Anyone ever played this tourney in the month of feb - march.  if so, what are the conditions of the lanes.

Nod, sounds like the Hoinke I grew to know and love. Stopped going there in the early 90's after we saw various 170-180 average bowlers shoot +1200 for the five game singles. There was some definite sandbagging going on at their home lanes. Tough shot, and yes absoulutely terrible approaches back then. Some lanes were very slick approaches, and some were so tacky you would squeak each shot.

fabes

Well Im sorry to say that a man that won this event 4 or 5 years ago is considered a bagger by your standards but if you watch him bowl you would know different.  Hi is a very low track spinner and low ball speed not saying you cant do well like this but his form is rough to look at.  His league average was around 185 at the time.  This is at a legitimate house not a slot house that most places have become.  It is a shame that people have to put down his best ever shooting.  He never shot 800 before, no 300's, not more than 1 290+ as I can recall.

This man had the greatest day of his bowling career at the hoinke period.  You can say he was bagging, you can say he cheated if you like but the fact is he beat everyone scratch as well.  Sounds a little different now huh?

I know this is not going to happen but if proprietors would stop putting down easy slot shots and inflating everybody's average then the actual accomplishment of this mans bowling could be recognized.  It is observed to think that for how long this tournament is held throughout the year that somebody would not bowl their best ever.  The odds are heavily in favor of 1 person bowling their best ever.

I have gone to this tournament for the past 3 years, my father for the past 27years.  He and I have both seen people with 220avgs there with a beer in their hand and 5 empties on the table complaining that the shot sucks and they are better than that.  This is proof to me that a majority of 215+ bowlers are just hacks when you act like a jerk yelling about the condition.  Im not trying to knock every 220+ bowlers.  I know quite a few, some on this site, and I respect their abilities and that they are much better than I.

Sorry about the rant but I hate for this man to be labeled by people who do not know him and bowl on soft conditions then try and compete on a tougher shot.  I say tougher because it is defiantly scoreable.
Thanks Rob.