RENO, Nev. - In 108 years of USBC Open Championships history, more than 600,000 five-player teams have graced the tournament lanes to compete in team, doubles and singles.

In all, more than 27 million games have been bowled at the annual event, and only 722 of those games have been 300s, with 21 bowlers achieving the feat twice.

Mike Malinick of Garden Grove, Calif., and Michael Cave, of Hopewell, Va., added their names to the short list with perfect games at the National Bowling Stadium on Wednesday, and Malinick made a run at becoming just the second bowler in tournament history with back-to-back 300s.

After a disappointing team event, the 54-year-old right-hander started doubles with 21 consecutive strikes Wednesday morning before a 10 pin ended his chance of joining 2003 Regular Singles champion Ron Bahr of Topeka, Kan., in the record books. Bahr rolled games of 237, 300 and 300 on the way to the title.

"I was pretty nervous," said Malinick, who finished doubles with games of 300, 267 and 196 for a 763 series. "You string that many strikes, and you're here at Nationals, plus just the entire history in Reno and bowling at the National Bowling Stadium, and it's an awesome feeling. You're nervous going into the seventh frame, and then you get into the ninth and think you've got a pretty good chance at it. I took a lot of deep breaths and hoped I didn't tug one or chicken wing one down there."

The 2011 event marked Malinick's eighth overall tournament appearance and sixth visit to the Stadium, where he added 662 in singles and 541 in team for a 1,966 all-events total, a career-best by more than 100 pins.

Malinick always has wanted to shoot a big score at the Open Championships, and he became a part of history with the 22nd perfect game of the 2011 tournament.

"I've always wanted to shoot a big score here," said Malinick, who is an analyst for Disneyland and bowls league at AMF Valley View Lanes. "And a 300 is the epitome of it. I was just hoping that I could keep the nerves from kicking in too much and also shoot an 800, but I just couldn't do it. Shooting 300 here is something I never thought I would ever do. The shot is so tough and competitive."

Even with the experience of one 300 under his belt, Malinick definitely felt the pressure as he stepped onto the approach with a shot at a second one.

"I was throwing the ball the exact same," Malinick said. "I wasn't thinking I was going to do another 300, so I just tried to stay relaxed. I was taking a lot of deep breaths and took some water after every shot to calm down. It's one of those things where you're kind of in a zone, and nothing's really bothering you. It was pretty darn exciting to throw 21 in a row here. Wow."

Cave etched his name into the record books when he closed out his team event with 12 consecutive strikes for the 23rd perfect game of this year's Open Championships.

"This is the ultimate," Cave said. "It's a dream come true. I'll remember this for the rest of my life."

Also a 54-year-old right-hander, Cave is a dedicated Open Championships competitor, and the last 10 years of his 27-year tournament career have been spent with bowlers from his league at the Fort Lee Bowling Center. After so many years at the event, he understands the magnitude of his accomplishment.

"I just reminded myself to get through the shot and get it down the lane," Cave said. "The 11th strike was a bit high, so I knew I got the break I needed. I was just hoping make a good shot and hit the pocket. I first bowled in 1982 in Baltimore. The manager of the bowling center asked me if I wanted to bowl and I've been coming ever since. I keep coming because of the competition. The Open Championships is a true measure of your ability. This is the place where shooting 600 means something."

Cave's 300 was preceded by games of 182 and 214 for a 696 series, and he helped his team to a 2,972 total.

"I immediately called my wife back in Virginia," Cave said. "Then I called my two daughters in Florida. Even though it was very late back east, they were all thrilled for me. What a day this has been."

Earlier on Wednesday, Paul Gilmour of Pasco, Wash., made his first Open Championships one to remember when he made his own run at perfection.

The 21-year-old right-hander started singles with 11 consecutive strikes before leaving the 3-10 split for a 298 game, denying him the first 300 of his bowling career. He added games of 172 and 190 for a 660 series.

Gilmour also began the third game of his team event with seven straight strikes and repeated the feat during the second game of doubles. He finally was able to overcome his nerves and move past the seventh frame in singles.

"When you get to seven, the scoreboard turns red," said Gilmour, who bowls league at Spare Time Lanes. "The first two times, I threw splits in the eighth. This time, I was shaking in the eighth. I felt good in the ninth and 10th. On the 11th ball, I was ok, and then the 12th came. It was crazy. It would have been awesome."

Earlier in the season, Gilmour had another opportunity for his first 300 game, but settled for 299. However, the two experiences couldn't be more different.

"This was 20 times more nerve-wracking," Gilmour said. "When you have almost 80 lanes stop and stare at you and it's quiet, it makes things different. I let everything little thing get in my head."

Gilmour thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to the Open Championships and marveled at the National Bowling Stadium. He was glad to share the experience with his family. He finished with 558 in team and 527 in doubles for a 1,745 all-events total.

"It was fun," Gilmour said. "I see myself coming back. Seeing this many lanes was very cool. I've never seen anything like that. The most I've ever seen is 24. Plus, my uncle was here to see me. He pretty much taught me everything I know. He missed my 299 and it would have been awesome for him to see me shoot 300."

Click here to watch video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.

Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, 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.