All eyes on Kelly Kulick heading into USBC Masters
Since Kulick qualified for the tour after finishing sixth at the Denny's PBA Tour Trials in June, she has been the focus of widespread media attention. She has made appearances on ABC's "Good Morning America," CNN, ABC's "World News Tonight" and has been featured The New York Times, Chicago Tribune and USA Today among many others.
The initial media blitz subsided but will no doubt pick up again at each tour stop beginning with the first major of the season -- the 2006 United States Bowling Congress Masters, scheduled for Oct. 24-29 in suburban Milwaukee.
"After all the media attention, I'm looking forward to the start of the season," Kulick said. "The time since the tour trials has gone by pretty quickly, but I feel I'm going to be well prepared."
To stay sharp, the 29-year-old Union, N.J., resident works out to keep in shape, practices four days a week and has competed in a few PBA regional tournaments. In August, Kulick joined Liz Johnson as the only woman to win a PBA regional when she defeated tour regular Tommy Delutz Jr., 20-19, in a two-ball roll-off after the two tied at 221 in the championship match.
"Bowling the regionals gives me the experience I need to go up against the top players," Kulick said. "The more experience I can get bowling against higher-caliber players, the more comfortable I'll feel bowling week-in and week-out on tour."
Kulick's dream has always been to earn a living as a professional bowler, but the dream seemed to crumble when the Professional Women's Bowling Association ceased operations in 2003.
Kulick was an up and coming bowler on the PWBA Tour, earning top rookie honors in 2001, and on her to way to a promising career. Not long after breaking through and winning her first title -- the 2003 U.S. Open, a major on the PWBA Tour -- Kulick was looking for a new job.
"I wanted to come out and bowl no matter what, whether it was against men, women, even internationally," Kulick said. "When the PBA opened its doors it was an opportunity to bowl against the greatest bowlers in the world. I can learn more being out here."
Other women have been able to find limited success on the PBA Tour. Most notably Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., who was a standout on the PWBA Tour, made history by becoming the first woman to win a PBA regional and finished second in a PBA national event in 2005.
Kulick had an outstanding collegiate and amateur career before turning pro. A three-time collegiate player of the year, Kulick was also a three-time Team USA member and the 2000 Women's U.S. Amateur champion. In 1999, she was a gold medalist in the Pan Am Games and also won a gold and two silver medals in the FIQ World Championships.
The USBC Masters is the sport's most prestigious event and will feature an expected field of more than 450 of the world's top amateur and professional bowlers. A major on the Denny's PBA Tour, bowlers will be competing for a top prize of $100,000 and an overall prize fund of $350,000.
The Masters is open to all USBC members with a 190 or higher average. For entry information, visit bowl.com or contact Tom Boedecker at (800) 514-2695, ext. 3415 or by e-mail.
The televised finals of the USBC Masters will be held on Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. EST at the Wisconsin Exposition Center, located at State Fair Park in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, Wis. To purchase tickets to the finals, visit bowl.com or call (800) 514-2695, ext. 3283.
The 2006 USBC Masters is presented by Potawatomi Bingo Casino and is sponsored by AT&T, the official telecommunications company of the Masters. Kegel is the official lane maintenance provider for USBC.
By Jerry Schneider and Lucas Wiseman USBC Communications