There is a weekly King of the Hill tourney at a local house. I try to bowl it every week but this year I have only entered maybe 7 times. In the past I have been runner-up 3 times. Saturday was my day.
On Friday night I took my Epic that had cracked around the fingers for the 4th time to get repaired. Saturday morning I went to pick it up but it wasn't finished yet. I left for the tourney disappointed. After 2 frames, a couple guys showed up to bring me my ball! I thought that was incredibly cool. I used it during the 3 games of qualifying. I had 225-248-254 to qualify 4th in a 16 man field.
The first match had me down early due to a pocket 7-10 in the 3rd, but I recovered nicely to win 246-244. I breezed by the 2nd match to win 233-174. The 3rd match put me against a local HOF member. I was up the entire game by leaving easy spares during a nasty transition while my opponent left a couple large splits. I did open in the 9th (chopped bucket), but struck in the 10th to shut him out 204-202. He did not bowl the 10th...just marked strikes ::shrug::
In the semifinals I bowled a guy that I'm very familiar with from leagues. I knew I would have to bowl a great game. We both started X/, then each took it until the 8th with strikes. He left a solid 10 pin to open the door for me. I got up in the 9th and 10th, threw 2 great shots, and shut him out 268-258.
The King was a young bowler whom I did not recognize. We were both on a double going into the 10th, but I was up 10 sticks on him. I buried my first 2 shots to finish him off 255-224 for my first tournament win. It was a great feeling especially since my g/f and best friend were there to see it. I took home a nice envelope of cash, and this week I only have to bowl 1 game instead of 8. I'm looking forward to defending my title. I averaged 241 for the tourney, all with the Epic. It gave me a great look and carry all day. The best part though was that I stayed good for 8 games. I didn't lose focus on any shot even though I was nervous and tired. I also only had 3 opens, 2 of them being pocket 7-10's.
Thank you if you read my bit of chest-pounding. I'm just really proud of myself right now for once.
Don
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"On-base percentage is great if you can score runs and do something with that on-base percentage. Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me. The problem we have to address more than anything is the home run problem."
~Dusty Baker being a total fool
