Friends share spotlight with perfect games at USBC Open Championships
06/30/09
Greg Bollinger (pictured left) of Plainfield, Ill., and P.J. Massey (right) of St. Joseph, Mo., have known each other for years, but they had no idea they were bowling on the same team squad at the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
The two have only seen each other a few times since Bollinger moved back to Illinois, but they were reunited in the spotlight at Cashman Center on Monday night after they both rolled 300 games on the tournament lanes.
"This is only the third time we have seen each other since I left," said Bollinger, who is an elementary school teacher. "We were checking in and ran into each other. We had no idea we were both here, let alone bowling on the same squad."
Bollinger was the first to finish bowling as he put together 12 consecutive strikes in his last game of team for the 31st perfect game of this year's tournament. Two minutes later, on the opposite end of the 60-lane venue, Massey polished off his own 300.
"I heard something going on down on the other side of the house," said Massey, a 29-year-old right-hander who bowled collegiately at Wichita State University. "I didn't know who it was or what he was doing, though."
Bollinger on the other hand, knew exactly what was going on and kept an eye on his buddy from a distance. Bollinger was on lane 51 and Massey was on lane 10.
"I knew he had the front seven," said Bollinger, a 44-year-old right-hander who made his 16th Open Championships appearance. "I was watching, and it actually helped keep me going and motivated."
When Bollinger finished his celebration, he made his way down to where Massey was finishing and congratulated him on a great game. The two had no idea the day would end like it did.
"I couldn't make it down to see his last shots, but I heard the crowd and I knew he got it," said Bollinger, who bowls regularly at Fox Bowl in Wheaton, Ill. "I was as happy for him as I was for myself. It is awesome when friends can both do something like that. What a story."
Bollinger and Massey first met when Bollinger moved to St. Joseph to work in a bowling center, where he met Massey's father. The two hit it off and eventually opened a pro shop together. After a few years, Bollinger moved back to Plainfield, but kept in touch. Now six years later, it was fate that brought them back together Monday.
Bollinger started the night with games of 207 and 175 and finished with a 682 series to help Fox Bowl of Wheaton, Ill., to a 2,993 total. Massey opened with 180 and 244 and finished with a 724 series. He helped Team Massey Bowling of St. Joseph, Mo., to a 2,858 total.
Massey, who made his sixth tournament appearance, has dealt with some tough times as of late due to the recent loss of his father. During his last few shots, he knew he was there with him.
"I kept hearing my dad's voice during my last game," said Massey, who bowls league at Belt Bowl. "I know my dad would've wanted to be here for sure."
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.
Cashman Center in Las Vegas, Nev. (Feb. 21 - July 24, 2009)
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
1, Linds Limited (Gus Yannaras, Gary Daroszewski, Ryan Lever, Lennie Boresch Jr., Dale Traber), Milwaukee, 3,449. 2, Sack Toe, Sacramento, Calif., 3,427. 3, Turbo 2-N-1 Grips 1, Madison, Wis., 3,403. 4, Buddy Tierno Senior Tour, Mount Laurel, N.J., 3,335. 5, S and B Pro Shop 2, Sterling Heights, Mich., 3,325. 6, Don Johnson Memorial, 3,306. 7, Northern Lanes Rec, Gaylord, Mich., 3,290. 8, Rock River Lanes, Fort Atkinson, Wis., 3,285. 9, Lodge Lanes 1, Saline, Mich., 3,280. 10, Northern Lanes Pro Shop, Sanford, Mich., 3,272.
Doubles
1, Stephen Padilla/Brenda Edwards, Mansfield, Texas, 1,566. 2, Marc McDowell, Monona, Wis./Mike Shady, Fairview, Pa., 1,474. 3, Ron Nelson, Bridgeview, Ill./Bryan O'Keefe, Arlington, Texas, 1,466. 4, Adam Cardwell, Woodbury, Minn./Richard Volhard, Marathon, Wis., 1,460. 5, Jason Guest, Urbandale, Iowa/Scott Wohlwend, Moline, Ill., 1,453. 6, Steve Brinkman, Sussex, Wis./Lennie Boresch, Kenosha, Wis., 1,446. 7, John Brodersen, Helena, Mont./Bruce Steffani, Great Falls, Mont., 1,444. 8. Greg Thompson, Cupertino, Calif./Fero Williams, West Carrollton, Ohio, 1443. 9, Edward Gallagher, Clarksville, Tenn./Ray Edwards, Middle Island, N.Y., 1,440. 10, Mike Holland/Ryan Holland, Houston, 1,429.
Singles
1, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 862. 2, Ron Vokes, Racine, Wis., 857. 3, Rick Perry, Kalispell, Mont., 814. 4, Vincent Yoder, Wooster, Ohio, 810. 5, David Cirigliano, Phoenix, Ariz., 793. 6, Sean Riccardi, Piscataway, N.J., 789. 7, Joseph Burgio, Buffalo, N.Y., 788. 8, Brenda Edwards, Mansfield, Texas, 785. 9, Hutch Battreall, St. Joseph, Mo., 783. 10, Tommy Barnwell, Peoria Heights, Ill., 782.
All-Events
1, Ron Vokes, Racine, Wis., 2,321. 2, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 2,223. 3, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 2,190. 4, Don Burdick, DeKalb, Ill., 2,168. 5, Sean Riccardi, Piscataway, N.J., 2,164. 6, Joe Hostetler, Minerva, Ohio, 2,156. 7, Brett Wolfe, Scottsdale, Ariz., 2,147. 8, Ron Nelson Jr., Bridgeview, Ill., 2,138. 9, Chris Collins, Savannah, Ga., 2,136. 10, Matt Descoteaux, Spokane, Wash., 2,134.
Team All-Events
1, Linds Limited (Gus Yannaras, Gary Daroszewski, Ryan Lever, Lennie Boresch Jr., Dale Traber), Milwaukee, 10,372. 2, Turbo 2-N-1 Grips 1, Madison, Wis., 10,317. 3, Northern Lanes Pro Shop, Sanford, Mich., 10,116. 4, Don Johnson Memorial, Lexington, Ky., 10,056. 5, Rock River Lanes, Fort Atkinson, Wis., 9,915. 6, Sack Toe, Sacramento, Calif., 9,858. 7, Junior Team USA Support, Orlando, Fla., 9,846. 8, Northern Lanes Rec, Gaylord, Mich., 9,839. 9, Pepsi/Lanemasters 1, Rochester, N.Y., 9,829. 10, Cambridge 1, Feeding Hills, Mass., 9,784.
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
1, K&K Bowling Services 11 (Bob Godden, Bruce Burkey, Rich Hunter, Oscar Jimenez, Robert Yadao), Las Vegas, 2,813. 2, Exterminators, Camp Springs, Md., 2,749. 3, Malad Gun Club, Malad City, Idaho, 2,745. 4, Kens Old West, Page, Ariz., 2,743. 5,E. Montana Flatlanders, Rio Rancho, N.M., 2,734. 6, Pinboy's Faithful 2, Virginia Beach, Va., 2,708. 7, Fire One, Clearlake Oaks, Calif., 2,703. 8, ATW, New London, Minn., 2,698. 9, Pro Zone 3, Mission Hills, Calif., 2,696. 10 (tie), Eagle Bowl 2, Eagle Grove, Iowa, and 5 Star Farms, Bowling Green, Mo., 2,686.
Doubles
1, Melanie Sweet, Capitol Heights, Md./Lashawn Farrish, Bowie, Md., 1,220. 2, Eric Douglass, Goldfield, Iowa/Troy Schultz, Clarion, Iowa, 1,204. 3, Veronica Boone/Luis Boone, Mission Hills, Calif., 1,195. 4, George Marquez, Whittier/ Pete Dumpit, El Monte, Calif., 1,192. 5, Po Ling Klip, San Francisco/Maria Lau, Daly City, Calif., 1,185. 6, Bootnie Gray/Denis Gray Sr., Charlotte, N.C., 1,183. 7, Bob Godden, Las Vegas/Bruce Burkey, Henderson, Nev., 1,181. 8, Brandon Vaught, McGill, Nev./Mike Kapetan, Ely, Nev., 1,178. 9, Devonn Turner, Charlotte, N.C./Darryl Turner, Mint Hill, N.C., 1,174. 10 (tie), Rick Armitage/Angela Kathol, Norfolk, Neb., and Angel Rodriquez, San Juan, Puerto Rico/Juan Cains, Hollywood, Fla., 1,169.
Singles
1, Vernon Daniels, Bermuda, 692. 2, Ed Gronski, Mulkeytown, Ill., 687. 3 (tie), Dennis Tomhave, Vermillion, S.D., and Tom Hammack, Jenks, Okla., 679. 5, Kelly Aeikens, Benson, Minn., 677. 6, Ryan Knutson, Dilworth, Minn., 664. 7, Adam Macleod, Brampton, Ontario, 662. 8, Roy Umehira, Honolulu, 657. 9, Jean Reese, Owatonna, Minn., 654. 10, Elizabeth Scott, Lenoir, N.C., 652.
All-Events
1, Bob Godden, Las Vegas, 1,854. 2, Anthony Kastle, Charlotte, N.C., 1,834. 3, Frank Boehm Jr., Regina, Saskatchewan, 1,818. 4, Dennis Tomhave, Vermillion, S.D., 1,799. 5, Pete Dumpit, El Monte, Calif., 1,798. 6, Richard Ruby, Milford, N.J., 1,796. 7, John Waliczek, Pflugerville, Texas, 1,795. 8, Darryl Turner, Mint Hill, N.C., 1,788. 9, Roy Umehira, Honolulu, 1,782. 10, Jason Davis, Marshall, Mo., 1,777.
United States
Cashman Center in Las Vegas, Nev., United States (Feb. 21 - July 24, 2009)
Greg Bollinger (pictured left) of Plainfield, Ill., and P.J. Massey (right) of St. Joseph, Mo., have known each other for years, but they had no idea they were bowling on the same team squad at the 2009 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships. The two have only seen each other a few times since Bollinger moved back to Illinois, but they were reunited in the spotlight at Cashman Center on Monday night after they both rolled 300 games on the tournament lanes.
"This is only the third time we have seen each other since I left," said Bollinger, who is an elementary school teacher. "We were checking in and ran into each other. We had no idea we were both here, let alone bowling on the same squad."
Bollinger was the first to finish bowling as he put together 12 consecutive strikes in his last game of team for the 31st perfect game of this year's tournament. Two minutes later, on the opposite end of the 60-lane venue, Massey polished off his own 300.
"I heard something going on down on the other side of the house," said Massey, a 29-year-old right-hander who bowled collegiately at Wichita State University. "I didn't know who it was or what he was doing, though."
Bollinger on the other hand, knew exactly what was going on and kept an eye on his buddy from a distance. Bollinger was on lane 51 and Massey was on lane 10.
"I knew he had the front seven," said Bollinger, a 44-year-old right-hander who made his 16th Open Championships appearance. "I was watching, and it actually helped keep me going and motivated."
When Bollinger finished his celebration, he made his way down to where Massey was finishing and congratulated him on a great game. The two had no idea the day would end like it did.
"I couldn't make it down to see his last shots, but I heard the crowd and I knew he got it," said Bollinger, who bowls regularly at Fox Bowl in Wheaton, Ill. "I was as happy for him as I was for myself. It is awesome when friends can both do something like that. What a story."
Bollinger and Massey first met when Bollinger moved to St. Joseph to work in a bowling center, where he met Massey's father. The two hit it off and eventually opened a pro shop together. After a few years, Bollinger moved back to Plainfield, but kept in touch. Now six years later, it was fate that brought them back together Monday.
Bollinger started the night with games of 207 and 175 and finished with a 682 series to help Fox Bowl of Wheaton, Ill., to a 2,993 total. Massey opened with 180 and 244 and finished with a 724 series. He helped Team Massey Bowling of St. Joseph, Mo., to a 2,858 total.
Massey, who made his sixth tournament appearance, has dealt with some tough times as of late due to the recent loss of his father. During his last few shots, he knew he was there with him.
"I kept hearing my dad's voice during my last game," said Massey, who bowls league at Belt Bowl. "I know my dad would've wanted to be here for sure."
Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.
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2009 USBC Open Championships
Cashman Center in Las Vegas, Nev. (Feb. 21 - July 24, 2009)
REGULAR DIVISION
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
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Team1, Linds Limited (Gus Yannaras, Gary Daroszewski, Ryan Lever, Lennie Boresch Jr., Dale Traber), Milwaukee, 3,449. 2, Sack Toe, Sacramento, Calif., 3,427. 3, Turbo 2-N-1 Grips 1, Madison, Wis., 3,403. 4, Buddy Tierno Senior Tour, Mount Laurel, N.J., 3,335. 5, S and B Pro Shop 2, Sterling Heights, Mich., 3,325. 6, Don Johnson Memorial, 3,306. 7, Northern Lanes Rec, Gaylord, Mich., 3,290. 8, Rock River Lanes, Fort Atkinson, Wis., 3,285. 9, Lodge Lanes 1, Saline, Mich., 3,280. 10, Northern Lanes Pro Shop, Sanford, Mich., 3,272.
Doubles
1, Stephen Padilla/Brenda Edwards, Mansfield, Texas, 1,566. 2, Marc McDowell, Monona, Wis./Mike Shady, Fairview, Pa., 1,474. 3, Ron Nelson, Bridgeview, Ill./Bryan O'Keefe, Arlington, Texas, 1,466. 4, Adam Cardwell, Woodbury, Minn./Richard Volhard, Marathon, Wis., 1,460. 5, Jason Guest, Urbandale, Iowa/Scott Wohlwend, Moline, Ill., 1,453. 6, Steve Brinkman, Sussex, Wis./Lennie Boresch, Kenosha, Wis., 1,446. 7, John Brodersen, Helena, Mont./Bruce Steffani, Great Falls, Mont., 1,444. 8. Greg Thompson, Cupertino, Calif./Fero Williams, West Carrollton, Ohio, 1443. 9, Edward Gallagher, Clarksville, Tenn./Ray Edwards, Middle Island, N.Y., 1,440. 10, Mike Holland/Ryan Holland, Houston, 1,429.
Singles
1, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 862. 2, Ron Vokes, Racine, Wis., 857. 3, Rick Perry, Kalispell, Mont., 814. 4, Vincent Yoder, Wooster, Ohio, 810. 5, David Cirigliano, Phoenix, Ariz., 793. 6, Sean Riccardi, Piscataway, N.J., 789. 7, Joseph Burgio, Buffalo, N.Y., 788. 8, Brenda Edwards, Mansfield, Texas, 785. 9, Hutch Battreall, St. Joseph, Mo., 783. 10, Tommy Barnwell, Peoria Heights, Ill., 782.
All-Events
1, Ron Vokes, Racine, Wis., 2,321. 2, Lennie Boresch Jr., Kenosha, Wis., 2,223. 3, Bo Goergen, Midland, Mich., 2,190. 4, Don Burdick, DeKalb, Ill., 2,168. 5, Sean Riccardi, Piscataway, N.J., 2,164. 6, Joe Hostetler, Minerva, Ohio, 2,156. 7, Brett Wolfe, Scottsdale, Ariz., 2,147. 8, Ron Nelson Jr., Bridgeview, Ill., 2,138. 9, Chris Collins, Savannah, Ga., 2,136. 10, Matt Descoteaux, Spokane, Wash., 2,134.
Team All-Events
1, Linds Limited (Gus Yannaras, Gary Daroszewski, Ryan Lever, Lennie Boresch Jr., Dale Traber), Milwaukee, 10,372. 2, Turbo 2-N-1 Grips 1, Madison, Wis., 10,317. 3, Northern Lanes Pro Shop, Sanford, Mich., 10,116. 4, Don Johnson Memorial, Lexington, Ky., 10,056. 5, Rock River Lanes, Fort Atkinson, Wis., 9,915. 6, Sack Toe, Sacramento, Calif., 9,858. 7, Junior Team USA Support, Orlando, Fla., 9,846. 8, Northern Lanes Rec, Gaylord, Mich., 9,839. 9, Pepsi/Lanemasters 1, Rochester, N.Y., 9,829. 10, Cambridge 1, Feeding Hills, Mass., 9,784.
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CLASSIFIED DIVISION
Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfalls
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Team1, K&K Bowling Services 11 (Bob Godden, Bruce Burkey, Rich Hunter, Oscar Jimenez, Robert Yadao), Las Vegas, 2,813. 2, Exterminators, Camp Springs, Md., 2,749. 3, Malad Gun Club, Malad City, Idaho, 2,745. 4, Kens Old West, Page, Ariz., 2,743. 5,E. Montana Flatlanders, Rio Rancho, N.M., 2,734. 6, Pinboy's Faithful 2, Virginia Beach, Va., 2,708. 7, Fire One, Clearlake Oaks, Calif., 2,703. 8, ATW, New London, Minn., 2,698. 9, Pro Zone 3, Mission Hills, Calif., 2,696. 10 (tie), Eagle Bowl 2, Eagle Grove, Iowa, and 5 Star Farms, Bowling Green, Mo., 2,686.
Doubles
1, Melanie Sweet, Capitol Heights, Md./Lashawn Farrish, Bowie, Md., 1,220. 2, Eric Douglass, Goldfield, Iowa/Troy Schultz, Clarion, Iowa, 1,204. 3, Veronica Boone/Luis Boone, Mission Hills, Calif., 1,195. 4, George Marquez, Whittier/ Pete Dumpit, El Monte, Calif., 1,192. 5, Po Ling Klip, San Francisco/Maria Lau, Daly City, Calif., 1,185. 6, Bootnie Gray/Denis Gray Sr., Charlotte, N.C., 1,183. 7, Bob Godden, Las Vegas/Bruce Burkey, Henderson, Nev., 1,181. 8, Brandon Vaught, McGill, Nev./Mike Kapetan, Ely, Nev., 1,178. 9, Devonn Turner, Charlotte, N.C./Darryl Turner, Mint Hill, N.C., 1,174. 10 (tie), Rick Armitage/Angela Kathol, Norfolk, Neb., and Angel Rodriquez, San Juan, Puerto Rico/Juan Cains, Hollywood, Fla., 1,169.
Singles
1, Vernon Daniels, Bermuda, 692. 2, Ed Gronski, Mulkeytown, Ill., 687. 3 (tie), Dennis Tomhave, Vermillion, S.D., and Tom Hammack, Jenks, Okla., 679. 5, Kelly Aeikens, Benson, Minn., 677. 6, Ryan Knutson, Dilworth, Minn., 664. 7, Adam Macleod, Brampton, Ontario, 662. 8, Roy Umehira, Honolulu, 657. 9, Jean Reese, Owatonna, Minn., 654. 10, Elizabeth Scott, Lenoir, N.C., 652.
All-Events
1, Bob Godden, Las Vegas, 1,854. 2, Anthony Kastle, Charlotte, N.C., 1,834. 3, Frank Boehm Jr., Regina, Saskatchewan, 1,818. 4, Dennis Tomhave, Vermillion, S.D., 1,799. 5, Pete Dumpit, El Monte, Calif., 1,798. 6, Richard Ruby, Milford, N.J., 1,796. 7, John Waliczek, Pflugerville, Texas, 1,795. 8, Darryl Turner, Mint Hill, N.C., 1,788. 9, Roy Umehira, Honolulu, 1,782. 10, Jason Davis, Marshall, Mo., 1,777.
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