Random thoughts on the ABC Masters.

I’m surprised at how few WPBA members appear to be bowling in it. I’ve only seen Kim Terrell, Kelly Kullick, Liz Johnson and Missy Bellinder (I don’t know if she is WPBA). All of these have made the first cut (Kim is high at 70) except for Liz Johnson. I thought since there wasn’t a tour more might try. I’m sure I’ve missed some (my eyes get tired).

Look at some of the players who missed the first cut, Tim Mack and Patrick Healy, among them. I wonder what the tour and Tim would do if he doesn’t make the top 50 for next year?

While scores are generally low it still took a 235 average to lead qualifying. Just shows what Bob Hanson and others have said for a long time, that on any condition someone will match up and hit them.

 I’ve got to admire some bowler’s intestinal fortitude. How would you like to be the guys in 572 averaging 140 and the whole world can see how you are doing. I’ve got to believe that is why many withdrew.

Among those on the bottom is a local bowler who came into the proshop last fall and ask what we thought his chances were of winning the Masters. We were a little blunt in the answer in saying that he had no chance. His reply was “Well I’m averaging 205 now in one of my leagues and that is good enough to win”. We tried to explain the difference in lane conditions and that the guys who could win would average 240 on his shot but it went right over his head. Two weeks ago he came in and told us he was entered and was talking about his plans for the $100K first place check. We simply nodded and wished him luck. Maybe now he has a better understanding.

I guess I’m just as bad, I’m ready to get back to my humbling ABC experience each year to get my head back on straight. I’m starting to think I’m getting good again and eyeing entering the Senior masters.

This is what my rant was about yesterday.  That cat thought he had a chance because he had a 205.  I wouldn't have a prayer at 229.  

No wonder this sport gets no respect.  In golf, there is a slop rating so if you say you are a +8, you can see what the slop rating is for that course and know if it's an easy course of not.

THS are a joke.  A kid started working at our center about 6 months ago. He had never touched a ball in his life and someone showed him how to grip it and rip it.  He has a couple of 300's to his credit even though he can't average 190.  He has no clue how to make a spare, but he can "Fling" it right with a bunch of revs and power and if he can hit his 8 board area, he has a chance to strike.

I bowled in an 8 gamer last week which has a ton of PBA players as well as some of the best players in Texas.  The shot was a THS and everyone could hit the pocket.  Who won?  A guy who is about a 200 average at best.  He shot +230 his last three while the rest of us where looking at the back row 3 or 4 times a game.

If every bowling center was exactly a like and we all played on an even playing field, the 185 average bowler would know that he has no business bowling against the 220 guys.  

The THS's have made bowlers believe they can play, therefore, they have no desire to work on their game.  Why should I pratice when I know that every place I go is going to be a THS?

We used to believe that a traveling league or tournament averages out of town would give us an indication as our "true" average. Not anymore, most of the houses in my traveling league run a THS so it's on different then anywhere else.  I used to fear some of the houses in the traveling league years ago because some were old wood lanes, some you had to play outside five while other had to be played in deep.  Now they all run the 10 to 10 with heavy oil in the middle.  One owner even told me that he'd love to put down a tough shot but if he did, he wouldn't have any bowlers because they can go across town and shoot 700 every night.  

Look at the Masters, 107 guys were over.  From 300 to 583 they averaged between 187 and 140.  Don't you think most of those cats thought they could bowl?  I'm sure in their home house most are 210 to 220 average bowlers.

Those guys will come home and tell everyone how the lanes sucked and their wasn't a shot.  There were 107 guys who could a least average 200.
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