By Matt Cannizzaro –and Jason Pinter
USBC Communications
LAS VEGAS - Vernon Daniels of Bermuda wasn't overly satisfied with his performance at the 2009 USBC Open Championships, so as soon as he finished bowling doubles and singles on Thursday, he left the lanes and headed back to his hotel.
Despite his disappointment after sub-500 efforts in team and doubles, Daniels had actually taken the lead in Classified Singles with games of 236, 224 and 232 for a 692 series. Ed Gronski of Mulkeytown, Ill., previously held the lead with 687.
"After the way I bowled, I didn't think I could've won anything, and I didn't believe them when they called me and told me to come back," said Daniels, a 62-year-old right-hander who made his 12th appearance at the Open Championships. "I never checked the leaderboard and didn't even know what division I was in. I just come here to bowl and have a good time."
Daniels started with a 484 series in team and added 474 in doubles on Thursday morning at Cashman Center. After doubles, he realised that what he was doing wasn't working, so he moved to where he felt comfortable, and everything fell into place. He finished with a 1,650 all-events total.
"I usually think about what I'm going to do before I even come to the tournament, but this year, I couldn't put anything together, and by the end of doubles, I was really disappointed in myself and not concentrating," Daniels said. "I like to play pretty straight and attack the pins, and I wasn't doing that. By the time singles started, I figured I had nothing to lose. I stayed behind the ball and attacked the pins, and it worked."
Daniels credits his success to his spare game, which he has honed to help combat the difficult lane conditions in Bermuda, and he attributes his accuracy to years of focus and practice as a competitive dart player.
"The lanes in Bermuda are tough, so you have to be able to pick up your spares," said Daniels, who competes in four leagues. "The atmosphere is a lot different, and the league shot is pretty difficult, and that seems to help out here."
Coming to the Open Championships each year provides Daniels with experience he would never have otherwise, and finding success on the tournament lanes makes it even better.
"All of the cities have something special to offer, and I really enjoying seeing old friends and meeting new people," said Daniels, whose previous high series at the Open Championships was 619 in team at the 2004 event in Reno, Nev. "It still hasn't sunk in yet. It feels good, but I'm still in shock. I've always wanted to win something, but I never thought I'd have a chance to do it out here."
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.
