Won my 1st bowling tournament today

boatman37

boatman37

Well-Known Member
Jun 6, 2015
4,056
pittsburgh
Boat Info
2006 Crownline 250CR. 5.7 Merc BIII
Previous: 1986 Sea Ray 250 Sundancer. 260 Merc Alpha 1 Gen 1
Engines
5.7 Merc BIII
Been bowling since about 1981 minus a 16 year stretch from 2002-2016 following elbow surgery. Did a few tournaments here and there the last couple of years but decided to try to hit a bunch of them this year.
Started out bowling the PA State Sr's tournament by pairing up with a former pro bowler that bowled on ESPN back in the late 80's and early 90's and had a pretty good run (Jim Pencak). So we paired up for doubles. I bowled a 733 and him a 592 (my average was 196 and his was 227). Finished around 6th in the state sr's (50 and over). Entered a few others with so-so results including the county Sr's where I qualified 2nd out of about 50 but I lost first round.

Today was our counties USBC end of season singles tournament. Only about 35 entrants. First squad was at 10 AM but I only entered 2nd squad. Rolled 201, 202, 232 to qualify 6th after adding my 91 pin handicap (top 11 made it in). First round bowled 255 so made it to the round of 6. Only rolled 203 next round and tied for 3rd (top 3 made it to finals) so had a roll off and won that. In the finals it was me, a buddy of mine, and a guy I didn't know. My buddy has about a 215-220 average so I knew he was giving me about 20 pins of handicap so if I could stay within 20 pins I had a shot. He started with about the first 5 or 6 strikes then left a 7-10 split. I was able to throw about 5 or 6 strikes in a row and got to about even with him. Wasn't sure where the other guy was cause I had no idea what his average was so didn't know if he was getting pins or giving pins so I just focused on my own game. 10th frame I heard someone say that I was gonna win. The other guy spared to start the 10th and I struck. Heard a couple mumble that it was over so I looked up and knew he couldn't beat me. Ended with a 235 to win it.
My average over 6 games was 221 (201, 202, 232, 255, 203, 235)

Something to note about these tournaments...we move pairs of lanes after each game and lanes are often different from each other so may have to adjust after each move

 
Congrats. I admire your accomplishment, I have never done well with the sport.
 
Congrats! A fun indoor sport for sure. Especially playing for beer frames. :)
 
boatman37 said:
Been bowling since about 1981 minus a 16 year stretch from 2002-2016 following elbow surgery. Did a few tournaments here and there the last couple of years but decided to try to hit a bunch of them this year.
Started out bowling the PA State Sr's tournament by pairing up with a former pro bowler that bowled on ESPN back in the late 80's and early 90's and had a pretty good run (Jim Pencak). So we paired up for doubles. I bowled a 733 and him a 592 (my average was 196 and his was 227). Finished around 6th in the state sr's (50 and over). Entered a few others with so-so results including the county Sr's where I qualified 2nd out of about 50 but I lost first round.

Today was our counties USBC end of season singles tournament. Only about 35 entrants. First squad was at 10 AM but I only entered 2nd squad. Rolled 201, 202, 232 to qualify 6th after adding my 91 pin handicap (top 11 made it in). First round bowled 255 so made it to the round of 6. Only rolled 203 next round and tied for 3rd (top 3 made it to finals) so had a roll off and won that. In the finals it was me, a buddy of mine, and a guy I didn't know. My buddy has about a 215-220 average so I knew he was giving me about 20 pins of handicap so if I could stay within 20 pins I had a shot. He started with about the first 5 or 6 strikes then left a 7-10 split. I was able to throw about 5 or 6 strikes in a row and got to about even with him. Wasn't sure where the other guy was cause I had no idea what his average was so didn't know if he was getting pins or giving pins so I just focused on my own game. 10th frame I heard someone say that I was gonna win. The other guy spared to start the 10th and I struck. Heard a couple mumble that it was over so I looked up and knew he couldn't beat me. Ended with a 235 to win it.
My average over 6 games was 221 (201, 202, 232, 255, 203, 235)

Something to note about these tournaments...we move pairs of lanes after each game and lanes are often different from each other so may have to adjust after each move

Click to expand...
Back in the day I used to do a fair amount of bowlin’. Never got as good as you, thought, my best annual average was 189. I sure loved, though! Many congrats to you for a great accomplishment!
 
Thanks.
Still lookin' for that first 300 though. I rolled a 279 a few years ago then that doubles tournament with Jim Pencak I rolled a 290 and 279. Unfortunately the middle game was a 167...lol. For those that don't know, the only way to roll 290 is to spare the first frame then strike the next 11. And the only way to roll 279 is to throw 11 strikes with a 9/ (9 spare) in the middle of the game. So then a few weeks later I rolled another 279 and a 280 in league. So gettin close and think I will get it before the end of the season (only 3 or 4 weeks left). But I went through a big slump from end of January until now. My average dropped from 203 to 196 and I went 7 weeks without a 600. Hopin' to turn it around after yesterday. I went and practiced Saturday night and rolled 211 and 257
 
boatman37 said:
Thanks.
Still lookin' for that first 300 though. ZI rolled a 279 a few years ago then that doubles tournament with Jim Pencak I rolled a 290 and 279. Unfortunately the middle game was a 167...lol. For those that don't know, the only way to roll 290 is to spare the first frame then strike the next 11. And the only way to roll 279 is to throw 11 strikes with a 9/ (9 spare) in the middle of the game. So then a few weeks later I rolled another 279 and a 280 in league. So gettin close and think I will get it before the end of the season (only 3 or 4 weeks left). But I went through a big slump from end of January until now. My average dropped from 203 to 196 and I went 7 weeks without a 600. Hopin' to turn it around after yesterday. I went and practiced Saturday night and rolled 211 and 257
Click to expand...
Good luck with the 300, my fingers are crossed for you!
 
Blueone said:
Okay ….. not even a participation trophy?… is this bowling alley republican?…… that would explain it
Click to expand...
Actually the owner is republican...lol. Not sure about the guys that ran the tournament though.
 
upload_2023-3-28_14-38-2.jpeg
 
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