Hi, everyone!
Well, I made it home from Wichita late, late last night. Road construction magically appeared on the way home that wasn't there five days ago on the way out. Yuck. Plus, hit a nasty storm cell in West Texas that turned mid-day to absolute night for about 100 miles. Slow going for sure.
About the bowling ...
I did OK for me. Team shot was tough for everyone. I knew it was going to be a tougher shot than I'm used to, but I sure wasn't prepared for how long and flat it truly was. Heck, it was tough enough for everyone that my first game score of 112 got me through all four of the brackets I entered. Ended up winning three of the four brackets. Enough to finance my D/S brackets the next day. I managed to eek out a pitiful 430 series by bowling a 202 in my second game. Not sure how it happened, but I was sure glad it did. Was one of only two people on my team to get the 200 pin this trip. Since it was my first time at the WIBC tournament, I didn't know about the 200 and 225 pins, but apparently they're rather coveted.
We were (un)lucky enough to get second-shift oil on both squads, which kind of surprised me since I had visited both venues the day before at the start of our squad times and they were oiling before those squads. I was glad to have my new Depth Charge as nothing else in my bag was handling the oil and carrydown at all. I wasn't sure about throwing a new ball during a tournament, but it turned out to be a good decision.
All in all, I can't complain about how I bowled for my first WIBC. I entered with a 135 book average and managed a 143 average for the tournament. Ended this league season with a 145 average in my home house, so I figure I pretty much bowled my ability.
Aside from the bowling, I had a great time at the tournament. I met a bunch of great ladies and got to know people from my home association whom I'd never met. I hope to go to Tulsa with this fine group of women next year. Should be a lot of fun now that I won't be a rank newbie anymore. Oh, yes, they make you wear a "newbie" pin during your first time at the competition. Not a small pin, either, but a big black and yellow plastic button that lets everyone know you're the new kid in the house.
Anyway, thanks again for all the words of encouragement you all offered. I took Sawbones' advice and went with the idea of just having fun. It was sound advice!
Deb
