Rash aims for mastery of Cashman lanes

Computerized scorekeeping, high-definition plasma TVs and text-messaging are second nature to bowlers of Sean Rash's generation.

Old-timers who used a pencil and their brain to tally scores, watched pro bowling on 20-inch black-and-white TVs and made calls on a rotary phone can thank Rash for returning a couple of historic names to the sport's forefront this week.

Rash, 26, can do something that hasn't happened in 44 years if he successfully defends his title in the U.S. Bowling Congress Masters tournament that begins Tuesday in a temporary 60-lane facility at Cashman Center.

The last bowler to win successive Masters titles was the late Billy Welu in 1964 and 1965. The only other bowler to achieve that feat was fellow Hall of Famer Dick Hoover, who did it eight years earlier.

The Masters is considered one of four PBA Tour majors, but its format is unique. The event is expected to draw nearly 500 of the world's top amateurs and professionals who will play for a share of the $350,000 total purse. The winner will receive $60,000.

Playing in a stadium atmosphere presents an added challenge.

"There will be grandstands with people watching, and I think it will be very special to see how many (bowlers and spectators) show up," said Rash, who has four PBA titles but hasn't won since last year's Masters. He finished 12th last week in the PBA Tour event at Fountain Valley, Calif.

"The atmosphere is a lot different than we bowl in every week on Tour. The ceilings are very high, and the lanes will be brand new. It will be fun, that's the most important thing. Everyone will have a good time."

Rash has been successful in such cavernous venues. He won the USBC Open regular doubles title in 2003 with Derek Sapp at the Knoxville (Tenn.) Convention Center.

Rash, who lives in Wichita, Kan., also finished in the top 10 in two previous PBA majors this year, including 10th in last month's Tournament of Champions at Red Rock. In the past four seasons, he has placed in the top 15 in 10 of 14 majors.

"I just enjoy bowling the majors because those are the events people remember the most," said Rash, who beat Steve Jaros 269-245 to win the 2007 Masters in Milwaukee.

The reigning Masters champion is seeded into the field of 64 for double-elimination match play, which begins Wednesday afternoon.

Rash gets to skip qualifying, which includes two five-game blocks Tuesday before the field is trimmed to the top 25 percent for five more games at 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Match play is Thursday and Friday, after which the field is cut to the four bowlers who advance to Sunday's stepladder finals, to be televised live at 10 a.m. on ESPN (Cable 30).

Go to lvrj.com/bowling for more news. Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@ reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.