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Wolfe and his Blue Hammer smash Reno again

For years, the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., was known as a haven for left-handers.

One of the most visible instances was the triumph at the 2002 Masters by relatively unheralded lefty Brett Wolfe, who used an old urethane Blue Hammer throughout that tournament.

Although serious bowlers knew of the 33-year-old Tempe, Ariz., resident, who was a two-time collegiate All-American at Arizona State University, he struggled during a brief effort on the PBA Tour after the Masters.

On Sunday and Monday, Wolfe and his Blue Hammer -- the same model but not the same ball he used in the 2002 Masters -- resurfaced in the headlines by slamming the Stadium again, moving into second in all-events at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships with a 2,245 total, USBC reported.

The score is behind only the all-time record 2,326 of -- you guessed it -- fellow southpaw Matt McNiel of Chanhassen, Minn.

With Minnesota lefties Steve Bohn and John Kreyer Jr. also leading doubles at 1,514, this year as shaping up as the most lefty-friendly USBC OC since 2006 in Corpus Christi, when lefties populated much of the upper reaches of the all-events leaderboard.

"This feels great," Wolfe, who was the last non-PBA member to win the Masters, said in a USBC news release. "I had a pretty good idea of how the lanes would play, but I honestly didn't think I was going to bowl the two big games at the end of team. I have had a lot of success in this building, so I was pretty confident coming in."

Wolfe started with a 771 series in team, his best in that event by 105 pins. He was confident after his team event and thought if he got loose early in doubles, he could make a run at the all-events lead. He added 759 in doubles and 715 in singles for the second-highest nine-game total in the tournament's six trips to the Stadium.

His own highest all-events total in nine prior appearances on the tournament lanes came last year in Las Vegas when he finished seventh overall with 2,147, which I believe was the highest all-events total by a lefty in that tournament.

"It's always hard to get loose for doubles because you don't get that many shots," Wolfe said. "I thought if I could get loose quickly and get out of the gates on a good note, I might have a chance. I may have wanted it a little too much, but it's hard to argue when you make the top three."

The Stadium really is like a home away from home for Wolfe, who lived in Reno for two years. Every time he steps foot in the building, he feels a sense of confidence.

"When I won the Masters, I had so many friends that I bowled league with watching me," said Wolfe. "I bowled several tournaments in college here, and I have always liked this building. The nostalgia that I feel when I bowl here is like no other. I am just extremely confident and comfortable at the Stadium."

Wolfe's other source of confidence fits in the palm of his hand. His success Monday and 244 average in his last two Open Championships were achieved with a urethane Blue Hammer, which first came on the market in early 1989. He also claimed his Masters title with a Blue Hammer, but that ball has since been retired. His equipment choice, coupled with being at the Stadium, gives Wolfe a throwback feel.

"I love that ball, and everyone knows that I love to throw it," Wolfe said. "Today's was a later model of the Blue Hammer from the Masters, but they're both Blue Hammers. It's kind of hard not to have the retro vibe when you are throwing 15-year-old equipment."

While most bowlers wouldn't even consider throwing a urethane ball over today's reactive resin monsters, urethane can be a valuable tool in controlling reaction -- something typically more valuable on the left side where there are far fewer players.

I do often use my Storm Natural on the short and extreme PBA Cheetah pattern.

Like many Open Championships bowlers, Wolfe has his heart set on winning a team title.

"I would love to win a team eagle," Wolfe said. "I have the Masters title, and I will always cherish it, but it's not an eagle. I would love to match the other side of my mantle with an Open Championships eagle. Team is by far the defining event because it's your first three games on the demanding lane condition, and it is so much fun to have success with your friends. It would definitely be a highlight for me."

In 10 Open Championships appearances, Wolfe has knocked down 19,077 pins for an overall average of 211.9.

Earlier in this year's tournament, Michael Lichstein of Broad Brook, Conn., rolled a 299 game with a urethane Burgundy Hammer that was approved for competition in 1992. Lichstein, also a left-hander, made his run at perfection as thousands of bowling fans looked on. The feat was broadcast live as one of USBC's live streaming broadcasts from the Stadium.

The next live streaming event from the Open Championships will take place on Saturday at 7:20 a.m. Central time, when the recently-inducted World Bowling Writers Hall of Famer and 2009 WBW Bowler of the Year, Clara Guerrero, takes to the tournament lanes for doubles and singles.

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