Pictured Is: Josh Kennedy. Photo Courtesy Of Agent Ong Open.
Chandler - - - Bowlero Kyrene Lanes in Chandler, and the Agent Ong Open. Are becoming Josh Kennedy's favorite bowling center and event to bowl in, in Arizona.
There is a good reason why. After going 2 for 2 the past two years, he has bowled in the tournament, he has a third-place finish. And won the event last month.
The Minnesota native outlasted a strong tournament field. That included Arizona bowlers: Brett Wolfe, and Cortez Schenck. And PBA Stars Kyle Troup and Anthony Simonsen.
He works at a bowling center in Blaine, which is a suburb of Minneapolis/St.Paul. This gives him ample time to practice, bowl leagues, and prepare for events such as the Agent Ong Open.
Below, is a Q and A session that we had with him. Following the Agent Ong Open - The Trilogy.
Compiled By Michael 'Chip' Begg
Managing Editor-thetenpinexpress.com
1.Q. What made you want to try the Agent Ong Open - The Trilogy.
A. The fact that it is a tough tournament with a strong field made me want to try it, not to mention before I tried the tournament, I’ve never been to Arizona. Figured it would be a cool location to check out and would be cool to get more experience in a higher stake's tournament.
2.Q. What were some of the comments you saw about the Agent Ong Open, that told you this would be a great event to bowl. And that you could possibly do well in it.
A.Some of the comments I saw were how great the prize fund is and how level the tournament seems to be for everyone. I do like where there is fair play and it’s not just favoring one specific person.
3.Q.Now that you have bowled and won the event, did the event exceed your expectations of it.
A. I exceeded my expectations just by making the stepladder. Last year I came out and was fortunate to finish 3rd. I just told myself if I can make the cut again and make match play that would be cool. Never expected to make the stepladder let alone win the tournament as the number 1 seed.
4.Q. What were you realistically trying to accomplish in the event. And when did you begin to feel, you might actually have a chance to win it.
A. I just wanted more tournament experience at a higher level. Back at home we have monthly tournaments but nothing like the agent ong. Idk if I ever felt like I really had a chance to win it but if I had that feeling, probably when I found out I was the top seed in the stepladder. Would’ve been a very last second feeling or thought.
5.Q.What do you think the turning point of the event was for you. And your key to success.
A. The key to my success was trusting the process one shot at a time and just trying to stay in the moment. As cliche as it sounds it really is true. Versatility was the added icing to the cake which helped.
6.Q. Was there one game where you wish you had a chance to bowl over or were you happy with your performance all weekend.
A. In a way I wish I would’ve bowled the championship match again. I do feel like I could’ve handled the nerves better and would’ve liked to put up a little more of a quality game. And I most certainly would’ve liked to try again in the progressive.
7.Q.What was it about the consistency of your game during the weekend, that kept you near or on top of the leader board.
A.Just trusting the shot that I had since day 1. I knew if I could trust the gutter and trust myself to repeat good shots I would have a chance at the stepladder.
8.Q.What was your favorite moment of the event, and least favorite. How were you able to bounce back from your least favorite moment.
A My favorite moment was winning the tournament but at the same time, there’s too many good moments to name. My least favorite moment was when I bowled bad or missed easy spares.
9.Q.How would you describe the field in the event, and the competition that you faced.
A.The field is strong. There’s no doubt about it when you have local bowlers, and some of the top touring pros. Bowlers with a ton of experience at the higher level that lace up, and are not afraid to go all in.
10.Q.With the field that was entered in this event, how do you think it will help this event moving forward.
A.It would greatly help the tournament grow especially seeing a senior with some handicap make the ladder. I think it will give some the confidence boost to know anyone can make it that far and anyone has a chance to win.
11.Q.Favorite person to bowl against in the field, and how helpful was everyone.
A.Everyone was helpful. My favorite person to bowl against would’ve been Cortez Schenck. With how good he is, he gave me a great challenge.
12.Q.How long have you been bowling. Is this the biggest event that you have wone. What has this win done for your bowling career.
A.I have been bowling for 19 years, and this is by far the biggest event I have ever won.
13.Q.Have you had any endorsement deals prior to or do you do know.
A.Not necessarily but I did have a contract with Bowlifi and I still do.
14.Q.What was the equipment that you used, and will it go into retirement. How tough was the shot and how did you conquer it.
A.I threw mainly urethane. The hammer urethanes will go into retirement but everything else will stay. The shot was tough. There were some tricky spots to adjust around especially in transition.
15.Q.What do you do for a living. How many leagues do you bowl in, and how many practice games per week. How has bowling helped with the work/life balance.
A.I work at a bowling center. I bowl league 3 nights a week, I practice about 3-4 times a week so including league about 30 games per week. Bowling has helped with the micromanagement whether it’s time or priorities, etc.
16.Q.How do you feel bowling in Arizona, stacks up to bowling in Minnesota. Is the talent in the Midwest as good as it is here.
A.Bowling in Arizona was cool. We have good competition up here, but I think down in Arizona the field is a little stronger. In my opinion, more PBA level bowlers in Arizona.
17.Q.Where did you go to high school and college. Was bowling part of the experience, and did you win any major high school or college titles.
A.I went to high school and college in MN. Bowled for the Spring Lake Park High School team, which was all baker games for the format. It was a good experience with team play and learning to work together in a different aspect. I never bowled for college.
18.Q. What are some of the events that Minnesota has, that are comparable to the Agent Ong Open.
A.There are no events to compare to the Agent Ong back in MN. We just have monthly scratch tournaments on patterns 2.5:1 or less. If anything, the closest tournaments would be the GIBA 11th frame open, fall/winter classics in Iowa or possibly the CMA in Minot ND. Regardless there’s no comparison.
19.Q. What will it be like to be defending champion of the event and come back next year to defend the title.
A.It may feel like more pressure but I’m going to try to avoid that mindset. Probably just come back out and try to make the stepladder for the third year in a row. Going 3/3 would be a cool stat.
20.Q. What will you always remember about this event, and what you have accomplished by bowling in it.
A.I’ll always remember the good company and people I have met. And I have accomplished being a better bowler I guess…. And I would say traveling to a new area.
21.Q. What is the name of the bowling center you work at in Minnesota. If it is a Bowlero, how would you compare it to Bowlero Kyrene.
A.I work at Blainbrook bowl which is a family-owned center. I basically work the counter and do a couple of other things there but when I came back I was welcomed with a lot of people congratulating me and complimenting me. It was heartwarming
22.Q.After finishing third in the Agent Ong last year, what told you to come back again this year. And give it another try.
A.What told me to give the agent ong another try was the fact that I knew I had a decent chance at winning last year but the mental hiccups came into play. I knew I was so close yet so far so I figured I might as well run it back.
23.Q.Are you glad that you listen to your inner-self and came back this year for another try.
A.I’m glad I came back to give it a try, if I didn’t, I would’ve questioned how things would’ve gone. Would’ve left me curious.
24.Q.Since you have been bowling for 19 years. What do you feel your best year was. Why does it stand out as your best year.
A.I would say the year of 2025 in general was my best year. More so with the mental game being a little more in check, not to mention a lot of good finishes and just being able to come back stronger.
25.Q.If you had dedicated this win to anyone, who would it be and why.
A.Good question. Probably to those who have helped me get this far and supported me. They’re the bridge to my success in general. Those that have stuck by me the whole time should get dedication. The support is something I’ll forever be in debt to.