First of all I want to thank twohand834, steven, DanH78, ozsweet, bigballer, belgarion and others that gave us some insite on what to expect.
I'm not a student of the game of bowling. I couldn't read an oil pattern and know where the best place to play the lanes would be.
At the chance of you guys bowling better and knocking me down a few notches, here's what I saw and how I played the lanes.
I only really used one ball even though I took two others and my spare ball.
I used the Resurgence at 2000 for team event. Next day I then put it in the polisher for 5 minutes to use for doubles/singles.
I throw about 15mph with maybe 300 revs. I'm a righty.
TEAM:
I played 10 out to no further than 8.
Took 5 frames to get a strike, but managed to spare all 4 frames prior, even picking up a 7-8 split...light pocket hit.?!? I strung three and stayed clean the first game for 209. I was throwing the ball really well the second game, 9 counts/spare. Struck 7,8,9 to stay clean up to that point. I was hitting high flush and should have moved but I didn't... left a split in the 10th (4-10) and missed for a 201. The third game I was already playing about 14 out to 10. Couldn't double but did pick up the 3,6,7,10 split. Struck high flush in the 9th. Again I should have adjusted but didn't, I left the 4,7,10 split for a 184. Shot 594 for team. I was high on our pair. Put $150 in brackets, got back $375. We shot 2719 in team
Doubles/singles:
Just a little history... beyond the 15 board is past my "comfort zone". Third game of team, a guy bowling on our pair with a lot of hook was playing 10 out to 5 maybe 4 and was crushing the pocket. Goes strike, strike, 9 spare and the next 4. From watching him bowl the first 2 games, he was used to bumper bowling(house china shot). He wasn't very accurate but was doing great until a few washouts and splits and ended with 220. So I thought, I'm more accurate than him, i'll play outside during doubles/singles.
2 practice balls per lane during doubles. I use my Resurgence and line it up...so I thought. Threw 8 out to 5, got a couple strikes. Start doubles, send it a little wide(out to the 4 board at the break) leave 1,2,4 for a spare. Again get a 7 count but miss the spare. Can't quit line up and don't get my first strike until the 8th frame. End up with a 150. Still determined to "make it work" I stay outside. I miss a few spares and get a few strikes but end up with a 162. I say screw it and play out of my "comfort zone" and play 16 out to 10. I go 3 out of 4 then split. A couple spares and get the next 4 then a 6 count for a 216 for a 528 series. My doubles partner shot 538 so we didn't do that great. I put $100 down on doubles and singles, 5 brackets each.
Singles I was out of my comfort zone playing deeper, 18 out to 11. Split a few frames but strung 5 for a 201. Second game I was around the pocket, left a few 10's, a split but managed a 209. Third game I was at about 20 out to 11. Missed a few easy spares(3 to be exact) shot 178 for a 588 series.
Carry was one of the problems. Throughout the tournament I left at least four 7 pins, two 8 pins, two 9 pins and 8+ ten pins on "good" shots. Ended with 1710 all events. What killed me was stupid easy spares that I missed and trying to play outside.
Unless you're very very accurate and/or crank the ball, don't play outside. 588 was high for the guys bowling with me. I managed $70 in brackets. Overall I came out ahead.
Team we were on 29/30. Doubles we were on 25/26 then moved to 27/28.
Had I not been stubborn and apprehensive on doubles and singles I would have shot 1800+. Learn from my mistakes and take what the lane gives you. NO spare is an easy spare.
Hope this helps you guys/gals.
Edited on 3/30/2009 3:23 AM
Something to add...
If your significant other didn't make the trip with you. They can go to bowl.com and access the webcam and take still pictures of you bowling and your final scores. My girlfriend took a snapshot of our team final scores after every game and emailed it to me. You'll just have to let them know what lanes you're on and the can select the webcam closest to you. It was pretty cool, but just note...the camera adds 10lbs.
Edited on 3/30/2009 2:45 PM
