We bowled the Open on Monday/Tuesday of this week. We did have a team practice session before we left with the Ice oil, only difference was our center has HPL's not Anvilanes. Have to say that the condition played pretty close to what was out in Reno. Our game plan (with people who would participate) was to use 2K grit stuff and bang up the 5 board during practice.
We started the trip bowling the 2 game challenge downstairs (we received free entries for booking at the Silver Legacy). I used a high pin Heat Hybrid at box surface the entire 2 games, and shot 235 239 playing right around the 6 board. It was a very playable condition and the 474 earned me 2nd place for the day and $75. The new area downstairs is phenomenal in my opinion.
The next day before our team event we bowled the Bowler's Journal on the fresh at 11am. Again we tried to beat up the 5 board area in practice. I used the same heat hybrid to start. Only thing i wish they did was keep you on the same pair for all three games to get a better idea how only your group could break them down as some guys to our right were throwing charcoal. I was able to stay relatively clean for a 641 set and an instant cash refund (the number was 640) I ended game 3 with a oob Crossroad playing a nice swing shot, roughly 20 off my hand out to 12-13.
Team (lanes 43-44) event I started with a oob Rico'd Disturbed playing around 6-8 board at the arrows. First game I left 3 solid 9 counts in framed 7,8,9 and finished with 215, so i felt ok about it although a couple of hits would have been 240+. Second game i was able to move in a little and went front 9 spare for 277. Third game i was surprised as I missed a move right which is unusual and saved 203 for a 695 total, which is my highest team event score to date. I really felt like I had a 780 look, but some poor carry on doubles led to a one big game set. Overall i had 2 opens (one split the first frame of game 1) and used the same ball all three games. I put in $900 in brackets and took out $2033.
Minors we were on the low side (9-10 i believe) We only had 4 of our 10 guys on our pair so the other 2 didnt help with our gameplan. Started doubles with the same Disturbed, but it was a tad too much on the shorter pattern but i squeaked out a 204 and switched to a 2000 high pin crossroad on the fill ball and it gave me a better look. 2nd game was a pretty solid game 236, with again some hits that could have gone my way. Third game was when they started to change pretty quickly and i switched balls too late for a 184, ending doubles with a 624.
Singles I started with a high pin Lights Out playing 22-13 with plenty of recovery, I actually got this idea from watching Noel Vega earlier in the day who until the 6th frame of the last game was making a run at the singles lead. Anyways first game was good for 237. 2nd game i again missed the move (again they got tighter) and struggled for 172. At this point I was very dissappointed as I honestly thought I was throwing it way better than my scores were reflecting as I only missed 4 makeable spares the whole tournament to this point (7 total opens). Last game i said to myself i'm just gonna leave it all out there and it is what it is. Started with the front 8 using the same Lights Out, got a little fast on the 9th shot for a 2/8 spare, tenth frame strike ring 10 for 268 and a 677 singles set.
Overall I shot 1996 all-events (highest to date for me) but i really feel like i had at least 2100 out there with some breaks and minus a couple brain farts. In the minors I put in $900 in brackets and took out $1580. So overall i can't complain too much as I made a decent amount in brackets and should get back a decent amount when the Open concludes.
I've been to Reno several times and while i'd rather see other cities the Stadium is a bowling mecca to me. They've made some great changes at the stadium. As far as the city goes it's pretty much the same, i lose interest in gambling pretty quickly and we always make it a quick trip (fly out Sunday fly home Wednesday). I do have to say (and others i've talked to have agreed) that there was a lot more hook out there then in years past. I can't wait to go back next year and correct some of the mistakes I made. I'm hoping they keep the format the same as the minor events this year i think brought more equality as you build your own shot.
Hopefully my experience is somewhat of help to those who haven't went. Side note I got to see Gail Myers in person bowling at the 2 game challenge and he throws it great and seems like a low key guy.
