Preparation helps Illinois bowler into lead at USBC Open Championships
March 07, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Richard Eisenhut of Downers Grove, Ill., has been working hard at improving his bowling game, and he saw quick results as he moved into the Classified All-Events lead at the 2010 USBC Open Championships.
The 41-year-old right-hander was consistent on the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium this weekend and moved into the top spot with a career-best, 1,766, all-events effort. His performance included a 600 series in doubles, 587 in singles and 579 in team. Ryan Goettsch of Galva, Iowa, previously held the lead with 1,702.
"It feels great to walk out of here as the leader," said Eisenhut, who bowls regularly at Fox Bowl in Wheaton, Ill., and made his 13th Open Championships appearance. "I'd be surprised if my score held up since there's such a long way to go, but it's a great feeling to lead at any point at an event as prestigious as this one."
Eisenhut attributes his success to the hard work he's put in with help from USBC Bronze coach, Gregg Zicha, a two-time titlist at the Open Championships (2001 Regular Doubles and 2008 Team All-Events).
Zicha, who has maintained a 211.7 average in 11 trips to the Open Championships, works full-time at Fox Bowl coaching bowlers of all ages and skills levels. His recent lessons with Eisenhut included changing his release and tuning up his delivery, but they also took time to practice on the tournament lane condition and discuss strategy and bowling ball selection.
"We put out the shot and talked about where to play and what moves to make," Eisenhut said. "We followed Gregg's advice about how to break down the outside part of the lane and then move in a little bit at a time, and that worked well. I missed a ball change in the second game, but was able to recover. Toward the end of my last game, I thought I had a chance at 1,800, which I've never shot before, so I was excited. I never even thought about being in the lead."
Eisenhut's hard work helped him improve on his 2009 all-events total by 230 pins. His previous high was 1,763 at the 2006 event in Corpus Christi, Texas.
"When I work with someone, no matter what their skill level is, I take it very personal, and when they go out and succeed, it gives me a great feeling," Zicha said. "When we work together, we are a team, and it's very satisfying to see them do well. We've had some success at the Open Championships, and we're glad to be able to offer some advice about what to expect at the tournament and how to play the lanes."
To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less and 360 or less for doubles. Individuals must have an average of 180 or less for singles and all-events.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. 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 41-year-old right-hander was consistent on the lanes at the National Bowling Stadium this weekend and moved into the top spot with a career-best, 1,766, all-events effort. His performance included a 600 series in doubles, 587 in singles and 579 in team. Ryan Goettsch of Galva, Iowa, previously held the lead with 1,702.
"It feels great to walk out of here as the leader," said Eisenhut, who bowls regularly at Fox Bowl in Wheaton, Ill., and made his 13th Open Championships appearance. "I'd be surprised if my score held up since there's such a long way to go, but it's a great feeling to lead at any point at an event as prestigious as this one."
Eisenhut attributes his success to the hard work he's put in with help from USBC Bronze coach, Gregg Zicha, a two-time titlist at the Open Championships (2001 Regular Doubles and 2008 Team All-Events).
Zicha, who has maintained a 211.7 average in 11 trips to the Open Championships, works full-time at Fox Bowl coaching bowlers of all ages and skills levels. His recent lessons with Eisenhut included changing his release and tuning up his delivery, but they also took time to practice on the tournament lane condition and discuss strategy and bowling ball selection.
"We put out the shot and talked about where to play and what moves to make," Eisenhut said. "We followed Gregg's advice about how to break down the outside part of the lane and then move in a little bit at a time, and that worked well. I missed a ball change in the second game, but was able to recover. Toward the end of my last game, I thought I had a chance at 1,800, which I've never shot before, so I was excited. I never even thought about being in the lead."
Eisenhut's hard work helped him improve on his 2009 all-events total by 230 pins. His previous high was 1,763 at the 2006 event in Corpus Christi, Texas.
"When I work with someone, no matter what their skill level is, I take it very personal, and when they go out and succeed, it gives me a great feeling," Zicha said. "When we work together, we are a team, and it's very satisfying to see them do well. We've had some success at the Open Championships, and we're glad to be able to offer some advice about what to expect at the tournament and how to play the lanes."
To be eligible for the Classified Division, a team must have a combined average of 900 or less and 360 or less for doubles. Individuals must have an average of 180 or less for singles and all-events.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. 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.