Well, I am done pouting/kicking myself regarding my performance in Boise a few weeks ago.
Friday practice session: I thought they played vary similar to last years event. I had to rough up my Shift but had a decent look. Spent time with Chris Warren chatting about attack and ball choices. No PRO-AMS scheduled for Friday night so a bunch of us gathered @ Joes Crabshack and had a great meal along with a few tall-tales. Picked the brains of our "lane Dude" and Mitch Beasley. A lot of knowledge on patterns & layouts and always willing to lend a hand.
Saturday Qualifying Round: I used my Storm Shift playing around 8 to 6 board @ 25 feet.
GAME 1: 9 spare (2 pin), strike,6 spare (bucket) 9 spare (2 pin), strike, strike, 9 open (4 pin), strike, 8 spare, double 6 count for the fill ball. 202 .. not bad .... at the time I was ticked about missing that 4 pin.
GAME 2: strike, 9 spare (4 pin), 9 spare (4 pin), 8 count spare, 9 spare, strike, washout --- horrible execution!, 7 count open, strike, strike, 9 spare. OK until that wash-out followed by the open. I have to be mentally tougher and get rid of that baggage. -16 after 2 .... not bad.....
GAME 3: 9 spare, strike, strike, washout (here we go again), 9 spare, 8 spare, 9 spare, 9 spare, 9 spare, 8 on the fill ball. OK a tougher pair.... good shots made with the exception of the washout. -24 after 3 games.... still at a point that a couple of good games.... I have yet to start pressing to make good shots....
GAME 4: 8 open - chop, 8 open, 7 spare, 9 spare, 8 spare, 6 spare, 9 spare, washout - open, 8 open - chopped some wood in this game..... ball change to Storm X Factor Reloaded turkey to salvage a 144 ... OUCH -80 after 4 ...... stay calm & make some good shots.... the cut line is already near 80 over
GAME 5: strike, strike, strike 8 open - chop!, strike, 8 spare, 9 spare, 8 spare, 9 spare, 8 count - open --- chopped again! -91 .... Hard to not press now....
GAME 6: 9 spare, strike, 9 spare, 9 spare, 9 spare, strike, 7 spare, strike, 9 spare, 9 spare and 8 on the fill ball for 195. -96 after 6 .... all practice now... cut is @ 120 or better. I would need to be perfect for 2 games for any slim chance..... and they way my day was going.... I didnt figure... but I never give in.
GAME 7: 9 spare, 9 spare, strike, strike, 9 open ( 10 pin !!!!), 9 spare, strike, strike, strike, strike, 8 count 1 for 193 ..... another minus..... @ -103 now..... its all practice now....
GAME 8: strike, 9 spare,9 spare,9 spare, washout , 8 count open, split 4-7-10, split 4-7-10, 8 spare and 6 on the fill ball - a whoppin 145..... obviously the big problem here was the splits. -158 for the day.... not impressed.
Overall.... no carry.... lots of spares and a few opens in bad spots. You cannot give away pins with those opens. One of my worst finishes in some time.... Ill be back next year.... looking for a title there. 8)
