After my STELLAR outting at the Lucas Oil Badger Open, I took a couple of days to rest, relax and re-group and let me tell you I needed it!
There is this video at PBA.com titled, "What Do You Tell People That Say Bowling Is Not A Sport." In said video, one of the greatest bowlers of our time, and a guy I was paired with during Badger qualifying, Norm Duke says something to the accord of loving bowling so much, you hate it sometimes!
That's how I felt after the physical and mental circus that was Round 1 of the PBA Summer Swing. I know I can bowl, I've made whatever spare a million times, etc, but with the difficult oil pattern, pressure of the situation and the GREATEST bowlers in the world!? You learn LOTS and FAST!!
A few weeks ago I thought it would be a good idea to try and compete against the, "Greatest Bowlers in the World" at AMF Waukesha Lanes in the GEICO / PBA Summer Swing!
I wish I could be saying, "Hey! Watch for me tonight on the CBS Sports Network as I make my Pro Bowler debut on Lucas Oil Badger Open!", but sadly, I didn't make the cut. Didn't even come close! Though the 5 guys above did and will compete for the top spot starting TONIGHT at 6pm on CBS Sports Network. Don't know what channel? Click here to find out!
So what IS it like competing again the, "Greatest Bowlers in the World"? Lemme tell you, I worked so hard on the physical game that my mental game almost fell by the wayside.
Bowling with the big names? No problem! Walter Ray Willimas Jr. politely telling me to, "JUST BOWL!" when I was taking to long, I can handle that. Missing spares though, is the death of not just me, but any bowler out there! And when you miss a spare against the big dogs, you're just giving away pins and you keep digging yourself into a hole, a hole that gets big fast if you're not paying attention!
In the end, I took 82nd out of 84th! Took lots away from this first tournament and got ready to do it all again a few days later for the GEICO / PBA Summer Swing Lucas Oil Wolf Open at AMF West Lanes. I'll bring that to you next week before the next telecast!
The final episode as I get ready for the PBA Summer Swing. The fun starts with a practice session today at AMF Waukesha from 2-4pm, qualifying Monday ad hopefully some Match Play on Tuesday. Get the entire schedule and your tickets to watch and Pro-Am information...click here.
Here is a break down of what is going on the next few weeks...
Your first chance to throw with the "Greatest Bowlers In The World" is this Sunday, May 19th at AMF Waukesha for the PBA Badger Pro Am.
Time: 6:30pm
Cost to Bowl: $25 Kids / Seniors $50 Adults
Cost to Watch: $10 For PBA Badger Pro Am information...click here.
Sunday, May 26th AMF Bowlero hosts Essential Bowling Concepts, 2013 Youth Challenge Series SUPER CLASSIC and PBA Bear Pro Am!
2013 Youth Challenge Series Super Classic
Time: 10:45am
Cost to Bowl:
Handicap: $44.00
Scratch - $64.00 Includes $20 Scholarship Prize Fund Fee Add $6 Late Fee if paid after 5/23
TV finals will be taped for June Telecast on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel.
The top finisher in each division will advance to the television taping, where they will be paired up with a PBA Tour Brunswick Pro Staff Bowler to bowl for BONUS merchandise awards!
Youth Challenge Series Director Phil Brylow said, "This tournament is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have youth bowlers pair up on TV with some of the best bowlers in the world! How many people dream of having a Sean Rash, or a Walter Ray Williams, Jr., or a Tom Hess or Tom Smallwood pair up with them for a doubles tournament? Well, now here is the chance for six bowlers who make the Time Warner Cable Sports 32 finals."
Then you got the, "Greatest Bowlers in the World", competing and qualifying to see who will advance to the TV taping of all 3 respective tournaments.
PBA Badger Open - AMF Waukesha
Monday, May 20th - Qualifying - 10am-9pm
Tuesday, May 21st - Match Play 10am-3pm (Top 5 Advance to TV Taping June 2 @ AMF Bowlero)
PBA Wolf Open - AMF West Lanes
Thursday, May 23rd - Qualifying - 10am-9pm
Friday, May 24th - Match Play - 10am-3pm
PBA Bear Open - AMF Bowlero
Monday, May 27th - Qualifying 10am-9pm
Tuesday, May 28th - Match Play - 10am-3pm
The journey has been filled with LOTS of up's and down's but either way I'm working harder than ever before thanks to USBC Coaches Dwight Albrecht and Phil Brylow. I even have a personal trainer in my corner. Former PBA Champ and fitness guru Johnny DiSantis has been training me with bowling specific workouts and let me tell you... IT'S WORKING!
Do me a favor and head over to Johny's Facebook Page - How To Train Like An Athlete For Bowling. If your serious about bowling and want to become better, it's gonna help!
Another week in my journey to the PBA / GEICO Summer Swing shows me just how frustrating bowling can be at times!
I've been asking everyone and their mother for advice on how to handle this venture and the majority of people are saying, just get out there and start working hard. Well, I have been! From working on my physical game, which has been transformed by the way, with the help and patience of USBC CoachesDwight Albrecht and Phil Brylow to actually doing bowling specifc workouts with former PBA Champion and fitness guru Johnny Di Santis.
So, this past weekend I had tournament action in Madison, WI at Bowl-A-Vard for a PBA Sweeper and the right to compete in an upcoming Regional Tournament. How'd I do... Not well! PBA Shark Pattern gave me a hard time all night and I couldn't find my game to save my life!
Frustrating? YES! Pack up shop and call it quits? As much as I'd like to, now is the time to dig even deeper, work harder and maybe something good will come outta this whole thing in the end!
For those just as frustrated as I, keep the faith, work harder and DON'T QUIT! I'm not! :)
My road to the PBA Summer Swing continues and I'm feeling great! Work continues on my physical game and found that my aresnal is a little lacking. After trips to Holler House in Milwaukee, WI and Stardust Bowl III in Dyer, Indiana have made me realize that THIS can't be done with just one ball! Find out what coaches Dwight Albrecht and Phil Brylow have to say about it and see where I'm at this week!
#chasingdreams #lovethelanes
Under going extensive training and USBC coaching from fellow co-host Dwight Albrecht and contributor Phil Brylow to try to make a run at Professional Bowlers Tour.
Lemme give you some background on my love for the sport..(Yes, IT IS a sport!)
I grew up just over the border in Mundelein, IL, a stones throw away from Mundelelin Lanes (now Lakeside Lanes) where my parents and I bowled leagues and where I got my first job as a lad.
When I wasn't cleaning up the bowling alley or dealing with a lane problems, I'd be bowling, ALOT! Part of my pay, FREE BOWLING! How could you NOT take advantage?
At one point, it was suggested that I try to make it on the Professional Bowlers Tour. At that same time the wonderful world radio entered my life and I chose radio instead of chasing my dreams of the PBA...UNTIL NOW!!
The 
If you haven't heard, I'm chasing a dream...