RENO, Nev. - The National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nev., will always be a special place for Mike Miller of Rio Rancho, N.M., because that's where he rolled one of the Professional Bowlers Association's 17 televised perfect games.

Nearly eight years later, the 46-year-old right-hander with an unorthodox thumbless release is still knocking down pins at the Stadium, this time shooting 739 in singles, 727 in team and 648 in doubles for a 2,114 total and the top spot in Regular All-Events at the USBC Open Championships. Ken Duffield of Madison, Wis., also a no-thumber, previously held the lead with 2,106.

"This facility is very special to me and I feel fortunate that I even had the chance to shoot 300 on TV," said Miller, who is second in Regular Singles and teamed up with Matt Smith of Altoona, Iowa, to move into eighth place in Regular Doubles with 1,316. "I really enjoy coming here, and now to be part of a prestigious, long-standing event like this really adds to it. This event was always special to my father and his friends, and I'd love to win an eagle one day."

Miller, who enjoyed a 23-year professional career that included three national and eight regional titles, made his first Open Championships appearance a memorable one this weekend as he also helped Tom's Rhinoplasty of Newton, Iowa, into the Regular Team lead with 3,203 and Team All-Events lead with 9,764.

Smith added 2,015 for the group and was followed by Jason Hale (1,918), Eric Arnold (1,885) and Dick Lankford (1,832). Team Dirty of Madison, Wis., previously held the Team All-Events lead with 9,619, while Lawn Lanes of Burbank, Ill., led Regular Team with 3,118.

Tom's Rhinoplasty came to Reno as a newly formed team in 2007.  "We made some changes this year and I think we have come up with a good mix of experience, friendship, and talent," said Arnold, the team captain. "Adding Mike Miller definitely gave us a confidence boost and higher expectations.  We have hopes of a top 10 team finish."

Mike Miller and Matt Smith are both from the Albuquerque, NM area.  Matt bowled 1 year on the PBA Tour and then decided to get a real job, which landed him in Iowa.  In Iowa Matt began working for the same company as Eric Arnold.  They had desks next to each other and with their bowling backgrounds a friendship quickly formed.  After bowling in the National tournament a few years together the opportunity to bowl with Mike Miller came about.  So Matt and Eric joined Miller and added bowlers Jason Hale and Dick Lankford, also distinguished bowlers in central Iowa.  Call it beginners luck if you want to, but great players make average players look better.  Mike Miller was the Michael Jordan of Tom's Rhinoplasty.  Matt Smith is their Scottie Pippen, and the rest are great role players.

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The Team Name of Tom's Rhinoplasty comes from the TV Show South Park on Comedy Central.

 

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