Published: July 08, 2008 06:20 pm         

Thayer bowls 299 at USBC Open Championships

By Matt Cannizzaro and David Bibeau

USBC Communications (bowl.com)



ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - A month ago, William Thayer of Royse City, had his arm in a cast because of a broken bone in his wrist, but his recovery proved to be going well when he rolled a 299 game at the USBC Open Championships on Thursday.

The 40-year-old right-hander came within one shot of the 32nd perfect game of this year's tournament, but a stubborn 10 pin on his final delivery left him short.

“I struggled to tune everything out,” said Thayer, who made his fifth Open Championships appearance. “I really didn't feel nervous, but I did have to take a little more time to focus because this is such a big stage and the national tournament. Even though I didn't shoot 300, I am very proud of this game because I know there's a tough condition out there.”

While Thayer was briefly disappointed about not achieving the elusive perfect game, that feeling was short-lived when he immediately started striking in his next game.

After eight consecutive strikes, he left another 10 pin to end the second streak. He finished doubles with games of 198, 299 and 256 for a 753 series and teamed up with Ken Johns for a 1,364 doubles effort.

“I felt like I threw the ball well, but got a bad break that second game,” Thayer said. “When I started the last game the way I did, I was thinking that it was my chance to redeem myself. I really would’ve liked to strike on 23 of 24 shots, but either way, I will be happy when I fly home tomorrow. I performed the best I could, and that's all that matters.”

After getting his cast off, Thayer didn't have much time to prepare for his appearance at the Open Championships. When he found out he’d be able to make the trip, he asked a mechanic at a local bowling center to download the tournament pattern so he could at least get an idea of what the lanes would look like at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Thayer also got some advice from Professional Bowlers Association exempt player Dino Castillo.

“I knew the pattern would be different because of the difference in surface, but it gave me a good starting point and an idea of what to bring and what to leave home,” Thayer said. “This has been my best performance here by far, and I had a blast. I'm not leaving with any disappointment at all.”

Thayer added 624 in singles and 609 in team for a career-best 1,986 all-events total. His previous high was 1,827 at the 2006 event in Corpus Christi.