So I'm heading to The Villages on Thursday to visit my parents (meticulously timed so i could check out the PBA50 event).  I have signed up for two squads of the Pro-Am on saturday.  My working assumption is that the pro-am will be on Cheetah (tournament is on cheetah).

Anyone ever done one of these type of pro-ams before?  If so, can you give me an idea of how it goes/what's in store for me?  Frankly I'm just looking to have a good time and enjoy being around some great bowlers, but I don't want to look a fool either.

Only guy there I've bowled with before is Parker.  Really looking forward to this.

Snakster,

Good for you signing up for the PRO AMs, that is awesome. You will be bowling on Cheetah, whether it be broken down after practice or re-oiled to be fresh, it will still be Cheetah. Just remember Cheetah is designed to play close to the Gutter with a little bit stronger equipment, as this being the shortest pattern we bowl on still has the most volume. I am signed up to participate in this event, and will be at practice, but do not have a pro am squad. Just remember to relax, have fun, and ask any questions you want to the Pro's that will be with you. if you have any other questions  please feel free to ask.

Snakster,

Good for you signing up for the PRO AMs, that is awesome. You will be bowling on Cheetah, whether it be broken down after practice or re-oiled to be fresh, it will still be Cheetah. Just remember Cheetah is designed to play close to the Gutter with a little bit stronger equipment, as this being the shortest pattern we bowl on still has the most volume. I am signed up to participate in this event, and will be at practice, but do not have a pro am squad. Just remember to relax, have fun, and ask any questions you want to the Pro's that will be with you. if you have any other questions  please feel free to ask.

Thanks Jim (and others).  Just be prepared when a tall, impossibly young-looking dude walks up to you and says, "hi, I'm snakster".

I've bowled in a few Pro-Ams. At the stadium in Reno, at EA Dublin bowl, Yosemite Lanes in Modesto and Double Decker in Rohnert Park. The Pro-Am was always on a house shot. But that's just my experience.

I would agree with this. Most of the times, it will be on the local house shot...

.. the exception would be the PWBA Pro-Ams. Due to how short the length of the tournament is, they don't generally have the time to redress the lanes. So after the last squad for that day, they may just go straight into the pro-am, on the burn of the pattern used. It all depends on how long they have between ending the tournament for that day, and the pro-am.

Also, they could even have the Pro-Am before the tournament begins. They could have the practice session for the pros, redress the lanes for THS, have the pro-am, strip and redress again for the tournament pattern, and off the Pros go That's how past experience was for me as well..

I guess I'm saying YMMV, so it may be best to get there as early as you can and see what they may do.

BL.

So looking at the flyer now that I'm down here, it's no-tap. It'll still be fun.

Went there to get some practice this afternoon and bowled three with my brother and my mom. Synthetic approaches, which I'm not too fond of.  But found the right sole.  661, feel pretty good.  Discretion dictates that I do not report my brother and mom's score.

Saw a couple senior guys practicing. Mo Pinel was hanging out. Johnny Petraglia came after a while but didn't bowl. Said he was a little worn out from he golf tournament they had this morning. Ryan Shafer Showed up as I was leaving. Hoping to talk with him tomorrow.