how many bowling fans are there here?

[EDC1977]

  I regularly see Glenn "mr.900" Allison and occasionally, Barry Gurney and Darryl Storkson competing nearby. It's nice to see you're still passionate about the sport. Perhaps we can chat when I sweep in March. Never bowled competitively, just like to bowl!
 Barry Asher owns an embroidery shop out here in Costa Mesa.

[shadowman]

I've bowled with all 3 of them. Which reminds me ... (stop reading now if you're not interested in old bowler's tales).
One of my most memorable moments occurred in Brentwood, CA. I qualified for the semis by changing my release to almost a complete spinner. At the release point my only thought was point my thumb down (not generally a good technique).
 
Going into the position round I was in 9th place (out of 24). This was one of the few tournaments they took 8 bowlers into the finals (a failed experiment if you remember watching these on TV ... boring).
 
Bowling against each other in 7th and 8th place were Peter Couture and Barry Asher. I was bowling against lefty Barry Gurney. I needed to beat Barry and have one of the other two bowl so-so and I would move up into the finals.
Of course, I was watching Couture and Asher throw strike after strike and, although I was bowling decently, it became obvious I wasn't going to catch them. When I got up to bowl my final two frames they had finished (279-268). My opponent, Barry Gurney, had left several solid 7s and I was well ahead. I was just going through the motions, more or less, when I struck on my 2nd ball in the 10th frame. Several of my friends let out a cheer and I turned around wondering WTF ... as it turns out the bowler in 6th place had bowled a poor game (the video screen was not visible from my pair) and that strike put me into 8th place. My first (and only) national Senior Tour finals. After the game Bob Glass asked me if I knew I needed the strike ... I just winked at him, thinking, I'm not about to admit I'm a moron.
The first game in the finals I bowled against both Couture and Asher (both Hall of Fame PBA legends). I won with a modest 213 game on fresh oil. The second game I started with a strike ... my next shot was about as good as I can throw a ball ... I left a perfect pocket 9 pin. Those who bowl a little know the "only" perfect pocket tap is supposed to be the 8 pin. Not this time. I think that shot woke me up and I struggled to a 198. Dave Soutar won the game with 240 something.
 
I'm a little amazed I remember all this detail. Maybe there's hope for me yet.




 
Ed, let me know when your in town and where you'll be staying. I'll be sure to drop by.
 

[jc1656]

I asked this question because I will be in VEGAS next week to bowl in THE TOURNAMENT of CHAMPIONS at RED ROCK. I had surgery on my knee in JULY and I AM NOT 100% but I can't resist a trip to VEGAS! I won't be playing my usual $1 or $2 ddb since I haven't bowled a tour stop since APRIL but I will still have fun!

[faygo]

That nine pin was probably because of a bad rack.  In the old days we always blamed it on the pin setter.
 
jc1656 you know you are going to have to tell us how you do in the tournament. Good Luck!

[shadowman]

Yes, let me add my support as well. I imagine this year has been tough on you. Injuries are the pits. I'm sure you've recovered pretty well or you wouldn't be bowling. Of course, there's a big difference between being recovered and having your game in tip top form.
I think Red Rock has some $ 10/6 DDB. After you win the tournament you can have a little fun..
I will try to make it out there next week and see the bowlers. I've not had a good reason to get out there until now.

[shadowman]

That nine pin was probably because of a bad rack.  In the old days we always blamed it on the pin setter.
 
 
Actually, it seemed to be a leave I only got with the particular ball I was using. With the extra spin, the surface of this ball and the way I had it drilled ... I left them quite often. Never had the problem with any other ball.
 
OTOH, the ball was probably the best striking ball I ever had. It could really open up a lane with a very gradual oil grandient. I wore it out eventually and could never find one quite like it.

[EDC1977]

  To both Shadow and Faygo: sad to see the game deteriorate to the point house bowlers carry 220 plus averages and can throw 300/800's regularly. Sad to see so many undeserved 900 series thrown/approved. I say get em' all to bowl with Manhattan Rubber balls and see how well they do. Last year, we had a" bowl with plastic" tourney. Only 3 could muster a 3 game 600+ series. I loved it but needless to say, the babies cried and cursed the manager for such a concept. Will be bowling Sat. Mar 8 at 1200 (noon) Sams Town. Look for a really loud group and I'll be the quiet one . A true tap is the 9 pin. 8 pins meant the ball wasn't driving enough to carry the 5/8. Didn't know the TofC bowled Red Rock, I thought it was at Sunset Station. jc1656 good luck

[shadowman]

The topic of bowling integrity has been discussed for years. It started dropping back in the 80s and has been going south ever since. I think it is THE major reason people lost interest in professional bowling through the 90s. You could see as good or better scoring at your local lanes. Most people have no idea the difference in talent between the best pros and good amatuer bowlers.
Your comment about plastic balls got me thinking to the old days when the plastic balls first came out and were a vast improvement over the old rubber balls. I loved my old "bleeding" yellow dot.

[MikeA]

I still have a yellow dot and a white dot.  Also have a powder blue soft rubber ball but never used it much.  Back in the day, I carried a weak 185 to mid 190 avg.

[shadowman]

I still have a yellow dot and a white dot.  Also have a powder blue soft rubber ball but never used it much.  Back in the day, I carried a weak 185 to mid 190 avg.
 
As would many of today's 220 bowlers if they bowled "back in the day".
 
I bowled 300 games with both "dots", nowadays I use a white dot as my spare ball.