stanski hit the nail on the head about what I meant...
great bowlers learn to keep the ball in play, even on the toughest of shots.
I think on the Regional Tour, all the entrants can throw strikes,..but the guy(s) at the top are the ones who avoid the opens..
WRW,Barnes,Duke are all considered great spare shooters, not because they can pick up tough spares, their spare conversion rates are so high because they have learned how to play the lanes,..and avoid errant shots.
I've seen it over and over,..a bowler has a great look at the pocket but leaves a couple of 10s or 4s,..they immediatly change balls,..and either wash-out or 4-6...To me bowling in competition is not how many 260+ games you can bowl,..but how many 160 games you can avoid...