First-time participant recaps U.S. Open experience
November 06, 2016
LAS VEGAS - Brandon Love of Las Vegas made his U.S. Open debut this week at the South Point Bowling Plaza and is hoping the experience leads to future success on the lanes.
The 31-year-old left-hander has tried to take advantage of Las Vegas being a hotbed for bowling, competing in his first Professional Bowlers Association Tour event last year at the PBA Xtra Frame South Point Las Vegas Open, and now can add what he learned at the U.S. Open to his next tournament experience.
Love finished his final qualifying round Sunday, compiling a 24-game total of 4,621, a 192.54 average.
Although his score will not be enough to advance to Monday's cashers' round, Love put together consistent efforts across each of his eight-game blocks on the tournament's challenging 42-foot oil pattern.
With the oil pattern only being applied before the day's opening squad, Love had the chance to experience the pattern at a different stage during each block - the fresh, burn and double-burn.
"It took more than four games to realize which ball to use on the double-burn Friday, but I felt like I found some success after that," Love said. "I had to ball down considerably, since I can't do some of the things other guys can do, but I was able to get lined up and find a shot to finish.
"I balled up for the burn yesterday and followed the same strategy today on the fresh, but my mechanics were all over the place."
Throughout his three blocks at South Point this week, Love had the chance to cross with 2004-2005 PBA Player of the Year Patrick Allen and learned a few tricks of the trade from one of the players he has looked up to over the years.
"I grew up watching him," said Love, who started bowling at the age of 7. "From his mechanics and approach to the way he lines up every shot, I really was able to learn a lot. If something wasn't right, he made sure to reset and start again, and it usually worked out, and that's something I can work on. It's an honor being out here with these guys. Any chance I have to compete and learn, I'm going to take it."
Love looks forward to having another opportunity to lace up at the U.S. Open in the future.
"I absolutely would like to have the chance to bowl the U.S. Open again," Love said. "I'm going to keep practicing and continue to study what makes these guys so great."
The 31-year-old left-hander has tried to take advantage of Las Vegas being a hotbed for bowling, competing in his first Professional Bowlers Association Tour event last year at the PBA Xtra Frame South Point Las Vegas Open, and now can add what he learned at the U.S. Open to his next tournament experience.
Love finished his final qualifying round Sunday, compiling a 24-game total of 4,621, a 192.54 average.
Although his score will not be enough to advance to Monday's cashers' round, Love put together consistent efforts across each of his eight-game blocks on the tournament's challenging 42-foot oil pattern.
With the oil pattern only being applied before the day's opening squad, Love had the chance to experience the pattern at a different stage during each block - the fresh, burn and double-burn.
"It took more than four games to realize which ball to use on the double-burn Friday, but I felt like I found some success after that," Love said. "I had to ball down considerably, since I can't do some of the things other guys can do, but I was able to get lined up and find a shot to finish.
"I balled up for the burn yesterday and followed the same strategy today on the fresh, but my mechanics were all over the place."
Throughout his three blocks at South Point this week, Love had the chance to cross with 2004-2005 PBA Player of the Year Patrick Allen and learned a few tricks of the trade from one of the players he has looked up to over the years.
"I grew up watching him," said Love, who started bowling at the age of 7. "From his mechanics and approach to the way he lines up every shot, I really was able to learn a lot. If something wasn't right, he made sure to reset and start again, and it usually worked out, and that's something I can work on. It's an honor being out here with these guys. Any chance I have to compete and learn, I'm going to take it."
Love looks forward to having another opportunity to lace up at the U.S. Open in the future.
"I absolutely would like to have the chance to bowl the U.S. Open again," Love said. "I'm going to keep practicing and continue to study what makes these guys so great."