(SoB note: This is the first of our Friday personality features on area players who reached milestones this season. If you know of any bowler who should be recognized for an accomplishment, please email us at snierw@gmail.com and let us know. Watch for additional stories every Friday during the season.)
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Neither Brandon Clifford nor Don Ondecker knew what the other had rolled during the Hannon Electric league recently at Park Centre.
But both were comfortable in their own zones that Tuesday night, rolling 824 and 800, respectively.
Clifford, a 41-year-old Plain Township right-hander, had games of 236, 289 and 299 with only a pair of 10-pins during the last two games denying him the opportunity to add to his 35 career 300 games.
“I really haven’t been carrying well. I just wasn’t able to match up well and couldn’t get the corners out,” said Clifford, a Rentwear employee. “I had drilled up some new equipment and was feeling comfortable with it, but that’s the first night I scored well.”
When asked what the difference was that night, Clifford — who is averaging 217 and 213, respectively, in leagues at Park Centre and MInerva Bowl, joked “the beer.”
“Honestly, I just felt like I couldn’t miss,” Clifford said. “I was one of those nights where everything felt good. I’ve been shooting a lot of 620s and 630s and just didn’t know where the problem was.”
No. 5 for Ondecker
Ondecker, a 62-year-old Clinton right-hander, could not remember his first two games, but needed 265 in the final one for his fifth career 800 to go with 22 300 games.
“For whatever reason, 800 has been a tough nut for me to crack,” said Ondecker, a Lamar Advertising Co. employee. “I’ve had a boatload of 790s and 780s.
“I didn’t know what I needed until one of my teammates told me I needed a strike and nine. Honestly, I didn’t think I could get it.”
Ondecker hit 800 less than a month after he and doubles partner Tony Johnson made the cut and finished seventh during the PBA50 tournament at Park Centre. It comes after he made several changes in his game.
“I worked really hard this summer. I threw urethane all the time and pumped up to 16 pounds,” said Ondecker, who bowls in four leagues. “I wanted to work on my timing, release and arm swing. With the 16-pound equipment, I can’t muscle the ball and have to swing it. That’s contributed to me making better shots with better timing and a better release.”
Despite not remembering scores of his first two games, Ondecker did recall only one open frame on a split.
“I’ve been very comfortable for the last month, but I wasn’t real sharp that night until the last game,” Ondecker said. “It comes and goes, so you have to ride the wave when it’s there.”
Ondecker’s luck with 800s apparently is ending as he followed his Park Centre performance with his second 800 of the season at Spins Bowl Akron the following week.
“I wish October would never end,” Ondecker said of his second 800 of the season, again right on the number, in a Facebook message. “It’s the best month of bowling I’ve had in my 25 years on the lanes.”
Of the two, it was Clifford who went home with side action winnings that night at Park Centre.
“That’s a little rough to shoot 800 and not win anything,” Clifford said.
Ondecker’s outlook?
“Good series, but I didn’t win anything,” he added. “That’s disappointing.”