Pennsylvania bowler looks to continue recent success at Open Championships

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - In June of 2004, Jeffrey McKinley of Fairview, Pa., fell off the roof of his home while cleaning out the gutters and was told that his bowling career was probably over.

Now two years later, the 47-year-old plumber is back at full strength and enjoying the best year of his bowling career. At the American Bank Center Exhibit Hall on Tuesday, he made his sixth Open Championships appearance.

"After the fall, I was laying on the ground thinking that I would still be able to bowl since my slide foot wasn't the one I injured," said McKinley, who had 1,749 all-events in Baton Rouge last year and shot 575 in team Tuesday. "Even my therapists said they didn't think I would bowl again, so I'm really excited to be back out here."

While on the roof, McKinley stood up too quickly, got dizzy and fell 10 feet to the ground. He broke his right ankle and separated his right shoulder. After multiple surgeries on each, he was unable to use crutches and spent three months in a wheelchair.

At one point, McKinley's shoulder was completely immobile, so he began bowling left-handed. Although he got his average up to 108 as a southpaw, his right shoulder soon loosened up, and with equipment and guidance from two local pro shops, he was able to start bowling with a 12-pound ball and gradually made his way back up to 15 pounds.

Prior to the accident, McKinley averaged 218 and owned six career perfect games, but since returning to the lanes, he has rolled five more 300 games and now averages 226.

A few years earlier, McKinley fell through the ceiling at a local bowling center while working on a water heater. He was bedridden for five months with ruptured discs in his back, but shot 792 on his first night back.

"I've had some bad luck, but I guess I've had some very good luck too," McKinley said. "If you see me in the morning, I'm limping like an old man, but once my ankle loosens up, I'm ok. I definitely can't believe the year I'm having. I'm just really fortunate."

McKinley is taking full advantage of his comeback and bowls eight leagues each week, which includes three doubles shifts, plus tournaments when he has time.

"I enjoy the sport so much, and I'd be devastated if I couldn't do it anymore," McKinley said. "I really enjoy the camaraderie, and an event like this is really nice because you also get to take a vacation and get to see different parts of the country."

Presenting sponsors for the 2006 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus Hotel/Casinos in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Texas State Aquarium, Majestic Ventures Yacht Charters, Inc., USS Lexington Museum and Texas Treasure Casino Cruises.

For more information on the USBC Open Championships, visit USBCOpen.com.

5/23/2006



By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications