Bowling Balls by Storm - The Bowlers's Company™

Search:

previous article »

Bowling News USA - October 18, 2009 FInals of the 2009 U.S Women's Open Airs Sunday...

The 2009 U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event, will end its five-week run on ESPN this Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT with the crowning of this year's champion.

The series has aired throughout September and October, and the final segment will feature the winners from the previous four shows, which whittled the field down from 12 quarterfinalists to four semifinalists.

In the opening match Sunday, viewers will get to see USBC Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, take on her Team USA teammate Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix. The second match will feature Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, and former Team USA member Missy Bellinder of Fullerton, Calif. None of the four players on the telecast have won the U.S. Women's Open before.

Dorin-Ballard, a 20-time Professional Women's Bowling Association champion, earned her way into the semifinals with a win over Team USA member Lynda Barnes of Double Oak, Texas. Dorin-Ballard finished second at the U.S. Women's Open in 2003 and also was a semifinalist in 2007 and 2008.

"I feel like I've bowled well before, and it hasn't happened, but I always hope the pins will fall my way," Dorin-Ballard said. "No matter what tournament it is, I just go out there looking to throw good shots and bowl my game. That's all I can do."

Pluhowsky turned in a dominating performance in the quarterfinals with games of 269 and 236 in wins over defending champion Kim Terrell-Kearney of Grand Prairie, Texas, and 2003 U.S. Women's Open champion Kelly Kulick of Union, N.J.

Boomershine, who enjoyed quick success in the PWBA in the 1990s, chose to leave the Tour in 2002 because she never was able to return to top form after a 1997 back surgery. The 39-year-old right-hander is back in the spotlight now, however, after earning her way into the semifinals with a win over Malaysia's Shalin Zulkifli on the first TV show (Sept. 13).

"It was nerve wracking being back on TV at first, but it didn't take me long to get comfortable," said Boomershine, a four-time PWBA titlist who made nearly 30 television appearances during her career. "I knew I'd feel better once I started throwing some balls, and I was right. After a few minutes, I finally realized how much I accomplished just making it to TV, and it felt great."

Bellinder grabbed the last spot in the semifinals with a win over top seed Shannon O'Keefe. Bellinder also reached the quarterfinals at the U.S. Women's Open in 2007.

Any competitor who rolls a 300 game in the semifinals or championship match will earn $100,000 bonus.

Qualifying at the U.S. Women's Open was at held Strike Zone Bowling Center from Aug. 4-7, and the five TV shows were taped Aug. 8-9.

previous article »