Washington State bowler takes Classified Singles lead at USBC Open Championships

5/9/11

By Matt Cannizzaro and Emil Williams Jr.
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - Glen Brown of Renton, Wash., got off to a hot start in singles and maintained that momentum all the way to the Classified Singles lead at the USBC Open Championships on Sunday.

The 40-year-old right-hander opened with a 10-strike 268 game and added 178 and 244 for a 690 series at the National Bowling Stadium. Robert Petersen of Crystal Lake, Ill., and Scott Blaisdell of Malad, Idaho, previously shared the lead with 680.

"It feels good," said Brown, who made his 19th consecutive Open Championships appearance. "I am extremely happy, but I was pretty nervous. My nervousness started about the seventh frame of the last game after I had five in a row. The ball stuck on my thumb because I gripped it. I got two more strikes and then the ball stuck again. Then, I finished up with a spare and a strike."

Brown always has wanted to finish in the top 10 or 15 at the Open Championships and now has the opportunity to win a title.

"I've always wanted to place in the top 10 or 15," said Brown, who bowls league at Sun Villa Lanes. "I didn't think I would ever bowl well enough to take a lead. My higher-priority goal was to shoot 300 here. But, this might top it if I win."

Brown made his Open Championships debut at the 1993 event in Tulsa, Okla., after he was invited by a team captain who needed a bowler. He has been to every tournament since and has no plans of stopping. He is focused on additional spots in the record books as a member of the tournament's 50 and 60-Year Clubs.

This year's tournament was extra special for Brown because he has been dealing with the loss of both of his parents in the last three years. He dedicated his success on the tournament lanes to them.

"This tournament is for them," Brown said. "I had both of my parents pass away within three years, with my dad passing away in January. I actually haven't done much bowling this year. It's very emotional for me, and this tournament is for them."

Brown finished his 2011 Open Championships campaign with 563 in team and 537 in doubles for a 1,790 all-events total, which is good for sixth place in Classified All-Events. Mark Bylander of Vergas, Minn., leads with 1,842.

The Classified Division is for bowlers with entering averages of 180 and below.

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.

View the original article here

Want to Be a Better Bowler? Try These Ten Pin Techniques!

Everyone, no matter how old or young can enjoy bowling nowadays. There are bumpers for the kids to prevent those pesky gutter balls and ramps for those who find the bending and swinging a little difficult.

Because bowling is fun, right? Of course, but it can be irritating when you find yourself barely reaching the 100 mark time after time and want to be a better bowler.

The good news is, there is something you can do. There is a lot of technique involved in learning to improve your bowling game . Professional bowlers will have practiced these bowling techniques over and over again. So the two main bowling techniques you can work on; are your approach and the way you roll the bowling ball.

When you are approaching the line and are about to release the ball, timing is everything if you want to be a better bowler. Not timing your swing correctly means you not only run the risk of stepping over the foul line but it can have a detrimental effect on your game and could be the reason you are not achieving your potential.

Most bowlers take a three to six step approach, this means they take between three and six steps during their run-up. To be a better bowler you should try out how many steps you feel most comfortable with. Many bowlers favor a four step approach.

You should start with the foot which is on the same side as your swinging arm. This is your pushing foot. The ball should be slightly in front of you. Then, as you take your next step forward, pull back your swinging arm. As you step forward with your other foot, lean forward slightly.

At this point, your arm should be raised behind your head. Then slide your left foot out and swing your bowling arm forwards. Release the bowling ball but when you do so follow-through with the swinging motion of your arm.

There are two methods of rolling the ball. Put very simply, you can either roll it in a straight line which is great for getting those spares where accuracy is paramount. Alternatively, you can spin the bowling ball. Learning to spin the bowling ball makes it roll straight and curves into the pins as it approaches them.

This spin (or hook) causes the pins to knock each other over and increases your chances of scoring highly and helps you to be a better bowler. To spin the bowling ball you need to begin with your hand under the ball, thumb facing up. As you release the ball, twist your wrist so your hand is nearly at the top of the bowling ball.

Remember to stay positive and stay focused if you want to be a better bowler. When you are about to take your shot forget about everything you have to do, the chatter from your team mates and the surrounding lanes.

Concentrate on nothing but your next shot and practice the above bowling techniques to send you on your way to that 200 or even 300 game!

For even more advice on how to improve your bowling game and a wealth of information on everything you need to know about tenpin bowling visit the a fantastic web site by clicking on this link: --> Bowling Techniques

Marshall Kent named BWAA Bowler of the Month

8/17/10

ARLINGTON, Texas - Marshall Kent of Yakima, Washington, has been named the July 2010 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

In a span of two weeks, Kent won the prestigious USBC Junior Gold Boys Division Championship presented by Brunswick, as well as the Boys Division in the fifth annual North Pointe Insurance Group $100,000 High School Open Singles Classic.

An upcoming senior this fall at West Valley High School, Kent earned an impressive $25,000 in scholarship winnings from the two tournaments: $10,000 from the Junior Gold win and $15,000 from the North Pointe Insurance victory.

The more dramatic of the two wins was in the USBC Junior Gold as the 17 year-old Kent struck out in the tenth frame of the tournament's final game, shutting out Matthew Gasn, Laurel, Maryland, 269-265.

Others capturing votes were Brittni Hamilton, the USBC Junior Gold Girls Division Championship winner, Czech Open winner Brian Voss and  Chris Loschetter, winner of the European Bowling Tour 6th Storm San Marino Open.

View the original article here

Marshall Kent named BWAA Bowler of the Month

8/17/10

ARLINGTON, Texas - Marshall Kent of Yakima, Washington, has been named the July 2010 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

In a span of two weeks, Kent won the prestigious USBC Junior Gold Boys Division Championship presented by Brunswick, as well as the Boys Division in the fifth annual North Pointe Insurance Group $100,000 High School Open Singles Classic.

An upcoming senior this fall at West Valley High School, Kent earned an impressive $25,000 in scholarship winnings from the two tournaments: $10,000 from the Junior Gold win and $15,000 from the North Pointe Insurance victory.

The more dramatic of the two wins was in the USBC Junior Gold as the 17 year-old Kent struck out in the tenth frame of the tournament's final game, shutting out Matthew Gasn, Laurel, Maryland, 269-265.

Others capturing votes were Brittni Hamilton, the USBC Junior Gold Girls Division Championship winner, Czech Open winner Brian Voss and  Chris Loschetter, winner of the European Bowling Tour 6th Storm San Marino Open.

View the original article here

Bowling Is Cancelled For Inclement Weather

What to do when bowling is cancelled for inclement weather. First off verify it is cancelled through your league secretary or president of the league. Secondly Call you bowling alley to find out indeed it has been cancelled by an executive officer from the bowling league you bowl on.

Never trust someone who does not bowl with you on your league. Thirdly call your team on the phone and advise them it has been cancelled do to the inclement weather. Give them specific information so the can avoid a costly trip to the bowling alley.

Last but not least keep a good eye on your local weather incase you head out for your bowling league. Sometime it is a good idea to play the radio on the way to the bowling center. Or text messaging could save you from being very frustrated if you cannot bowl when you arrive.

This type of cancellation happens from time to time in a regular league season but do not worry.Your League President and League Secretary have already taken immediate action by notifying your bowling alley and making attempts to contact bowlers.Just incase your Team Captain cannot reach you.

Most bowling leagues already have a plan of action on "How to deal with inclement weather" for your safety and others.Do not worry it only adds a week onto the bowling league. It will not cost you anymore on the league either.

I am sure they will be glad to know they did not have too risk there lives for a few games of bowling. Not to mention having a break from riding back and forth spending gas money for no apparent reason. If you are a regular league bowler you will be glad to receive a message preventing you from being on the road and driving in the pending inclement weather.

Verify the league bowling averages and standings.

Hello Fellow Bowlers

Just incase you have'nt figured it out yet!I am a regular bowler just like everyone else in the summer and winter bowling leagues.I have a new bowling tip for you to consider the next time you head off to your next bowling tournament.

Most of the time you can find your leagues avg. and standings at leaguesecretary.com or bowl.com Verification of league averages is important to any tournament and handicap tournament.

So many bowlers arive at the tournament un-prepared for their competition.
Not only does this make the director of the tournament frustrated.You too will kick yourself for not having your USBC Sanctioned card with you stated your current avg.

Most of you either bowl in your Local and State Bowling Tournaments or helping others fill positions for other teams.The importance of you carrying your USBC Sanctioned card was to help verify your average for the past winter league you bowled.

Now granted not everyone can be a 200+ average bowler therefore you rely on your avg. to give you handicap to even the field.I know when you are faced with 220 to 265avg. bowlers you need all the help you can get when they base it all off of 100% of 210 avg. bowler or some cases 90% of 210 avg. bowler.

As far as standings go most of your league secretary's post your winning and losing records on bowling standing sheets.Which you get access to every week.This sometimes can help if you need a current avg. at the time of tournament.Some bowling directors will sometimes adjust your avg a few pins up or down according to the tournament rules.If you either lost pins or gained pins over a period of games bowled.

Which varies from year to year depending on if you bowled better or worse.
I hope this help with verifying your averages and standings.

The Proper Bowling Technique For New Bowlers

Bowling is a wonderful sport for those who know the proper bowling technique to use. If you have an aversion to gutterballs, then using the proper technique will help. Knowing which way you should stand and what type of ball is all included in the proper bowling technique.

The first thing to learn when trying to find your proper bowling technique is in holding the bowling ball. There are three holes on the ball. The two together are for your middle fingers and the single hole is for your thumb. To hold the ball in the proper bowling technique, hold the ball with the palm of your hand facing upwards. Turn your thumb position to be more at the ten o'clock position and do not change this until you let it go. This is the proper bowling technique for holding the ball.

The second proper bowling technique is known as the approach. As the name suggests this proper bowling technique is when you move toward the lane to release the ball. The proper bowling technique for the approach begins about four and a half steps before the foul line. You should see dots on the lane. When you finish your approach, you should have your feet in the proper bowling technique for your dominant foot. If it is the right foot, the proper bowling technique for you is the center dot. If you are a left foot, it is the exact opposite.

Let us continue on to the proper bowling technique for getting a strike. Proper bowling technique is not in aiming for the first pin but to go for what is known as the pocket. If you have right hand dominance, your proper bowling technique is to aim between the one and three pin. If you are left hand dominant, your proper bowling technique is to aim for the one and two pin.

Releasing the ball also has a proper bowling technique. This is started when you are in your approach. Proper bowling technique combines the approach and the release together. The first step you take towards the dots is done with the right leg. Your right arm should be out. The second step brings the proper bowling technique with the arm pointed straight to the floor. The third step brings the proper bowling technique with the ball behind you and the forth step brings release. Once your feet come into their proper bowling technique at the dots, you release the ball in a roll and not a drop.

To get the ball down the lane in the right positioning for your proper bowling technique, aim for the arrows at the top of the lane. If you are right handed, aim for the second and third arrows to the left side. For left hander, aim for the same arrows on the opposite side. You now have all you need to start practicing on your proper bowling technique. Practice your bowling and enjoy your new sport!