Superstar family finally arrives at Open Championships
Lynda, who won the 2005 QubicaAMF World Cup in November on the way to being named the 2005 World Bowling Writers Female Bowler of the Year and the Bowling Writers Association of American Amateur Bowler of the Year, originally was scheduled to make her fourth Open Championships appearance more than a month ago, but an invitation to compete in the World Tenpin Masters in England with Chris forced her to reschedule.
Shortly after Chris, the USBC Sport Bowling spokesperson, captured the title for his third win in April (he also won the Professional Bowlers Association Tournament of Champions and the Motel 6 Roll to Riches), Lynda headed to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she joined a contingent of USBC Team USA players and coaches to work with the Brazil Bowling Confederation to help train coaches and prospective players in preparation for next year's Pan American Games.
"The traveling has been really crazy lately, but being able to mix bowling with family has been great," said Lynda, a two-time U.S. Amateur champion. "We're lucky to have so much help from friends and family, which allows us to juggle everything."
Finally, with a month of globetrotting coming to an end, the Barnes family was together in its home state of Texas so Lynda could take to the lanes at the Open Championships.
The 38-year-old right-hander, who had wrist surgery in February, not long after earning her ninth career Team USA berth, posted 667 in doubles, 665 in singles and 556 in team for 1,888 all-events at the American Bank Center Exhibit Hall.
"Simply put, I just bowled badly in the team event," said Barnes, the 1998 USBC Queens champion. "After coaching all week in Brazil, I was over-analyzing my own game, but Chris was able to help me get things straightened out before it turned into a complete disaster."
Considering his history at the Open Championships, Chris was in an unusual role as coach and "Mr. Mom" while Lynda was bowling. Now that he is one of the 58 exempt players on the Denny's PBA Tour, he is not eligible to add to the three eagles he already has won on the tournament lanes.
"I certainly miss competing in this tournament," said Chris, who won the Regular All-Events title in 1998 and was a member of the Lodge Lanes team that won back-to-back Team All-Events titles in 1997 and '98. "This was always one of the most fun events to compete in, and it provided me with some of the best memories I have from my amateur career."
Both stars also spent some time off the lanes talking with spectators and signing autographs for loyal fans, cementing the celebrity status they've both earned through years of hard work and success.
"We've had a great time because the bowlers and the fans are such nice people," Lynda said. "It really makes us feel like we've actually done something for the sport, which is a reward all by itself."
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.
5/26/2006
By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications