I just got back from watching Thursday evening block of 64, and all shifts on Friday, so I got a REALLY good look at Rhino's game. He is the real deal.... a lefty with POWER. He just destroyed that shot, as did almost all of the other lefties. I also bowled in the pro-am today(Saturday) and asked some of the pros passing thru our pair, including Tommy Jones and Wes Mallott, if they felt the shot was unfair to the righties. Some of the comments don't bear repeating, but did say that the right side was inconsistent and/or broke down much quicker, which makes sense since there ARE more righties than lefties. From what I observed the left-handers could stay on their lines with fairly minor adjustments, while I saw many of the right-handers start from an outside line standing right of center and by the 7th game playing DEEP inside lines. Thus, the resulting inconsistencies in carry and scoring. I did see a lot of first balls find the gutter from the ones that started outside.... Sean Rash in particular ditched at least one every game yesterday. But I tell you what, when all 64 were bowling, it was a SCARY thing to see that many good bowlers all at once, and I've been in the business a little while! GREAT fun, and very enlightening!! Recommended to all that get the chance.....
... and I may not be the first to say it, but Rhino will be the next superstar on the PBA tour. When I got a chance to talk with him today before the pro-am, he struck me as a very down-to-earth and humble guy. I asked him what he was throwing yesterday(I knew it was Storm, but couldn't tell if it was Spitfire... it was) and he talked with me for several minutes. I asked why he hadn't been signed by a ball company yet, and he said it was by choice... he wanted to stay a free agent until he got a lot more experience. I congratulated him on his leading the tournament, and wished him luck in the finals. When he said thanks and shook my hand and said he was going to need a lot of luck, I could tell he was very sincere... this kid is a public-relations GOLD mine!
... And in defense of the righties, the lane surface was pretty old synthetics with a lot of wear/friction in the track area, which made the shot break down quickly and get really jumpy till you got it burned all the way down. Besides the first-ball gutterballs, I also saw a LOT of 7-10 splits off pretty good pocket hits.... not late or fast or slightly off-pocket hits. And yes... even saw some of the lefties leaving 7-10's also. That kind of thing can really kill any scoring momentum.
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r.k.wolfe
