My team is not going this year. We have gone every year for a long time, but not this time. The lane conditions we bowled on at Clover last year were so bad, most of us were disgusted with the whole sport for weeks. Before anyone gets too revved up and ready to lecture me about good bowlers being able to adjust and bowl on any kind of lane conditions, let me just say that I'm not talking about quantity of oil or pattern. I'm talking about the LANES themselves. The lanes we were assigned to last year weren't even attached to the floor. Any kind of loft, no matter how minimal, resulted in the ball bouncing two or three times. I've never seen that before, or since. Add to that the fact that there appeared to be no oil on the lanes--the type of condition that loft is a strategy for--and it was impossible. Of fifteen games bowled by my team, two were over average--one by one pin and one by several. My team has two strokers, a power stroker, a tweener, and a cranker. Nobody's style had an advantage. It was a disgrace.
We were scheduled (much to our delight after that farce) to return the next weekend for doubles and singles. Guess which lanes we were assigned to? That's right, the same pair. At least we all got in one set on another pair, but by that time nobody cared.
I'm sure that the whole center doesn't suck, but we're not giving it another chance. If it isn't fun, why do it? It wasn't fun, and we're sitting it out this year.
The lanes, whose numbers I forget, were the lowest two on the high side of the house. Maybe they've nailed them down by now.
Good luck. I'm not being sarcastic--I really do hope all of our members here on the board bowl well! My team will be back next year when, presumably, the tournament will be held elsewhere.
Shiv
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Forever let us hold our banner high
