Illinois bowler takes Classified Singles lead at USBC Open Championships
06/22/10
After David Ackerman (pictured) of Lena, Ill., retired from his job at Chrysler, he discovered a passion for bowling and immersed himself in the sport. Now, he's two weeks away from possibly taking home a title at the USBC Open Championships.
The 62-year-old right-hander put together games of 200, 262 and 226 for a 688 series, the highest of his bowling career, and moved into the lead in Classified Singles at the National Bowling Stadium on Monday. David Garcez of Merced, Calif., and Don Clayborn of Kansas City, Kan., previously held the lead with 669.
"This feels great to me," said Ackerman, who bowls and works at Lena's Spare Time Lanes and made his fourth Open Championships appearance. "When you come to this tournament, you always want to be on top or close to it in something, but after the way I bowled in team yesterday, I felt like I couldn't do anything right."
During team, Ackerman's arthritis caused his fingers to swell, and he had trouble getting them into his ball. He started his 2010 tournament campaign with a 123 game on the way to a 412 series, but a few adjustments and a new set of grips proved to be the difference in doubles and singles.
After trying different marks and lines, he decided to move 15 boards right of where he normally plays and threw the ball right off the corner.
"I was all over the place yesterday trying to find something, and things would work for a few frames, but then I'd be lost again," Ackerman said. "I came in this morning with a good attitude, and I was very happy to find something that worked and I could stick with. I got some rest, I felt good and everything worked out. This is almost unbelievable."
When Ackerman's career on the assembly line at the Chrysler plant in Belvidere, Ill., came to an end in 1997, he decided to start spending his time on the lanes. He now bowls in three leagues each week and works part-time at Spare Time Lanes. He is the secretary of two leagues, the president of the third and the president of his local bowling association.
"I love bowling," Ackerman said. "I really enjoy the challenge of it, but I don't beat myself up if I don't do well. You have some good days and some bad ones, but I love it no matter what."
Ackerman added a 484 series in doubles for a career-best, 1,584, all-events total. His previous high was 1,491 last year in Las Vegas. Another highlight of his trip to Reno was getting to meet Team USA member Liz Johnson, who bowled on the same team squad.
"It's going to be a long couple of weeks checking the computer to see how my score is holding up, but even if I don't win, I am really pleased with shooting 688," Ackerman said. "I've had a good time here. I got to meet Liz Johnson, who I've only seen on TV, I've enjoyed some good restaurants and I've done some sightseeing, which I also enjoy."
To be eligible for the Classified Division, bowlers must have an entering average of 180 or below for singles and all-events, 360 or below for doubles and 900 or less for team.
The 2010 Open Championships kicked off its 136-day run on Feb. 20 and will conclude on July 5.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
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United States
National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., United States (Feb. 20 - July 5, 2010)
After David Ackerman (pictured) of Lena, Ill., retired from his job at Chrysler, he discovered a passion for bowling and immersed himself in the sport. Now, he's two weeks away from possibly taking home a title at the USBC Open Championships. The 62-year-old right-hander put together games of 200, 262 and 226 for a 688 series, the highest of his bowling career, and moved into the lead in Classified Singles at the National Bowling Stadium on Monday. David Garcez of Merced, Calif., and Don Clayborn of Kansas City, Kan., previously held the lead with 669.
"This feels great to me," said Ackerman, who bowls and works at Lena's Spare Time Lanes and made his fourth Open Championships appearance. "When you come to this tournament, you always want to be on top or close to it in something, but after the way I bowled in team yesterday, I felt like I couldn't do anything right."
During team, Ackerman's arthritis caused his fingers to swell, and he had trouble getting them into his ball. He started his 2010 tournament campaign with a 123 game on the way to a 412 series, but a few adjustments and a new set of grips proved to be the difference in doubles and singles.
After trying different marks and lines, he decided to move 15 boards right of where he normally plays and threw the ball right off the corner.
"I was all over the place yesterday trying to find something, and things would work for a few frames, but then I'd be lost again," Ackerman said. "I came in this morning with a good attitude, and I was very happy to find something that worked and I could stick with. I got some rest, I felt good and everything worked out. This is almost unbelievable."
When Ackerman's career on the assembly line at the Chrysler plant in Belvidere, Ill., came to an end in 1997, he decided to start spending his time on the lanes. He now bowls in three leagues each week and works part-time at Spare Time Lanes. He is the secretary of two leagues, the president of the third and the president of his local bowling association.
"I love bowling," Ackerman said. "I really enjoy the challenge of it, but I don't beat myself up if I don't do well. You have some good days and some bad ones, but I love it no matter what."
Ackerman added a 484 series in doubles for a career-best, 1,584, all-events total. His previous high was 1,491 last year in Las Vegas. Another highlight of his trip to Reno was getting to meet Team USA member Liz Johnson, who bowled on the same team squad.
"It's going to be a long couple of weeks checking the computer to see how my score is holding up, but even if I don't win, I am really pleased with shooting 688," Ackerman said. "I've had a good time here. I got to meet Liz Johnson, who I've only seen on TV, I've enjoyed some good restaurants and I've done some sightseeing, which I also enjoy."
To be eligible for the Classified Division, bowlers must have an entering average of 180 or below for singles and all-events, 360 or below for doubles and 900 or less for team.
The 2010 Open Championships kicked off its 136-day run on Feb. 20 and will conclude on July 5.
Presenting sponsors for the 2010 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado and Silver Legacy Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.
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