USBC Youth member finds success among world's best at USBC Masters
Still just 18 years old and a freshman at Wichita State University, the USBC Youth member found success in one of the world's most prestigious events this week, finishing in the top 24 at the 2007 USBC Masters.
The experience was made possible by Youth Membership Eligibility Rule 400, which allows USBC Youth members to compete in singles competition where cash and/or bonds are awarded, provided any prizes are paid in the form of scholarships and deposited into USBC's SMART program. Prior to participating, Peters had to sign a USBC Prize Waiver waiving the right to any cash or bond prizes or merchandise exceeding $500 in value.
"This week is something you only dream about, and you never expect to look to your left or right and see guys like Walter Ray Williams Jr. and Tommy Jones," said Peters, who qualified 22nd for the double-elimination portion of the event. "When I originally read about Rule 400, I thought it was phenomenal to be able to have an experience like this as a youth bowler. I thought it would be five or six years before I could do something like this, so I really appreciate the opportunity."
During his 15 qualifying games this week, Peters averaged 216.93 and then opened match play with a 656-606 win over former exempt player Rudy Kasimakis of Tupelo, Miss. After falling to 2007 Dydo Japan Cup winner Mika Koivuniemi 639-582, Peters bounced back with a 736-630 win against Alex Cavagnaro of North Massapequa, N.Y.
Peters returned Friday morning with a 688-641 upset of 2005-06 Professional Bowlers Association Player of the Year Tommy Jones before exiting the tournament with a 612-599 loss to newly exempt player Stevie Weber. Peters took home $1,800 in scholarship money for his efforts this week.
"This week has been an awesome experience, and I didn't really expect to do as well as I did," Peters said. "I was trying my best not to get caught up in the moment. I just wanted to keep performing well and not get intimidated by some of the big names around me. I didn't want to look too far in advance and just tried to concentrate on each match."
The Masters was not Peters' first appearance on the big stage, however. Last season, he made the first cut and finished tied for 90th at the U.S. Open on arguably one of the toughest lane conditions the players face each year.
"Somehow whenever you're bowling against the best, your game steps up, and even though you don't really know how, things seem to fall into place," said Peters, who recently bowled in his first collegiate tournament. "I think this has all taught me how to be more aggressive and confident on the lanes, and it's a really big confidence boost. Being in the position I'm in, I didn't think I'd do this well, and the result made it a realization that it is possible to succeed out here. If I keep working hard and pushing, anything can happen."
Andrew DeCaluwe of Mount Prospect, Ill., also a USBC Youth member, competed this week at the Masters and averaged 195.80 on the way to a 247th place finish.
The 2007 USBC Masters is a major on the Denny's PBA Tour and the athletes are competing for a top prize of $100,000 and an overall prize fund of $350,000. Nearly 490 of the world's best professional and amateur bowlers took to the lanes this week at AMF Bowlero Lanes.
The finals of the Masters will be held on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m. Eastern at Miller Park, home of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers, and televised live on ESPN.
For tickets to the finals, visit tickets.com, the Miller Park box office or call the Miller Park box office at (414) 902-4000. Tickets range in price from $12.50 to $77.50 and each ticket also includes admission to Bowlfest, a special event to be held at Miller Park on Oct. 27 from 6-9 p.m. Time Warner Cable is a presenting sponsor of USBC Masters Bowlfest.
10/26/2007
By Matt Cannizzaro USBC Communications