Minnesota bowler breaks through on way to lead at 2023 Open Championships
April 30, 2023
RENO, Nev. – With challenging conditions, a championship atmosphere and only one chance to bowl the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships each year, sometimes the focus needs to be on what went right during an annual appearance on bowling’s biggest stage.
During his first 20 years competing at the tournament, Matthew Grunzke of Albert Lea, Minnesota, has had some good games and solid sets. The event has humbled him from time to time, too, but that hasn't stopped him from enjoying the opportunity to compete and make the most of each trip.
Grunzke knew what he needed to work on, though, and he saw his consistency pay off this weekend at the 2023 event as he cruised to the lead in Standard All-Events with a 1,926 total.
The 44-year-old right-hander rolled a 674 series during his team event Saturday and followed with 637 in singles and 615 in doubles Sunday to top his best overall score at the USBC Open Championships by 161 pins.
He took the lead at the National Bowling Stadium by 76 pins. John Kontos of Joliet, Illinois, had led since March 30 with 1,850.
“Over the years, I figured it’s been more of an inside shot, so I’ve been working on that a little bit more this year and trying to get more comfortable with it,” Grunzke said. “We started out the team event, and it felt like the same thing, so I was much more consistent and comfortable doing that. I saw the same thing for doubles and singles.
“Nationals always humbles me, and it’s something I tell everyone that comes out here – especially those who are coming here for the first time. I had to work on playing the middle a little bit more because it seems to not break down as fast and tends to be a little more consistent if you’re consistent.”
His effort during the team event marked his highest series during his career at the Open Championships and helped his confidence in repeating shots heading into his final six games Sunday.
Grunzke also felt like he was making the right moves more often than not as he navigated his nine games at the NBS.
“I was pretty consistent out there,” Grunzke said. “I was fortunate enough this year to be able to do that and repeat a lot of my shots, since you’re always going to miss a few. I felt I did well keeping up with the transition, too. You know they’re going to move, and sometimes I fall behind a bit and have to catch up. I was able to read it a little quicker this week, so I was able to stay on top of the change.”
At home, Grunzke is the owner of Strike Zone in Northwood, Iowa, and has been working in bowling centers since he was 14 years old.
He's been the proprietor at the eight-lane center for five years, and he usually is staying busy wrapping up the winter season and preparing for summer leagues before his annual trip to the Open Championships.
With his steady schedule, his time at the tournament also is a vacation and a chance to get away, but he’s coming back with a little extra as he gets to wait and see if his score can hold at the top of the leaderboard.
“I was pretty happy about bowling three 600s,” Grunzke said. “I had no idea I was even close (to the lead). It’s kind of hard to wrap my head around it. This is nationals. Most of the time it humbles you, so it’s more of a vacation, and you hope to bowl decent for one set or a couple games. It still really hasn’t clicked yet. You look up at the banners when you’re here, and that would be really neat and cool to have. It would be a great accomplishment.”
Whether or not he gets to see his name on a championship banner at the 2024 event in Las Vegas, the trip to South Point will be a special one for Grunzke.
“Next year in Las Vegas, my son and I are going to bowl together,” Grunzke said. “That’ll be his first USBC (Open Championships). Blake just turned 21, and he actually was working back at the bowling alley this week. So next year, I’m going to shut it down for that week so we can all leave and have a vacation and bowl nationals together.”
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.
During his first 20 years competing at the tournament, Matthew Grunzke of Albert Lea, Minnesota, has had some good games and solid sets. The event has humbled him from time to time, too, but that hasn't stopped him from enjoying the opportunity to compete and make the most of each trip.
Grunzke knew what he needed to work on, though, and he saw his consistency pay off this weekend at the 2023 event as he cruised to the lead in Standard All-Events with a 1,926 total.
The 44-year-old right-hander rolled a 674 series during his team event Saturday and followed with 637 in singles and 615 in doubles Sunday to top his best overall score at the USBC Open Championships by 161 pins.
He took the lead at the National Bowling Stadium by 76 pins. John Kontos of Joliet, Illinois, had led since March 30 with 1,850.
“Over the years, I figured it’s been more of an inside shot, so I’ve been working on that a little bit more this year and trying to get more comfortable with it,” Grunzke said. “We started out the team event, and it felt like the same thing, so I was much more consistent and comfortable doing that. I saw the same thing for doubles and singles.
“Nationals always humbles me, and it’s something I tell everyone that comes out here – especially those who are coming here for the first time. I had to work on playing the middle a little bit more because it seems to not break down as fast and tends to be a little more consistent if you’re consistent.”
His effort during the team event marked his highest series during his career at the Open Championships and helped his confidence in repeating shots heading into his final six games Sunday.
Grunzke also felt like he was making the right moves more often than not as he navigated his nine games at the NBS.
“I was pretty consistent out there,” Grunzke said. “I was fortunate enough this year to be able to do that and repeat a lot of my shots, since you’re always going to miss a few. I felt I did well keeping up with the transition, too. You know they’re going to move, and sometimes I fall behind a bit and have to catch up. I was able to read it a little quicker this week, so I was able to stay on top of the change.”
At home, Grunzke is the owner of Strike Zone in Northwood, Iowa, and has been working in bowling centers since he was 14 years old.
He's been the proprietor at the eight-lane center for five years, and he usually is staying busy wrapping up the winter season and preparing for summer leagues before his annual trip to the Open Championships.
With his steady schedule, his time at the tournament also is a vacation and a chance to get away, but he’s coming back with a little extra as he gets to wait and see if his score can hold at the top of the leaderboard.
“I was pretty happy about bowling three 600s,” Grunzke said. “I had no idea I was even close (to the lead). It’s kind of hard to wrap my head around it. This is nationals. Most of the time it humbles you, so it’s more of a vacation, and you hope to bowl decent for one set or a couple games. It still really hasn’t clicked yet. You look up at the banners when you’re here, and that would be really neat and cool to have. It would be a great accomplishment.”
Whether or not he gets to see his name on a championship banner at the 2024 event in Las Vegas, the trip to South Point will be a special one for Grunzke.
“Next year in Las Vegas, my son and I are going to bowl together,” Grunzke said. “That’ll be his first USBC (Open Championships). Blake just turned 21, and he actually was working back at the bowling alley this week. So next year, I’m going to shut it down for that week so we can all leave and have a vacation and bowl nationals together.”
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.