The experience was everything Del Ballard Jr. of North Richland Hills, Texas, had imagined. And the type of pressure he felt actually helped him enjoy bowling - a feeling he hadn't experienced in a while.

Making his Team USA debut, Ballard captured five gold medals - and a bit of history - at the Lee Evans Tournament of the Americas, which was held at Boardwalk Bowl in Orlando, Fla., from July 28 to Aug. 2.

"It was unbelievable ... just a fun tournament to bowl," said Ballard, who became the first professional to represent Team USA in international competition. "I'm so used to putting pressure on myself bowling for a lot of money. It was good to bowl and actually enjoy what you are doing.

"There was pressure, but it was a different type of pressure. A pressure of bowling for something more important to you: your country."

The event, which was held for the 46th time, included 175 bowlers from 18 countries across North, Central and South America - Aruba, Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico, United States, Venezuela and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Competition was divided into adult, senior and junior divisions, and the bowlers competed in singles, doubles, mixed doubles and four-person mixed team competition. Medals also were awarded for individual all-events and national all-events based on the 36-game performance of all four team members. For the third year, the junior division was split into two groups, age 12-15 and 16-19.

Leading after Day 1 of the 12-game singles event that opened the tournament, Ballard found himself trailing Puerto Rico's Luis Rodriguez by only two pins for the lead in the adult men's division and ahead of fellow Team USA teammate, David Haynes of Las Vegas, by 16 pins entering the final game.

"That's when I got nervous," said Ballard, who has three major championships among his 12 career Professional Bowlers Association titles. "My daughter (Alyssa) wanted me to bring home the 'golden trophy.' Now that was pressure. I didn't want to let my country, or my daughter, down."

Ballard finished with a 258 to leap over Rodriquez and his 170 for the gold medal, holding off Haynes and his 240 that was good enough for silver.

"After that, I was able to loosen up a bit and just bowl," said Ballard, who won mixed doubles with Brenda Viator of Greendale, Wis., and also won team, individual all-events and national all-events gold medals. "I had the confidence to know I could do this and know I could win."

A part of the nerves Ballard experienced before the tournament came from his unfamiliarity of the international competitors he would be facing.

"It was exciting to see other countries progressing in our sport," said Ballard, who averaged 226.47 over 36 games. "They've got some players down there. The first time you think they are not as good as you, they're going to beat you."

Now that Ballard has tasted what it's like to bowl for his country, he wants more.

"I'll definitely be at the (USBC Team USA) Trials," said Ballard of the tournament to determine the 2009 team that will be held later this year. "I'd like to make every year I can."

Also making her Team USA debut, Viator medaled in every event - also winning gold in team, individual all-events and national events as well as taking bronze in singles and doubles with Crystal Schoneman of Orlando, Fla.

Lucy Sandelin of Tampa, Fla., dominated the Senior division for the United States, taking the gold medal in all six events. Ed Roberts of Braintree, Mass., won gold in five events to go along with a doubles bronze with Bob Hart of Suwanee, Ga.

A week after competing in the World Youth Championships at Boardwalk Bowl, Jenny Brown of DeLand, Fla., took five gold medals in the Junior A division as well as a doubles bronze with Josie Earnest of Vandalia, Ill. Andrew Koff of Miami also medaled in each event, winning gold in mixed doubles, team, individual all-events and national all-events.

Ana Koff of Miami, Andrew's sister, and Spencer Kelly of Valrico, Fla., highlighted the United States' performance in the Junior B division, each medaling in every event.