Georgia bowler leads Classified Singles at 2024 USBC Open Championships
May 07, 2024
LAS VEGAS – The great bowling continues in Las Vegas at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and a new leader has taken their place at the top of the standings in Classified Singles.
David Hunnicutt of Thomaston, Georgia, was able to finish with a 626 set in singles to take the lead by six pins. Mark Blocher of Porter, Oklahoma, had held the lead since April 17 with 620.
The 49-year-old right-hander had games of 223, 219 and 184 at the South Point Bowling Plaza, and he recorded a strike on his first delivery in the 10th frame of Game 3, followed by a nine count on his second shot, to moved ahead of the total posted by Blocher.
This was Hunnicutt’s sixth year of bowling at the USBC Open Championships, and it marked his best year of bowling at the tournament to date.
After a slow start to his team event, Hunnicutt found his groove leading into doubles and singles and was able to produce some great sets.
“I came in a little sore today from yesterday, but yesterday, I was cranking the ball really hard,” said Hunnicutt, who had 557 in doubles and 371 in team for an all-events total of 1,554 in 2024. “Today, it just felt a little more natural for me, and I just let the ball do the work. Today was a much better day of making spares for me as well.”
When he talked about what it felt like to have the lead in his division, Hunnicutt said, “I felt really nervous when I found out that I took the lead. I came out here to have a good time with my bowling friends and come on a family vacation. If I win, that’s cool, if I don’t, that’s cool, too.”
To a lot of bowlers that come out to the tournament every year, winning an Eagle means a lot to them, and they put in a lot of work in order to try and get there.
For Hunnicutt, he said, “I couldn’t explain how I would feel, but it would probably feel better than a 300. I’ve been bowling for 30 years and have been able to get close to a 300, but if this score were to stick for me, and I get to walk away with an Eagle, then that would mean more to me than a 300.”
Hunnicutt loves the sport of bowling, and he said, “At my age, it’s one of the only sports that I can do. It’s even better that I am able to be around friends and family all the time. I have a good time every time that I come out and bowl.”
Classified Singles features bowlers with entering averages of 155 and below.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
David Hunnicutt of Thomaston, Georgia, was able to finish with a 626 set in singles to take the lead by six pins. Mark Blocher of Porter, Oklahoma, had held the lead since April 17 with 620.
The 49-year-old right-hander had games of 223, 219 and 184 at the South Point Bowling Plaza, and he recorded a strike on his first delivery in the 10th frame of Game 3, followed by a nine count on his second shot, to moved ahead of the total posted by Blocher.
This was Hunnicutt’s sixth year of bowling at the USBC Open Championships, and it marked his best year of bowling at the tournament to date.
After a slow start to his team event, Hunnicutt found his groove leading into doubles and singles and was able to produce some great sets.
“I came in a little sore today from yesterday, but yesterday, I was cranking the ball really hard,” said Hunnicutt, who had 557 in doubles and 371 in team for an all-events total of 1,554 in 2024. “Today, it just felt a little more natural for me, and I just let the ball do the work. Today was a much better day of making spares for me as well.”
When he talked about what it felt like to have the lead in his division, Hunnicutt said, “I felt really nervous when I found out that I took the lead. I came out here to have a good time with my bowling friends and come on a family vacation. If I win, that’s cool, if I don’t, that’s cool, too.”
To a lot of bowlers that come out to the tournament every year, winning an Eagle means a lot to them, and they put in a lot of work in order to try and get there.
For Hunnicutt, he said, “I couldn’t explain how I would feel, but it would probably feel better than a 300. I’ve been bowling for 30 years and have been able to get close to a 300, but if this score were to stick for me, and I get to walk away with an Eagle, then that would mean more to me than a 300.”
Hunnicutt loves the sport of bowling, and he said, “At my age, it’s one of the only sports that I can do. It’s even better that I am able to be around friends and family all the time. I have a good time every time that I come out and bowl.”
Classified Singles features bowlers with entering averages of 155 and below.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.