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Well bowled in the Pro-Am event today of the PBA Southern Regional at
Springhill Lanes today. It was a 9 pin No-Tap format with handicap (90%
of 200). The oil pattern was the Cheetah pattern. They had 240 entries
in the Pro-Am.
I went in with a 190 average and got a total of 27 pins handicap. Well
me and no-taps just never seem to work out. But me and the guys that
came with me were there to have fun and bowl with the "PROS".
We saw Walter Ray there practicing XXXX9XXXX9XXX etc. he made it look so
easy and we saw Patrick Allen too. Plus there was some of the local
guy's from our house there that have their pba cards.
I got checked in and went to watch the pro's practice before our squad,
we had the first squad of the day. I saw Kevin Williams practicing, he
runs the pro shop at Springhill Lanes ( He runs a good proshop, takes
his time with you and makes sure it's right).
He had bowled in a 6 game sweeper and won a entry into the main
tournament. He came in 2nd in it averaging 226 for 6 games. So I watched
him as well as WRW and a couple of other pros, to see where to play the
shot and what balls they used.
I've never bowled on any of the animal patterns, so this was all new for
me. They stood far right between about 10 and 5 on the approach. They
were shooting around 4 & 5 at the arrows striking away. Looked like they
used mostly pearls and controlled layout nothing that was jumpy or
angular off the breakpoint.
Well thats farther right than I've ever bowled, but I said "It's out of
my comfort zone but I'll try it." as far a ball I picked up my Storm
PYRO since it was a pearl.
So how did I bowl? I shot a 640 series 245-227-168, now I have mixed
feelings about this. I should have done better, But I feel I bowled well
at least the first two games.
Warm up started so I tried the line I saw being played by the pros. I
found I could play it! I was striking or getting 9 counts. So when the
lights came on I went at it and was getting strikes and 9 counts. I only
had to shoot three 8 & 7 count spares that first game.
The 2nd game was just about the same. I moved left about 4 boards with
my feet and mark left 1. But toward the end of the game, I could see the
lanes starting to change quick.
Now the 3rd game I didn't know what adjustment to make. The ball started
hooking hard and my adjustments didn't seem to help much. I kept
striking on the left lane, but the right lane I was getting some
splits/washouts.
Then right toward the end I thought maybe it was more a speed problem.
So I moved back to my first marks and increased my speed. Well that was
it, I got going alitte to save some of the game.
Looking back at it. Thats what the pros had done, they picked up thier
speed and kept the same marks. I just didn't notice thats what they had
done.
How did our pros do? Well pretty good. Combined they had a 866 series
300-270-296. But darn I can't remember what balls they used.
Our first pro was Ronnie Horton (300) real nice guy, he offered some
good advice. It was about the Cheetah and following through to get it
down the lane.
He was on the Ebonite pro staff. Told us about how good the Smash time
ball was and that there was a new one coming called the "Clash". Also
talked about the NVS (copper colored) coming out that it would be a
monster hooker.
The 2nd one was James Miller a lefty, Ton of power playing the leftside
2 board. Slipped up in the 10th and threw a gutter ball, but he spared
then struck for the 270.
Last was Shawn McKee he hammered out the 296 by leaving the 3,6,9,10 on
the last ball.
So over all it was a good day wish I done better, but for trying
something new it wasn't to bad. I don't feel to bad the 3 pros bowling
with one of my friends shot like 170's & 180's with the no-tap!
OUCH!!
UPDATE-
Well thanks to my pro's I cashed in the Pro-Am!
I finished in 2nd place just missing 1st place by 2 pins.
I received a plaque and $180 in prize money.
Springhill Lanes today. It was a 9 pin No-Tap format with handicap (90%
of 200). The oil pattern was the Cheetah pattern. They had 240 entries
in the Pro-Am.
I went in with a 190 average and got a total of 27 pins handicap. Well
me and no-taps just never seem to work out. But me and the guys that
came with me were there to have fun and bowl with the "PROS".
We saw Walter Ray there practicing XXXX9XXXX9XXX etc. he made it look so
easy and we saw Patrick Allen too. Plus there was some of the local
guy's from our house there that have their pba cards.
I got checked in and went to watch the pro's practice before our squad,
we had the first squad of the day. I saw Kevin Williams practicing, he
runs the pro shop at Springhill Lanes ( He runs a good proshop, takes
his time with you and makes sure it's right).
He had bowled in a 6 game sweeper and won a entry into the main
tournament. He came in 2nd in it averaging 226 for 6 games. So I watched
him as well as WRW and a couple of other pros, to see where to play the
shot and what balls they used.
I've never bowled on any of the animal patterns, so this was all new for
me. They stood far right between about 10 and 5 on the approach. They
were shooting around 4 & 5 at the arrows striking away. Looked like they
used mostly pearls and controlled layout nothing that was jumpy or
angular off the breakpoint.
Well thats farther right than I've ever bowled, but I said "It's out of
my comfort zone but I'll try it." as far a ball I picked up my Storm
PYRO since it was a pearl.
So how did I bowl? I shot a 640 series 245-227-168, now I have mixed
feelings about this. I should have done better, But I feel I bowled well
at least the first two games.
Warm up started so I tried the line I saw being played by the pros. I
found I could play it! I was striking or getting 9 counts. So when the
lights came on I went at it and was getting strikes and 9 counts. I only
had to shoot three 8 & 7 count spares that first game.
The 2nd game was just about the same. I moved left about 4 boards with
my feet and mark left 1. But toward the end of the game, I could see the
lanes starting to change quick.
Now the 3rd game I didn't know what adjustment to make. The ball started
hooking hard and my adjustments didn't seem to help much. I kept
striking on the left lane, but the right lane I was getting some
splits/washouts.
Then right toward the end I thought maybe it was more a speed problem.
So I moved back to my first marks and increased my speed. Well that was
it, I got going alitte to save some of the game.
Looking back at it. Thats what the pros had done, they picked up thier
speed and kept the same marks. I just didn't notice thats what they had
done.
How did our pros do? Well pretty good. Combined they had a 866 series
300-270-296. But darn I can't remember what balls they used.
Our first pro was Ronnie Horton (300) real nice guy, he offered some
good advice. It was about the Cheetah and following through to get it
down the lane.
He was on the Ebonite pro staff. Told us about how good the Smash time
ball was and that there was a new one coming called the "Clash". Also
talked about the NVS (copper colored) coming out that it would be a
monster hooker.
The 2nd one was James Miller a lefty, Ton of power playing the leftside
2 board. Slipped up in the 10th and threw a gutter ball, but he spared
then struck for the 270.
Last was Shawn McKee he hammered out the 296 by leaving the 3,6,9,10 on
the last ball.
So over all it was a good day wish I done better, but for trying
something new it wasn't to bad. I don't feel to bad the 3 pros bowling
with one of my friends shot like 170's & 180's with the no-tap!
OUCH!!
UPDATE-
Well thanks to my pro's I cashed in the Pro-Am!
I finished in 2nd place just missing 1st place by 2 pins.
I received a plaque and $180 in prize money.
lol
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