Two bowlers shoot perfect games at USBC Open Championships

RENO, Nev. - Although the days are running out at the 2010 USBC Open Championships, the scoring pace has not slowed down as two bowlers tossed perfect games at the National Bowling Stadium.

Bryon Smith of Roseburg, Ore., has had continued success at the Stadium and added the 29th 300 of this year's tournament Saturday night, while Charles Mayberry Jr. of Bellwood, Ill., notched the 30th with a Brooklyn strike in his opening game of doubles Sunday morning.

Among Smith's memorable moments at the Stadium are his win at the 2003 USBC Masters, his Regular Team title with Lava Lanes of Medford, Ore., at the 2007 Open Championships and now a solid singles performance on the championship lanes.

The 36-year-old right-hander started singles with a 237 game before rattling off 12 consecutive strikes. He closed things out with 258 for a 795 series, which puts him in a tie for seventh place in Regular Singles. Terrence Syring of Bay City, Mich., leads with 833.

"This is pretty cool," said Smith, who made his fourth Open Championships appearance. "This is my first 300 at the Open Championships, and it's a very hard thing to do. It's a great accomplishment, and it's definitely a great thing to have on your resume."

Earlier in the night, Smith started his third game of doubles with 10 consecutive strikes before making a small adjustment that resulted in a 2 pin on his 11th shot. He finished with 289 and 711 series and teamed up with his 2007 championship-winning teammate, Jake Dreier, for a 1,379 doubles effort. Steve Bohn of Norwood, Minn., and John Kreyer Jr. of Fridley, Minn., lead Regular Doubles with 1,514.

"The first time, in doubles, I moved one and one left," Smith said. "I saw my ball read the lane a little bit early. It was a flush strike (10th shot), but I still made the adjustment. The second time, I didn't make any adjustments. It's one of those things you do when you're on the Tour. You pay attention and try to stay ahead of the moves."

Since losing his Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour exemption after the 2004-2005 season, Smith has stayed active on the regional circuit, but used the time off to start a family and open his own bowling center. He does plan to keep making appearances at the PBA majors and other events close to home.

"After being out there for 12 years, I wanted to go home and spend some time with my wife," said Smith, who owns Ten Down Bowling in Roseburg, Ore. "I had a couple of business opportunities that were available, and I wanted to spend some time with her and start a family. I am getting the itch to bowl more often, but I enjoy being home."

For Smith, the Open Championships presents a unique challenge that will continue to bring him back for years to come.

"I think it's a fun tournament," Smith said. "You're competing against thousands of bowlers all across the country, and it's a challenge. I have never had the chance to bowl many team events because I didn't bowl in college, and I didn't have the opportunity to bowl in high school. I enjoy bowling with the guys I bowl with because we are able to have fun together. Outside of the 40 to 50 guys on tour, you are bowling the best in the country when you bowl at the Open Championships."

Smith added 639 in team for a career high 2,145 all-events total, which is good for 15th place overall. Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., leads Regular All-Events with a record 2,326 total.

Mayberry may not have the accolades Smith brings to the table, but their names will be side-by-side in the record books, and they both will be announced as celebrities at future Open Championships.

"This makes me feel like I have accomplished something within the sport," said Mayberry, who made his 10th Open Championships appearance. "It is another stepping stone in my bowling career. Every time I lace up my shoes, I am trying to throw the best shots possible, hoping it equals perfection. Every year I come back to the tournament, I will know I was able to shoot 300 on one of the sport's biggest stages."

The 46-year-old right-hander only bowls in one league during the season, resulting in just three games per week, but keeps tabs on what's happening in the bowling world by reading various bowling magazines, watching telecasts and talking with his ball driller, Ken Horvath as well as longtime friend, former PBA Rookie of the Year, Billy Oatman.

"I have proven to myself that I can compete on any condition," said Mayberry, who rolled his career high all-events total of 1,949 at last year's event in Las Vegas. "I can still compete at a high level even though I only bowl once or twice a week. I began to focus more on my mechanics within the past year as well. I give a lot of credit to Ken because we talk constantly about equipment and the changes within the industry, and Billy, because we have been friends since childhood, and he knows a lot about the game."

Mayberry accomplished his feat on a tough condition, which is something he likes about the Open Championships.

"As long as I am physically able to bowl, I will be here," said Mayberry, who is a shipping manager at Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. "This tournament lets you know whether or not you can make adjustments, read the lanes and get through the transition. It's a very good challenge, and one I look forward to next year."

Mayberry followed his 300 with games of 199 and 209 for a 708 series and added 574 in singles and 573 in team for a 1,855 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.