Well a new year has come, I have had a couple of weeks off from league bowling and honestly I was glad for it.... Monday Pepsi Classic I have been struggling to the point of dropping the average 12 pins in 4 weeks... The first night back I was able to post a 210 plus average, but the following week I struggled again.  I have decided to play them as straight as possible and will spend the next few weeks working on it.  Hopefully the scores will come up.  The addition of a new ball helped in tournaments but yet to pay off in the house shot league.

Our PBA Experience league started up the new season, we have expanded from 8 teams to 10 teams with a bunch of new faces, we actually follow the pattern schedule as the Tour when possible.  The first night back we bowled on the Shark pattern (1/8/08) - 161, 185, 222, & 190.  I used my Passion and played very very deep on the lane, just allowing the ball to fade back into the pocket.  I have played the shark 2 ways this year, and hooking the ball deep on the lane has provided the best scoring for me.   The following week we go from extreme to extreme and bowled on the Cheetah pattern.  I have used a couple of different balls on this pattern but went back to an old Trauma with an arcing layout that allowed me lots of room. (1/15/08) Scores of 166, 215, 195, 215 - After leaving a few splits in the 1st game from hitting up on the ball rather than rolling it off my fingers, I played the same spot on the lanes just moved the target farther down the lane as they broke down.  This last week we bowled on the Scorpion in lieu of the strips pattern. I used my Shift with pin under the fingers - (see photos for layout).  I bowled consistent with the exception of the first game. (1/22/08) 156, 182, 187, & 184.  I got into trouble in every game leaving wide splits, so I am thankful that I atleast salvaged 180's.  This week should be interesting as we bowl on the TOC pattern. 50' of conditioner.  The last time I bowled on this pattern I scored well inside.  Weber & Schafer played them that way this week.  Its a tough condition and I hope I break this 1st game slump I am having ... 

TOURNAMENTS - The CWO was held at Sparetime Lanes and I just missed the cut.  The condition was a modified Dennys World Championship pattern... which I have bowled pretty decent on .... I started out rough with 156, followed with 3 consecutive 200's then I have that dang 170 game that cost me a bunch and missed the cut. I finished with a 220 but needed another 20 sticks to make the cut.  I was pretty happy with the condition and my bowling.... I used my new Storm Shift SLT the last game and probably could have / should have used it earlier in the day.  Steve Young of Wenatchee won the tournament.

The next tournament was held at Bowlaway Lanes in Walla Walla and honestly was the most fun I have had in some time.  This tournament had the 5 PBA conditions + the house shot + 2 PBA championship patterns.  I come out of the gate with a 245 on the Chameleon pattern using a T-Road Solid.  The next game was on the house pattern - ouch this pattern played nothing like the house shot when I bowled there previously, luckily I figured out something and managed a 160.  The next pair was the Cheetah.... the ball I had brought for this pattern cracked ... so I had to try to make a different ball work ... wish I had brought my Trauma along.  I managed to shoot a 170 and dropped below even. The next pattern was the Viper... I only shoot a 180 but not really happy about it, some fine spare shooting cost me. The next pattern was USBC Masters pattern... I managed a little deuce and was happy to move to next pair where the Scorpion pattern was laid down.  I shoot a 220 and reduced my deficit to -50.  The next 2 pairs were the Shark and the US Open pattern. I shoot a couple of 180's to finish @ -99 for 8 games.  I missed the cash by 17 pins and can count the a spare in each game.  This was a great tournament, even though I didn't make any cash.  The challenge of being able to adjust from lane to lane was grueling and required smart play and moves. 

That pretty much covers January.... A CWO was scheduled for today in Ellensburg, but I didnt make the trip.... we received freezing rain on Saturday and close to 8" of snow.. thats a lot for the Mid Columbia Basin. 

City Championships and another CWO happen this coming month and then the Regionals start up again.  I am focused on regaining confidence in me..... and not hitting the ball on the upswing, staying slow with the feet and trusting the shot.