Bill O'Neill (bowler)

William "Bill" O'Neill (born October 21, 1981) is a right-handed professional ten-pin bowler who competes on the PBA Tour in North America. He is a resident of Southampton, Pennsylvania. His nickname on tour is "The Real Deal". O'Neill was the 2009-10 U.S. Open champion, winning the event on February 28, 2010.[1] (See: PBA Bowling Tour: 2009-10 season.)

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Collegiate career

O'Neill bowled collegiately for Saginaw Valley State University, earning first-team All American honors all four years he competed. He was named Bowling Writers Association of America's Collegiate Bowler of the Year in 2001, 2003 and 2004. He was also honored as the Most Valuable Player by the National Collegiate Bowling Coaches Association in 2003 and 2004.[2]

PBA career

O'Neill was named PBA Rookie of the Year in his first full PBA season (2005-06), after making the Round of 32 match play 11 times in 18 tournaments and appearing once in the TV finals.[3]

Despite not winning a tournament, O'Neill had an excellent season in 2008-09. He qualified for match play in a career-high 18 of 20 tournaments, made the TV finals seven times, and narrowly missed winning the PBA's George Young High Average Award (222.96 to Wes Malott's 222.98).

After 83 tournaments and 11 previous TV finals appearances without winning, O'Neill finally earned his elusive first PBA Tour title in the PBA Chameleon Championship on September 6, 2009, defeating Ronnie Russell in the final match by a score of 205-192.[4]

O'Neill earned his second PBA Tour title and first major title at the 2009-10 67th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open. After qualifying as the #2 seed, he defeated Tommy Jones in the semifinal match, 203-152. He started slowly in the championship match against #1 seed and defending champ Mike Scroggins, converting a spare then leaving an open frame. But he then rolled the final 10 strikes of the game, for a 267-207 victory.[5]

He finished the 2009-10 season tied with Walter Ray Williams, Jr. and Mike Scroggins in PBA Player of the Year points, but the honor went to Williams in an overall competition points tie-breaker.[6]

At the 2010 PBA World Series of Bowling, O'Neill had the highest 60-game qualifying scores among all bowlers. This earned him the #1 seed for the 2010-11 PBA World Championship, which took place January 14-16, 2011.[7] But he was defeated in the final match at that event by Chris Barnes, 267-237. At the World Series, Bill also won the Pepsi Viper Championship for his third PBA Tour title.[8]

Through 2010-11, O'Neill has thrown 15 perfect 300 games in PBA competition. He has cashed $493,780 in PBA Tour earnings.

International Achievements

Bill bowled for Team USA at the 2010 WTBA World Men's Championships, where he won the gold medal match in singles over South Korea's Choi Bok-Eum, 244-202.[9] He also won a trios gold medal with Chris Barnes and Rhino Page, while helping Team USA to gold medals in team and all-events.

Personal

Bill was married to Christi White, a former NCAA bowler and graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University in May, 2010.

References

  1. ^ Vint, Bill. "Bill O'Neill Wins First Major Title in 67th Lumber Liquidators U.S. Open." Article at www.pba.com on February 28, 2010.
  2. ^ Exempt player bios at www.pba.com
  3. ^ Exempt player bios at www.pba.com
  4. ^ "O'Neill Wins First Career Title in Chameleon." Article at www.pba.com, Nov. 22, 2009.
  5. ^ Thomas, Jason. "U.S. Open TV Recap." Article at www.pba.com on March 1, 2010.
  6. ^ Vint, Bill. "Weber Re-Writes PBA History with Marathon Open Victory, Hands Williams Player of the Year Title." Article at www.pba.com on April 4, 2010.
  7. ^ Vint, Bill. "O'Neill Wins Top Berth for PBA World Championship." Article at www.pba.com on October 29, 2010. [1]
  8. ^ Schneider, Jerry. "O'Neill Romps to Third PBA Tour Title in Pepsi Viper Championship." Article at www.pba.com on December 5, 2010. [2]
  9. ^ Thomas, Jason. "O'Neill golden in singles at World Men's Championshops." Article at www.pba.com on August 14, 2010.[3]