Here's what happened for me in Reno this past weekend:
Team: Knew going in it was going to be a grind. Tried to stay out of trouble and keep as clean as possible. Did not play the right line and as a result, very few strikes, made many of my spares however. Played too much in the middle of the lane, should have been just a bit more outside. No splits in the 3 games of team event, 171, 171, 175. Not good scores, but avoided the low score that always seems to sneak in there and really wreck things.
Doubles: Very good, and playable shot for doubles and singles, I just did not play this event nearly as well as I should have. Used a little bit too aggressive of equipment, using a Shift and Special Agent for much of doubles, fighting high 4 pins and splits. 160, 180, 171, again, should have been much higher.
Singles: Went to my polished Double Agent and had the line I needed with this. Playing 26 moving to 30 by the end of the squad, giving the Double Agent just a bit of room out, and had a fantastic hitting line. 223, 220, 214. Best 3 games ever in Reno all in one set, highest set in any event since I've been going to Nationals. Very nice note to end on.
Lane 81 coaching session with Mike Jasnau: What an eye opener!! Thought I was throwing the ball pretty well going into my Reno trip, and he showed me so many things I need to improve on. Gave me many answers to my inconsistency problems, and how to keep from muscling my armswing so much. I did do this before my bowling in Reno, which may not be the best idea, but I avoided thinking too much about what he said until I get back home to work on it. I highly recommend this for anyone looking to improve their game, and if it's not too much on the wallet, get the session where you keep the video with his analysis. Mike is a highly qualified coach and would greatly help anyone looking to improve.
Hotel: Stayed at the Silver Legacy. Very nice stay, staff was very helpful, and seemed friendly toward the bowlers. Rooms were a bit small, but this is Reno and many of the hotels are fairly old. Only downer of the hotel portion was the pool was very dirty, windy the weekend we were there, so that may have been part of it, but just not a very good appearance. All in all, very happy, and would stay there next time.
Miscellaneous: Stopped by a few of the company booths, but didn't spend a lot of time there. Did talk to a gentleman at the Visionary booth, (not sure who it was, sorry) who was friendly and helpful, but seemed very resentful to the PBA when I told him I was only looking because Visionary isn't PBA registered, but a friendly guy nonetheless. Big kudos to the Brunswick booth, my wife saw an Awesome Hook she wanted, but as she wasn't bowling didn't have her equipment, the gentleman at the Brunswick booth suggested we not get the ball at that time, or drill it very conservatively due to the strong mass bias in it, and not knowing her ball track. Made very big points with us as many people would have just sold it to get a sale and not worried about how it was drilled for her. Great Brunswick customer service.
Overall: A very good time, and finally a nice set to hang my hat on and with that confidence and Mike Jasnau's help, looking forward to a better showing in Albuquerque next year.
