Defending champion falls short at USBC Open Championships
April 22, 2010
RENO, Nev. - Under the watchful eyes of many spectators at the National Bowling Stadium, Ron Vokes of Racine, Wis., attempted to become the first bowler in USBC Open Championships history to claim back-to-back Regular All-Events titles.
Although Vokes fell short in his quest to repeat, he posted the second-highest all-events total of his 25-year tournament career. The 50-year-old right-hander shot 673 in singles, 673 in doubles and 614 in team for a 1,960 total Wednesday.
"I felt more excitement coming into this year than pressure," said Vokes, who won the crown last year in Las Vegas with a record 2,321 total. "My goal was to come and have fun and meet new people. I try to keep everything at the status quo. I tried to throw the best shots possible and just take it from there. Last year was very special, and I wasn't expecting to shoot 2,321 again."
Vokes, who shot 857 in singles, 767 in team and 697 in doubles on the way to his title, may not have been well-known outside of the Badger State before his record-setting performance, but now his name hangs over the championship lanes as a champion and record holder at the world's largest participatory sporting event.
"I was really looking forward to this year's event," said Vokes, whose highest all-events total before his win was 1,926. "If you're a champion, you should come out and just enjoy yourself. If you don't bowl well, you can still have fun. I was totally surprised at how many people actually came up and congratulated me on winning last year. I have many accolades in Wisconsin, and I am known more there, but for people to just come up to me and say hello was exciting."
Even though he has an eagle on his mantle and a 25-year plaque to hang on the wall, Vokes still is striving for another achievement that has been a goal since his tournament debut at the 1981 event in Memphis, Tenn.
"My goal is to win a team eagle," Vokes said. "I always thought that a team win would have come before I won an individual eagle. I am bowling with four good guys, and that is our drive right now. We either have to win team or Team All-Events."
Vokes' all-events effort this year helped Coach's 5 Horsemen into sixth place in Team All-Events with a 9,753 total. Red Carpet Lanes of Greenfield, Wis., leads with 10,131.
Henry Teetz III added 2,055 for Coach's 5 Horsemen and was followed by Mike Jamrose (2,002), John Bodish Jr. (1,908) and Mike Herron (1,828). The group just missed placing in the top 10 in Regular Team, too. They currently are 13th with 3,201, while Bowlers Edge Pro Shop of Neenah, Wis., leads with 3,408, the highest team total in the tournament's six visits to the Stadium.
FINAL NUMBERS ARE IN FOR 2010 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
All of the last-minute entries for the 2010 Open Championships have been counted, and the official number of teams heading to the National Bowling Stadium this year is 14,189.
Although the official entry deadline for 2010 has passed, it is still possible to purchase a canceled spot. Entries also are being taken for the 2011 tournament, which will mark the event's record 10th trip to Reno.
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.
Although Vokes fell short in his quest to repeat, he posted the second-highest all-events total of his 25-year tournament career. The 50-year-old right-hander shot 673 in singles, 673 in doubles and 614 in team for a 1,960 total Wednesday.
"I felt more excitement coming into this year than pressure," said Vokes, who won the crown last year in Las Vegas with a record 2,321 total. "My goal was to come and have fun and meet new people. I try to keep everything at the status quo. I tried to throw the best shots possible and just take it from there. Last year was very special, and I wasn't expecting to shoot 2,321 again."
Vokes, who shot 857 in singles, 767 in team and 697 in doubles on the way to his title, may not have been well-known outside of the Badger State before his record-setting performance, but now his name hangs over the championship lanes as a champion and record holder at the world's largest participatory sporting event.
"I was really looking forward to this year's event," said Vokes, whose highest all-events total before his win was 1,926. "If you're a champion, you should come out and just enjoy yourself. If you don't bowl well, you can still have fun. I was totally surprised at how many people actually came up and congratulated me on winning last year. I have many accolades in Wisconsin, and I am known more there, but for people to just come up to me and say hello was exciting."
Even though he has an eagle on his mantle and a 25-year plaque to hang on the wall, Vokes still is striving for another achievement that has been a goal since his tournament debut at the 1981 event in Memphis, Tenn.
"My goal is to win a team eagle," Vokes said. "I always thought that a team win would have come before I won an individual eagle. I am bowling with four good guys, and that is our drive right now. We either have to win team or Team All-Events."
Vokes' all-events effort this year helped Coach's 5 Horsemen into sixth place in Team All-Events with a 9,753 total. Red Carpet Lanes of Greenfield, Wis., leads with 10,131.
Henry Teetz III added 2,055 for Coach's 5 Horsemen and was followed by Mike Jamrose (2,002), John Bodish Jr. (1,908) and Mike Herron (1,828). The group just missed placing in the top 10 in Regular Team, too. They currently are 13th with 3,201, while Bowlers Edge Pro Shop of Neenah, Wis., leads with 3,408, the highest team total in the tournament's six visits to the Stadium.
FINAL NUMBERS ARE IN FOR 2010 OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
All of the last-minute entries for the 2010 Open Championships have been counted, and the official number of teams heading to the National Bowling Stadium this year is 14,189.
Although the official entry deadline for 2010 has passed, it is still possible to purchase a canceled spot. Entries also are being taken for the 2011 tournament, which will mark the event's record 10th trip to Reno.
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.