Hey guys,
My family and I are going to the Philippines later this year... one of the many overseas countries in which bowling is considered a top-notch sport. Their amateur tournaments make EspnStar channel (the southeast asian mainstream sports station) practically every week.
Also, during the time I will be going to Singapore for the Cathay Junior Classic... just a coincidence kind of thing- its part of the vacation. I will just try my luck against the kids out there... yet I will begin to practice now considering that first prize is approximately $12,000US. I know what to expect... scores in the previous years have been consistently low where the top 24-game qualifier was just +90 or so (last place pulled off a 175 average... that was out of 175 kids)- the kids are good.
I realized that I can't bring my equipment from America to Asia because of some restrictions and some inconveniences in flying with bowling balls overseas. I decided that I'll just bring a plastic ball and a benchmark ball with me, and drill some balls out in the Philippines where I have a few days out there, and I plan on visiting our friends at the Kegel Training Center-Asia (in Manila).
From your experiences, what are the differences between the bowling balls in the International market and the USA market? Are they just the same balls with different names? Or they different because of the fact that the climate and scoring conditions there are much more different than that of the united states? I see a lot of medium-high rg balls out there with heavily-loaded paritlce coverstocks in my research. I also notice that players who have visited Asia find that there is a lack of oil on their lanes, hence the numerous number of spinner-type bowlers. Is that an issue? Also, since it is warmer out there, lane surfaces begin to get softer. Is that a reason why the international markets are different compared ot America's bowling balls?
Am i right in saying that the international market balls are different for a good reason for me? Saying... hey you should buy the balls there (which isn't a problem) because the equipment there suits the scoring conditions in that part of the world better compared to our super low RG Super-Freaks and Icon 300's of America?
I am very curious and this tournament is less than 6 months away, and I am getting started in preparation for this vacation. I want to do well, but If i don't... at least I know I was prepared.
Let me know what you think.
Thanks for all your help in advance.
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-Jeremy Vitug
BallReviews.com Burning Sensations Bowling Team
