Plano bowler falls one pin short of perfect 900 series

PLANO – After rolling 35 consecutive strikes, Bill Fong claimed he was not nervous as he lined up his final shot Monday night.

Activity ceased at Plano Super Bowl as everyone in the house focused on Fong’s shot at bowling history: a perfect 900 three-game series.

The bowling gods, however, frowned on Fong. Despite a solid pocket hit, the stubborn 10-pin remained standing, and Fong had to settle for a state-record series of 899.

“Everybody is happy,” said Fong, “but I am not. I didn’t achieve what I wanted. I wanted 900.”

Bill Fong was denied a perfect 900 series by one pin at Plano Super Bowl. A self-proclaimed perfectionist, the 46-year-old barbershop owner called it the best and worst day of his life. Late Monday, Fong suffered severe dizziness and nausea, symptoms of vertigo, an affliction he has never had. He believes it was caused by adrenaline.

“How could one of the best things happen to me, and all of the sudden I am in the bathroom thinking I am going to die?” Fong said, his eyes squinting as if a spotlight was being shined in his face. “I thought I was having a mini-stroke.”

With a previous high series of 814, Fong was entering uncharted territory Monday after back-to-back 300s. But his focus never wavered, as he analyzed the lane conditions and other details while rolling strike after strike.

Fong’s final shot naturally deflated the crowd of 150, according to pro shop technician Danny Westbrook. “To be that close and leave a 10-pin, it’s heartbreaking. Everybody wanted it for him,” he said. Fong’s series broke the state record of 890 set by Frankie Alonzo of DeSoto in 2002. According to the U.S. Bowling Congress, there have been only 15 sanctioned 900 series in history, and Fong’s 899 was the 11th on record.