RENO, Nev. - Tim Porn of Eleva, Wis., has often thought about what it would be like to roll the first 300 game of his bowling career, and his dream almost came true in his USBC Open Championships debut at the National Bowling Stadium on Wednesday.

The 47-year-old right-hander started his doubles event with 11 consecutive strikes before a light 7 pin ended his chance for the seventh perfect game of this year's event.

"Well, I saw I was coming up on six, seven, eight strikes in a row, and I told myself that this could happen," said Porn, who added games of 188 and 151 for a 638 doubles series. "I was throwing the ball pretty well. I wanted to take deep breaths and remember my mechanics, and I caught a few breaks. The ninth, 10th and 11th shots were good, but the last shot was a little wide, and I left a light 7 pin."

Porn's 299 game was the closest he has ever come to perfection, and it something he's thought about for quite some time.

"You always dream about getting one if you haven't had one," said Porn, who is a police officer for the City of Eau Claire, Wis. "It's like getting a hole in one in golf, and those don't come very often. Shooting 300 would mean I have arrived to the point where I have accomplished that goal, and next would be an 800. It was a great journey to do it in this house, at this tournament and on this oil pattern."

Porn has been around bowling for most of his life. His aunt and uncle owned a bowling center in Chippewa Falls, Wis., for many years. He also was included in a family tradition where on Thanksgiving night, the entire family would go bowling after dinner.

Porn was called upon by his team captain to replace a bowler who was unable to make it to Reno this year. And now that he's had his first taste of the Open Championships, it won't be his last.

"This was always one of the things on my bucket list, if you will," said Porn, who bowls league at Bowl-Winkles in Eau Claire. "My current team had an opening because someone was unable to attend, and I was asked if I wanted to take the spot. The opportunity was there for me and I wanted to do it. I already told them to include me for next year. This is the national tournament, and everything you do here will be included in your record forever. I am happy to be a part of this tournament."

This week also marked Porn's first visit to the National Bowling Stadium.

"The Stadium itself is just daunting," Porn said. "I've always wanted to bowl here because this is bowling. The Stadium is what bowling was made for. I just tried to take it all in and not let it consume me. Along with that, I really appreciate the professionalism of the tournament. This is the level that you can respect, and the staff makes it fun for everyone. It was a great honor to be here."  

Porn closed out his Open Championships debut by adding 539 in singles and 467 in team for a 1,644 all-events total.

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.