Iowa bowler rolls perfect game at Open Championships

LAS VEGAS - Like any meticulous bowler, Gordon Kilpatrick of Waterloo, Iowa, traveled to the 2009 USBC Open Championships with a map in his mind of what he wanted to accomplish on the lanes this year.

Not everything goes according to plan, however, and even though the 55-year-old right-hander didn't reach the two goals he had in mind, he did post the 18th perfect game of the tournament.
 
"I feel a sense of accomplishment," Kilpatrick said. "And I feel relaxed at the moment, but I think that's the most nervous I've been in a long time."

Kilpatrick started his 2009 tournament campaign with a 624 series in team and 632 in doubles before things really came together.

When he moved to his singles lanes at Cashman Center on Tuesday, he found something he liked. He started off with a 222 game and then fired 12 consecutive strikes for 300. He finished with 236 for a 758 series, good enough to crack the top 20 in Regular Singles. Ron Vokes of Racine, Wis., leads with 857.

"I was hoping to shoot 800," said Kilpatrick, who made his 34th consecutive Open Championships appearance. "But I kind of lost focus there a little."

Shooting an 800 series or posting an all-events total above 2,100 were two things Kilpatrick had in mind for this year, but fate decided otherwise.

Kilpatrick kept calm on the first 10 shots of his perfect game, but when he prepared for his 11th shot, with the crowd gathering and cheering right behind him, the nerves had to be blocked out.

"I tried to go slow and stay focused," Kilpatrick said. "That's bowling. You need to make correct shots."

Kilpatrick went to his first Open Championships in Oklahoma City in 1976, and the event became a regular destination.

"I was 22 years old when I first bowled in this tournament, and I didn't think I would continue bowling here," Kilpatrick said. "I would like to keep bowling. I plan to make 50 and 60 years if my body allows it."

Kilpatrick finished with a 2,014 all-events total, and even though he wasn't able to reach his goals, he was proud of his perfect game.

"It was an enjoyable experience," Kilpatrick said. "I wish I could have more of those. To shoot 300 here is an accomplishment. The lanes are not easy. You've got to throw the ball really well."

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.