Oklahoma bowler takes Classified lead at 2024 USBC Open Championships
April 20, 2024
LAS VEGAS – Mark Blocher of Porter, Oklahoma, may have started his singles event a little slower through Games 1 and 2 on Wednesday at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, but he finished out his set with a huge game to take the lead in Classified Singles.
The 61-year-old right-hander ended his singles event with a nine-strike 245 game, which included strikes on his final six deliveries, after games of 178 and 197 for a 620 series at the South Point Bowling Plaza. Eric Walby of Bowman, North Dakota, previously held the lead with 610.
“I am still in complete shock this evening,” said Blocher, who posted the highest set of his 15-year career at the USBC Open Championships. “I have never even had a series over 600 here at nationals in any event, so I would never have guessed my score would have taken over the lead.”
Blocher always has had the goal of coming to the Open Championships to have fun with his friends, and now, he has the opportunity to win a title.
“A lot of the guys I bowl with are actually co-workers of mine at the airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma,” Blocher said. “We bowl league together and come to this event every year to have a fun vacation with bowling. First and foremost, this is about bowling on this trip, but we always find time to get away and golf, too.”
He credits his high performance this year to having the chance to bowl league a little more often this season and to a bowling ball that was gifted to him by his team captain, Thomas Krug.
“Thomas gave me this ball last year, and it has been rolling really well for me,” Blocher said. “He gave it to me because he knows my game and thought it would fit my style, and it has paid off.”
If his score holds on to win the coveted Eagle trophy, Blocher doesn’t think he could find the words to explain how emotional he would be but would cherish the moment.
“I would never have thought I’d be in this position, but I will be blown away if I were to win,” Blocher said. “I really would be happy to share this not only with my teammates, but also my wife, Jennifer. She supports my bowling and lets me come on these trips each year.”
Blocher finished his 2024 campaign with 513 in team and 437 in doubles for a 1,570 all-events total.
Classified Singles features bowlers with entering averages of 155 and below.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
The 61-year-old right-hander ended his singles event with a nine-strike 245 game, which included strikes on his final six deliveries, after games of 178 and 197 for a 620 series at the South Point Bowling Plaza. Eric Walby of Bowman, North Dakota, previously held the lead with 610.
“I am still in complete shock this evening,” said Blocher, who posted the highest set of his 15-year career at the USBC Open Championships. “I have never even had a series over 600 here at nationals in any event, so I would never have guessed my score would have taken over the lead.”
Blocher always has had the goal of coming to the Open Championships to have fun with his friends, and now, he has the opportunity to win a title.
“A lot of the guys I bowl with are actually co-workers of mine at the airport in Tulsa, Oklahoma,” Blocher said. “We bowl league together and come to this event every year to have a fun vacation with bowling. First and foremost, this is about bowling on this trip, but we always find time to get away and golf, too.”
He credits his high performance this year to having the chance to bowl league a little more often this season and to a bowling ball that was gifted to him by his team captain, Thomas Krug.
“Thomas gave me this ball last year, and it has been rolling really well for me,” Blocher said. “He gave it to me because he knows my game and thought it would fit my style, and it has paid off.”
If his score holds on to win the coveted Eagle trophy, Blocher doesn’t think he could find the words to explain how emotional he would be but would cherish the moment.
“I would never have thought I’d be in this position, but I will be blown away if I were to win,” Blocher said. “I really would be happy to share this not only with my teammates, but also my wife, Jennifer. She supports my bowling and lets me come on these trips each year.”
Blocher finished his 2024 campaign with 513 in team and 437 in doubles for a 1,570 all-events total.
Classified Singles features bowlers with entering averages of 155 and below.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.