I think that it is fine for pros to enter tournaments. I would never back out of a tournament just because of certain names being in it. But that is just me.
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Member of The Track Legion


Edited on 6/24/2006 5:16 PM

Okay, ive read this topic and i'm going to chime in. I've spent over 20 years working my tail off to get to this point. In high school i drove an hour each way 3 days a week as soon as i got out of school to work with my coaches. I practiced 20-30 games a day, 5 days a week for years. I bowled every local tournament and most throughout the state of Illinois for years. All of that work, all of that sweat and all of my heart went into my career. Now my reward is not being allowed to bowl most of my local association events and many more events around the country. Its even gotten to the point where now i run several events in my hometown, but never bowl. I promote the sport, i coach full time and i support every aspect of the sport. But the sport turns its back on me when i want to compete now. What kind of message does this send to kids. "Hey work as hard as you can to be as good as possible, but be prepared to be shut out of most events because there are people out there that arent willing to invest what you have invested". It really ticks me off that the majority of the people that complain against PBA members bowling in smaller events are the same people that brag about their 230 + averages. If you are really that good, shoe up with anybody that walks through that door. If you dont feel like you are good enough to bowl against the best, stay home ! Growing up i always wanted to bowl against the best in town. When i joined the PBA i wanted to bowl against the best. Some of my best matches have been against hall of famers. To be the best, you have to beat the best. PERIOD ! As for the comment about exempt players not being allowed to bowl regionals, thats horsesh*t ! You obviously dont know what the average player makes. The money isnt good enough out there yet to rely on your National Tour earnings. Not only do i bowl regionals to supplement my income, but they are the best outlet to stay sharp and competitive. Besides, without the top players there would be no regionals. No stars, no pro-am bowlers. No pro-am bowlers, no income for the host centers. No income for the host centers, no regional tour.

I'm sorry for going off on a rant about this, but i've worked to hard for to long for people to say that i'm not allowed to compete because of the level that ive attained. You say its not fair to you, well i say its not fair to me. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, well this is mine
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Bowl up a Storm,
Jeff Carter
www.stormbowling.com
www.jeffcarterbowling.com