Ohio bowler joins teammates in record book at USBC Open Championships
May 21, 2021
By Matt Cannizzaro and Cassidy Courey
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - In life, your parents are there to keep you safe and prepare you to go out into the world.
On a smaller scale for Michael Clark Jr. of North Olmsted, Ohio, his parents were by his side on the lanes in the early years of his career at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, but as he has gotten more competitive over nearly three decades, their role has become more supportive in nature.
With help from Clark's new on-lane family, the prolific Turbo Grips contingent from Michigan, his appearance at the 2021 USBC Open Championships is one they'll all fondly remember after he rolled the tournament's ninth perfect game.
The 300 was the fourth of the year during team competition at the South Point Bowling Plaza and makes Clark the sixth bowler in the four-team group to accomplish the feat on the biggest stage in bowling.
His parents were on-hand for the milestone, and he shared a special embrace with his father immediately after.
"It was a great moment for him," said Clark, a right-hander who made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1995 event in Reno, Nevada, and is celebrating 26 years of participation this year in Las Vegas. "He was misty-eyed. I can't say he was crying. He was misty-eyed. The fact that my mom and dad were there to see it makes it that much more special."
Clark's day included bookend games of 188 and 235 for a 723 series, and his individual success helped Turbo Grip 2 of Chesterfield Township, Michigan, make a run at the lead in Regular Team.
The team had games of 1,066, 1,166 and 1,060 for a 3,292 total, which is second behind The Bowlers Shoppe 1 of St. Louis (3,352). In the final two frames of the event, Turbo Grips 2 managed just three strikes, and two were on fill balls.
Clark, who turns 49 Friday, was joined by Brian Thompson (662), Jason Johnson (659), Dean Billings (656) and Eric Tulley (592).
Billings is one of 32 bowlers with multiple 300s on the championship lanes (2000 and 2013) and one of 36 bowlers with 300 and 800 (813 in 2013).
One pair of the lanes to the left Thursday afternoon, Turbo Grips 1 also garnered some attention and nearly chased down its companion team in the race up the leaderboard.
Turbo Grips 1 had games of 1,134, 1,011 and 1,112 for a 3,257 total, which is seventh overall.
James Koss led the effort with a 712 series, fueled by a 299 in the final game. He was a stubborn 7 pin away from adding to the group's legacy at the Open Championships. It was his second run at perfection with the same result. He had a 299 game in doubles during his tournament debut in 2012.
Koss was followed by Justin Knowles, who rolled a 300 game at the nearby Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC this week (697), Jeffrey Austreng (675), Cory Hines (601) and Chris Sand (572).
Along with Clark and Billings, Austreng, Jeff Mraz, Bob Chamberlain Sr. and Dave Bernhardt Sr. all have rolled perfect games at the Open Championships.
Now, Clark is looking forward to the 2022 Open Championships, where he'll be announced as a celebrity for the first time.
"I'm really looking forward to next year and hearing my name called for a 300 in the 2021 team event," Clark said. "It's going to be a thrill."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - In life, your parents are there to keep you safe and prepare you to go out into the world.
On a smaller scale for Michael Clark Jr. of North Olmsted, Ohio, his parents were by his side on the lanes in the early years of his career at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, but as he has gotten more competitive over nearly three decades, their role has become more supportive in nature.
With help from Clark's new on-lane family, the prolific Turbo Grips contingent from Michigan, his appearance at the 2021 USBC Open Championships is one they'll all fondly remember after he rolled the tournament's ninth perfect game.
The 300 was the fourth of the year during team competition at the South Point Bowling Plaza and makes Clark the sixth bowler in the four-team group to accomplish the feat on the biggest stage in bowling.
His parents were on-hand for the milestone, and he shared a special embrace with his father immediately after.
"It was a great moment for him," said Clark, a right-hander who made his first Open Championships appearance at the 1995 event in Reno, Nevada, and is celebrating 26 years of participation this year in Las Vegas. "He was misty-eyed. I can't say he was crying. He was misty-eyed. The fact that my mom and dad were there to see it makes it that much more special."
Clark's day included bookend games of 188 and 235 for a 723 series, and his individual success helped Turbo Grip 2 of Chesterfield Township, Michigan, make a run at the lead in Regular Team. The team had games of 1,066, 1,166 and 1,060 for a 3,292 total, which is second behind The Bowlers Shoppe 1 of St. Louis (3,352). In the final two frames of the event, Turbo Grips 2 managed just three strikes, and two were on fill balls.
Clark, who turns 49 Friday, was joined by Brian Thompson (662), Jason Johnson (659), Dean Billings (656) and Eric Tulley (592).
Billings is one of 32 bowlers with multiple 300s on the championship lanes (2000 and 2013) and one of 36 bowlers with 300 and 800 (813 in 2013).
One pair of the lanes to the left Thursday afternoon, Turbo Grips 1 also garnered some attention and nearly chased down its companion team in the race up the leaderboard.
Turbo Grips 1 had games of 1,134, 1,011 and 1,112 for a 3,257 total, which is seventh overall.
James Koss led the effort with a 712 series, fueled by a 299 in the final game. He was a stubborn 7 pin away from adding to the group's legacy at the Open Championships. It was his second run at perfection with the same result. He had a 299 game in doubles during his tournament debut in 2012.
Koss was followed by Justin Knowles, who rolled a 300 game at the nearby Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC this week (697), Jeffrey Austreng (675), Cory Hines (601) and Chris Sand (572).
Along with Clark and Billings, Austreng, Jeff Mraz, Bob Chamberlain Sr. and Dave Bernhardt Sr. all have rolled perfect games at the Open Championships.
Now, Clark is looking forward to the 2022 Open Championships, where he'll be announced as a celebrity for the first time.
"I'm really looking forward to next year and hearing my name called for a 300 in the 2021 team event," Clark said. "It's going to be a thrill."
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships Facebook page.