LAS VEGAS – Bryan Ellis of Quinlan, Texas, is no stranger to the spotlight at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, though 13 years passed between visits.
At the 2006 event in Corpus Christi, Texas, he started the his tournament campaign with a 299 game, leaving a 4 pin on his final shot.
This year, Ellis was able to finish the job, shooting the ninth perfect game of the 2019 USBC Open Championships in his first game of singles Thursday at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
“I struggled a bit in doubles, so at the start of singles, I made a move and switched to a different bowling ball,” said Ellis, who made his 12th tournament appearance and added games of 165 and 195 for a career-best 660 singles series. “Suddenly, I had a good look.”
Often it is said that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Ellis’ emotions and thoughts more than a decade ago were similar in some regards and different in others to what he experienced this week in Las Vegas.
Here’s what he had to say after his run at perfection in 2006:
“I must admit that I was actually a little nervous before throwing that last ball,” Ellis said. “I haven’t really felt pressure like that on the lanes in a long time. Usually, I don’t take myself too seriously out here, but I was more focused this time around.”
On the lanes this year, his general outlook and easy going personality were the same, but his previous experience and another few tournaments under his belt seemed to have helped with the nerves.
“I wasn’t really nervous going into the 10th frame this time,” said Ellis, who bowls regularly at Terrell Bowling Center in Terrell, Texas. “I usually don’t take myself too seriously out there. I just try to relax and bowl.”
The 47-year-old right-hander added sets of 622 in team and 504 in doubles, finishing his 2019 Open Championships visit with a 1,786 all-events total.
Mitch Beasley of Clarksville, Tennessee, leads Regular Singles with 812, and Ryan Mouw of Muskegon, Michigan, tops the Regular All-Events standings with 2,156.
By Matt Cannizzaro and David McCord
USBC Communications | bowl.com
