Before Sunday, Henry Teetz III had never been in the position of needing to perform to take the lead in an event at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
But the West Allis right-hander had seen teammate Ron Vokes win the all-events in 2009 with a then-record 2,321 total, so he'd had a taste of what winning an Eagle is all about.
And perhaps that helped as Teetz came through with a clutch double and 9-count in the 10th frame of his final game of singles to take the lead with 800 on Sunday at the Baton Rouge River Center.
"I can't describe how I'm feeling," Teetz said in this USBC news release. "The guys I bowl with are great and helped me calm down, so I could do what I did. It's just a great experience. It's the first time I've experienced something like this at this type of event.
"Shooting 300 or 800 in this environment is something I'd always dream about back home, and being able to accomplish it is indescribable. When I got to the 10th frame, I knew I wanted the first one. The first one was big. I think I needed a strike and nine spare to take over the lead, but to get the second one was great. After that, I knew I needed a nine count or a strike (for 800). The shot didn't change much for me that last game, and it couldn't have worked out any better."
Teetz's 800 passed the 785 of fellow Wisconsinite Andrew Kleutgen of Wild Rose for the singles lead, and his 2,062 (617-645-800) all-events total helped the Five Horsemen into the team all-events lead with 9,731, passing the 9,666 of Dung Ho of Cerritos, Calif.
Here is the USBC video feature on Teetz and the Horsemen.
Teetz rolled games of 232, 279 and 289, crossing between 15- and 20-board at the arrows and using a Brunswick ball, according to Facebook posts by friends back in Wisconsin.
Teetz, 40, is a solid, steady player I would describe as a power stroker — he has a decent rev rate but often uses speed to keep the ball on a fairly straight trajectory. (Twenty years ago he would have been more of a power player but that definition has been stretched a lot since then!)
His Open Championships record fits my description: a 203.5 career average for 20 years with just one prior 700 series, USBC reported. That's solid and steady.
"I couldn't be happier for Henry," Vokes said in the USBC release. "He's a guy I've been bowling with for the last 15 years or more, and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. He's definitely dedicated to the game and works real hard, and let me tell you, if you want to see a guy who can play up the lanes on anything, you just saw it today. He's a great bowler."
The Five Horsemen moved into eighth in team on Saturday night with 3,139 (918-1,136-1,085).
In all-events, Ben Hoefs added 1,987 (628-639-720), Kyle Geurtsen 1,962 (644-669-649), Vokes 1,870 (597-651-622), and lefty Mike Jamrose 1,850 (653-628-569).
I've competed numerous times with the Horsemen and one thing they definitely have is awesome eam chemistry — they have a good time when they bowl and I've always seen them supporting each other.
"Individual awards are great, but team awards always mean a lot more to me," Vokes said in the USBC release. "Taking the lead by 100 pins, I couldn't be happier. I would've liked to bowl a little better, and I know a couple other guys would like to have a couple of shots back, but we're very happy to have the Team All-Events lead at this time."
If 9,731 wins the team all-events it would be the lowest winning score since 2005, when the tournament was last in Baton Rouge.
The night before the Five Horsemen took to the lanes, Bowlers Edge Pro Shop, which has twice won the team event, totaled 3,046 (927-1,110-1,009) as Ken Kempf fired 669, Brad Kuhr 646, Jason Wendt 612, Tim Rice 610, and Dan Paul 509.
"Left a lot of pins on the lanes," Kuhr said in a Facebook post. "Proud of the guys for battling there way to get to that score. Personally shot 647. 3 opens. 2 splits and a chopped 3-6-10. Doubled in every tenth frame. Real battle for 647!!!"
Wendt led the group in all-events with 1,946.
In team event on Sunday night, Michael Sagers of Clearfield, Utah, rolled the first perfect game in team en route to a 741 series, USBC reported. He used a Storm VICTORY ROAD SOLID. Here is the USBC news release on Sagers' 300.
