The Annual Hall of Fame and Officers Installation Dinner was held at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune, NJ, on September 15, 2024.

On August 6th, 2024, the Monmouth County USBC Youth Scholarship and Awards Banquet was held at the Southard Fire Department No. 1 in Howell, NJ. This special event brought together young bowlers, their families, and supporters to celebrate the achievements of our youth athletes. The evening recognized outstanding performances, awarded scholarships to deserving bowlers, and highlighted the dedication of those who contribute to the sport. It was a memorable night of celebration, honoring both the talent and hard work of our youth bowlers.

2024 USBC Convention

MCUSBC PRESENTS BVL CHECK TO THE FISHER HOUSE

2023 Hall of Fame Dinner

The Annual Hall of Fame and Officers Installation Dinner was held at Jumping Brook Country Club in Neptune, NJ, on September 17, 2023.

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS

The Annual Hall of Fame and Awards Dinner was held at The Gramercy at Lakeside Manor in Hazlet, New Jersey on Sunday, July 31, 2022. 

The Annual Hall of Fame and Officers Installation Dinner was held at The Gramercy at Lakeside Manor in Hazlet, New Jersey on Sunday, July 25, 2021.

USBC to Implement a Tiered Center Certification Program

A significant change in Rule 18 became effective Aug. 1, 2019. Bowlers no longer can use liquids or add anything, including but not limited to rosin or powder, to the surface of the bowling ball. We have created this document to explain how the rule change affects you and your bowling ball(s) during USBC league and tournament play. Rule 18 – Bowling Ball - Altering Surface While bowling in USBC competition, a bowling ball cannot: Have the surface altered by the use of an abrasive. Be cleaned with any liquid substance or cleaning agent. Have any foreign material on it including, but not limited to, powder, rosin, marker or paint. All bowling balls so altered or cleaned must be removed from the competition. Note: Should a foreign substance appear on the outer surface of a bowling ball which cannot be removed with a dry towel, an approved cleaner may be used with consent from a league or tournament officer. COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE RULE CHANGE When does competition start? Competition starts once any bowler throws a ball for score in a league or tournament. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner during practice? You can clean your ball with an approved cleaner during practice, unless otherwise specified by league or tournament rules. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner between games during certified competition? No. You cannot clean your ball between games, because the competition has started. Can I clean my ball with an approved cleaner between tournament squads? You can clean your ball with an approved cleaner between squads unless otherwise specified by tournament rules. “During competition” could be defined by tournaments to include or exclude practice and time between squads. What type of towels are approved for use during USBC certified competition? Any dry towel or cloth that does not alter the surface of the bowling ball is allowed. This includes the use of dry shammys. If I used a towel with a liquid cleaner on it to clean my ball prior to the start of the competition, can I use that same towel to clean the ball during the competition? No, another towel should be used. That same towel can only be used during the competition once the towel is dry. If I take a ball out of my bag that I have not bowled with, can I clean it with an approved cleaner? No, approved cleaners cannot be used once competition has begun. This rule applies to balls from a bowler’s bowling bag, locker or car, etc. We suggest you clean all your bowling balls prior to the start of competition. What happens if a bowler uses a cleaner, abrasive, or puts a foreign substance on the ball? If the bowler was not aware of the rule, the ball is removed from competition. The bowler also should be given an explanation of the rule. Conversely, if the bowler knows a ball cannot be cleaned, patted with rosin or powder or use an abrasive, the ball must be removed from competition and the games are subject to forfeiture. If there is a question as to whether a bowler knew the rule or not, the league board of directors makes the determination. Can I pat my ball with rosin or powder if I wipe the ball before it is delivered? No. Wiping the ball with a towel does not make the ball compliant to the rule. Patting a ball with a product is adding a foreign substance to the ball and cannot be done during competition. A product can only be applied to a bowler’s hand and not leave residue on the surface of the ball. If my ball comes back with residue on it and I cannot clean it with my dry towel, rag or shammy, can I use an approved cleaner? Yes, provided you get permission from a league officer or tournament official. If you clean your ball without prior permission, you may be asked to remove the ball from competition, and/or the games may be subject to forfeiture. When I have permission to clean my ball, may I clean the entire ball? Yes, you may clean the entire surface of a bowling ball or just the area needing to be cleaned. I have a ball cleaner that has the USBC “Approved Anytime” logo on it. Can I still use the cleaner during competition? No, the cleaner can no longer be used during competition. I still see there are products with the USBC “Approved Anytime” logo on it. Why is that? USBC communicated the rule change with bowling ball cleaner companies prior to the adoption of the rule changes to allow the companies to make the necessary adjustments to labeling and cycle through existing inventories. There will be USBC “Approved Anytime” products in the marketplace until inventories are depleted; however, these products cannot be used during competition.

ARLINGTON, Texas – The United States Bowling Congress will lower the maximum age for USBC Youth membership to 18 starting with the 2020-2021 season.

 The decision to lower to the maximum age from 20 to 18, with agreement from the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America and the International Bowling Campus Youth Committee, will align bowling with other youth sports.

 “Over the last decade, we have made changes to USBC Youth programs and tournaments to provide a model comparable with other youth sports,” IBC Youth Managing Director of Youth Development Gary Brown said. “We moved to age-based divisions, as opposed to average, for events, to provide peer-to-peer competition. Setting the maximum age for youth bowlers to 18 aligns us with the standard of other national youth sports organizations.”

 A U18 division will become the top division for the Pepsi Youth and Bowling.com Youth Open Championships for the 2020-2021 season. During the next season, USBC will address how the age change will impact the 2021 Junior Gold Championships, which will have a separate U20 division. Please visit BOWL.com/YouthAgeChange for additional information.

 Starting with the 2020-2021 season, USBC Youth membership policy will state youth membership is available to individuals who have not reached the age of 18 prior to Aug. 1 of the current bowling season. The decision to lower the maximum age will directly impact 3.3 percent of the total youth membership. The change also better aligns USBC Youth membership with new regulations from the U.S. Center for SafeSport requiring training for those over 18 who participate in a sport with minors. 

 Any USBC Youth member who reaches the age of 18 during the bowling season is required to complete the U.S. Center for SafeSport online education program, which is free, to continue to compete in leagues that have participants under age 18. This requirement was announced with the release of the revised Registered Volunteer Program (RVP) handbook . 

The new age limit marks the second time the USBC Youth maximum age has been lowered. In 2009, USBC lowered the maximum age for youth bowlers from 22 to 20.

 Visit BOWL.com/Youth to learn more about the youth bowling programs and events.

Starting with this membership year (August 1, 2019-July 31, 2020) : USBC is a member of the US Olympic Committee and must abide by their guidelines. There is a new training requirement to protect our youth bowlers. As an Adult league, if you allow a bowler UNDER the age of 18 to bowl in your league, you fall under these new SafeSport guidelines. This means that everyone OVER the age of 18 in that league must be SafeSport trained. If you do not have any minors in your league, you can ignore this requirement. Adult Members, Registered Volunteers, and USBC members 18 years of age and older must complete the U. S. Center for SafeSport’s Core Center for SafeSport Training before regular contact with an amateur athlete who is a minor begins; or within the first 45 days of initial membership, or upon beginning a new role subjecting the adult to this policy. Take the free, online training within 45 days of the start of the league - links can be found at BOWL.com/RVP. The course will help you recognize if an athlete is being abused. Most importantly, you will learn how to prevent this from happening or how to respond if the abuse already has happened. This training ensures you are a part of our daily effort to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sport programs. The SafeSport Trained course covers the following topics in-depth: Mandatory Reporting Sexual Misconduct Awareness Education Emotional and Physical Misconduct League Secretaries will be asked to track progress and USBC will suspend membership of bowlers that do not comply with this new requirement. Every Board Member on the Monmouth County USBC Association has taken the SafeSport Training and completed a criminal background check as part of the USBC Registered Volunteer Program. USOC and USBC are extending only the SafeSport part of this requirement to all adults that have regular contact with youth bowlers as is the case with Adult/Youth leagues. If you have any questions, please talk to your lane representative (their contact information can be found on the Monmouth County USBC poster in your bowling center). Thank you, John Barrett Monmouth County USBC Association Manager

USBC is a member of the US Olympic Committee and must abide by their guidelines. There is a new training requirement being implemented this season that affects all bowlers over the age of 18 bowling in an Adult/Youth League. Adult Members, Registered Volunteers, and USBC members 18 years of age and older must complete the U. S. Center for SafeSport’s Core Center for SafeSport Training before regular contact with an amateur athlete who is a minor begins; or within the first 45 days of initial membership, or upon beginning a new role subjecting the adult to this policy. Starting with this membership year (August 1, 2019-July 31, 2020) : The "SafeSport Trained" course is a required course for all Adult/Youth league members over the age of 18. The course will help you recognize if an athlete is being abused. Most importantly, you will learn how to prevent this from happening or how to respond if the abuse already has happened. This training ensures you are a part of our daily effort to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sport programs. League Officers must also be RVP certified and complete a criminal background check. The SafeSport Trained course covers the following topics in-depth: Mandatory Reporting Sexual Misconduct Awareness Education Emotional and Physical Misconduct I am over the age of 18 and in an Adult/Youth league, what do I need to do? Take the free, online training within 45 days of the start of the league - links can be found at BOWL.com/RVP. League Secretaries will be asked to track progress and USBC will suspend membership of bowlers that do not comply with this new requirement. Every Board Member on the Monmouth County USBC Association has taken the SafeSport Training and completed a criminal background check as part of the USBC Registered Volunteer Program. USOC and USBC are extending only the SafeSport part of this requirement to all adults that have regular contact with youth bowlers as is the case with Adult/Youth leagues. If you have any questions, please talk to your lane representative (their contact information can be found on the Monmouth County USBC poster in your bowling center) Thank you, John Barrett Monmouth County USBC Association Manager

The Annual Hall of Fame and Officers Installation Dinner was held at The Gramercy at Lakeside Manor in Hazlet, New Jersey on Sunday, July 28, 2019.

10-year-old 5th grader, Kai A. Strothers, from Maplewood, N.J., bowled a perfect game on Jan. 19, 2019 at Jersey Lanes in Linden. NJ.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of a legend in Monmouth County Bowling. You may have known him just as "Luke", but he always made his presence felt. "Luke" was a husband, a father, a grandfather and a great grandfather. He was an engineer that worked on Defense Department projects (shhh, his name is on a satellite that orbits the earth). You may have known "Luke" for his reporting of all things bowling, from the 1950's on "Luke" reported on bowling events, serious, funny, sad and record setting events for the Long Branch Daily Record, the Red Bank Register and the Asbury Park Press. "Luke's" accomplishments are so numerous that we cannot possibly list them all here so we are including a link to his obituary here. "Luke" we thank you for everything you did for Monmouth County and the game we all love so much. And we thank "Luke's" family for sharing him with us. It seems appropriate that we can look up in the sky and know that some small part of him is there looking down on us. Rest in peace "Luke". The family will receive their friends from 6 to 9 PM on Friday, May 29 at the John P. Condon Funeral Home, 804 State Hwy. 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27 at St. Agnes Church, 103 Center Ave, Atlantic Highlands 07716. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy should be directed to the St. Barnabas Hospice, CW6, 300 Second Ave., Long Branch, NJ 07740, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 12 Rozel Road, Princeton, NJ 08542. Condolences may be sent to the family through John P. Condon Funeral Home, 804 State Hwy. 36, Leonardo, NJ 07737.

Bob always added a little extra to the job and is very much appreciated for his efforts.

2014 National Championship Awards were presented to Kenneth Sexton (left), Jake Diaz (middle) and Micah Voorhis (right) in front of their bowling friends and families before the start of their Adult/Child league, The Sunday Morning Comics, at Knob Hill Country Lanes, Manalapan. Ken Sexton was the All Events, U20 Scratch Champion with a score of 2072. Jake Diaz and Micah Voorhis were the U8 Scratch Doubles Champions with a score of 811. MIcah Voorhis was the Singles, U8 B, Scratch Champion with a score of 444. Micah was also the All Events, U8 B Scratch Champion with a score of 1314. Presenting the awards were Dave Kline Jr. , President of the Sunday Morning Comics league and Monmouth County USBC Youth Director/Youth Committee Chairman, Natalie Leone Knob Hill Youth Administrator, and Mark Kimball, General Manager, Knob Hill Lanes.2014 National Championship Awards were presented to Kenneth Sexton (left), Jake Diaz (middle) and Micah Voorhis (right) in front of their bowling friends and families before the start of their Adult/Child league, The Sunday Morning Comics, at Knob Hill Country Lanes, Manalapan. Ken Sexton was the All Events, U20 Scratch Champion with a score of 2072. Jake Diaz and Micah Voorhis were the U8 Scratch Doubles Champions with a score of 811. MIcah Voorhis was the Singles, U8 B, Scratch Champion with a score of 444. Micah was also the All Events, U8 B Scratch Champion with a score of 1314. Presenting the awards were Dave Kline Jr. , President of the Sunday Morning Comics league and Monmouth County USBC Youth Director/Youth Committee Chairman, Natalie Leone Knob Hill Youth Administrator, and Mark Kimball, General Manager, Knob Hill Lanes.

Robert S. Fisher, 70, of Albrightsville, PA, passed away Sunday, April 27, 2014, in Allentown. Loving husband of Roberta J. (Burton) Fisher. They celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary on June 18, 2013. Born in Hazelton, PA on Aug. 17, 1943, son of the late Doris Fisher. He worked as an X-ray technician for the former AT&T in Clark for many of years. Robert served our country in the U.S. Navy Veteran during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Blakeslee, PA. Robert was a member of the Asbury-Wall BPOE 128 in New Jersey. He was also a certified youth bowling instructor for 30 years and a past president and secretary of the YABA in Monmouth Co. NJ. Bob also received the prestigious “E Luke Forrest Distinguished Service Award” in 2006 for his service to the Youth of Monmouth County. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Roberta of Albrightsville, PA; daughters, Sheri Haupt (Robert) of Bel Air, MD and Wendy Shephard (Steve) of Neptune City; grandchildren, Natalie, Amelia, and Sydney; uncle, Calvin Fisher of West Hazelton, PA; and three cousins, John Genesevich, Calie Fisher and Gail Randis. Published in Asbury Park Press on May 4, 2014

Raymond Broeder passed away on Thursday, Jan 23rd 2014, at the age of 88. Ray was very active in Monmouth County and served on the board for at least 38 years, and was Secretary-Treasurer for many years. He was inducted into the Monmouth County Hall of Fame for Bowling Achievement in 1964. He was also inducted into the NJ State Hall of Fame in 1985 for Meritorious Service, proving that he was as much into the administration of the sport as he was a good bowler. Ray and his family have been living in California for the past 20 years.

Edison, NJ – October 20, 2013 As part of a nationwide grant program, Veterans Day was a little bit brighter at the Menlo Park Veterans’ Home, recently accepting a check in the amount of $1996.00 from the Monmouth County USBC Bowling Association representing the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL). BVL is a national charity, which raises almost a million dollars annually to fund recreation and therapeutic programs and services for America’s veterans. Founded in 1942, the Bowlers to Veterans Link is operated and supported by the sport of bowling. The grant will be used to support whatever needs the residents have. Currently, the center serves Central Jersey area veterans who will benefit from and enjoy the new equipment and programs. “The sport of bowling, through the BVL, recognizes the tremendous sacrifice that our military veterans have made for our country,” explains BVL Board Chair Darlene Baker. “Our bowling centers and league bowlers are committed to improving the quality of life for veterans. This gift in New Jersey is just part of our on-going effort to boost the spirits of our veterans, and show them we care.” For more information on the Bowlers to Veterans Link visit www.BowlforVeterans.org.

Pictured (from left to right) in the photo above are; Brandon's Mom Leslie Bohn, Brandon Bohn, Joanne Ramsey President of the Monmouth County USBC, Brandon's Dad Parker Bohn III. Brandon, from Jackson Twp, is now 9 years old, but was 8 when he bowled in the USBC Youth Open Tournament.

Edison, NJ – November 19, 2012 As part of a nationwide grant program, Veterans Day will be a little bit brighter at the New Jersey Veterans Home at Menlo Park, where a check was accepted in the amount of $2,400.00 from the local members of the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL). Part of donations to the national BVL also support the group “Re-Creation” which is a song and dance group and performs at this location on various occasions. The Monmouth County USBC Bowlers collect donations at all their sponsored tournaments by asking each bowler to contribute only $1.00. “Our bowlers have been very generous in supporting our efforts to aid the veterans,” said Bob Hodges, Past-President. The presentation was made by Joanne Ramsey, President, and Ray Vogel, Association Manager of Monmouth County USBC Bowling Association. BVL is a national charity, which raises almost a million dollars annually to fund recreation and therapeutic programs and services for America’s veterans. Founded in 1942, the BVL is operated and supported by league bowlers throughout the United States. The grant will be used to purchase much needed supplies and recreational equipment for the facility. Currently, the center serves Central Jersey area veterans who will benefit from and enjoy the new equipment and programs. Joseph Brandspiegel, CEO of the Menlo Park Veterans Home, was thrilled to receive such a generous donation, and wishes the bowlers group to come back more often. The Bowlers of America, through the BVL, recognize the tremendous sacrifice that our military veterans have made for our country. Our bowlers are committed to improving the life for veterans. This gift to the Menlo Park facility is just part of our on-going effort to boost the spirits of our veterans, and show them we care. For more information on the Bowlers to Veterans Link visit www.BowlforVeterans.org. For more information about Monmouth County Bowling - MCUSBC “Like” us on Facebook, and visit our website at www.monmouthcountybowling.com.

Edison, NJ – November 2, 2011 As part of a nationwide grant program, Veterans Day will be a little bit brighter at the Veterans Home at Menlo Park, where a check was accepted in the amount of $2,535.00 from the local members of the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL). Part of donations goes to the national BVL which also support the group “Re-Creation”, a song and dance group and which was there performing on the same day. The Monmouth County USBC Bowlers collect donations at all their sponsored tournaments by asking each bowler to contribute only $1.00. “Our bowlers have been very generous in supporting our efforts to aid the veterans,” said Bob Hodges, President. The veterans were also given a banner with over one hundred signatures from the bowlers of Monmouth County who participated in the fund-raiser. BVL is a national charity, which raises almost a million dollars annually to fund recreation and therapeutic programs and services for America’s veterans. Founded in 1942, the BVL is operated and supported by league bowlers throughout the United States. The grant will be used to purchase much needed supplies and equipment for the facility. Currently, the center serves Central Jersey area veterans who will benefit from and enjoy the new equipment and programs. Joseph Brandspiegel, CEO of the Menlo Park Veterans Home, was thrilled to receive such a generous donation, and wishes the bowlers group to come back more often. The Bowlers of America, through the BVL, recognize the tremendous sacrifice that our military veterans have made for our country. Our bowlers are committed to improving the life for veterans. This gift to the Menlo Park facility is just part of our on-going effort to boost the spirits of our veterans, and show them we care. In addition to the donations to the VA Hospitals, BVL dollars support veterans in the State Veterans Homes and at Vet Centers around the country. For more information on the Bowlers to Veterans Link visit www.BowlforVeterans.org. For more information about Monmouth County Bowlers “Like” us on Facebook, and visit our website at www.monmouthcountybowling.com.

During the 2010-2011 bowling season, Monmouth County USBC Bowling Association Officials, asked bowlers in each of the eight county tournaments to be generous and donate $1.00 for the Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL). The BVL is a small office in Virginia that coordinates the donations of all bowling associations and funnels the donations to the veterans and troops by sponsoring entertainment and supplying bowling equipment. Monmouth County Bowlers contributed $1945 last year, and were awarded back $1653 to give to the charity of their choice, The New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park in Edison. In the picture are: Joseph Brandspiegel, CEO of the Menlo Park Veterans Home, Robert E Hodges, President, Monmouth County USBC, and Joanne Ramsey, 1st VP, Monmouth County USBC. Byline Joanne Ramsey

As part of the National Veterans Day Organizing Committee, responsible for Veterans Day activities in Washington, D.C. and around the country, Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) representatives participated in a myriad of activities on November 11, 2009 to recognize and honor those who have served our country. BVL Board Chair Darlene Baker and Board Member Walter Hall began the day with a breakfast at the White House hosted by President and Mrs. Obama and Vice President and Mrs. Biden. Baker and Hall attended breakfast amid the company of leaders of other Veterans Service Organizations and special guests. Later that morning, formal ceremonies in the Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery opened with the Honorary Presidential Color Guard processing before the President and other dignitaries. Virginia United States Bowling Congress members Johnny Harris (Greater Lynchburg USBC), carrying the BVL flag, and Robbie Thomas (Allegheny-Bath USBC), marching with the U.S. flag, represented BVL. "Being part of the Veterans Day ceremonies on behalf of BVL was probably one of the top five experiences in my life," says Harris, a past president of the Virginia State Bowling Association and currently an association manager in Lynchburg, Va. "It was an honor and a privilege, and a day I will never forget." The event, which featured speeches by President Obama and Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Shinseki, was the result of a collaborative effort of the more than 40 member organizations of the Committee. A BVL tradition continued that morning as BVL Board members took part in a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Representatives of America's bowling centers also participated in this special event. Joining BVL Board members Gary Anderson and Tony Manna and Member Emeritus Elaine Hagin were Dave Zeitz, Chief Operating Officer, and Mary Harrar, Executive Administrator of Thunderbird Lanes (Philadelphia. Pa.). BVL Board members concluded the day with a presentation to Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki. Shinseki accepted a facsimile check of more than $825,000, representing the amount of money raised by BVL for America's veterans during the 2008-2009 league season. "You folks are tremendous," remarked Shinseki. "This illustrates a real commitment to our veterans - our thanks to the BVL for all you do." Since its inception in 1942, BVL has raised more than $35 million to improve the lives of those who have served our country. The BVL is located in Metropolitan Washington, D.C. and is guided by representatives of the United States Bowling Congress and the Bowling Proprietors' Association of America. Photos of these events are available at http://www.BowlforVeterans.org.

Hi 5 Team: (Back) Dotti Artale, Leslie Bohn, Kathy Karinja, Valerie Cacace, (Front) Margaret Taylor, Diane MacLeod

Story submitted from Bob Hodges... Just returned from making a presentation to the Menlo Park Veteran's Home. We ask our bowlers at our tournaments every year to donate a $1.00 to Bowlers for Veterans Group. The past few years we raised over $1000.00. This year we were able to designate our own recipient of 75% of the money collected. In the picture from left to right are Bob Hodges Association VP and BVL Chairman, John Dulack the homes WII bowling champion ( they have weekly tournaments on the WII ), Lou Colucci Association President and Joe Brandspiegel the Homes CEO. The check was for $889.00. John Petraglia PBA bowler and member of our association is bowling's spoke person for BVL. On Dec 5 he ran a fund raiser for BVL and collected around $1500.00 which will be added to the monies we can collect at our tournaments. So next year we will be able to give the facility some more money.

Lou Colucci (under whose presidency the county became involved with BVL) and Bob Hodges (main supporter for BVL at all tournaments) League Officers Tournament - $129Monmouth County would like to extend a special Thank You to all those bowlers and spectators that contribute to this great cause!!

LAS VEGAS - Since becoming friends five years ago, Emil Dudas of Toms River, N.J., and Gary Budra of Howell, N.J., have teamed up on the lanes for a number of local doubles events. This week, the two took their show on the road and found success on bowling's biggest stage as they moved into the top spot in Regular Doubles at the 2009 USBC Open Championships on Saturday. This year's event at Cashman Center marked their second trip to the Open Championships together and their tournament debut as doubles partners. It was the fourth overall appearance for Dudas and third for Budra. Dudas paced the pair with games of 224, 259 and 236 for a 719 series, while Budra contributed 224, 204 and 213 for 641 and a 1,360 total. Bowling on the same squad, Scott and Derek Hartnell of Kenosha, Wis., shot 1,353. Ed Ilano and USBC Hall of Famer Lisa Wagner of Auburn, Ga., previously held the lead with 1,336. "Every time you come here, you set goals for yourself," said Dudas, who added 653 in team and 646 in singles and moved into second place in Regular All-Events with 2,018. "We came in here trying to win an eagle, and 1,400 was our target score. It's hard to shoot that well here, and especially hard to get two guys to bowl that well together. Even though we shot lower than we hoped, we're in first place and it feels great." While Dudas and Budra met at their local bowling center, their friendship now extends beyond the lanes. If they are not bowling in league or in a tournament, their families spend time together whenever schedules allow. Being such good friends is crucial for communication on the lanes, and knowing each other's games can help make faster and more effective decisions. And besides the obvious benefits of an extra set of eyes, it's always nice to have someone rooting for you. "By now, we know what to look for, but the most important things are going out there and throwing good shots and keeping each other's spirits up," Dudas said. "We were relaxed today and had a good time, and we are definitely flying home happy." Budra added 638 in singles and 609 in team for a 1,888 all-events total. He and Dudas also helped Brick 2 of Toms River, N.J., into second place in Team All-Events with 9,074. Nobody's Pro Shop of Yorktown, Va., leads with 9,226. Also on Saturday, Jason Johnson of Macedonia, Ohio, put together games of 268, 236 and 268 for a 772 series and moved into second place in Regular Singles. He also landed in fourth place in Regular All-Events with 1,999. Orin Baugher of Spokane, Wash., leads with 773, while Scott Culp of Lima, N.Y., tops all-events with 2,066. 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.