like to compete, and I love a challenge. This tournament brings out the best in you. If you throw the ball well, you will always have a chance."
Earlier on Saturday, John Bauerle Jr. of Indianapolis moved into the top spot in Regular All-Events with a 2,225 effort, the highest in the tournament's six trips to the National Bowling Stadium.
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.
The 38-year-old right-hander started his team event with 11 consecutive strikes before leaving the 10 pin standing on his final shot. Banks finished his set with games of 206 and 222 for a 727 series and helped Lil Bit A Shine to a 2,999 team total at the National Bowling Stadium on Saturday night. There have been nine perfect games at the 2010 Open Championships.
"This is a great feeling," said Banks, who made his sixth Open Championships appearance. "I was just trying to make sure I got the ball off my hand clean. Luckily, I was able to get a break in the sixth frame that kept the string going. I really thought my last shot was better than the 11th ball, but the 10 pin stood."
Banks is coming off of a career-best, 1,845, all-events effort last year in Las Vegas. After gaining several years of experience, he decided to try something new for his second trip to the National Bowling Stadium.
"I have a completely different outlook this year," said Banks, who owns Lil-Bit-A-Shine Mobile Car Detail in Edmond, Okla. "I just want to be more relaxed and throw the ball well. You definitely want to have fun and enjoy the tournament, but my personal goal this year was to just relax and throw the ball well. I think I achieved it."
While growing up, Banks bowled at Edmond's Boulevard Bowl. He gives a lot of credit to Richard Altman, who is the former proprietor there and sponsored many bowlers from the area, providing them with opportunities to compete against some of the best bowlers in the country. Banks has bowled against several current and former professional bowlers including Chris Barnes, Dino Castillo, Mike Edwards and Randy Pedersen.
"I bowled against these guys during the urethane days," Banks said. "Although it was a long time ago, I gained a lot of confidence and experience bowling against those guys. Richard Altman sponsored several people, and everyone I bowl with will tell you the same thing."
The Open Championships is a one-of-a-kind tournament, and Banks always looks forward to the challenges provided by the event.
"This tournament will always present a challenge," Banks said. "Every year, there will be something to look forward to because I like to compete, and I love a challenge. This tournament brings out the best in you. If you throw the ball well, you will always have a chance."
Earlier on Saturday, John Bauerle Jr. of Indianapolis moved into the top spot in Regular All-Events with a 2,225 effort, the highest in the tournament's six trips to the National Bowling Stadium.
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.