Page 82 RUTHIAN Part II
THE difference between the "good players", the "very good players" and the "great players" is the "mental game". What exactly is that mysterious thing called the "mental game� Many of the "good" and "very good" players possess similar physical talents to the "great players", but often fall short with their accomplishments. Simply put, the "physical game" (in any sport) is how the athlete performs based on their overall talent, ability, potential, skills and preparation. The "mental game" is a totally different animal. This element of the "package" is HOW the athlete thinks. We have all heard about how the great players are the ones who work the hardest. "They" are the first ones to practice and the last ones to leave. But, there is a lot more to it than that. Desire, dedication, determination, self-control, focus, concentration, confidence, self-esteem, positive thinking, goals, visualization, knowledge and a host of other things must be mastered
ONE time Earl was being interviewed after one of his early victories by a reporter. It was in the early 70's, and the reporter wanting to be controversial about the lefty-righty situation that had run rampant in the late 60's. He said to Earl, "This victory establishes you as one of the best lefties on Tour. Are you happy with that assessment?" Earl looked him right in the eye and said, "I don't know anything about that, my goal is to be the best bowler."
THERE was another time that showed exactly how the man thought. It was 1974 and he had just been named the Bowler of the Year. A press party was arranged and the award was being presented to him in his office. The wall was cleared and the photographer was going to take a picture of Earl putting up the plaque. Earl was standing toward the corner of the wall with the plaque, and someone in the crowd told Earl to put the plaque in the center of the wall. Earl said no, "this" one is going "here", and the rest of them will go across the wall!!!!
(He was right, the other 5 Bowler of the Year Awards eventually filled up the entire wall).
PREVIOUSLY, I had written a series of books called: Final Phase. They were instructional books to help bowlers learn about the great sport of bowling. I interviewed Earl for one of the books and posed this question: "Earl, in my opinion, you were the greatest bowler in the world. You totally dominated the Tour for more than ten years. What do you feel was the "formula-for-success" that you enjoyed?" His answer was: "In my opinion, success is the result of hard work, dedication, intelligence, selfishness and some luck. How hard you work and how much you are willing to sacrifice to achieve your goals will determine to a great degree your level of success. Natural talent is a wonderful gift, and to be the very best you must have a lot of God-given talent. However, you must work hard to develop it. To be a winner, also takes a strong mind. You must be able to focus your concentration level, to a fine point and achieve a level of confidence in your ability that is unshakable under the most extreme pressure. Most winners develop an aire of arrogance that is a by-product of the confidence that they have in their ability. The reason I was successful was my ability to understand and develop my mental game and the endless hours of practice on my physical game. There was also a certain amount of "fear-of-failure" that was tempered by a small degree of courage that I used as a motivator to let me continue to fight for my goals despite many setbacks and a willingness to put bowling and my desire to be the very best above all other things in my life."
THOSE 3-interviews alone, tells you volumes about why I thought he was the very best. I
still get the "chills" and the "goose-bumps" when I read them.
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Duke Harding
Take Duke''s Surveys"The ride home is a lot shorter, when you bowl well!"
"Strike for SHOW...Spare for DOUGH!"
