MATTHEWS, N.C.
- Kelly Kulick describes the past year as the most grueling of her life. All of
her frustration, hard work and patience paid off Wednesday as she won the 2007
United States Bowling Congress Queens.
Kulick of
Union, N.J., who a year ago made history by becoming the first woman to earn a
full-time exemption on the Denny's Professional Bowlers Association Tour,
defeated Diandra Asbaty of Chicago 192-143 at AMF Carolina Lanes to win the
biggest and most prestigious title in women's
bowling.
"I've
worked very hard at my game for a long time," Kulick said. "I've had
a full year of practice and that was a big time advantage. After the year that
I've had, this is the icing on the cake. This is the big
blowout of the
candle."
Kulick vaulted
into the lead in the championship match after Asbaty left a 3-4-6-7-10 split in
the eighth frame. Asbaty then left another split in the ninth frame, allowing
Kulick to step up and seal the victory with two strikes.
"I didn't
even look at the scoreboard, but after she left those splits I knew I just
needed to step up and nail a couple shots," Kulick said. "That strike
on the left lane in the eighth frame really put it away."
Asbaty, a
two-time U.S. Amateur champion and nine-time Team USA member, said she never
got comfortable in the championship match.
"I just
didn't line up right and I didn't make good decisions," Asbaty said.
"I just didn't get comfortable and with only one game for a title it's
very important to get comfortable."
On the way to
the title, Kulick defeated three-time Queens champion Wendy Macpherson of
Henderson, Nev., and then knocked off Kristal Scott of Lawrence, Kan., in the
semifinal. In the opening match, Macpherson advanced by defeating Team USA's
Shannon O'Keefe of Rochester, N.Y.
Kulick took
home $30,000 for first place in addition to the Queens tiara, pendant and
crystal trophy. Asbaty earned $18,000 for second.
2007 USBC
QUEENS
AMF Carolina
Lanes, Matthews, N.C.
Wednesday's
Results
CHAMPIONSHIP
ROUND
1, Kelly
Kulick, Union, N.J., $30,000. 2, Diandra Asbaty, Chicago,
$18,000. 3,
Kristal Scott, Lawrence, Kan., $13,000. 4, Wendy Macpherson,
Henderson,
Nev., $9,500. 5, Shannon O'Keefe, Rochester, N.Y., $7,500.