Author Topic: What are the pros like? (Read 2284 times)

Nollster · « **on:** November 15, 2004, 10:14:01 PM »

I've never had the chance to get super close to my golf idols -- damn ropes!!

If I could, I'm thinking guys like John Daly and some of the lower tier players would be pretty approachable by the general public. I have had the pleasure of meeting some PBA and PWBA pros and for the most part they seem to be a much more accessible group. Incredibly nice and more than patient with the great unwashed. I've dealt with Danny Wiseman and sent him an e-mail after his Masters win -- he got back to me the SAME DAY thanking me for the good thoughts. Shocked the bejeezies outta me!! CJ apparently is a participating member of this board and handles the inundation of questions/comments/criticisms very well. Then there's ImaBaggerNow -- please tell me he doesn't represent the majority of the PBA pros out there, past or present!?!?! I know you have to have a certain level of confidence to play any sport at the top amateur or professional levels, but c'mon!! Can't say I'd want my boy emulating him!! What kind of experiences have you had with the pros?

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #1 on:** November 16, 2004, 06:19:05 AM »

They are bowlers. Maybe a litle nicer than average bowler since they are public eye!

REgards,

Luckylefty

Rev_O · « **Reply #2 on:** November 16, 2004, 06:24:29 AM »

I spent all day thursday at the uniroyal tire tournament. Most of the pro's will take the time to say hi, or chat with you. Don't expect this from the traber's, and D'entremont sure can be a sore loser too!! I had a nice conversation with Dale Eagle, Jim Pencak, Mike Haugen Jr., and a few others.
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Rev-O

AKA "the MOD SQUAD" BR.com Moderator

Track International Advisory Staff Newbie!!!

JPRLane1 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 16, 2004, 06:29:08 AM »

The only national pro's I have sat face to face with would be Double D, Dave D'Entremont and Mike Machuga. I met them and then had a couple beers with them and a group at a regional in Fayetteville, NC. I have met Jason Hurd in person and watched him bowl but I haven't really talked to him much. I have also met Patrick Allen and Jason Couch in person. I have met numerous regional pro's and the most famous of which would be John May he was on the national tour last year but failed to reach exemption. I have also met Doug Becker twice as part of the Demo Days as I usually help my proshop guy with the process. They are all very nice guys Mike is hilarious and Double D has a lot of great storys from his many years on the tour and John is a really nice guy and he also lives close to charlotte so I have hung out with him many times as him and my proshop guy are good friends. The pro's I have encountered are very nice and receptive to their fans. I even got to practice with John and some other regional guys when they were at a local house close to me. I hope to meet more of them in the future both at the national and regional level.
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I should just quit bowling, oh wait I already tried that.

Now that I am back and my Saws are sharp again, I am ready to cut some wood.

Pinbuster · « **Reply #4 on:** November 16, 2004, 06:29:40 AM »

They are pretty normal like the general population.

You have a few jerks.

Sometimes you will catch them in a bad mood, particularly after a tough loss.

But most are very approachable and are in general nice guys . They have not been coddled and pampered like many star athletes.

scotts33 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 16, 2004, 07:22:56 AM »

Since, I'm from Madison and a clubmaker I've had dealings and friends with Jerry Kelly and Steve Stricker. I'd say since this guys came from normal back grounds and are regular guys they also treat the public better than most.

I also know Marc McDowell and he is the same...great guy very approachable. His Dad and I bowl in the same Sr. Scratch league and I'll tell ya Marc's a heck of nice guy and some of it's because his family background and the way he was raised I believe.

The pro's whether they compete in the PBA or PGA who remember where they came from are the ones you can chat and interact with....those that don't remember or born with silver spoons are less approachable.

Scott

card79 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 16, 2004, 07:47:46 AM »

I have met a ton of the women from the old PWBA as we used to have a stop at my home center. Some of the absolute nicest were Dede Davidson she is absolutely the woman on every league that is funny and loud and makes sure everyone is having fun no matter what. Carolyn Dorin-Ballard Intense as all get out on the lane, but off as approachable as they come and very will to talk to anybody especially the kids which is huge in my book. Kim Adler knows the game well and will share with anybody. Quite a few years back I can remember her spend quite a bit of the first part of her practice block with kids surrounding her as she was trying to get to her lane. Never got impatient made them all happy and still got there in time to get some practice. Leanne Barrette was another one. Seems very shy, but still will talk to you and doesn't seem like she wishes she was else where.

Mens tour not so many we had a region here this year and in the pro-am I bowled with Dave D'etremont. Super nice guy wild sense of humor I loved it. I could have talked to him for days. Bob Learn was a great guy. He can have fun with his bowling and I like that he doesn't take himself too serious.

I could go on and on, but the point I am making is I can only think of one negative impression I have had of any of the pro bowlers I have met and I think that is a pretty good impression and the negative was more or less not their fault out of the tournament and then came out amongst the crowd and was sort of a bad loser. Hey it happens.
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I don't really play cards and I am not 79, but it fits together somehow.

JohnP · « **Reply #7 on:** November 16, 2004, 09:52:35 AM »

The best day to approach the pros is their practice day. They will shoot the breeze, sign autographs, etc., and most are very gracious with their time. The next best day is the Pro-am day. When they get down to competition, they have to concentrate. Some can handle fan interplay, but some just can't. Don't blame them for this, they're out there to make a living. -- JohnP

Ragnar · « **Reply #8 on:** November 16, 2004, 12:31:16 PM »

On a side note, I'm wondering if ImaBaggerNow has the initials BC.

I've been doing some research and, after narrowing it down some, I think that Bagger's initials are BC. I remember seeing a guy with those initials bowl on tour back in the 80's.
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"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal." Oscar Wilde
Ragnar sure likes to throw his purdy Uranium Buzzsaw.

guzmand19 · « **Reply #9 on:** November 16, 2004, 12:59:50 PM »

I went to the Buick Open this year, where Daly and Singh were shooting it out to the 18th hole. Daly became a huge fan favorite after eagling 1, but really the guy is a dick. People like him because they know he is from Arkansas, is fat and smokes on the course while golfing, but his attitude and demeanor I didn't care for. Hilarious watching him eagle 1, jumping up and down as the shot went in and then bent down real quick to make sure he didn't stomp on his cig.

Chris DiMarco was a very very nice guy, and quite funny. He hit one in the trees by us, and came over to play his shot. He told us he was going to try to hit a hook around the right side of the tree, and bring it back left and for people on the right side to stand WAYYYY back. As he was getting set, one guy said "C'mon no problem Chris!" and DiMarco looks up smirking and says "You wanna hit the shot?" Got a good chuckle out of the audience. He hit the shot beautifully, and thanked the crowd and moved on.

I will tell you what, if you want to have some fun go to a golf event. Only place on earth where the audience then becomes the shooting gallery. We had about 6 different balls land within FEET of us, one hitting my buddy in the foot. Vijay came over and made sure everyone was ok, and apologized. His ball was in some deep rough, and his caddy pulled out an iron for him. Vijay gave him a funny look, grabbed his 5 wood and proceeded to hit one of the best shots from crap I have ever seen. Tipped his hat to us and walked on up the the green. Good stuff!

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D <~~~~ Used to be terrible wiffing 10 pins. Now through much practice, can wiff any single pin spare at any time.

Darrell Guzman
guzmand19 - Yahoo IM and MSN screen names

a_ak57 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 16, 2004, 01:17:19 PM »

quote:
quote:
On a side note, I'm wondering if ImaBaggerNow has the initials BC.

I've been doing some research and, after narrowing it down some, I think that Bagger's initials are BC. I remember seeing a guy with those initials bowl on tour back in the 80's.
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"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal." Oscar Wilde
Ragnar sure likes to throw his purdy Uranium Buzzsaw.

Mr Ragnar. I want to know who told you this. I have only given this information out to one person on here and it wasn't you. But yes, my initials are BC and yes I did bowl on tour in the 80's. I'd hope you do not tell my real name on here as a favor to me.

Now, i KNOW everyone will flock to google and search for this....

Yo rags, if you're serious, give me some hints. I wanna know this foo's name.
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- Andy

michelle · « **Reply #11 on:** November 16, 2004, 02:49:48 PM »

quote:
On a side note, I'm wondering if ImaBaggerNow has the initials BC.

I've been doing some research and, after narrowing it down some, I think that Bagger's initials are BC. I remember seeing a guy with those initials bowl on tour back in the 80's.

or perhaps he crossed over to the dark side...

Nollster · « **Reply #12 on:** November 17, 2004, 08:19:12 AM »

quote:
When I was on tour, I was always in the running for the Nagy award.

Everyone called me "Mr Personality"

Most of the guys are pretty cool guys. Everyone has their own little cliques of guys to hang and travel with. When I was a young guy on tour, we'd have our little hangouts at every stop to drink, eat, pick up chicks.

That's the feeling I got from the article in Stuff or FHM (can't remember which)...Pederson seems to really miss the good 'ol days!!

NY Mike · « **Reply #13 on:** November 17, 2004, 08:36:38 AM »

Only had the privledge of attending one PBA event. Most
of the bowlers are down to earth and welcome the fan's
attention. Petraglia was real good with the younger set.
Voss loves the attention.
I bowled with Doug Kent and Mike Devaney both were very
receptive to questions and small talk. There are a few
tour players (names withheld) who do not want to be
bothered (gong thru the motions at the PBA Pro AM)
or are shy and do not interact very well in large crowded
areas. For the most part, normal everyday people. If you
are a bowler, Pro Am's and tour spots are a must see & do.
Great chance watch & learn form the world's best.

Ramtart · « **Reply #14 on:** November 17, 2004, 09:12:27 AM »

I've had a few in-person contacts with the Pros. I believe it was 1998, I watched the Pros at the ShowBoat in Las Vegas bowling in the Kids Pro-Am. I had a chance to chat with Marshall Holman and Bob Learn. They were great and it seemed like they were having a good time with the kids. And boy did Jess "The Rock," Stayrook tear the ball up. I always enjoy watching that guy bowl. That guys is also super intense during competition.

In January of 2001, the Pros came to bowl in my hometown of Daly City, California for the Silicon Valley Classic, an event that Mike Aulby won I believe. I received autographs from Various Pros (Chris Barnes, Danny Wiseman, Parker Bohn III, Del Ballard Jr., and others.) Parker and Danny were kind enough to pose for several pictures with family, friends, and myself. I Spoke to Chris' wife Lynda Barnes (Formally Lynda Norry and from the Bay Area!) and we talked about her days here in the bay. She was a blast to talk to. Every pro was accomodating with autographs, even during the breaks during Semi's on Saturday. There were a few pros that looked tired, so a couple of them looked like they weren't in the mood, but that I understand. (e.g. "making a living")

This past year, I was able to watch a PBA Western Regional event a few miles away in South San Francisco's Brentwood Bowl for the Don Johnson Invitational. I stopped by the Sponsor Pro-Am on Friday night. Bay Area Native Pro Tony Reyes is probably the nicest guy you could ever run into. This is the 3rd time I've run into him and he's pretty good at promoting (i.e. raffles and charity events). Brian Himmler gave away a few balls to the Juniors. Jimmy Johnson shot a 299. Robert Smith was showing the crowd Trick Shots (Shooting over the gutter cap from the left lane over!) Mike DeVaney was also hamming it up with the crowd. Robert even had time to show me his Sarge-Easter grip and explained to me that DeVaney recently switched over. We talked about layouts for Hi-Trackers and all that good stuff.

Last month, I saw a few Match-Play matches at the PBA Western Palo Alto open. Dave Arnold was pretty much the only Big Name to reach the top 8 I believe, but another guy from Arizona (Lefty Jason Satterlee), was pretty impressive throwing a mean revving ball from the left side. All in all every experience was great. Where else can you go face to face with the Pros? And the best thing is, they're human beings too and most of them treat you like a normal person.

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Ram
S.F. Bay Area, California

Author Topic: What are the pros like? (Read 2284 times)

Nollster

What are the pros like?

LuckyLefty

Re: What are the pros like?

Rev_O

Re: What are the pros like?

JPRLane1

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Pinbuster

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scotts33

Re: What are the pros like?

card79

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JohnP

Re: What are the pros like?

Ragnar

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guzmand19

Re: What are the pros like?

a_ak57

Re: What are the pros like?

michelle

Re: What are the pros like?

Nollster

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NY Mike

Re: What are the pros like?

Ramtart

Re: What are the pros like?