Ebonite Brand Manager Takes Lead

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - As the brand manager for Ebonite, Edward Gallagher of Clarksville, Tenn., spends a lot of time behind the scenes enjoying the successes of his many professional and amateur staff members, but he had his own turn in the spotlight at the USBC Open Championships this weekend.After a tournament-high 771 series in team Saturday night, the 40-year-old right-hander returned to the Albuquerque Convention Center and added 701 in singles and 669 in doubles Sunday to catapult himself into the Regular All-Events lead with 2,141. John Gaines of Orlando, Fla., who works for Gallagher, previously held the lead with 2,092.

“There was a time when I used to compete a lot, but I would venture to say that now, most of my staff members don’t even know I bowl,” said Gallagher, who made his 13th Open Championships appearance. “It really hasn’t sunk in yet, and right now I’m just overwhelmed. I know the history of the sport and this event, so to take the lead here is very humbling.”

Because he’s been busy with a series of seminars that have taken him across America and all the way to Japan during the past six weeks, Gallagher hasn’t spent too much time on the lanes, but did get a chance to practice and strategize with his teammates after arriving in Albuquerque.

The group spent part of Friday practicing on the tournament pattern at a nearby bowling center and then met again Saturday morning for a three-hour session at a different center.

“Since we are all scattered across the country and don’t get to see each other that often, we like to get to town early and spend as much time on the lanes together as we can,” said Gallagher, who helped his team to a 3,024 total Saturday. “Practicing on the tournament pattern helped us get into the mindset to execute and make better shots. The sessions also gave us a chance to analyze each other’s equipment, drill balls if we needed to and match surfaces as best we could to be successful.”

But despite his passion for competition and Sunday’s proof that he can hold his own against more than 63,000 bowlers at the Open Championships, Gallagher is just as happy on the sidelines supporting his staff and his family, especially his 6-year-old son, Noah, who bowls anytime he has the opportunity. Gallagher also has an 11-month-old daughter, Ella.

“I used to compete a lot, but I’ve had my time, and now it’s time for my son to get his chance,” Gallagher said. “He’s only in kindergarten right now, but if he has a good day in school, he gets to go out and practice, and he loves it. More kids should have the passion he does. Right now, I’m happy living through my staff and my son, but to go out and bowl as well as I did today was very satisfying.”

Presenting sponsors for the 2008 USBC Open Championships are Eldorado Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and Circus Circus Reno in Reno, Nev. Other participating sponsors are Kegel, official lane maintenance provider; Brunswick, capital equipment supplier; Storm Products, Inc.; Roto Grip, official sponsor of the Roto Grip Sport Bowling Challenge; Isleta Casino & Resort; Santa Ana Star Casino, the official brackets sponsor; Rainbow Ryders, the exclusive hot air balloon company of the 2008 Open Championships; and Sandia Resort & Casino.