Washington bowler enjoys perfect trip to Open Championships
Four days ago, Sobie presented his girlfriend Cindy with a diamond engagement ring and asked her to be his wife. She said yes at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif., one of many stops along their 2,500 mile drive to Corpus Christi, Texas.
Making the trip even more unforgettable, Sobie fired 12 consecutive strikes for a 300 between games of 211 and 195 and finished with a 706 series at the American Bank Center Exhibit Hall on Saturday.
"The feeling right now is pretty incredible," Sobie said of his 19th Open Championships appearance. "It's like finally reaching a lifelong dream that I've had for as long as I've been bowling."
The 41-year-old right-hander just wrapped up a below average league season, so in order to get his confidence back he got together with friend and teammate Pat Johns for some extra practice.
"I guess all of that practice was worth it," said Sobie, a bartender for Starwood Hotel and Resorts. "I felt well-prepared for this tournament after working with Pat. He helped iron out my game and got me to feel comfortable playing the lanes from outside."
The strategy paid off as Sobie led Hi Flyers of Tacoma, Wash., to games of 908, 920 and 892 for a 2,720 total. He added 615 in singles and 537 in doubles for 1,858 all-events.
"After an uneventful bowling year, this week has been so intense," Sobie said. "My only wish is that my father could have been here to see it in person, but he's in the hospital battling cancer right now. He's been my idol throughout my life, and I bowled this 300 for him."
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.
5/21/2006
By Matt Cannizzaro and David Ellis USBC Communications