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Bowling News USA - October 10, 2009 Shannon O'Keefe Returns to TV Sunday on ESPN

Last April, Storm staffer Shannon O'Keefe of Arlington, Texas, made a mistake on the lanes that stayed with her for months, but her performance at the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, a USBC event, proved that her mental game finally is back on track.

This Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT on ESPN, watch O'Keefe in her bid for her second U.S. Women's Open semifinals appearance in three years.

O'Keefe's success has been steady in recent years, but missing a key 10 pin when she was on verge of a making the TV show at the 2009 USBC Queens affected her more than she realized at the time. Instead of winning that match against eventual champion Liz Johnson of Cheektowaga, N.Y., and guaranteeing herself a spot on TV, O'Keefe couldn't see past the error, despite still having a chance to make the show.

"Something happened mentally after I missed that spare, and after that, I didn't trust myself and couldn't throw the ball," said O'Keefe, who finished second to Johnson at the 2007 U.S. Women's Open. "I still had the chance to make the TV show, but I had checked out mentally. I was so confident and bowled so well along the way, but one little mistake changed everything. I just couldn't let it go fast enough, and it clearly affected me."

Although it is still in the back of her mind, O'Keefe has been able to move forward and use the experience as motivation.

"It stayed with me for months, but then something finally clicked and made me realize that it's just bowling," O'Keefe said. "I was disappointed with the fact that I couldn't let it go and that my whole mental game and whole life were wrapped up in that moment. I finally decided that if I can't have fun doing something I love to do, then I shouldn't be doing it."

The 30-year-old right-hander faced her demons and emerged as the top seed after 40 games of qualifying at Strike Zone Bowling Center inside the Sunset Station Hotel and Casino in Henderson, Nev. Her efforts earned her one of 12 spots for the televised portion of the 2009 U.S. Women's Open, which is being shown on ESPN in five parts throughout September and October and will conclude next Sunday at 2 p.m. EDT as the winners from the first four shows battle for the coveted title.

"I've made sure to stay focused on myself and not the things around me, let my armswing be loose and just bowl," said O'Keefe, a five-time member of Team USA. "I can't control what anyone else is doing. If I throw the best shots I can, frame in and frame out, that's all I can do. I go into these events knowing all I can do is be my best each day, and if I keep putting myself in position to win, eventually, it's going to happen."

On Sunday's show, O'Keefe will take on the winner of the opening match between Johnson and former Team USA member Missy Bellinder of Fullerton, Calif.

On the first three shows of the five-part series, Tammy Boomershine of North Ogden, Utah, Team USA member Shannon Pluhowsky of Phoenix and USBC Hall of Famer Carolyn Dorin-Ballard of Keller, Texas, earned their way onto next week's final show, where the champion will be crowned.

Any competitor who rolls a 300 game on one of the first four TV shows will receive a $25,000 bonus. A perfect game in the semifinals or championship match (the fifth show) will earn the player $100,000.

Qualifying at the U.S. Women's Open was at held Strike Zone Bowling Center from Aug. 4-7, and the five TV shows were taped Aug. 8-9.

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