WAUWATOSA, Wis. - There was a time when Art Brown of Lansing, Mich., had some trepidation when facing some of the best bowlers in the world. Now, he's plowing through the field at the United States Bowling Congress Masters.
Brown is one of six amateurs still alive in match play after the field was cut to 24 at AMF Bowlero Lanes in suburban Milwaukee on Thursday night. He joins Robert Worrall of Prescott, Ariz., as the lone amateurs in the winners bracket.
"This is the fourth time I've bowled the Masters and the second time I've made match play," Brown said. "I'm not as awestruck as I was the first time I went up against these guys, but it's still a thrill to bowl against the best in the world for sure."
In his final match of the night, Brown sent fellow amateur left-hander Ken Muscato of Canadaigua, N.Y., to the losers bracket with a 707-586 victory. He topped professionals Ronnie Russell of Indianapolis and Michael Haugen Jr. of Las Vegas in the opening matches.
"I've got a lot of confidence right now," Brown said. "After winning my last match against Ken Muscato, I feel like nobody can stop me. I've got a lot of respect for Ken, and I honestly think he's the best lefty amateur in the country. To beat him is a real boost to my confidence. I'm on a high right now, and I'll try to ride it the rest of the week."
Mike Scroggins of Amarillo, Texas, Norm Duke of Clermont, Fla., Dennis Horan Jr. of Temecula, Calif., Tommy Jones of Greenville, S.C., Blase Bedolla of Roseburg, Ore., and Mike DeVaney of Escondido, Calif., are alive in the winners bracket.
Defending champion Danny Wiseman of Baltimore was eliminated Thursday. Wiseman lost his opening match to Walter Ray Williams Jr. of Ocala, Fla., 788-782 before defeating Marc Massie of Ft. Wright, Ky., 700-567. He was eliminated by Christopher Sand of Chesterfield, Mich., 655-650.
Match play will continue Friday with the 24 remaining players whittled down to the top four for the ESPN-televised finals on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern at the U.S. Cellular Arena.
The USBC Masters is the sport's most prestigious event, drawing nearly 500 of the world's best professional and amateur bowlers who are competing for an estimated prize fund of $350,000.
To purchase tickets to the finals at the U.S. Cellular Arena, visit ticketmaster.com or call (414) 276-4545. Tickets can also be purchased on-site Saturday or Sunday beginning at 10 a.m. each day.
By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications