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North Dakota bowler rolls first perfect game of 2010 USBC Open Championships
3/9/10

By Matt Cannizzaro and Aaron Smith
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - Barry Zimmerman of Grand Forks, N.D., has been on the verge of perfection at the USBC Open Championships before, and when he got a second chance to add his name to the record books, he took full advantage and rolled the first 300 game of the 2010 event.

The 49-year-old right-hander started singles with 12 consecutive strikes and added games of 230 and 236 for a 766 series at the National Bowling Stadium on Monday night, which also moved him into the top spot in Regular Singles. Larry Thompson Jr. of Spring, Texas previously held the lead with 742.

Since shooting 299 in his final game of singles at the 2002 tournament in Billings, Mont., Zimmerman has been eager for a shot at redemption on the tournament lanes.

"I've had a 299 at the Open, but never a 300," said Zimmerman, who made his 21st Open Championships appearance. "I really wanted one and really enjoyed getting it. I even got a little nervous, even though I thought I was past that."

Zimmerman's final shot Monday drifted high, but he caught a break and tripped the 4 pin.

"I was thinking I was going to go high, and it was in a little bit," Zimmerman said. "I played the lanes fairly tight, so I got lucky to trip the 4 pin. A little luck is always good, though."

Having the right equipment also is important for any bowler looking for success at the Open Championships, and when Zimmerman didn't have exactly what he needed in his own bag, he turned to his teammate, Jeff Linnell, for assistance.

Because the two have nearly identical spans and pitches, they can throw each other's equipment, and Zimmerman found the ball he needed in Linnell's bag.

"My speed was a little down, and there was nothing hard enough in my bag," said Zimmerman, who regularly bowls at Red Ray Lanes in Grand Forks. "Jeff and I switch equipment all the time, so I borrowed something of his that would go a little farther down the lane. It hung in doubles if I got it to the right, but worked very well in singles."

Zimmerman's 26-strike effort in singles was a result of working together with the other bowlers on his pair of lanes. With a career average of 205.5 at the Open Championships, he knows that attacking the lanes together can benefit the entire group.

"The guys from North Dakota like to play the same part of the lanes," Zimmerman said. "We joked about carving a hole to create a hook spot. I could move in and bounce off the dry. I had great ball reaction."

Zimmerman added 668 in team and 610 in doubles for a 2,044 all-events score, which puts him second in Regular All-Events behind Matt Smith of Altoona, Iowa (2,073).

"It feels really good for right now, but I don't expect it to hold up," Zimmerman said. "There are a lot of good guys coming behind me, but I'm happy with where I am."

Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. 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.

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And away we go
3/9/10

By Matt Cannizzaro
USBC Communications

This year, some slower days allowed us to ease into the 2010 USBC Open Championships. We had time to re-familiarize ourselves with the intricacies of the tournament and teach the new folks the ins and outs. But now, the days are getting longer and the scores are starting to climb.

In the last 36 hours, we've seen our first 1,400 in doubles, first 2,000 all-events total and first perfect game. If the past five years are any indication, I believe we can say that the floodgates are open.

We've worked hard in the media department to make sure the new USBCopen.com is as complete and functional as possible, successfully used our still camera, been over our video-making procedures and done a live streaming test. Standings are updating automatically, message board questions are being answered and stories are steady. We are ready for the long haul.

By month's end, we will see our first two 50-year guys (Norm Cummings and Hal Kaminski; March 13), our first 60-year bowler (Don Ellis; March 14); the fourth 65-year bowler in tournament history (Syl Thiel; March 25); Jeff Richgels and his band of merry men (March 26) and our first defending champions (Lind Limited; March 28). It is such a good variety of experience, talent, personality and excitement. It actually makes being at the National Bowling Stadium for 15 hours a day sound more like fun than a job.

But besides the notable bowlers, I've also had the chance to meet a lot of other bowlers, too. It's always nice to walk the venue and talk shop with people who simply love the event and want to share stories or just ask questions about how things work around here. It's also great to be sitting at a blackjack table or in line at a restaurant and run into a bowler who enjoys what I provide to BOWL.com and just wants to say hello.

Along with our duties at the Open Championships this week, Aaron Smith and I have been working on the new look for the Women's Championships page on BOWL.com. It should be ready to launch by the end of the week, just in time for Aaron to roll into El Paso, Texas, for his 100-day run in the Sun City.

Hopefully, he has learned a lot in the seven months we've worked together and is ready to make the Women's Championships the talk of Texas. His ambition and passion for the sport are refreshing. He reminds me of a skinny, right-handed version of myself when I was a youngster just getting my foot in the door.

Tomorrow will be Aaron's last day in the Reno bureau. On Thursday, he'll pack up his new suits, how-to-tie-a-tie instructions and AP Stylebook and be on his way. Check www.usbcwomenschampionships.com often for his thoughts and behind-the-scenes take on El Paso and the world's largest participatory sporting event for women. Good luck, Mr. Smith. Do work.

Right now, I am going to sort through some video of this week's action. Stay tuned for that as well as On the Lanes with Norm Cummings and Gail Myers Jr. Also, keep an eye out for the first live streaming event from the National Bowling Stadium.

That's the news for now. See you on the lanes.
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USBC expands social networking presence
3/9/10

By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications

In an effort to bolster communications with members, associations and media, the United States Bowling Congress is continuing to grow its presence on social networking Web sites.

USBC recently re-launched its Twitter feed, while the USBC Facebook fan page continues to grow. Both sites serve as a complement to USBC's main presence on the Internet: BOWL.com.

"We post Twitter updates several times per day with relevant USBC information," USBC Vice President of Media Pete Tredwell said. "A story will often be tweeted before it gets posted on BOWL.com. Even more valuable, there will be many nuggets of information that may not be deemed important enough for a press release, but many fans of USBC will still want to know."

USBC's Twitter feed can be accessed by going to twitter.com/usbc. There is no login or registration required to access USBC's tweets.

On Facebook, USBC launched its fan page in October and now has nearly 17,000 fans. Facebook fans get not only text updates, but also exclusive photos and links to videos. To access USBC's Facebook fan page, go to facebook.com/usbc1.

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Goodbye Reno, hello El Paso
3/9/10

By Aaron Smith
USBC Communications

Well, this first blog entry was going to be me introducing myself to the bowling world, but too many cool things have happened within the past few hours that deserve this space instead.

I'm currently in Reno, Nev., training/working at the USBC Open Championships as part of the media relations team. I only have two more days left here before making the 1,100-mile trek to El Paso, Texas, for the 2010 USBC Women's Championships.

Let me tell you, it's been fun in Reno. I've met a ton of great people who work relentlessly to make the Open Championships a great tournament. Every bowler I've talked to has been great, with an even better story to tell. It's easy to get caught up in everything going on here, and lose track of what awaits me in El Paso.

It was safe to say I was caught up in the many moments that have made up the Open Championships through its first 16 days, and then Barry Zimmerman walked through the doors of the National Bowling Stadium.

Who is Barry Zimmerman, you ask?

Barry Zimmerman is the individual who calmly struck on his first 12 shots of singles to fire the first perfect game of the 2010 event.

This is obviously cool for many different reasons, but what really got me thinking was his final shot. The ball ran a little high in the pocket and tripped the 4 pin out last. Exactly the same way Lindsy Bonifacini struck on the final ball of her 300 game in this very same place about eight months ago at the 2009 Women's Championships.

I can't even describe how exciting that moment was for me. She became the ninth bowler in the history of the Women's Championships to shoot 300. It was the first 300 since 2005. And that's just the history!

Watching her trip that pesky 4 pin capped a historic four-month run for me. Not only was I at the end of the best job I ever had, but I got to share in some of the most exciting moments in Women's Championships history with some amazing people.

Whether it watching Emma Hendrickson stroll down Center Aisle and become a national celebrity or seeing Robin Romeo and Michelle Feldman literally strike for days, I got be a part of it. I really felt privileged to be able to share these tournament experiences with so many great women competitors.

So thank you, Barry, for giving me the nudge my mind needed to remember my amazing experience in 2009, which will surely be topped in 2010. Am I right, ladies?

Before hitting the road, I also want to send a special thank you to all of the workers at the Open Championships. You have been an absolute pleasure to work with, and I wish you all the best of luck for the rest of the tournament and beyond.

And, of course, I can't end my first blog without saying thanks to my mentor and left-handed hero, Matt Cannizzaro. It's been a great learning experience so far, and I certainly hope I can pass along everything you have taught me to make the experience our women bowlers have even more memorable.

Well everybody, time to hit the open highway. My next installment will be from Sun City, with an update on the facility and the weather, of course. I look forward to meeting you all over the next few months. I sure many of you will give me some great stories to tell.
Permalink to Goodbye Reno, hello El Paso

Participation stories highlight 2009 Women's Championships
By Aaron Smith and Wendy Clem

The 2009 USBC Women's Championship in Reno, Nev., saw two competitors hit the 50-year mark for participation, another reach 60 years and Mini Tvaska extend her participation record.

But Colleen Keirnes, 80, of Salmon, Idaho, showed it is never too late to attend your first Women's Championships. Keirnes was excited about her initial trip not only to the tournament, but to the one-of-a-kind National Bowling Stadium.

"I have butterflies in my stomach," Keirnes said before hitting the lanes. "I hope I can bowl well. I at least want to hit my average. We've had so much fun already, though, and everyone here has been so helpful and nice that it's going to be a great experience no matter how I bowl."

Keirnes did manage to hit her 129 average, and enjoyed the unique experience of competing in the world's largest participatory event for women.

"I had a really good time," Keirnes said. "I was nervous, but it worked out just fine. I shot my average and won some money in brackets. It was just an awesome and fantastic experience."

Mini Tvaska of St. Petersburg, Fla., had the same youthful enthusiasm and nerves as Keirnes toward the Women's Championships despite the fact the 91-year-old Tvaska was competing at the event for the 63rd time in 2009. Tvaska, who has participated in more Women's Championships than any bowler, continues to share her passion for the sport and enjoys the camaraderie she has found on the lanes.

"I'm so happy to be taking part in this tournament, and I'm already registered for El Paso," Tvaska said prior to her team event. "I'm in pretty good shape, and I have even raised my average from last year."

Anita Cantaline of Warren, Mich., became just the fourth woman in the 90-year history of the Women's Championships to reach 60 years of participation, joining Tvaska, Mary Covell of Chicago and Nancy Hampton of Carol Stream, Ill.

Cantaline, who was elected to the USBC Hall of Fame in 1979, is a three-time Women's Championships titlist. Her first two titles came in the 1957 event, claiming crowns in team and all-events, and she added another team title in 1959.

She won the 1956 Bowling Proprietors' Association of America National Individual Match Game Championship, which was a steppingstone to being named the 1956 Bowling Writers' Association of America Female Bowler of the Year.

Cantaline, 82, made her initial appearance at the 1949 Women's Championships in Columbus, Ohio, and a positive attitude has helped bring her back year after year.

"My philosophy is to, first thing, have fun," Cantaline said. "I also like to remember what Fred Wolf said: 'You don't have to play a sport good to be a good sport.' "

Two bowlers - Viola Brannen of Omaha, Neb., and Emma Hendrickson of Morris Plains, N.J. - made their 50th appearances at the Women's Championships in 2009.

Hendrickson's appearance generated headlines as the 100-year-old bowler became the oldest participant in the tournament's history.

Brannen, 84, has dedicated more than 60 years to being a state and local leader within the bowling community and organized the Nebraska 600 Club, which she headed for 40 years. She serves as vice president of Les Dames de 700 Bowling Club, Inc. She was the first recipient of the USBC Helen Baker Outstanding Association Volunteer Award in 1995, and was named Sports Director of the Year in 2002 by the Cornhusker State Games, a division of the Nebraska Sports Council.

"Bowling is a great sport and one that almost anyone can participate in," said Brannen, who bowled her first Women's Championships in 1949 in Columbus, Ohio. "It's good exercise, provides great camaraderie and can be adjusted for anyone with physical problems or individual differences. And I think it's helped to keep me young."

Big scores in The Biggest Little City
The 2009 Women's Championships in Reno, Nev., saw a handful of historic moments unfold throughout the 100-day event. With some of the highest scores in the history of the tournament being posted, it's no surprise a few bowlers made a run at a 300 game.

Lindsy Bonifacini, 27, of San Diego was the only one to reach perfection, becoming the ninth woman in the history of the event to roll a 300 game. She achieved the milestone during doubles competition on July 2. It was the tournament's first perfect game since Alicia Kellow of Louisville, Ky., accomplished the feat in 2005. The first 300 game in Women's Championships history was recorded by Lori Gensch of Milwaukee, Wis., in 1979.

Jeanette Menacho-Adams of Antelope, Calif., was a stubborn 8 pin away from a perfect game as she shot 299 during her team event. The 33-year-old left-hander joined a more exclusive club, becoming the sixth woman in tournament history to record a 299 game and the first since 2009 U.S. Women's Open champion Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, accomplished the feat in 2007.

Bryanna Caldwell of Tucson, Ariz., and Classic Doubles champion Jenifer Larson of Tupper Lake, N.Y., also came within a strike of perfection. Caldwell posted a 298 game during her doubles competition, while Larson had a 297 in singles.

Twins make tournament a family tradition
The Women's Championships often has been an avenue to bring families together. Many teams with three and even four generations of family members hit the tournament lanes every year. Relatives who live across country use the tournament as a chance to enjoy the sport they cherish with the people they love.

Annette Hanson of Bedminster, N.J., and Andrea Ackerman of Piscataway, N.J., enjoyed that very same company for the 25th consecutive year at the 2009 Women's Championships in Reno, Nev.

The twin sisters competed in their first Women's Championships in 1985, and continue to make the event a part of their vacation each year. With 25 years already in the books, the sisters plan to add many more tournament appearances to their resume.

"We hope to keep bowling for many more tournaments together," said Ackerman upon finishing her 2009 event. "It was such an emotional experience to share this accomplishment with my sister."

"It was a very special moment," Hanson added. "I would love to reach 50 years at this tournament with her by my side."

LPGA standout competes in first Women's Championships
Brandie Burton of La Verne, Calif., might be more accustomed to fairway grass and golf spikes but that didn't stop her from lacing up her bowling shoes and competing in her first Women's Championships in 2009.

The 1991 Ladies Professional Golf Association Rookie of the Year hit the tournament lanes in April with a few friends before going back to finish the remainder of the 2009 LPGA Tour season.

"I predominantly bowl for the fun of it," Burton said. "I find it relaxing, so I make time to bowl."

The five-time LPGA titlist, which includes major victories at the 1993 and 1998 du Maurier Classic, compared the similarities in performing a quality golf shot and putting 10 pins back in the pit.

"The sports each encompass a pretty good degree of focus to successfully execute, and the consistency in the level of competition is notable, too," Burton said.
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