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2010 USBC Open Championships concludes 136-day run in Reno

When Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn., completed his nine games at this year's USBC Open Championships, he had no idea he'd just posted the highest all-events total in 107 years of tournament history. More

Reno to host USBC Open and Women's Championships in 2013 and 2014

ARLINGTON, Texas – For the first time in history, the United States Bowling Congress will bring the USBC Open and Women’s Championships to the same city simultaneously when Reno, Nev., hosts both events in 2013 and 2014.

Plans call for the Open Championships to be held in the National Bowling Stadium, while the Women’s Championships will take place in a custom-built arena inside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. USBC will install dozens of lanes and the largest indoor mobile scoreboard in the world at the convention center continuing the spectacular feel bowlers expect. The convention-center setting first was introduced to the Women’s Championships at the 2010 event in El Paso, Texas.

“Hosting USBC’s two largest championships in the same city will create great new opportunities and experiences for our bowlers,” USBC Executive Director Stu Upson said. “We want families to have the option of traveling to the national tournaments together, but we also respect the need to preserve the tradition of separate tournaments.”

USBC plans to develop additional events that will coincide with the two main tournaments in Reno. These new events will potentially involve mixed teams and youth entry options. The lanes of the Women’s Championships arena will remain in the Reno-Sparks Convention Center between the 2013 and 2014 tournaments, saving construction resources and allowing for greater flexibility in scheduling new events.

USBC received bids from several cities interested in hosting the Open and Women’s Championships. The 2013 Open Championships already was scheduled to be at the National Bowling Stadium, allowing Reno to provide a natural fit for bringing both events to the same city by offering two arena settings for a multi-year agreement. Now there will be greater opportunities for couples who might only be able to afford one bowling trip a year to travel together and both have events to enjoy.

“Reno is a fantastic family destination and our aim is to develop a reason for every type of bowler to visit there in 2013 and 2014,” Upson said. “Our partners in Reno have a great track record of creating a first-class experience for bowlers and they have done it again by committing to a second championship venue.”

Historically, Reno has proven to be a popular destination for tournament bowlers. The Open Championships has averaged more than 80,000 bowlers, while the Women’s Championships has averaged more than 60,000 bowlers in Reno host years since 1995.

“We’re just tickled to have these two prestigious bowling tournaments in the biggest little city,” Reno Mayor Bob Cashell said. “I just know they’ll love visiting Reno and competing at the National Bowling Stadium—it’s the only facility of its kind in the world.”

Looking ahead to 2013, USBC plans to investigate new ideas for the Open and Women’s Championships, including potential adjustments of incentive programs, lane conditions, squad schedules, price structure and entry process. Hosting two major events in one city should allow for improved staffing and better customer service. The focus will be on providing the best possible experience for bowlers in Reno and attracting more participants to USBC’s national tournaments.

USBC Championships Schedule
2011 USBC Open Championships - Reno
2011 USBC Women’s Championships – Syracuse, N.Y.
2012 USBC Open Championships – Baton Rouge, La.
2012 USBC Women’s Championships – Reno
2013 & 2014 USBC Open & Women’s Championships- Reno
Frequently asked questions: USBC Championships announcement

Shaffer bowls 813 at USBC tourney

BILLINGS — Butte bowler Harry Shaffer took over the scratch singles lead Saturday after bowling a 298 game and 813 series at the Montana USBC Association Open tournament in Billings.

Shaffer made his move while competing at Sunset Bowl on the fifth and final weekend of the tournament, which was held at both Sunset and Fireside Lanes.

His 813 is tied with Bozeman’s Jeffrey Beck for the top three-game series at state. It was the fifth 800-plus series of the tournament.

His 813 in singles took over the lead from Billings bowler Bob Hanson, who was sitting in first at 805.

The state tournament included 541 five-member teams and nearly 1,700 bowlers. About $75,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top participants.


Meagor shoots 300 at the USBC Open Championships

RENO, Nev. - Family and work obligations kept Keith Meagor of Butte, Mont., from bowling as much as he would've liked to in recent years, but he always made sure he had time for the USBC Open Championships.
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Woodward rolls perfect game at USBC Open Championships

Tony Woodward of Helena, Mont., rolled the eighth 300 of the year during his team event Sunday night.
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Keller fires 800 series

Bill Keller rolled a 298 game on his way to a 3-game total of 802 at Star Lanes. He started with a 279, then the 298 and finished with 225 for the score.

He rolled the series Wednesday, February 17th, bowling for the Park it Market team in the Continental league. It was the second career 800 for Keller, with an 806 being bowled on February 7, 2007.


Rathbun rolls 804 in City Tournament

Brenda Rathbun put together games of 246, 279 and 279 for an 804 series. This was her first 800 series.

The score was shot in the doubles event on January 24, 2010, while bowling in the City Open Championships. Her doubles pair finished in 3rd place


Hodges wins city bowling title

McGinnis claims women's championship

Longtime Butte bowling standout Mark Hodges added to his legend in the city tournament held recently.

Hodges rolled a 713 series in the team event, 742 in doubles, and 669 in singles for a winning scratch all-events total of 2,124 pins in the fifth annual City Championship Bowling Tournament.

Jim McKenzie captured the handicapped all events with a 2,045 that included scratch scores of 642 in the team event, 725 in doubles, and 678 in singles.

Bill Barry and Kelly Sullivan won the handicapped doubles with scratch scores of 653 and 631 respectively, and a handicapped total of 1,579.

A tremendous effort was displayed by Scott Mulcahy to win the handicapped singles title by rolling his personal best scratch score of 649 with a handicap of 189 for and 838 series total.

The handicapped team event was won by the Fun Bunch #2 team with a score of 3,812. The total might be the highest team score ever bowled in the city championship tournament, but verification has not yet been found, spokesman Galen Rich said in a press release. Team members and their scratch scores were Jim McKenzie, 791; Eddie Zimpel, 639; Walt Parrett, 546; Keith Meagor, 690; and Dave W Martinich, 616.

The 69th Butte Women's Bowling Tournament saw Ruth McGinnis win the handicapped singles event with a scratch score of 427, plus a 206 handicap for a total of 633.

Raylene Shaffer and Brenda Rathbun won the handicapped doubles event with Shaffer's scratch score of 631 and Rathbun's scratch score of 645 for a total of 1,276. Since their averages did not allow for a handicap, they won this event with only their scratch scores.

The handicapped team event was won by The Man-Eaters team with a score of 2,506. Team members were Carolyn Parrow, 547; Debbie Martinich, 546; Raylene Shaffer, 588; and Brenda Rathbun, 657.

The two tournaments together had 54 teams (seven more than last year), 106 doubles, 212 singles, and 149 all-events entrants. Rich said association president Walt Parrett had much to do with the entry boosts.


Butori rolls perfect game

17-year-old Franky Butori rolled a 300 game in the middle of a 719 set for his first 700 series, which occurred on Dec. 12. He sandwiched games of 181 and 238 around the gem in the Saturday afternoon Major League at Star Lanes.

Then, competing in the High School Varsity League, Butori put together a 728 three-game set on Jan. 6. The scores were 236, 279 and 213.


Martinich wins Meagor Classic

Dave Martinich rolled games of 257, 258 and 236 to dominate the stepladder finals and captured his 3rd championship, at the 31st annual Bill Meagor Peterson Point Scratch Bowling Classic, held recently at the Kingpin and Star Lanes.

Martinich now trails only Mark Hodges for number of victories at this event. Hodges, a recent addition to the Butte Bowling Hall of Fame, has won 4 times, and finished 12th at this years tournament.

Martinich's victory overshadowed a fine performance by the tournament leader going into the stepladder, Todd Edelen. Edelen averaged 230 and won 10 of 12 games. He also rolled the tournament high game of 289, and a sizzling 760 for the high series.

Edelen, who won the tournament in 2007, lost the title match to Martinich 236-186, to claim runner-up status for the second consecutive year.

Also in the stepladder were Barry Butori, who soldiered through back problems and still managed to finish 3rd, losing to Martinich 258-205. Finishing next was Dave's son, Denton Martinich, who lost to his father 257-192. 18 year old Denton shot his first ever 700 series during the tournament, rolling a 705, and his 4th place was the highest finish in the history of the tournament by someone 18 or younger. Finishing in 5th place was the truly remarkable Bill Meagor, the man that the tournament is named after. Competing at the age of 72, he became the oldest bowler ever to make the top 5. Meagor lost to Denton Martinich 174-172, in the final's closest match.

Thirty-six of Butte's top bowlers participated in this years tournament, with the top eighteen finishing in the money.

The remaining Sunday-morning tourney qualifiers and their Peterson point totals follow:

6.   Patrick O'Rourke Jr,   55.43;
7.   Ryley Bosch,   55.33;
8.   Jim McKenzie,   55.22;
9.   Austin Brug,   55.05;
10. Brenda Rathbun,   54.44;
11. Mike Krankowski,   54.38;
12. Mark Hodges,   54.22;
13. Laurie Tripp,   53.41;
14. Dan Grundhauser,   53.10;
15. Debbie Martinich,   52.23;
16. Bob Shaw,   51.03;
17. Bill Kingston,   50.25;
18. Walt Parrett,   48.21;

Tourney Sidelights - This years Domino's Pizza skins game was very competitive as all 4 participants picked up skins. Jack Hocking ended up the winner of this years competition, with Brenda Rathbun finishing in 2nd, Dan Newton 3rd, and Jesse Tracy finishing 4th.

This years edition of the Countdown-Countup challenge sponsored by Butori Collision was also a cliff-hanger as Denton Martinich edged Patrick O'Rourke Jr, 11-9, to capture the title. The consolation was shared by Frank Butori Jr., Kim Fortune, Leo Levengood and Joe Martinich. Butori, this years only junior bowler entered in the tournament, received his prize in the form of a scholarship.

- Submitted by Walt Parrett - Tournament Manager


Martinich shoots 300 game

Denton Martinich shot his first career 300 game Wednesday, September 30th, at Star Lanes. He rolled all 12 strikes while pre-bowling for the Scandia Bar team in the Continental League. He started the session with a 190 game, followed by the 300, and finished with a 179 for a 669 series. Since the 300 was a pre-bowled game it will not be sanctioned by USBC. The score will, however, be recognized by the local association.


Klapan bowls 300 game

On Monday, September 28th, bowling in the Sunset league for the Express Lane team, Kurt Klapan strung 12 strikes in a row for a 300 game. He started the night with a 237 game, followed by a 245 and finished with the perfect game for a 3-game total of 782.


Gelling rolls first 300 of the season

It took only two weeks for the first 300 game of the season to be shot. Nate Gelling bowled the perfect game on Tuesday, September 15th, in the straightaway league. He started the night with a 237, the 300 and 197 for a 3-game total of 734. He finished with a 192 game for a 4-game total of 926.