Owensby, who carries a 212 league average at Mountaineer Bowling Lanes in Bluefield, finished ninth out of a field of 33 bowlers in the PBA South Region Fort Belvoir (VA) Senior Open, missing a spot in the top eight by just ten pins. Holding down eighth place after an opening eight-game block, Owensby missed a single pin spare late in the semi-final round, resulting in an open frame that cost him a berth in the single elimination match play finals. He outbowled several nationally acclaimed bowlers, including Guppy Troup. "The lane conditions were tough," he recounted. "I really would have enjoyed seeing how things would have gone if I had made the finals."

Earlier this month, he took part in the PBA Senior Manassas Open. His 16 game pinfall total of 3,218 (201 average) placed him in the middle of the 113 bowler field. "When I was younger, I never had the desire to be a PBA bowler," Owensby said. "As the years went by, I found that I wanted to see how good I was. The natural way to do so was to measure myself against the best bowlers around." He's bowled on the PBA Senior tour for the past five years. "I''ve had the chance to compete against some great bowlers, people like Bob Chamberlain, Tommy Baker, Dave Davis, and the late Dick Weber," he added.

"Most of the major events take place during the school year, so it's tough to compete as often as I'd like," he continued. Over the next few months, I hope to bowl in PBA tournaments at Camp Lejeune (NC) in September, one event in October, three in November, and possibly one more in December."

Owensby's future goals include increasing his level of participation on the tour. With five sanctioned perfect games, a pair of 800 series, and a memorable 21 consecutive strike string in tournament play, he has the talent to mix it up with many of bowling's greats. "My first aim is to win a regional tournament. If I get my game together like I think I can, I'd like to try more national stops," he concluded.

August 19, 2005