NORTH CANTON — Despite standing at 557 after two games, Kenny Burkholder wasn’t really thinking about how high he could shoot in the Pizza Oven Classic league at Park Centre Lanes.
“I wasn’t really focusing on an 800,” the 30-year-old Massillon right-hander said. “I was just focusing on the next game. I was just going to be happy if I got to 700. If I could get to 800, that would be excellent.”
After shooting his first career 300 in Game 1, 800 would just be the icing on the cake. But after going at a 290 pace in Game 3, he liked his chances.
Then came a 4-9 split in the 10th frame.
“That was the only bad shot I threw all night,” Burkholder said. “I had that 290 going and I blow it with the split. I could make a shot at high series, and I was a little upset about that.”
He was little less upset when he realized it was enough for his second career 800 (812) to go along with the 808 he shot in 2015. During the latter series he had a high game ironically of 290.
“I really wasn’t nervous about going for the 300,” said Burkholder, a former Washington High School bowler and ProVia Windows employee. “I had faced that situation twice earlier this year had had a 297 and a 299. It was just nice to finally get over that hump.”
A pair of one-pin spares in the middle of Game 2 led to 257 before the run in Game 3.
“It was just great the whole night, not missing anything until that split,” said Burkholder, who bowls in just the one league. “There was a spare here and there, but that’s part of the game. I’m always happy to have 700 or higher. I’m not going to complain about that.”
The ball he used was a Columbia 300 Game Pearl — a ball he got from then-coach Bill Reese during his freshman year at Massillon.
“I switched back to it a couple of years ago,” Burkholder said. “I used it here and it’s been working for me.”
At the time, Burkholder was looking forward to his first trip to the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships in Reno, Nev. (He has made that trip since this interview.)
“I’ve never been out West at all and I’ve heard a lot about it,” Burkholder said. “I’ve looked at the photos of (National Bowling Stadium) and I’m really excited about it.”
As for the season, Burholder said “it was a lot better for me than in previous years.”
Asked if he remembered anything special about the night, the right-hander mentioned one item.
“I’m happy one guy wasn’t throwing urethane,” Burkholder said, smiling. “That probably helped me.”