Georgia pair moves into top 10 at Open Championships
The experience taught the 55-year-old left-hander about how to focus mentally and relax on the lanes, and that insight helped him to Open Championships success again this year, as he settled into seventh place in Classified Doubles at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., on Saturday.
Cutsail posted games of 200, 245 and 196 for a 641 series and teamed up with Richard Vanderheyden Jr. of Buckhead, Ga., who added 584 and helped the pair to a 1,225 total. Frank Smyle of Reeder, N.D., and Jesse Smyle of Bowman, N.D., lead with 1,287.
"We never even thought about making the top 10," said Cutsail, who made his 10th Open Championships appearance. "We struggled yesterday in team, so we came out today just hoping to find a shot and do better. I was trying to throw the ball like I do in league, but I realized I needed to hit it more to make sure it turned, since there's a lot more oil here."
Cutsail added 564 in singles and 511 in team to finish with a 1,716 all-events total, his career-best by nearly 150 pins. Vanderheyden, who made his second trip to the Open Championships, had 537 in singles and 500 in team for 1,621.
At the 2006 event in Corpus Christi, Texas, Vanderheyden, now 22, was both excited and nervous when he made his tournament debut as a substitute, but he used it as a learning experience heading into this year.
"Both times, I was more excited than nervous, but having a year of experience and bowling league this year really seemed to help me," Vanderheyden said. "This trip is just about coming out and having a good time, and bowling well is a bonus. Just being able to have an experience like this is great, and something everyone should do. If you find your mark early, you're going to do well. This feels really good, and I'm definitely going to walk into next year's tournament a lot more comfortable and confident."
Presenting sponsors for the 2007 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Sands Regency Casino and Hotel, official brackets sponsor and supporting sponsors Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa and Harrah's Casino and Hotel.
By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications