TENPIN BOWLING
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IF you’re after persistence personified, look no further than Orange tenpin bowling ace Jason Osborne.
The 40-year-old has been taking on the annual Orange QubicaAMF Audi Open for nigh on two decades and on Sunday managed to beat a bevy of Australian and World Cup representative bowlers, not to mention the world’s best two-hand exponent of the art in Jason Belmonte to take home the 2016 open title.
Osborne averaged 222 to knock-over a 4416 pins in 20 games over two days and on Sunday afternoon following the tournament’s presentation, said the win - over Rowan Chapman (218 average) and Glen Loader (220 average) - was still sinking in.
“I’ve placed top 10 half a dozen times, the highest, I think, was third before this ... and that’s pushing 20 years,” Osborne said.
“It was pretty consistent all day from myself. I just had to focus enough to stay where I was and keep the speedup on the ball. The lanes were tough, though, I was quite surprised.”
The spectators on hand for the final games of the 2016 open were treated to some thrilling bowling.
With the competition’s top three also battling with Belmonte, the individual fortunes of the quartet ebbed and flowed until Osborne landed a 258 in game six and then, in game eight, 246 to rocket him to the lead with just two games to roll.
They were the two of the three best games by any member of the top four on day two.
Chapman bowled a 257 in game two.
But Osborne’s final two efforts produced a 210 and a 182, enough to hold off Chapman, Loader and Belmonte, who finished in fourth place and donated his prize money to help develop junior bowlers in the region.
“Throughout the whole day, it was chopping and changing,” Osborne said.
“Jason (Belmonte) would go up there and he’d drop back, then Glen would be up there. Then towards the end with three or four games to go, that’s when I hit the lead.
“I hit the lead and stayed there.”
The Warrior said he was thrilled to come out on top of a field stacked with talent - last year’s champion Scott Robertson finished 11th.
“Absolutely, there’s Australian reps, PBA player, you can’t get any better than that. I’m always happy to beat Jason,” he smiled before adding he’s a certain starter for next year’s 30th anniversary open in April.
“Until my hand or feet give out, I’ll keep bowling. It’s a home event, it’s always great to bowl. Why wouldn’t you.”