Leaderboards don't tell the whole story at ABC Tournament
The scores are official, the champions have been crowned and the prize checks have been mailed, but before the books are officially closed on the 102nd and final American Bowling Congress Championships Tournament, a USBC event, it may be worth one more look at the scoring pace for the 2005 event in Baton Rouge, La.
Although the 1,500 Regular Doubles-winning effort of Jeff Richgels of Oregon, Wis., and Steve Richter of Sheboygan Falls, Wis., as well as the collective efforts of KR Strikeforce, which claimed the Regular Team title with 3,302, the first 3,300 at the ABC Tournament since 2002, both garnered a lot of attention this year, there are some noteworthy numbers that just don't show up on the leaderboards.
Over the course of the Tournament's 143-day run, competition was basically non-stop from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. each day, and total of 585,474 games were bowled at the Baton Rouge River Center. More than 66,000 bowlers from a record 13,222 five-player teams knocked down almost 100 million pins, finishing the event with a total pinfall of 99,470,121.
From an average standpoint, the Regular Division bowlers posted a 173.8 average, while the Classified Division finished at 156.6. Collectively, the group averaged 169.9, topping last year's mark of 167.1 in Reno, Nev. The overall spare percentage also was up in 2005, increasing to 53.4 percent from 53.2 percent in 2004. There were 356 clean sets and 389 700 series bowled this year.
"The scores were consistent and right where we expected them to be, and we are pleased with the results," Tournament Director Brian Lewis said. "The bowlers know our conditions are going to be challenging and that adds to the prestige of winning an ABC Tournament title."
Perfection was a little harder to come by in Baton Rouge than in recent years. The 2005 ABC Tournament featured a dozen perfect games, which is the fewest since 1990 when there were just four. There were also four 299s, four 298 games and 19 total Elevens-in-a-row this year.
"Overall we had a very successful Tournament and a rewarding first visit to Louisiana." Lewis said. "Now we are ready to focus on Corpus Christi and the first USBC Open Championships."
Although the 1,500 Regular Doubles-winning effort of Jeff Richgels of Oregon, Wis., and Steve Richter of Sheboygan Falls, Wis., as well as the collective efforts of KR Strikeforce, which claimed the Regular Team title with 3,302, the first 3,300 at the ABC Tournament since 2002, both garnered a lot of attention this year, there are some noteworthy numbers that just don't show up on the leaderboards.
Over the course of the Tournament's 143-day run, competition was basically non-stop from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. each day, and total of 585,474 games were bowled at the Baton Rouge River Center. More than 66,000 bowlers from a record 13,222 five-player teams knocked down almost 100 million pins, finishing the event with a total pinfall of 99,470,121.
From an average standpoint, the Regular Division bowlers posted a 173.8 average, while the Classified Division finished at 156.6. Collectively, the group averaged 169.9, topping last year's mark of 167.1 in Reno, Nev. The overall spare percentage also was up in 2005, increasing to 53.4 percent from 53.2 percent in 2004. There were 356 clean sets and 389 700 series bowled this year.
"The scores were consistent and right where we expected them to be, and we are pleased with the results," Tournament Director Brian Lewis said. "The bowlers know our conditions are going to be challenging and that adds to the prestige of winning an ABC Tournament title."
Perfection was a little harder to come by in Baton Rouge than in recent years. The 2005 ABC Tournament featured a dozen perfect games, which is the fewest since 1990 when there were just four. There were also four 299s, four 298 games and 19 total Elevens-in-a-row this year.
"Overall we had a very successful Tournament and a rewarding first visit to Louisiana." Lewis said. "Now we are ready to focus on Corpus Christi and the first USBC Open Championships."