PBA Senior U.S. Open: Lennie Boresch Jr. nabs first tournament win since 2018
At 60 years old, Lennie Boresch Jr. didn't know if he'd ever get another win on the Professional Bowling Association circuit.
Tournament after tournament, almost like a cruel joke, the title seemed to slip through his fingertips.
Boresch's reaction Wednesday night at South Plains Lanes reflected the relief of getting over the longstanding hump.
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With a double-fist pump and hearty yell as he wrapped up the 10th frame, Boresch was able to release emotion four years in the making.
Boresch topped Jack Jurek 233-197 in the final match to secure the PBA Senior U.S. Open championship. It marked the Wisconsin native's first tournament victory since 2018.
"I've got about four wins and about seven second-(place finishes) in a row going for the championship," Boresch said. "The way these guys are bowling, I thought it was going to be tough. It was just overwhelming. It's been a while, been a few years.
"When you're getting older, you don't know when it's going to be your last chance to grab a win, especially the U.S. Open. It's the biggest thing in bowling."
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Boresch needed only one game to take the win. He earned the top seed after going 17-6-1 in match play. It was a position Boresch wanted to be in, but that also meant he had to watch for about 90 minutes as awaited his opponent.
"I just tried to focus on me and the lane," Boresch said of his preparation prior to the title match. "… And that's what I did, not worry about my opponent and stuff."
Jurek, who was right behind Boresch heading into the stepladder playoffs, beat Amleto Monacelli 236-212 to advance to the final. The No. 4 seed Monacelli had been on a heater, winning his first two playoffs with an average score of 225.
Although he didn't take the top prize, Jurek accepted his runner-up spot that garnered $6,500. The five-day U.S. Open featured a field of 81 competitors, including PBA hall of famers.
"If somebody would've told me I was going to finish second this week before we started, I would've bet against it," Jurek said. "This particular tournament, the U.S. Open, has always been a tough one. The talent always gets to the top. …
"It's bittersweet, because you're so close. This is one I would've never imagined winning, and to be that close, it's a tough pill to swallow."
On the other end of the spectrum was Boresch, who had a cheering section that included friends from the Midwest.
He'll head south for the PBA50 Odessa Open, which begins Thursday, to try and keep his streak going.
"I'm feeling pretty good," Boresch said. "Every day's a new day, so you don't know. We're gonna give it a shot and then take some much needed time off."
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: PBA Senior U.S. Open: Lennie Boresch Jr. nabs first win since 2018
