Illinois bowler connects for 300 game at 2023 USBC Open Championships
June 29, 2023
RENO, Nev. – Marvin Dobkins of Hoopeston, Illinois, may have not picked up a bowling ball for a little bit prior to his appearance this week at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, but it didn’t stop him from putting together a special performance during the 2023 event.
The 58-year-old right-hander took advantage of his 10 minutes of warmup prior to the start of his team event Tuesday night at the National Bowling Stadium and proceeded to roll 12 strikes in Game 1 for a 300 game.
Dobkins’ 300 was the 11th of the 2023 event and sixth in team competition at the Taj Mahal of Tenpins.
“We finished our leagues at the end of April,” said Dobkins, who added games of 153 and 150 following his 300 for a 603 series. “I haven’t picked up a bowling ball since, so I came in cold. The 10 minutes of warmup before was it. The adrenaline from rolling 300 after the first game was probably why the next two games weren’t the best, but I’m glad I did it.”
Although he benefited from a few Brooklyn strikes early on, Dobkins was locked in by the time he stepped up for his final frame.
The nerves may have been mounting as he tried for the second 300 game of his career, but he looked calm and collected after delivering his first two strikes of the 10th frame. He got to the pocket again for a light hit on his 12th shot, and the 7 pin was the last to fall.
“I was comfortable going in, but the first three were on the Brooklyn side,” said Dobkins, who rolled his first 300 in 2017 at Hoopeston’s Fast Lanes. “I found my line and went from there. There was definitely a lot of pressure. I could feel it a little bit when I started the 10th, and by the last shot, I could really feel it. I liked the way the last ball hit but wasn’t sure if it was going to carry. I was glad it did.”
The 2023 event marked his third appearance at the USBC Open Championships and first visit to the 78-lane National Bowling Stadium after a couple of trips to Las Vegas and the South Point Bowling Plaza to compete at the event.
Dobkins now joins the long and storied history at both the NBS and Open Championships with his perfect performance, and he looks forward to experiencing his new role as a tournament celebrity when he returns for his next appearance.
“For my first time being in this establishment, it’s interesting for sure,” said Dobkins, who added sets of 527 in doubles and 513 in singles for an all-events total of 1,643 in the Standard Division. “As big as the complex is, it’s pretty overwhelming.
“It’s a very good feeling (to roll 300 at the Open Championships). I think it will be nice (to be announced).”
The Standard Division features bowlers with entering averages of 156-175.
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The 58-year-old right-hander took advantage of his 10 minutes of warmup prior to the start of his team event Tuesday night at the National Bowling Stadium and proceeded to roll 12 strikes in Game 1 for a 300 game.
Dobkins’ 300 was the 11th of the 2023 event and sixth in team competition at the Taj Mahal of Tenpins.
“We finished our leagues at the end of April,” said Dobkins, who added games of 153 and 150 following his 300 for a 603 series. “I haven’t picked up a bowling ball since, so I came in cold. The 10 minutes of warmup before was it. The adrenaline from rolling 300 after the first game was probably why the next two games weren’t the best, but I’m glad I did it.”
Although he benefited from a few Brooklyn strikes early on, Dobkins was locked in by the time he stepped up for his final frame.
The nerves may have been mounting as he tried for the second 300 game of his career, but he looked calm and collected after delivering his first two strikes of the 10th frame. He got to the pocket again for a light hit on his 12th shot, and the 7 pin was the last to fall.
“I was comfortable going in, but the first three were on the Brooklyn side,” said Dobkins, who rolled his first 300 in 2017 at Hoopeston’s Fast Lanes. “I found my line and went from there. There was definitely a lot of pressure. I could feel it a little bit when I started the 10th, and by the last shot, I could really feel it. I liked the way the last ball hit but wasn’t sure if it was going to carry. I was glad it did.”
The 2023 event marked his third appearance at the USBC Open Championships and first visit to the 78-lane National Bowling Stadium after a couple of trips to Las Vegas and the South Point Bowling Plaza to compete at the event.
Dobkins now joins the long and storied history at both the NBS and Open Championships with his perfect performance, and he looks forward to experiencing his new role as a tournament celebrity when he returns for his next appearance.
“For my first time being in this establishment, it’s interesting for sure,” said Dobkins, who added sets of 527 in doubles and 513 in singles for an all-events total of 1,643 in the Standard Division. “As big as the complex is, it’s pretty overwhelming.
“It’s a very good feeling (to roll 300 at the Open Championships). I think it will be nice (to be announced).”
The Standard Division features bowlers with entering averages of 156-175.
The 2023 Open Championships kicked off March 4 and will conclude July 24. The 143-day tournament will feature more than 9,700 five-player teams and nearly 50,000 bowlers making their way to compete in The Biggest Little City in the World.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.