Illinois bowler adds to success in Reno, ties for lead at USBC Open Championships
March 13, 2010
RENO, Nev. - For more than 30 years, Reno has been a special destination for George Kontos of Joliet, Ill., and the 56-year-old right-hander celebrated his birthday with another memorable performance at the USBC Open Championships.
Kontos averaged 262 for his final four games at the National Bowling Stadium and moved into a tie for the lead in Regular All-Events with a 2,073 total on Friday. His 760 singles effort also helped him into second place in Regular Singles. Matt Smith of Altoona, Iowa, shares the top spot in all-events, while Barry Zimmerman of Grand Forks, N.D., the owner of the tournament's lone perfect game, leads singles with 766.
"I've never been one to think about being in the lead for singles or all-events, but it does feel pretty good to bowl that well," said Kontos, who rounded out his 37th Open Championships appearance with 692 in doubles and 621 in team. "I made a move in the last game of doubles that paid off, and the last four games were unbelievable. I don't want to downplay how amazing it is to lead any event here, but I'd trade it all for another team title."
Kontos was a member of the Joliet Town & Country Lanes team that won a share of the Regular Team title in 2001, also at the National Bowling Stadium. The group claimed the championship with a 3,273 effort that was matched by K J Excavating of Toledo, Ohio.
"We're not one of those big-hitting teams, but we love to bowl together and have a lot of fun out there," Kontos said. "We respect the tournament and what it stands for, and we like the fact that we know we'll have to throw good shots to score well."
It was at the 1977 event at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center when Kontos first understood the allure of the Open Championships, the magic of the experience and just how special it is to win an eagle, the trophy given to all tournament champions. That year, he watched Rendel's GMC of Joliet claim the Regular Team title, while another Joliet team finished third.
"When I watched those two Joliet teams that night, it all clicked for me and really set the tone," said Kontos, who started his tournament career at the 1974 event in Indianapolis. "I really enjoy the tradition and the way it feels to bowl well as a team. We've had the same core group together for a long time. We all have a very good understanding of what it takes and the work you have to put in to succeed."
Last year in Las Vegas, Kontos had the opportunity to share the tournament experience with his son, John, and did his best to make his Open Championships debut a memorable one. Kontos rolled games of 256, 268 and 277 for an 801 series, and the two finished 125th in Regular Doubles with a 1,343 total.
"I was really glad to be able to bowl with my son and give him something to remember," Kontos said. "We all have a lot of fun, no matter where the tournament is, and it really is the highlight of the year. We've definitely had some great memories, especially in Reno."
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.
Kontos averaged 262 for his final four games at the National Bowling Stadium and moved into a tie for the lead in Regular All-Events with a 2,073 total on Friday. His 760 singles effort also helped him into second place in Regular Singles. Matt Smith of Altoona, Iowa, shares the top spot in all-events, while Barry Zimmerman of Grand Forks, N.D., the owner of the tournament's lone perfect game, leads singles with 766.
"I've never been one to think about being in the lead for singles or all-events, but it does feel pretty good to bowl that well," said Kontos, who rounded out his 37th Open Championships appearance with 692 in doubles and 621 in team. "I made a move in the last game of doubles that paid off, and the last four games were unbelievable. I don't want to downplay how amazing it is to lead any event here, but I'd trade it all for another team title."
Kontos was a member of the Joliet Town & Country Lanes team that won a share of the Regular Team title in 2001, also at the National Bowling Stadium. The group claimed the championship with a 3,273 effort that was matched by K J Excavating of Toledo, Ohio.
"We're not one of those big-hitting teams, but we love to bowl together and have a lot of fun out there," Kontos said. "We respect the tournament and what it stands for, and we like the fact that we know we'll have to throw good shots to score well."
It was at the 1977 event at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center when Kontos first understood the allure of the Open Championships, the magic of the experience and just how special it is to win an eagle, the trophy given to all tournament champions. That year, he watched Rendel's GMC of Joliet claim the Regular Team title, while another Joliet team finished third.
"When I watched those two Joliet teams that night, it all clicked for me and really set the tone," said Kontos, who started his tournament career at the 1974 event in Indianapolis. "I really enjoy the tradition and the way it feels to bowl well as a team. We've had the same core group together for a long time. We all have a very good understanding of what it takes and the work you have to put in to succeed."
Last year in Las Vegas, Kontos had the opportunity to share the tournament experience with his son, John, and did his best to make his Open Championships debut a memorable one. Kontos rolled games of 256, 268 and 277 for an 801 series, and the two finished 125th in Regular Doubles with a 1,343 total.
"I was really glad to be able to bowl with my son and give him something to remember," Kontos said. "We all have a lot of fun, no matter where the tournament is, and it really is the highlight of the year. We've definitely had some great memories, especially in Reno."
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.