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Bowling News USA - April 2, 2009 Don Johnson Memorial Storm's USBC Team Event...

Don Johnson Memorial (left to right), Matt Ogle, Aaron Craig, Eric Adams, Andres Gomez and Jimmy Johnson

LAS VEGAS - Don Johnson Memorial of Lexington, Ky., started strong and cruised into the top spot in Regular Team at the USBC Open Championships on Tuesday night.

The team, which was brought together to honor the late USBC and Professional Bowlers Association Hall of Famer Don Johnson, put together games of 1,118, 1,179 and 1,009 for a 3,306 total at Cashman Center and moved past Junior Team USA Support of Orlando, Fla., which previously held the lead with 3,236.

"We're feeling good," said Jimmy Johnson, whose father Don recently was named the eighth greatest player in PBA history. "We are actually relieved that the game is over. The lanes were really getting bad on us there. I wouldn't want to bowl another one right now."

Tension surrounded the group as it was getting close to the end of the third game, but the bowlers relied on their experience and stuck to their game plan.

"We always have a game plan," said Johnson, who is a member of the 1991 Regular Doubles and Team All-Events champions. "We tried to burn up a spot and then move inside, but that actually backfired on us a little bit. The last game, we burned too big of a spot, and it got ugly."

Regardless of the difficulties they faced, Johnson praised his teammates.

"I thanked them all personally for doing what they did and for bowling on this team," Johnson said. "Both of our new members shot 700, so bravo to them."

This year, Andres Gomez of Weston, Fla., a member of the 2004 Team All-Events winner, took the place of team founder, Jim Dunn, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.

Eric Adams of Elizabethtown, Ky., filled the team's other vacancy and led the group with a 706 series. He was followed by Gomez (702), Aaron Craig (640), Matt Ogle (637) and Johnson (621).

"Unfortunately, Jim Dunn, the guy who put this team together and usually sponsors us, tore his right wrist," Johnson said. "He was gracious enough to name the team after my father and his foundation, and I really appreciate that."

The Don Johnson Memorial Foundation raises money for juvenile diabetes. In the last two years, Johnson said the organization has raised more than $70,000. Don Johnson passed away from complications of diabetes five years ago.

Originally from Kokomo, Ind., the hall of famer was known as the "Kokomo Kid," and spent his last few years as a resident of Las Vegas.

"I have a lot of background here in Vegas, and the first time I bowled this tournament was with my father's team," Johnson said. "I still like to honor him every time I come out here."

Don Johnson won 26 professional titles during his career, including two majors, as well as three titles at the Open Championships (Classic Doubles in 1968 and '76 and Classic Team in 1977).

Presenting sponsors for the 2009 USBC Open Championships are the Coast Casinos in Las Vegas and the Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel and Four Queens Hotel and Casino, the official brackets sponsors; Sapphire Gentleman's Club; Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino; MGM Mirage; Jerry's Nugget Casino and Fitzgerald's Casino and Hotel.

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April, 2009

• 4/30/2009: Liz Johnson Takes the Queens...
• 4/30/2009: Malott is still King after Week 2!
• 4/29/2009: Former college teammates share success at Open Championships
• 4/29/2009: Johnson breaks record en route to top seed at USBC Queens
• 4/28/2009: Johnson sets new USBC Queens record with 806
• 4/28/2009: O'Keefe breaks match play record at USBC Queens
• 4/26/2009: Patrick Allen Nips Malott at the Wire...
• 4/25/2009: Malott Leads in Japan...
• 4/24/2009: Boomershine and Friends Rocket to USBC Women's lead...
• 4/23/2009: Malott is King After Week 1...
• 4/22/2009: Hy-Road at the West Germany Championships
• 4/21/2009: Barrett beats Belmonte to win World Tenpin Masters
• 4/16/2009: Boresch, Dale Traber Roll to Lead with Virtual Gravity's...
• 4/15/2009: Senior High Roller Champs Crowned at Sam's Town!
• 4/13/2009: CDB Rolls in the Women's Series
• 4/09/2009: The Schlemer Report (2009 Lumber Liquidators U.S Open)
• 4/08/2009: Richgels, Myers, and Friends Rock Vegas...
• 4/08/2009: National Title Up For Grabs
• 4/06/2009: Scroggins the Giant Killer...Powers over Duke, Barnes at U.S Open
• 4/05/2009: The Amazing Norm Duke is #1 Seed at the Open
• 4/04/2009: Richgels and Crew Rocket to Lead in Las Vegas...
• 4/04/2009: Norm Duke Hangs Tough at the U.S Open...
• 4/03/2009: Watch Jason Belmonte's title run on Storm Clips!
• 4/03/2009: Duke Still in Control at the Open...
• 4/02/2009: Don Johnson Memorial Storm's USBC Team Event...
• 4/02/2009: Norm Atop the Leaderboard at the Open!
• 4/01/2009: Duke On the Prowl at the U.S Open...
• 4/01/2009: IN THE BAG - by Storm Tour Representative Chris Schlemer