Well another regional tournament where I learned alot. 1st of all I would like to thank Kevin Croucher and his staff @ Caveman Bowl for treating me so well, as well as thanks to Chris Warren for letting me use the shop during my visit. These people put on a great PRO-AM and did a fantastic job during the Regional, I am looking forward to my next visit.

We left late Wednesday evening and got in around 2 AM, I had travelled down with David Gifford and family. We crashed at Alan Taylors home and were up around 9, headed for the bowl around 11 AM on Thursday. Kevin had the shot laid down for us on Lanes 1-4, the bowls lane machine laid the pattern down a little heavier than the PBA machine. We bowled until 5. I needed to adjust the surface on the balls with the best reaction. Checking the roster and lane assignments I found that I would start on 3 & 4. I noticed that 3 played slicker and Kevin confirmed this for me as a characteristic of the pair.

Practice session came and went, I was happy with the look I had. I just needed to execute. We had a suprise for the whole event as Rhino Page entered the tournament (more on the Rhino sighting later). I was asked to bowl the PRO-AM and bowled well on the house pattern for the amatuers - 277,300, and 278. We all had a good time.

Qualifying- I had found out that I would start on 3&4, I really figured I had a good break in finding that 3 notoriously played slicker than 4. I was also crossing with Scot Archabald from Boise, we bowled well together on this pattern early in the year, also crossing with us was Rick Guined from Portland area and a younger player from the west region. I started with my Shift that I roughed up with gray scotch brite pad. I played them out standing 15 and targeting from 4 to 6 at about 30 feet, I fired a 224 and was happy with a good start and confidence was high.  Next move was to 7&8, the wheels fall off the bus.... 4 opens in 5 frames. I managed to salvage a 141, I was upset and started pressing knowing I would need to be plus to make the finals.  Next to 11&12 and switched to my Reloaded, I managed to cover a few spares and shot 182, a much better look than I had on 7&8.  15&16 were more to my liking 203 with 2 opens in the freakin 9 & 10 .... grrrrr.... spares spares spares.... that cost me getting to even and changed my whole outlook.  Next to 19&20 .... I know I was still fuming about the opens and shot 145. Mentally I have toasted myself..... Next to 23&24 another game of nothing going right and pressing mentally... 141. Practice time now.... it appears that Scot will easily make the top 18... great bowling......  I finish with a 178 and a 190 .... add a few more opens to the 2 dozen in the first six games.  I finish the worst I have for sometime.... not pleased at all.

PRO-AM & RHINO PAGE

I was lucky enough to be asked to bowl the pro-am event again, and even luckier to have Rhino Page next to me.  He is a heck of a bowler and a very pleasant young man to visit with.  He has a bright future in the PBA and is sure to be a fan favorite.  Again I bowl the pro-am event and the day has become extremely long, sore arm and a fried mentality.