USBC Communications
RENO, Nev. – The members of Taylor’s Mark Pro Shop 1 of Raleigh, N.C., became the first team to reach 3,500 since 2023 at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Thursday, rolling to a 3,513 total to take over the top spot in the Regular Division.
The team – featuring Anthony Locke, Tyler Howard, Carl Zbranak, Matt Taylor and Shane Phelps – posted games of 1,146, 1,175 and 1,192 at the National Bowling Stadium to coast to the lead by more than 80 pins. ProduceU 4 of Buffalo, N.Y., had taken the lead May 22 with 3,429.
The team series sits in a tie for 10th place on the tournament’s all-time list.
Zbranak led the way for Taylor’s Mark Pro Shop 1 with a 767 series. He was followed by Locke (724), Taylor (708), Howard (681) and Phelps (633).
The group returned to the NBS on Friday morning and moved into the top 20 of Team All-Events with a 9,840 total (16th place). Armstrong Printing 1 of Naperville, Ill., leads in 2026 with 10,169.
Locke posted 2,101 to pace the team and was followed by Zbranak (2,083), Phelps (1,942), Taylor (1,893) and Howard (1,821).
If the team’s score holds on, Locke would join his twin brother, Brian, with a victory in Regular Team at the Open Championships. Brian helped Before the 1st Frame #1 of Battleboro, N.C., win the team title at the 2021 event in Las Vegas with a 3,400 total.
The last score north of 3,500 in team at the Open Championships was posted by Cincinnati’s Riding Kenny’s Coattails (3,578) during the 2023 event, which also was held at the National Bowling Stadium. The winning total sits second on the all-time list.
Artistic Expressions 1 of Oklahoma City set the team record during the 2014 Open Championships – also contested at the NBS – with a 3,720 total.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.