Chris Klerk mows down the field to win New Mexico Open title in scoring rampage
08/19/09
Chris Klerk (pictured) of Chandler, Ariz. went through the best field yet assembled to win the New Mexico Open title, held for the sixth year at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho, near Albuquerque.
Klerk carded 1,027 over four games as his opponents fired their own 911 to no avail. The Phoenix accountant closed every frame, getting only four pin counts below nine as he swept through from fifth place to take the title that had eluded him the last two years.
Photo courtesy of Gary Herron, Sports Editor, Rio Rancho Observer
Klerk first dispatched 2006 champion, veteran Team USA member, David Haynes of Las Vegas, Nev., 236-225. Haynes, who had earlier bowled a 300, the second of the event along with Christina Waldron of Virginia, garnered $1,000 for fifth place.
Klerk then beat 2002 ABC Masters champion, Brett Wolfe of Phoenix, 265-214, in his only runaway match of the afternoon. Wolfe won $1,250 for fourth.
Tyler Jensen of Fort Worth, Texas, a 16-time regional winner, bowled a strong 237 but lost to Klerk's 268 in the semifinal. Jensen collected $1,500 for third.
Top-seeded Josh Blanchard of California, a former Junior Team USA member, matched Klerk's strike output but inexplicably sailed left of a 2-pin to give Klerk a chance to apply pressure. This he did, finishing with a five-bagger to win 258-235.
Blanchard received $ 3,000 for second, averaging 225.1 for 26 games, while Klerk won $6,000, averaging 217.0 over 29 games, by focusing his efforts in the stepladder finals.
Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho, NM (Aug.12-16, 2009)
Championship Round:
1. Chris Klerk, Chandler, Ariz., 1027 (4 games), $6,000
2. Josh Blanchard, California, 235 (1 game), $3,000
3. Tyler Jensen, Fort Worth, Texas, 237 (1 game), $1,500
4. Brett Wolfe, Phoenix, Ariz., 214 (1 game), $1,250
5. David Haynes, Las Vegas, Nev., 225 (1 game), $1,000
Playoff Results:
First Match: #5 Klerk def. #4 Haynes, 236-225
Second Match: Klerk def. #3 Wolfe, 265-214
Third Match: Klerk def. #2 Jensen, 268-237
Title Match: Klerk def. #1 Blanchard, 258-235
United States
Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho, NM (Aug.12-16, 2009)
Chris Klerk (pictured) of Chandler, Ariz. went through the best field yet assembled to win the New Mexico Open title, held for the sixth year at Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho, near Albuquerque. Klerk carded 1,027 over four games as his opponents fired their own 911 to no avail. The Phoenix accountant closed every frame, getting only four pin counts below nine as he swept through from fifth place to take the title that had eluded him the last two years.
Photo courtesy of Gary Herron, Sports Editor, Rio Rancho Observer
Klerk first dispatched 2006 champion, veteran Team USA member, David Haynes of Las Vegas, Nev., 236-225. Haynes, who had earlier bowled a 300, the second of the event along with Christina Waldron of Virginia, garnered $1,000 for fifth place.
Klerk then beat 2002 ABC Masters champion, Brett Wolfe of Phoenix, 265-214, in his only runaway match of the afternoon. Wolfe won $1,250 for fourth.
Tyler Jensen of Fort Worth, Texas, a 16-time regional winner, bowled a strong 237 but lost to Klerk's 268 in the semifinal. Jensen collected $1,500 for third.
Top-seeded Josh Blanchard of California, a former Junior Team USA member, matched Klerk's strike output but inexplicably sailed left of a 2-pin to give Klerk a chance to apply pressure. This he did, finishing with a five-bagger to win 258-235.
Blanchard received $ 3,000 for second, averaging 225.1 for 26 games, while Klerk won $6,000, averaging 217.0 over 29 games, by focusing his efforts in the stepladder finals.
New Mexico Open Bowling Championship Presented by the New Mexico Sports Authority
Tenpins & More in Rio Rancho, NM (Aug.12-16, 2009)
Championship Round:
1. Chris Klerk, Chandler, Ariz., 1027 (4 games), $6,000
2. Josh Blanchard, California, 235 (1 game), $3,000
3. Tyler Jensen, Fort Worth, Texas, 237 (1 game), $1,500
4. Brett Wolfe, Phoenix, Ariz., 214 (1 game), $1,250
5. David Haynes, Las Vegas, Nev., 225 (1 game), $1,000
Playoff Results:
First Match: #5 Klerk def. #4 Haynes, 236-225
Second Match: Klerk def. #3 Wolfe, 265-214
Third Match: Klerk def. #2 Jensen, 268-237
Title Match: Klerk def. #1 Blanchard, 258-235