Pluhowsky takes USBC Open All Events Lead

By Matt Cannizzaro and Emil Williams Jr.
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - Team USA member Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix has enjoyed many successes at the National Bowling Stadium, so it's no surprise to see her name atop the leaderboard at the 2010 USBC Open Championships.

The 27-year-old left-hander took a step toward adding another piece of hardware to her trophy case when she moved into the Regular All-Events lead with a 2,083 total Sunday night.

Pluhowsky opened with a 642 series in team, and caught fire during doubles and singles. She posted games of 279, 193 and 268 for a 740 doubles series and kept the momentum going in singles, rolling games of 239, 268 and 194 for 701. Matt Smith of Altoona, Iowa, and George Kontos of Joliet, Ill., previously shared the all-events lead with 2,073.

In all, Pluhowsky cracked the top 10 in four events this weekend. She helped Capri Lanes of Dayton, Ohio, into seventh place in Regular Team with a 3,073 total and teamed up with Megan Kelly of Huber Heights, Ohio, for a 1,361 doubles total, which is eighth overall. Together, Pluhowsky and Kelly helped Capri Lanes into ninth place in Team All-Events with 9,171.

"It's exciting," said Pluhowsky, who made her sixth consecutive Open Championships appearance. "I have been bowling pretty well the last three months, so to be able to continue that here was a great thing."

Pluhowsky didn't know the all-events number during her doubles set, but decided to inquire about it right before singles began. When she found out, she was focused and determined.

"I am not even sure what made me ask," said Pluhowsky, whose previous high all-events total was 1,958 at the 2007 event, also in Reno. "From there, it was about making good shots, and if it happened, it happened. If not, I still would have walked out happy because this is my best tournament to date."

Pluhowsky's success at the Stadium dates back to her days as a youth bowler when she claimed the last of her three consecutive wins at the USBC Junior Gold Championships in 2001. That same year, she won the first of two consecutive USBC Team USA Trials titles at the NBS, before adding a third straight win in Las Vegas. Her most recent victory at the Stadium came at the 2006 USBC Queens.

"Some people try to say the left is better here," said Pluhowsky, who is the general manager at Capri Lanes. "I just match up here, and my ball reaction is good here. I always try to take advantage when I am here and do the best I can."

Outside of the Stadium, the former University of Nebraska standout owns three collegiate national championships, three Professional Bowlers Association Women's Series titles, two QubicaAMF World Cup titles and dozens of medals in international competition.

While Pluhowsky was making her all-events run Sunday, Dayton's Mandy Wilson was a few lanes away making a run of her own.

The right-hander started the day with a shot at the Regular Doubles lead, too, but a missed 2-8 spare in her final frame left her and Douglas Stone of Troy, Ohio, two pins shy of Terry Hall of Rocklin, Calif., and Andrew Udahl of Elk Grove, Calif., who lead with 1,421.

Wilson was 14 pins off Pluhowsky's all-events pace heading into her ninth and final game, but finished with 184 and a 2,059 all-events total, which is fourth overall. She had 727 in doubles, 699 in singles and 633 in team.

"My mindset in doubles is don't let my partner down, fill frames and make spares," said Wilson, who is a member of the Ohio USBC Hall of Fame. "I am happy about my finish, but unfortunately, I missed a couple makeable spares that hurt my doubles and all-events chances."

USBC Hall of Famer Bill Bunetta dies at 90

USBC Communications

Bill Bunetta, a United States Bowling Congress Hall of Fame member, died March 22 in Fresno, Calif., of heart failure. He was 90.

A Professional Bowlers Association charter member, he was asked to be the PBA's first commissioner when the pro tour was formed in 1958. But since he still was competitive as a bowler, he turned down the position.

He won his only PBA Tour title in Fairless Hills, Pa., in 1960, and was inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in 1968.

In addition to being a talented competitor on the lanes, Bunetta was one of bowling's most respected instructors. His inventive coaching techniques included the innovative "3-6-9" spare-shooting system, and he spent many years conducting clinics and exhibitions. He was often sought out by many young professionals for coaching assistance.

He was a member of the E&B and Pfeiffer teams in Detroit, and the Munsingwear team of Chicago that contributed to his five American Bowling Congress Championships (now USBC Open Championships) titles between 1949 and 1955.

In 1995, at age 76, he became the oldest bowler in history to roll back-to-back 300 games.

Information regarding services is still pending.

State bowling tournament taking place in Cape Girardeau

By Erin Hevern ~ Southeast Missourian

Peggy Fuhrmann of the team "Up Your Alley" from Buckhorn, MO lines up her shot as Tracey Schultz of Warrenton, MO takes her turn Sunday, March 21, 2010 at West Park Lanes. The ladies are competing in the Missouri State USBC Women's Championship which runs through May 9, 2010. This is the first year the championship has come to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson bowling allies.

More than 2,500 women will enter the city limits of Cape Girardeau and Jackson over the next eight weekends for a bowling tournament that dates back to the 1940s.

Despite its long history, the Missouri State Women's Championship Bowling Tournament is being held in Cape Girardeau County for the first time.

West Park Lanes in Cape Girardeau was never before able to host the tournament, because it requires there be two bowling centers with a minimum of 20 lanes each. The requirement was met when Main Street Lanes in Jackson opened a few years ago.

"This is a chance for women all over the state, of any [bowling] average, to compete in a state tournament environment," said tournament director Glenda Fry. "We have divisions; they can compete against people of their own caliber."

Organizers and competitors gathered Friday at the tournament's opening ceremony, where Cape Girardeau VFW Post 3838 posted the flag and bowlers sang the national anthem. They also honored those who've battled cancer with a moment of silence, because this year's tournament is "Celebrating Life, Striking Out Cancer."

Nancy Wood, front, of the team Up Your Alley from Buckhorn, Mo., lines up her shot as Lisa Dickerson of Moberly, Mo., takes her turn Sunday at West Park Lanes. The ladies are competing in the Missouri State Women's Championship Bowling Tournament, which runs through May 9. This is the first year the championship has come to the Cape Girardeau and Jackson bowling alleys.

"It doesn't make a difference who you are, cancer has touched every one of our lives one way or another," said Sheila Allen, Cape Girardeau Women's Bowling Association president.

The tournament, which will end with five winners, one for each division, is special to the association.

"It's a big boost to the community," she said. "We just work exceedingly hard. It takes over a year to plan in order for everything to come together."

Most of the women, Allen said, enjoy traveling and being paired up with other bowlers whose scores mirror their own.

A number of women have been participating in the tournament for more than 40 years and simply enjoy the competition.

"I enjoy the people more than anything, you get to meet women from all over the state," Fry said.

"I just really support the sport of bowling and always have."

To learn about the tournament and the Missouri Bowling Association, visit www.mousbc.org.

© Copyright 2010 seMissourian.com

Belleville News Democrat coverage of Mank 900 series

BY DEAN CRIDDLE - News-Democrat

Perfection is nothing new for Andy Mank.

The 22-year-old Belleville man had 16 career 300 games under his belt when brought his lofty 228 average to Bel-Air Bowl to compete in the Thursday Night Men's Handicap League.

But he took perfection to a new level as he reeled off 36 strikes in a row to become only the 16th person to bowl a perfect 900 series since the U.S. Bowling Congress began certifying them in 1997.

"Actually, I'm still having a hard time believing it really happened," said Mank, a sophomore at Southwestern Illinois College studying to become a welder. "I only had an hour's sleep."

What was going through his mind as he closed in on 900?

"I was thinking that I wasn't going to do it," Mank said. "It's been something since I've wanted to do since I was 3.

"I still can't believe it. I told everybody last night that everything was going through my head 100 miles an hour. I wasn't really nervous. Well, I was. But wow, to be the 16th person in the world to do this -- that's an amazing accomplishment.''

The 900 series is the first ever in Illinois according to USBC records and Bel-Air Bowl personnel. Mike Wilkin Jr., of Decatur, just missed earlier this year, bowling an 899 series. (see correction above)

Mank drew a large crowd as about 100 bowlers stopped competing and watched in silence as Mank fired his last few shots.

One of those getting a glimpse at history was Paulette McCullough, an employee at Bel-Air.

"Everybody was around lanes 1 and 2 watching Andy,'' McCullough said. "The place just went crazy when he got the last strike. He started jumping up and down. I'm still excited for him.''

Mank had an inkling it was a good night.

"I told one of my buddies that 'I'm due for a 300.' If I get one great. If not, I've still got a lot of other nights to bowl. And so I throw the first nine in a row in the first game and I'm like, 'OK, I'm this close so I might as well finish it.'

"Then the second game, I didn't even realize it because we were bowling so quick, like one ball right after the other.''
With the pressure mounting, Mank opened with eight picture-perfect strikes in the final game as nearly 100 fellow bowlers turned their attention to him.

Then Mank got the one and only break he needed.

"I threw my ball in the ninth frame of the last game in the pocket and I went 'oh,' because I thought I left the 10 pin,'' Mank said. "The next thing I know, I turn around and the 10 pin falls. They said a pin from the left side rolled all the way across and knocked the 10 pin.''

Clean strikes followed on his first two balls in the 10th frame. Then something strange happened.

"I was bowling on lanes 1 and 2 at and I look down the lanes and it was like a ghost town." Mank said. "I did a compete 360 and look behind me and I'm like, 'Oh my God.' I had between 80-100 people watching me. After I was done, people wanted to know if I was shaking or if my knees were buckling before I threw the last ball and, honestly, they weren't. "I kept my composure. All I wanted was that last one to finish the 900.''

He did. Not a perfect shot by any means, but good enough.
 
"When I got to the approach, it was like it was when I shot my first 300. Everything was quiet and I let it go. I closed my eyes for a split second and then opened them. I saw it hit the pocket. You can bet I saw it hit the pocket. I'm like, 'Ooooo ... yeah!' The whole place just erupted. It was like the Fourth of July without fireworks.

"I'm like, 'Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God!' The roof of that place raised a few feet. It was really something. I can't believe that I actually did it.''

Mank is the son of Steven and Cheri Mank, of Belleville. The 2006 graduate of Belleville East averaged 227 during his senior year under coach Gene Barrett.

He bowls several times a week during the winter and plays baseball in the spring and summer, He still has ambitions of perhaps bowling professionally in the future.The 900 series was just the beginning of Mank's good fortune.

After winning a little cash in a friendly wager with good friend John Flanagan -- a 279-212 win in a head-to-head match -- Mank headed to the Casino Queen with his buddy.

Sure enough, Mank cashed in, winning $200 on the slot machines.

"I probably should have played the Lotto instead,'' Mank said, laughing.

ANDY MANK SHOOTS 900 SERIES AT BEL AIR LANES

Andy Mank of St. Louis has become the 16th bowler to shoot a 900 series, doing it Thursday night at Bel Air Bowl in Belleville, Il. in the Thursday Men's Handicap league.

Mank, who turned 22 this past Tuesday, did with with the Storm Reign of Fire on lanes 1 and 2.

The three 300 games in one night nearly doubled his career total of four that he had before his record event. Mank also has four sanctioned 800 series according to USBC records available on http://www.bowl.com/.

Mank now has the distinction of the highest series in Illinois bowling history. Mike Wilken, Jr. of Decatur, Il. just misssed perfection earlier this season  with an 899 series at Pla Mor Lanes.

(photo courtesy of http://www.belairbowl.com/)

Kretzer comeback a study to watch

How awesome was Brian Kretzer's performance yesterday at the PBA Don Johnson Eliminator yesterday?

He transformed from being a big hook-big rev player to "straighter is greater". I think it's the biggest mechanics transformation I've seen a bowler make in his game since I started watching tour players in 1966.

When coaching students, I always tell them, "The great players make hook balls go straight, and straight balls hook." Norm Duke already proved that. Kretzer showed me a lot yesterday even though he didn't win.

And on the subject of winning, will the people who complain the Mike Scroggins is boring please get a clue? The pins don't understand personality.

Hope you like the blast-from-the-past video of Kretzer as an amateur in 1997 with some other pretty good players still around.

BowlingHood Publishing Schedule

Beginning today (March 8), BOWLING HOOD will publish on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with special news on Saturdays.

If you have articles for submission, send them to bowlinghood@bowlinghood.com. We appreciate it.

How Big Is PBA Imaging on ESPN?

Bowling fans of the PBA have questioned whether or not the tour has real impact on television.

The following report proves what’s going up for the PBA targeting Bill O’Neill’s win in the U.S. Open last weekend.

PBA Deputy Commission Tom Clark should be a happy man today!

Lumber Liquidators Bowls Over the Competition at the PBA United States Open with $100,000 in Media Value

Philadelphia, PA March 1, 2010 - With the largest field of any tournament in the Professional Bowler’s Association (PBA) season, Bill O’Neil reigned supreme taking home his first major championship.

However, one other winner on Sunday was the PBA title sponsor, Lumber Liquidators.  According to Front Row Analytics, Lumber Liquidators received $104,333 in media value through signage, uniform logos and verbal mentions in a total of 111 sequences.

Front Row Analytics is the evaluation division of Front Row Marketing Services, an industry leader in commercial rights sales and a subsidiary of the Philadelphia, PA based sport and entertainment firm, Comcast-Spectacor.

“The popularity of bowling is evident as it now has one of the highest participation rates in the United States.  The PBA can provide so many great opportunities for sponsors to gain value—whether it be signage or logos on the bowling balls, lanes and shirts.  Lumber Liquidators has done a superb job aligning itself with a well-respected sports entity,” said Eric Smallwood, VP of Project Management for Front Row Marketing Services.

Next week, the PBA travels to Columbus, OH for the Etonic Don Johnson Eliminator.  Final round action can be seen live on Sunday, March 7 at 2 PM EST on ESPN-TV.

Bowlers can have tough days on the lanes, but regardless of whether the pins are falling or not, Lumber Liquidators will continue to increase its brand awareness and add valuable media exposure as bowling fans tune in on Sundays to watch the Lumber Liquidators PBA Tour.

For other media evaluation success stories, check out frontrow-marketing.com.

Winning the US Open is the Real Deal

Bill O’Neill is the Real Deal. Winning a U.S. Open with a 267 game proves it.

Most knew he was good. Now he’s proven he’s very good.

Sure, a Mike Scroggins win would have been a great story to be one of very few to have won back-to-back opens.

 

But parity is great. The anticipation always draws high interest. We don’t have any video from yesterday’s show but we do have video of him earlier this year bowling Our Town’s Pete Weber at the Dick Weber in California.