Maryland bowler achieves perfection at 2018 USBC Open Championships
June 29, 2018
By Matt Cannizzaro and Christine Nichols
USBC Communications
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - BJ Curtis of Cumberland, Maryland, became the 12th bowler to achieve perfection at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The 34-year-old right-hander connected for 12 consecutive strikes in his first game of singles Thursday at the Oncenter Convention Center, and he followed the 300 with games of 171 and 215 for a 686 series. Cotie Holbek of Burlington, Wisconsin, leads Regular Singles with 802.
Curtis started the day slowly, posting games of 148, 213, and 202 for a 563 series in doubles. He made adjustments throughout doubles, which gave him the right look and momentum heading into his singles set.
"Toward the end of doubles, I was able to find a line that worked best for my game, and I was lucky enough to carry it over into singles," said Curtis, who made his 10th appearance at the USBC Open Championships.
This may have been the most nerve-racking 300 of Curtis' bowling career, but it certainly was the most memorable, too.
After starting his final frame with a Brooklyn strike, he knew he needed to make another adjustment.
"Nerves really got the best of me, and it that was pretty obvious in the 10th frame," Curtis said. "After the first shot crossed over, and I realized I had gotten lucky, it calmed me down. The only adjustment I really made from my first shot was that I threw the ball a tad harder and hoped it would hold."
After putting the finishing touches on his 300, Curtis was greeted in the settee by teammates and other bowlers from a few lanes down. Following the congratulations, he made sure he acknowledged the fans who were cheering for him from the stands.
"I immediately told the captain of our team, Bob Benton, to sign me up for next year, because as long as they plan on going, I want to be there," Curtis said. "Knowing I am considered a celebrity in a tournament as prestigious as this is unreal and completely unexpected."
With his 656 series in team, Curtis finished his 2018 Open Championships campaign with a career-best 1,905 all-events total. Kurt Pilon of Warren, Michigan, leads Regular All-Events with 2,186.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - BJ Curtis of Cumberland, Maryland, became the 12th bowler to achieve perfection at the 2018 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The 34-year-old right-hander connected for 12 consecutive strikes in his first game of singles Thursday at the Oncenter Convention Center, and he followed the 300 with games of 171 and 215 for a 686 series. Cotie Holbek of Burlington, Wisconsin, leads Regular Singles with 802.
Curtis started the day slowly, posting games of 148, 213, and 202 for a 563 series in doubles. He made adjustments throughout doubles, which gave him the right look and momentum heading into his singles set.
"Toward the end of doubles, I was able to find a line that worked best for my game, and I was lucky enough to carry it over into singles," said Curtis, who made his 10th appearance at the USBC Open Championships.
This may have been the most nerve-racking 300 of Curtis' bowling career, but it certainly was the most memorable, too.
After starting his final frame with a Brooklyn strike, he knew he needed to make another adjustment.
"Nerves really got the best of me, and it that was pretty obvious in the 10th frame," Curtis said. "After the first shot crossed over, and I realized I had gotten lucky, it calmed me down. The only adjustment I really made from my first shot was that I threw the ball a tad harder and hoped it would hold."
After putting the finishing touches on his 300, Curtis was greeted in the settee by teammates and other bowlers from a few lanes down. Following the congratulations, he made sure he acknowledged the fans who were cheering for him from the stands.
"I immediately told the captain of our team, Bob Benton, to sign me up for next year, because as long as they plan on going, I want to be there," Curtis said. "Knowing I am considered a celebrity in a tournament as prestigious as this is unreal and completely unexpected."
With his 656 series in team, Curtis finished his 2018 Open Championships campaign with a career-best 1,905 all-events total. Kurt Pilon of Warren, Michigan, leads Regular All-Events with 2,186.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.