Two bowlers almost perfect at USBC Open Championships
April 27, 2010
RENO, Nev. - It has been more than a week since there's been a perfect game at the 2010 USBC Open Championships, and two bowlers did their best to end that streak at the National Bowling Stadium.
Jacob Bedard of Waterloo, Iowa, struck first, but settled for a 299 game Monday night, while Lance Stern of Yuma, Ariz., made his run Tuesday morning and finished with 298.
Bedard didn't feel like he threw the ball well during his team event, so he really wanted to go practice and work some things out before doubles and singles Monday night. Instead, he decided to take his mind off of this performance by playing golf and having a nice meal before returning to the lanes.
The strategy paid off, and he started doubles with 11 consecutive strikes before leaving a 7 pin on his final offering. He added games of 225 and 215 for a 739 series and teamed up with USBC Regional Manager David Bartlett of Mansfield, Texas, for a 1,385 doubles total, which is good for 14th place overall. Erik Vermilyea of Mansfield, Texas, and Jeffrey Mersch of Orlando, Fla., lead with 1,507.
"I really wanted to go practice today, but I decided it might be better to get my mind off of bowling for a while," said Bedard, who bowls regularly at Maple Lanes and made his 13th Open Championships appearance. "Normally, I would have practiced, but time ran short. I mentally practiced instead, and it paid off."
The 31-year-old right-hander enjoys doubles more than any other event, and getting off to a solid start was the most important thing.
"I was nervous, but I think I was more excited than anything because we were bowling well in doubles," said Bedard, who is part owner of the Iowa State doubles record (1,613). "I'd rather win a title here than shoot 300 any day, and my confidence is really high bowling with Dave because our games are close enough that we can get a read off of each other."
In the end, Bedard knew he threw the best shot he could in his bid for 300 and wasn't too disappointed with the outcome, but he did feel that their doubles effort could've been better.
"I'm disappointed, but I didn't feel like it was a huge letdown because it's still 299, which is tough to get here," said Bedard, who added 652 in singles and 629 in team for a career-best 2,020 all-events total. "I was satisfied with the shot I made and realize that once it leaves my hand, it's out of my control. We threw a few bad shots later, but I still felt like we had a chance to post a good number. I'm satisfied overall, but disappointed because I felt like we could've had a lot more, just like in team."
Stern's run at perfection game in his final game of doubles Tuesday morning. He opened with games of 180 and 166 before making a ball change with the hope of a big finish.
The 42-year-old right-hander capitalized on a break in the fourth frame and found himself one shot away from the 10th perfect game of this year's event.
Stern was familiar with the pressure of performing on the championship lanes because he started a game at last year's tournament in Las Vegas with eight strikes before a solid 9 pin halted his run. This time, he told himself to stay steady and slow and throw a good shot. Although the shot was a decent one, he left the 4-7 and finished with the third 298 of the year.
"I wasn't bowling too well, but it also wasn't too bad, so I decided to make a ball change and play the same line," said Stern, who made his eighth trip to the Open Championships. "It was a little nerve-racking when I got to the 10th frame, but I've shot 300 before and just wanted to make a good shot and give myself a chance."
Now that Stern has been close to perfect on two occasions, he's got motivation for next year. He also enjoys bowling with his current team, which he joined in 2009 as a substitute.
Stern finished doubles with a 644 series and added 596 in singles and 583 in team for a 1,823 all-events total.
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.
Jacob Bedard of Waterloo, Iowa, struck first, but settled for a 299 game Monday night, while Lance Stern of Yuma, Ariz., made his run Tuesday morning and finished with 298.
Bedard didn't feel like he threw the ball well during his team event, so he really wanted to go practice and work some things out before doubles and singles Monday night. Instead, he decided to take his mind off of this performance by playing golf and having a nice meal before returning to the lanes.
The strategy paid off, and he started doubles with 11 consecutive strikes before leaving a 7 pin on his final offering. He added games of 225 and 215 for a 739 series and teamed up with USBC Regional Manager David Bartlett of Mansfield, Texas, for a 1,385 doubles total, which is good for 14th place overall. Erik Vermilyea of Mansfield, Texas, and Jeffrey Mersch of Orlando, Fla., lead with 1,507.
"I really wanted to go practice today, but I decided it might be better to get my mind off of bowling for a while," said Bedard, who bowls regularly at Maple Lanes and made his 13th Open Championships appearance. "Normally, I would have practiced, but time ran short. I mentally practiced instead, and it paid off."
The 31-year-old right-hander enjoys doubles more than any other event, and getting off to a solid start was the most important thing.
"I was nervous, but I think I was more excited than anything because we were bowling well in doubles," said Bedard, who is part owner of the Iowa State doubles record (1,613). "I'd rather win a title here than shoot 300 any day, and my confidence is really high bowling with Dave because our games are close enough that we can get a read off of each other."
In the end, Bedard knew he threw the best shot he could in his bid for 300 and wasn't too disappointed with the outcome, but he did feel that their doubles effort could've been better.
"I'm disappointed, but I didn't feel like it was a huge letdown because it's still 299, which is tough to get here," said Bedard, who added 652 in singles and 629 in team for a career-best 2,020 all-events total. "I was satisfied with the shot I made and realize that once it leaves my hand, it's out of my control. We threw a few bad shots later, but I still felt like we had a chance to post a good number. I'm satisfied overall, but disappointed because I felt like we could've had a lot more, just like in team."
Stern's run at perfection game in his final game of doubles Tuesday morning. He opened with games of 180 and 166 before making a ball change with the hope of a big finish.
The 42-year-old right-hander capitalized on a break in the fourth frame and found himself one shot away from the 10th perfect game of this year's event.
Stern was familiar with the pressure of performing on the championship lanes because he started a game at last year's tournament in Las Vegas with eight strikes before a solid 9 pin halted his run. This time, he told himself to stay steady and slow and throw a good shot. Although the shot was a decent one, he left the 4-7 and finished with the third 298 of the year.
"I wasn't bowling too well, but it also wasn't too bad, so I decided to make a ball change and play the same line," said Stern, who made his eighth trip to the Open Championships. "It was a little nerve-racking when I got to the 10th frame, but I've shot 300 before and just wanted to make a good shot and give myself a chance."
Now that Stern has been close to perfect on two occasions, he's got motivation for next year. He also enjoys bowling with his current team, which he joined in 2009 as a substitute.
Stern finished doubles with a 644 series and added 596 in singles and 583 in team for a 1,823 all-events total.
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.