Former Sam Houston standout Denise Blankenzee will compete this week for the 2025 U.S. Women's Open title after recently qualifying for the 108-bowler field.
 
The four-time All-American selection from Julianadorp, Netherlands led the way at the pre-tournament qualifier in Lincoln, Nebraska, with an eight-game total of 1,627 in her first professional event. She came straight to Lincoln after finishing up her final year as a Bearkat and made an immediate impact.
 
"My mindset today was the same as it was in college," Blankenzee said in a release from the U.S. Bowling Congress. "It's me and the lanes, obviously it was different competition than what I'm used to, but that's what I focused on."

Sam Houston head coach Brad Hagen is excited to see what Blankenzee can do as a professional and the impact she has made on the nationally-ranked Bearkat program.

"Denise and this win is a great representation of what we produce here at Sam Houston when the ladies want to pursue their professional dreams," Hagen said. "Denise has the tools to make her impact on the PWBA Tour and she's got the will, drive, and determination to enjoy the moments and not let the moments get too big. She's following and chasing her dreams, and I can't be prouder of her as well as the fact that we were able to help her competitively prepare it all."  

She originally grew up in the Netherlands and is also a member of the Dutch national bowling team, having first making the team when she was just 14 years old, and brought that experience to the U.S. Women's Open.
 
"Throughout my career, (being a part of the national team) and going to Sam Houston really prepped me for this," Blankenzee said. "All the hours we put in on the lanes, learning techniques and learning how to be consistent, everything combined makes me the bowler I am today.
 
"I'm very appreciative of Sam Houston State University, and because of my family and others, I'm here."
 
Blankenzee's end to her collegiate career at the Intercollegiate Singles Championships was something of a full circle moment.
 
"My family and I kind of joked about it because I was first recruited by Sam Houston in 2017 in Las Vegas and my final event with them (at ISC's) was in Vegas. Everything I learned while there and every experience I've had has prepared me for this moment," said Blankenzee.
 
The 2025 U.S. Women's Open qualifying rounds take place through Saturday, each day starting at 8 a.m. for eight games each round for all three squads that bowl.
 
After the third qualifying round, a cut will be made to the top third of the field, who will return Sunday for the fourth and final qualifying round at 11 a.m. Eastern, again being eight games.
 
The top 24 after qualifying will begin the first of three rounds of round-robin match play later at 5 p.m. The final two rounds will be Monday at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., and the top five after match play will bowl in the live TV stepladder finals show Tuesday at 6 p.m., only on CBS Sports Network.
 
All rounds of qualifying and match play leading up to the TV finals will be streamed live on BowlTV.