Shirley, Gibson Rack Up National
Doubles Record
Jim Wyckoff
North Little Rockıs Michael Shirley, who turned 24 today, and Little Rockıs Dirk Gibson, 29, teamed to shatter the national doubles record of 1,655, combining for 1,663 in the Thursday Doubles tournament at Enterprise Lanes in Benton. The 1,663 bettered a 1,632 earlier this year for the season high and the previous record was set in 1989 when Tom Jordan shot an 899 series.
Both players kicked off the doubles with 300 games and each added 268 the second game. Shirley followed with another 268, giving him a career-high 836 series, and Gibson finished with 259 for 827. "The 300 was my second this season and the first 268 I left the 4-pin the ninth frame and missed the 10-pin my fill ball in the 11th," Shirley said. "The last game I left 4-pins the fifth and sixth frames to finish with 31 of a possible 36 strikes. Itıs pretty awesome and pretty cool to have the national record in addition to the state record, and I took the ring for the 836." Before the record-setting doubles, Shirley shot his first 298 game that followed games of 279 and 160 for a 737 series in the 10 Pin Mixed League at Professor Sherwood Bowl. "I threw the ball really bad, right through the nose and left the 3-9," Shirley said. "I also took the ring for the 298." Shirley works for Little Rock Bowling Supply and Professor Bowl West, and started bowling at age 8 at Pike Lanes.
"I didnıt think about what we were bowling, I was so proud of the way
that Michael was bowling because he had been struggling of late," said
Gibson, an independent art director. "I finished with 30 of a possible 36
strikes and itıs pretty cool and amazing, and I canıt believe he beat me.
Iım very proud to be a part the record. Itıs quite an accomplishment for
Gordon [Childers, owner of Enterprise] for the lane conditions.
Publication: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette; Date: Thursday, 19 June, 2003 ; Section: Sports; Page: 28
In addition to setting a new doubles record Shirley and Gibson also bowled the highest doubles game of the 2002 - 2003 season with 300 - 300 for a 600 game. Read about these scores here and other honor scores here.