My nationals report will sound much like JHutch's report in that I had an all time worst and all time high score.
In the team event (2:30 5/26) I could never get comfortable and basically had nothing the entire time. I tried playing out (6,7,8) with too much hook. Moved in 15 to 12 and could never get anything going. It seemed if you could hit the down lane range finder you were in the pocket, but carry was a big problem. Miss just outside the marker and it was a 2 pin, or 2-8. None the less I was fishing the whole time and won't be any help to anyone for team event. Finished with 498 and just felt pitiful. Team had 2919, about 180 less than last year.
Doubles & Singles (11:40 5/27) I went and watched a teammate bowl the 9:40 squad and saw there was a lot more hook. While warming up, everything hooked a lot earlier than team. I ended up using a lot more loft to help project the ball down the lane. There turned out to be a great shot standing about 38 aiming 25 out to 12. There was also some hold to the pocket, but resulted in a 9 pin more often than not. It was still difficult to string anything together. Ended up with 623 and 1308 total so I was feeling better about things. My partner was even deeper and had a great look.
Singles things all came together. The pair was about 10 boards tighter than doubles and took 3 frames to figure it out. I stood 28 aiming 17, out to the range finder and never had to move again. I finished the first game with last 7 and felt great. To my amazement, the line held up and shots kept carrying and shot 300 in game 2. Game 3 I left 3 10 pins and a 9 pin and finished with 741. So the trip ended on a great note. Looking back I wished I'd have tried getting deeper in team but who knows.
I'd never bowled the 40 frame game before and really enjoyed that. We bowled the Roto Grip challenge the day before team and that was a great experience to get use to the lighting and venue. It seemed like multiple lines and angles were in play. I played the middle of the lane, Guppy Troup and others had great looks playing much further out.
Went to Santa Ana, Sandia and Isleta casinos. Santa Ana and Isleta were nice. Sandia was the most crowded casino I'd ever been in and thus didn't stay long. We stayed at Clubhouse Inn based on the great reports I'd heard from others and it did not disappoint. Rudy's BBQ was very good. Maloney's was a short walk from the convention center and they have a nice patio. They also serve beer by the liter for those interested.
