Author Topic: Just how good are they? (Read 2023 times)

MTFD24 · « **on:** May 15, 2004, 07:38:47 AM »

PBA members are they really that good? Are they truly that much better than the "league bowler" averaging 220?

After spending the past several years observing the Obenauer Tournaments, and competing in the Classic Shoot Outs, my observations are based on the results of the "locals" (including myself) vs. Brad Angelo, Tom Baker, Jack Jurek, Liz Johnson, Joe Ciccone and past PBA members Fran Bax, Dave Guindon and a few others.

The PBA players are superior in execution, repetition, lane reading, adjustments and quicker adjustments, etc. etc. etc.

This is not to say that there are not "local players" who can compete with them, and beat them, on any given day. But over the course of a period of time, say an eight game block or longer, the "professionals" would IMHO prevail.

How many of us can play one lane "normally" while capping the opposite gutter with a different ball, and make it appear easy? Their true talent can not be appreciated on TV against other professionals. In order to actually comprehend their abilities, I believe you must see them compete over a period of time, alongside the "better" bowlers in your area, on the same conditions.
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The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
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http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games

C-G ProShop-Carl · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2004, 11:34:46 PM »

There are many things that make the touring pros so much better than the great local bowlers. Stamina. Power. Accuracy. Knowledge of equipment and lane transitions.

They also have the ability to throw a bad shot, and have it look good. On the kind of lane conditions they bowl on, a bowler lower caliber than they are throws a bad shot, and you know it. Bad leaves etc...

They are FAR ahead of any local bowler averaging 220.
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C-G Pro Shop

omegabowler · « **Reply #2 on:** May 16, 2004, 01:23:34 AM »

Dead on about there shot making ability. I just shot on Pattern B at a Pro-am.

the shot requires deep lane play just like it says on the web site. they were plaing 4,5 arrow and hitting around 12.

the difference is for the amature was missing right and hitting OOB. Yes I dusted the gutter twice. I don't normally play 35 out to 10 at the break point. they did it and it looked easy.

I watched Jeff Carter, McCune, Dave D'Entremont, and Lonnie Waliczek throw big hooks and hit there targets.

Jason Queen and few other "straigher" players just played great also.

BTW, all were real nice guys. I enjoyed talking and bowling with them.
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"deserves got nothing to do with it."
-- William Munny

JohnP · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2004, 04:08:31 PM »

You can't tell on TV how well the pro's release the ball either. I thought Mika, Walter Ray and a few others really didn't get that many revs on their ball. But when you see them in person it's obvious that they all have tons of hand. -- JohnP

a_ak57 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2004, 04:39:52 PM »

quote:
You can't tell on TV how well the pro's release the ball either.

Yes, that's very true.
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-Andy

9andaWiggle · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2004, 07:04:32 PM »

Give me a wall, and a couple of hired goons to "greet" them in the parking lot, and they're no match for me!

Actually, it's amazing how many people do not realize the talent difference between the house hot shot on the THS and those who make a living on the tour. I just shake my head when people tell me I should be on the tour. Yeah, me and my 193 THS average is good enough to go pro! LOL. They'd all get a good laugh out of that. My pro career would last about 3 frames - then security would be called...

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9~

9 is back with a Vengeance!

DP3 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2004, 07:28:09 PM »

I remember the first time I saw a regional in Baltimore. I was amazed at the skill of bowlers there. I think the finals saw Tim Criss beating out either Ryan Shafer or Rudy Revs, I forget which one. I think that was the day that I decided to take bowling as seriously as I do.
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-DJ Marshall
"Repetition beats luck everytime"

shotmaker · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2004, 10:15:24 AM »

quote:
Those on tour have to be good or they dont last and there is a wide gap between the touring pros and those who bowl regionals.

This statement is false, there are many regional players who could jump on the national tour and make runs at titles. Many others were players on the national tour. Many do not want to tour because they have high paying jobs, prefer to be with their families, or just have no desire to spend half the year living out of hotels on the road. I'm sure I could list 2 dozen guys from my region who are not exempt that could make a run at it on the national tour. Regionals are filled with brutally tough competition, period.

Omegabowler, should of stopped by and said hello at Willowbrook, B pattern played pretty tight on that surface didn't it?

Pinbuster · « **Reply #8 on:** May 17, 2004, 10:34:45 AM »

Yes there are local players and regional players that could make some money on the national tour. And as stated there are as many different reasons on why they are not out there as there are players.

But there is a lot of difference in talent between the number 50 qualifier and Walter Ray, Pete, Voss, Duke, Bohn, etc. And it takes that level of talent to really make a living out there. The new format may help that because they are slicing the pie up in fewer pieces.

tenpinspro · « **Reply #9 on:** May 17, 2004, 02:17:37 PM »

Yes they are. I think the biggest key is that the top guys are usually very accurate, consistent and have excellent repetitive motions. This doesn't come without hard work, when I was young and bowling with a lot of these guys, I was putting in about 100+ games a week to try and compete just like they do.

I watched Norm Duke pick the 7 and 10 off a rack for about 8-9 frames in a row in Cincy at the Super Hoinke. Walter Ray was local here in CA. and bowled a few 8 gamers and went like 500 over on the THS, just smoked the local 220 players. I used to bowl with Steve Jaros(Chicago), he has like 30 some odd regional titles..another level above the rest of us. So yes, they are that good....
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Ten Pins Pro Shop
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MTFD24 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 17, 2004, 02:38:42 PM »

Bob, and a few others have pretty much echoed my main points.

Three years ago in the Buffalo Bowling Proprietors Championships, the team I bowled with was on the adjoining pair to Jack Jureks team. I was throwing an Angle Extra Tour, that was obtained from Jack's arsenal only a few weeks prior. In that 3 game set, I actually outscored Mr. Jurek by a few pins in each game, using "his own ball".

Yes, I was bowling extremely well, and matched up great. Yes, Mr. Jurek was having an off set, and wasn't finding a good match-up. But I know that if we had to move pairs, and bowl another set or two, he probably would have gone past me. Reality is that I am not as talented, or educated in the game as he is.

I also crossed pairs next to Bakes 3 summers ago in a Classic Shootout league. For 5 of the first 6 weeks I had higher 4 game totals than he did. But he was coming off a very long lay-off, and then the next 6 weeks he "smoked" me.

The biggest thing I believe for ANYONE thinking they have a "fantastic game and handle on it" is to bowl side by side with the "Big Dogs", not just for a set or even two, but for a length of time. They will most likely get an education, some fantastic tips, and new "friends". Or maybe they might just be "that good" and decide to try the tour life.
--------------------
The Older We Get, The Better We Were

www.MTFD.com - a NY State Vol. Fire Department
www.BowlWNY.com - local & national stories by Joe Ciccone
http://www.FDracing.com The worlds fastest firemen in the origional Xtreme Games

Author Topic: Just how good are they? (Read 2023 times)

MTFD24

Just how good are they?

C-G ProShop-Carl

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omegabowler

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JohnP

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a_ak57

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9andaWiggle

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DP3

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shotmaker

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Pinbuster

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tenpinspro

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MTFD24

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