ONE-BALL SUDDEN DEATH Saturday, May 10, 5-6 p.m. ET MAN VS. WOMAN FINAL Sunday, May 11, 4-5 p.m. ET
Rash, 25, of Wichita, Kan., is one of the up-and-coming stars in the sport of bowling. He became the first bowler in PBA Tour history to win a title after qualifying for an event through the Denny’s PBA Tour Qualifying Round when he won the 2006 West Virginia Championship in his rookie season. In four career television appearances, he has a 7-0 record with four titles.
“I know I am excited just to be part of this event and honored that USBC is taking time to host an event for us. I like the arena setting, and I'm going to go there to have a good time and just see what happens.”
A PBA and USBC Hall of Famer, Weber, 45, of St. Ann., Mo., has won 34 career Denny’s PBA Tour titles, including eight major titles. Weber, who has more than $3.1 million in career earnings, has won the U.S. Open four times and is one of only four men to complete the PBA’s career Triple Crown (World Championship, Tournament of Champions and U.S. Open).
“This is a good event because it gives all levels of bowlers a chance to win in this format. I don’t think I will win, though, because I don't usually do well with this format. However, I do have 34 PBA titles on my side.”
Rose, 37, of West Henrietta, N.Y., was the runner-up for the PBA’s Rookie of the Year award in 1993 when he chased his dream as a professional bowler. Today, he is considered one of the game’s top amateur bowlers. Rose has won numerous regional and local titles, including the Rochester Masters.
“I think this tournament is a great idea. It’s not only a good idea because it gives us the opportunity to win $50,000 but because it showcases the best of the best in our sport for last year. I’m a huge proponent of anything that promotes the sport of bowling and helps grow the sport.”
Baker, 53, of King, N.C., has been a force on the PBA Senior Tour since turning 50 in 2004, winning four standard events and four majors. During that time, he has also continued to compete as an exempt player on the Denny’s PBA Tour and has 10 career titles. Baker is one of just two players to win back-to-back USBC Senior Masters titles and his career PBA earnings of nearly $1.7 million rank ninth all-time.
“I think this is a great opportunity to bring all of the champions together and spotlight talent. I think everyone's chances are great, but each champion will come thinking he or she will win it -- that's part of a strong mental game.”
By winning the USBC Team USA Trials, O’Sullivan, 23, of Orlando, Fla., earned a spot on Team USA in 2007 for the first time. He proved he belonged on Team USA in May when he won medals in five of six events at the Men’s American Zone Championships in Guatemala. As a member of Junior Team USA in 2004, O’Sullivan won a silver and bronze medal at the World Youth Championships.
“I’m very excited about competing in this event. I think I’ve got a chance to win because I’m getting better and better everyday and have been learning a great deal out here on the PBA Tour. I am putting all the pieces of the puzzle together, and I’m building my game to play on any condition by constantly adding tools to my bag.”
A year after finishing seventh at the USBC Junior Gold Championships, Martinez, 20, of San Antonio broke through to win the U.S. Junior Amateur title. He is a two-time Greater San Antonio Bowling Association Youth Bowler of the Year and also is a two-time winner of the Texas Youth Masters championship.
“I am very excited and honored to be part of this event. I am humbled to be part of this very elite group. This is a great opportunity to learn from these outstanding bowlers. It's not about winning, it's about being part of this experience.”
A 20-year-old from Inver Grove Heights, Minn., Price claimed his first national title when he won at the USBC Youth Open Championships. He's won numerous regional junior bowling titles and finished among the top 10 at the Teen Masters twice.
"I am honored to be a part of this new and very prestigious event. I think it will be a lot of fun and a great experience. Being able to compete with some of the top bowlers in the country will be a lot of fun and can only make me better. I am not going to put any pressure on myself or set any expectations for the week. We are all capable of breaking out and having a big week, so it should be an exciting and even more entertaining week."
The 20-year-old from Cranberry Township, Pa., finished second at the 2006 USBC Junior Gold Championships, earning a spot on Junior Team USA for the first time in 2007. The Robert Morris University junior also helped lead the Colonials to a runner-up finish at last year's USBC Intercollegiate Team Championships. "Being able to compete against some of the best bowlers in the world today is exciting. Winning would be an awesome experience, but I understand how talented the field is for the event. Hopefully, if I go out and perform well, some breaks will fall my way, and I'll win it."
