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O’Grady looking for fourth straight PBA Hubbard Open title
New Jersey pro has been dominant in
PBA Hubbard Open
By Greg Gulas
HUBBARD
The ninth PBA Hubbard Open begins today with three-time defending champion Matt O’Grady of Rahway, N.J., set to defend his title.
He’s hoping to join the “quad squad” with a fourth consecutive championship.
The field of 80 anticipated for the event also includes two well-known international bowlers and a group that is preparing for the Masters Tournament, which begins March 26 in Las Vegas.
“Matt O’Grady definitely has a stranglehold on the title,” tournament director Scott Killian said. “We have an excellent field this year and while the numbers are less than normal for our tournament, there are some excellent bowlers that should, and will give Matt a run for this year’s title.”
O’Grady has rolled eight PBA career 300 games — he rolled a perfect game against E.J. Tackett to win his first title in 2016 — and owns six regional titles.
Two years ago, he came from pre-tournament qualifier to advance to the title match when he won the PBA Tournament of Champions for his first tour title.
He became the first player to win all four stepladder matches since Dave D’Entremont turned the trick in 1996.
O’Grady also has five PBA Tour — one national and four regional — victories to his credit.
Expected to be in the mix on Sunday is 2015 champion Kelly Jordan of Marion, the last Open winner prior to O’Grady, and Brian Robinson of Morgantown, W.Va.
Jordan is looking to advance to his first final while Robinson has cashed in three times already this year.
“Kelly’s first regional title came at the Hubbard Open so it’s understandable to see why this is a very special event for him,” added Killian. “He’s a smooth left-hander who keeps the ball in play.
“Brian on the other hand is a superb bowler who has been bowling exceptionally well on the national tour. He hasn’t made it to a final but has made multiple match play appearances.”
The two international bowlers to keep an eye on are Stan Cooley of Australia and Denmark’s Thomas Larsen. Bowlers from New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Illinois, Missouri, Michigan and Ohio also are registered.
The Bear oil pattern will test the entire field.
“We still have wood lanes and lane topography is important as to how a lane will play,” Killian said. “It’s a Bear oil pattern, 41-feet, relatively flat and how the bowlers break it down will be a true test as to how playable the pattern will be by the final game.
“You’ll see a lot of strikes and expect to see a lot of spares as well. It will be one of the toughest patterns a bowler has seen in Hubbard.”
A practice session is set for today from 1-3 p.m. with the annual high school clinic slated for 5:30 p.m.
The always competitive pro-am begins at 8 p.m.
“High school bowlers have the opportunity to work with professionals on everything from how to use the lanes to become a better bowler, to anything that will help them improve their game,” Killian said. “They will then bowl six Baker games with a pro in the anchor spot.”
On Saturday, the eight-game morning session begins at 9 a.m., afternoon session starts at 3 p.m., with the top-16 players advancing to Sunday’s finals.
Sunday’s round-robin match play (12 games) is set to begin at 9 a.m. The top five players will compete in a stepladder roll-off.
“Friday is the party while Saturday and Sunday is for the money. The best part is that it’s all free,” Killian said. “This is a great community event and one of just four professional tournaments in the area.
“Bowling isn’t a dying sport and that’s evidenced by the fact that over 150 schools in the state sponsor programs. Some schools have boys’ teams only, others just girl’s teams while some schools field co-ed teams so the sport is very much alive.”
More than 25 items will be up for bid to those in attendance. A silent auction, bowling ball raffle and 50/50 drawing will take place during the pro-am.