EL PASO, Texas - When Tom Woodworth of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, made his United States Bowling Congress Open Championships debut alongside his father and friends from home in 2007, it was more for the camaraderie than the grandeur or competition.

He participated again two years later and bowled well, but it wasn't until his 2014 trip down Center Aisle that he began to realize exactly what it is about the tournament that brings bowlers back year after year.

His return to the championship lanes came at the request of former Team USA member and 2001 Team All-Events champion Jeremy Sonnenfeld, also from Sioux Falls, and the two got to share another memorable experience Monday as they surged to the top of the standings in Regular Doubles with a 1,372 effort.

Sonnenfeld led the duo with a 698 series, while Woodworth added a 674 set to catapult them past Doug McHugh and Bo Johnson of Huron, South Dakota, who previously held the lead with 1,298.

"We've worked hard to put together a group that communicates well and can work together in all aspects of the event," said Sonnenfeld, a proprietor at Sport Bowl in Sioux Falls. "We bowled poorly in team, but we were able to refocus for doubles and singles, and the lanes played in our favor."

Sonnenfeld admits that his role in the business side of the sport often keeps him from bowling as often as he once did, but he helps his teammates as much with his experience and advice as he does with his ability.

"Jeremy is the ball driller for a few of the guys, he's able to put the shot out for practice and he's always willing to help," said Woodworth, a 30-year-old right-hander who made his fourth Open Championships appearance. "We know we can lean on him for his experience and knowledge, but we also have a very capable and supportive team that works together from start to finish."

In order to be as prepared as possible, the group arrived at the El Paso Convention Center in time to visit the Showcase Lanes for two team practice sessions and multiple squads at the Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC.

The team sessions gave them a look at the 38-foot team oil pattern, while the Bowlers Journal Championships features the 39-foot doubles and singles pattern. Their focus on the fresh oil at the Bowlers Journal allowed them to devise a strategy for doubles that clearly paid off.

Woodworth helped Team SD Storm into a tie for sixth place in Regular Team with a 2,894 total Sunday night, while Sonnenfeld and Team SD Ebonite are just outside of the top 20 with 2,754.

With his 19th year of Open Championships competition now in the books, Sonnenfeld's 216.15 tournament average has him within reach of the top of the lifetime average list (minimum 20 years of competition), currently topped by 2015 USBC Hall of Fame inductee Sam Lantto, with a 216.51 mark.

As a tournament veteran, and whether or not he's ready to admit it, Sonnenfeld now is as much a mentor as he is a teammate.

"I bowled in this tournament a couple of times before, but it's different now," Woodworth said. "To get asked to come out and bowl with these guys is a big thing, and to get to bowl doubles with Jeremy is a huge honor. I bowl a decent amount of local tournaments at home, but coming out with these guys last year, I realized what a big stage this is. I got really geared up for it last year and worked even harder to prepare this time."

Sonnenfeld added 613 in singles and 567 in team for a 1,878 all-events total this week, and Woodworth had 626 in team and 553 in singles for 1,853. Terrence Reeves III of Winter Haven, Florida, leads Regular All-Events with 1,978.

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