Round of 16
Me VS one of the grestest to ever roll a ball down the lane. Norm Duke.
I felt great, no nerves, i felt like i had nothing to lose. The match started with me behind the 8 ball. I struck everytime on the right lane, never on the left lane. I dont know what happened, iun oractice they were the same but when the lights came on it changed.
Duke had the nut and was ready to sweep me i think.
I made a big change in the 2nd game and shot 266, Duke's ball played tricks on him like mine did to me in the first game.
3rd game, the transition of the lane screwed me again, and Duke found something. 4th game, i made another big move and shot 278 and felt like i had a reaction i could win the match with.
Duke shot 150 and looked lost, but like all champions, he went to his bag, pulled out another ball and proceeded to strike 21 our of 24. My reaction stayed and i couldnt match it with him. I simply got out bowled. He proved that to be the very best, you need more than just skill and talent, you need experiance. He knew exactly what he needed to do and did it perfectly.
I lost to Duke 4-2 but i felt like i didnt just give him the match, i thought i made him play his best to win.
Frawls on the other hand just keeped on winning, his last match the most thrilling.
I was asked to do some commentary for the internet PBA show Strike Pass, it was an honour and even better i got to call the Big Daddy's game live over the web.
I was over the top when it came to showing the emotion i was feeling for the big daddy. Every open he left i felt a sharp pain in my belly and every strike i would yell at the top of my lungs "GAME ON BIG DADDY"
But his last match before the show was to be his hardest by far. Wes Malott, ranked in the top 5 of the best bowlers of the PBA.
Wes was leading Andrew 2-0, but thats when the Frawls turnded it all around. 1041 for his last 4 and Wes didnt know what happened. He is the in the top 5 players in the world, and he got run down by the best Aussie bowler ever.
It just didnt make sense to him, but to me, it made perfect sense. Someone who gives everything his got everytime deserves everything he gets.
I will cheering as loud as i can for the big guy and should he lose, it will still be the greatest accomplishment by any Aussie bowler, if he should win...................you tell me what it would mean!!!!
Belmo
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
PBA World Champs Day 3
Day 3:
On the way to the bowl, Timmy, Frawls and I were stuck in the worst traffic. Debating wheather or not we should risk driving in the emergency lane, Col Trickle (Tom Cruise, Days of Thunder) entered Timmy's body and he managed to get out of the traffic, onto another highway and somehow got us into the bowl, 45 seconds before roll call started :)
The first 9 games were not so good for me. I had an awful ball reaction and felt like my good shots were to far inbetween my bad shots. After i realised i could not make the top 8, i played a little safe and tried to get some feel back.
I finished in 30th, about 70 pins inside the cut and was to face Chad Kloss. A PBA exempt bowler who bowled great all week.
The formatt is best of 7, first to win 4 games. Chad and I both had ok looks in practice, but when the lights turned, his stayed and i lost mine.
I lost the first match, but crawled back and won my next 2, playing a little strighter and much harder.
Right when i thought i had a great reaction, and chad didnt, the lanes played tricks on us both and the scores swapped, he had a great look and i had air.
HE won the 4th game by doubling in the 10th to shut me out, it was now 2-2.
I made another move, went further left and changed balls and again had a great look. Shot 230 and was in crusie mode, up 3-2 i thought i had the match in the palm of my hand, but once again the lane played some tricks and i got smashed in the 6th game. 3-3.
I made anotehr huge move left, got a little stronger ball and decided to play my A game. It was all over by the 6th frame, i had 4 strike and 2 spares, he had 1 spare, 4 opens and 1 strike.
I was through to the next round.....WOW, i know.
Also Frawls won his match in a gripping 7 gamer, doubling in the 8th and 9th to win, he plays Chris Warren next while i have to play some guy named Norm Duke :)
Will let you know how it goes for us both as soon as i can
Belmo
On the way to the bowl, Timmy, Frawls and I were stuck in the worst traffic. Debating wheather or not we should risk driving in the emergency lane, Col Trickle (Tom Cruise, Days of Thunder) entered Timmy's body and he managed to get out of the traffic, onto another highway and somehow got us into the bowl, 45 seconds before roll call started :)
The first 9 games were not so good for me. I had an awful ball reaction and felt like my good shots were to far inbetween my bad shots. After i realised i could not make the top 8, i played a little safe and tried to get some feel back.
I finished in 30th, about 70 pins inside the cut and was to face Chad Kloss. A PBA exempt bowler who bowled great all week.
The formatt is best of 7, first to win 4 games. Chad and I both had ok looks in practice, but when the lights turned, his stayed and i lost mine.
I lost the first match, but crawled back and won my next 2, playing a little strighter and much harder.
Right when i thought i had a great reaction, and chad didnt, the lanes played tricks on us both and the scores swapped, he had a great look and i had air.
HE won the 4th game by doubling in the 10th to shut me out, it was now 2-2.
I made another move, went further left and changed balls and again had a great look. Shot 230 and was in crusie mode, up 3-2 i thought i had the match in the palm of my hand, but once again the lane played some tricks and i got smashed in the 6th game. 3-3.
I made anotehr huge move left, got a little stronger ball and decided to play my A game. It was all over by the 6th frame, i had 4 strike and 2 spares, he had 1 spare, 4 opens and 1 strike.
I was through to the next round.....WOW, i know.
Also Frawls won his match in a gripping 7 gamer, doubling in the 8th and 9th to win, he plays Chris Warren next while i have to play some guy named Norm Duke :)
Will let you know how it goes for us both as soon as i can
Belmo
Thursday, February 21, 2008
PBA world champs day 2
Well i bowled much better today. Started with 234, 270, 232, 225, 217. I was very happy and felt like i could keep that pace. I moved to the next pair and it was awful, i managed to bowl 194 but had no idea. From that pair i moved to an even nastier pair and shot 170, with a 4 bagger in the 8th,9th,10th and 11th.
I made the cross to the otehr end of the house and just had no ball reaction at all. Everyhting i tried looked disgracful. I finished 200,201. Total over 270 over the card which puts me in 12th.
I have to stay in the top 40 for matchplay but can grab 2 byes if i make the top 8....so thats the plan.
I need a way to strike in the last 3 games, i will try something different again tomorrow so i hope that works.
For those who know my idol, Andrew Frawley, if you chwck the leader board he is sitting in 4th. I have never seen him bowl so well.
After a shaky start, andrew was only 19 over with 7 games to go. He finished 399 over, bowling 2 (300) games along the way. He is BIG DADDY......He told me that it was the best 7 games he had ever bowled, i told him it was the best 7 games i had ever seen :)
Will let you know how we both go tomorrow
Belmo
I made the cross to the otehr end of the house and just had no ball reaction at all. Everyhting i tried looked disgracful. I finished 200,201. Total over 270 over the card which puts me in 12th.
I have to stay in the top 40 for matchplay but can grab 2 byes if i make the top 8....so thats the plan.
I need a way to strike in the last 3 games, i will try something different again tomorrow so i hope that works.
For those who know my idol, Andrew Frawley, if you chwck the leader board he is sitting in 4th. I have never seen him bowl so well.
After a shaky start, andrew was only 19 over with 7 games to go. He finished 399 over, bowling 2 (300) games along the way. He is BIG DADDY......He told me that it was the best 7 games he had ever bowled, i told him it was the best 7 games i had ever seen :)
Will let you know how we both go tomorrow
Belmo
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Day 1, PBA WORLD CHAMPS
I bowled 9 games today. The first 3 were awful. I felt like i had the lane to hit, but i was so nervous that my hands were slow slippery that i couldnt not hang on to the ball in my left hand.
I started 192, 212 and 160. I had no clue how to hang onto the ball. So i changed ball, even though it had a great reaction, it was useless in my hands if i couldnt hold it.
I changed ball, moved on the lane and so how managed to bowl 290. A get out game if i ever needed it. I backed that up with 2teen and then 247. I felt like i was going to make a run.
But in a 80 lane bowling centre, your going to find a few pairs that are funny. The next 3 pairs were very weird. I never could get a good start, i grinded my way to 202, 206 and 194. I finished 123 over and i think im in the top 30. I need to stay in the top 40, which is match play.
Tomorrow ill play much smarter and will bowl better (well thats the plan). Will let you know exactly how i go.
Belmo
I started 192, 212 and 160. I had no clue how to hang onto the ball. So i changed ball, even though it had a great reaction, it was useless in my hands if i couldnt hold it.
I changed ball, moved on the lane and so how managed to bowl 290. A get out game if i ever needed it. I backed that up with 2teen and then 247. I felt like i was going to make a run.
But in a 80 lane bowling centre, your going to find a few pairs that are funny. The next 3 pairs were very weird. I never could get a good start, i grinded my way to 202, 206 and 194. I finished 123 over and i think im in the top 30. I need to stay in the top 40, which is match play.
Tomorrow ill play much smarter and will bowl better (well thats the plan). Will let you know exactly how i go.
Belmo
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
PBA World Championships
Hey guys,
The official PBA World Championship practice session was on today. The pattern is far from easy but is playable.
I am a little nervous, but i think thats healthy :)
The bowling centre is a 80 lanes centre (all the lanes in a row) its a sight to see, not to mention that the lane moves a large so moving pairs feels like walking from state to state.
The Pro's are great. Everyone i spoke with was more than happy to say hello and have a chat. These guys are bowling on a tour that requires more than just skill. Its the biggest mental grind i have ever seen. Not many people really understand how hard it is bowling on the hardest tour in the world.
Well tomorrow is the first day, im bowling the morning shift, so i hope i can get off to a great start.
Will let you all know how i go
Belmo
The official PBA World Championship practice session was on today. The pattern is far from easy but is playable.
I am a little nervous, but i think thats healthy :)
The bowling centre is a 80 lanes centre (all the lanes in a row) its a sight to see, not to mention that the lane moves a large so moving pairs feels like walking from state to state.
The Pro's are great. Everyone i spoke with was more than happy to say hello and have a chat. These guys are bowling on a tour that requires more than just skill. Its the biggest mental grind i have ever seen. Not many people really understand how hard it is bowling on the hardest tour in the world.
Well tomorrow is the first day, im bowling the morning shift, so i hope i can get off to a great start.
Will let you all know how i go
Belmo
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
MINI ELIMINATOR 1st place
WOW...what a day
To win these megabucks two things have to happen. 1: you need to bowl great and 2: luck needs to go your way.
I bowled great to get to the round of 4 (in my division) with 4 left only 2 make it through. The guy on my pair was gone, he bowled 200 or something like that, the other 2 guys could bag out for 245 (His name is Craig) and Tom Smallwood could shoot 269. I bowled a great game but 3 ringing 10 pins meant i could ony bowl 237 if i punched out.
I was the first to bowl the 10th and i got up and jammed all 3 perfectly. This meant Craig needed a double and Tom needed a spare.
Craig is a very slow bowler and his 10th frame took a massive 14 minutes to finish. His first was light but a strike and his 11th was perfect. I thought i was done. Tom now only needed a spare and it was not looking good for me.
But after watching for 14 min, you get a little cold. His first shot was wide and almost left the 2-4-8-10, the 10 fell late. Neededing to convert an easy spare i still thought i was done. He let the ball go and the ball never read the lane. He missed it.... 236 for him, 237 for me.
I then had to play Craig to advance to the title match. I was leading by a yard a the half way point, but a open frame for me in the 8th and a string of strikes for Craig meant it was going down to the 10th.
He could bag out for 206 and i could get to 217. He was up first. Bang, bang, bang. 206. He bowled a great 10th frame. I now needed a strike to stay it, a strike, 9 spare for a tie and a double to win.
I bowled my first shot and the ball took off the break point and went high.....the 4-10 was standing.....briefly. The 4 fell and then the 10 fell late. The crowd errupted. I still needed another to make it to the final. I made a move and let it go perfectly. STRIKE.
i was in the final.
The final match was not so close, i bowling against Pete Tomas and Sol (forget his last name) i had the front 6 and the other guys had 1 open and no doubles.....I shot 255 to win the Mini.
I am so proud, i never expected to win the mini, but to now have both the mini and high roller titles, within a year, i am so happy.
YAY for me.
Anyway, Im in Milwaukee now for the USBC silver level coaching gig, (its had 4 foot of snow here by the way) and then off to Indy for the PBA world Champs.
Ill let you all know how it goes here and then in Indy
Be good
Belmo
To win these megabucks two things have to happen. 1: you need to bowl great and 2: luck needs to go your way.
I bowled great to get to the round of 4 (in my division) with 4 left only 2 make it through. The guy on my pair was gone, he bowled 200 or something like that, the other 2 guys could bag out for 245 (His name is Craig) and Tom Smallwood could shoot 269. I bowled a great game but 3 ringing 10 pins meant i could ony bowl 237 if i punched out.
I was the first to bowl the 10th and i got up and jammed all 3 perfectly. This meant Craig needed a double and Tom needed a spare.
Craig is a very slow bowler and his 10th frame took a massive 14 minutes to finish. His first was light but a strike and his 11th was perfect. I thought i was done. Tom now only needed a spare and it was not looking good for me.
But after watching for 14 min, you get a little cold. His first shot was wide and almost left the 2-4-8-10, the 10 fell late. Neededing to convert an easy spare i still thought i was done. He let the ball go and the ball never read the lane. He missed it.... 236 for him, 237 for me.
I then had to play Craig to advance to the title match. I was leading by a yard a the half way point, but a open frame for me in the 8th and a string of strikes for Craig meant it was going down to the 10th.
He could bag out for 206 and i could get to 217. He was up first. Bang, bang, bang. 206. He bowled a great 10th frame. I now needed a strike to stay it, a strike, 9 spare for a tie and a double to win.
I bowled my first shot and the ball took off the break point and went high.....the 4-10 was standing.....briefly. The 4 fell and then the 10 fell late. The crowd errupted. I still needed another to make it to the final. I made a move and let it go perfectly. STRIKE.
i was in the final.
The final match was not so close, i bowling against Pete Tomas and Sol (forget his last name) i had the front 6 and the other guys had 1 open and no doubles.....I shot 255 to win the Mini.
I am so proud, i never expected to win the mini, but to now have both the mini and high roller titles, within a year, i am so happy.
YAY for me.
Anyway, Im in Milwaukee now for the USBC silver level coaching gig, (its had 4 foot of snow here by the way) and then off to Indy for the PBA world Champs.
Ill let you all know how it goes here and then in Indy
Be good
Belmo
Monday, February 11, 2008
2nd place at the Boot Hill
Hey guys,
The Boot Hill event at the south point hotel has finished. It was one of only two events I was allowed to bowl in since all these rule changes. The finals went like this:
round 1: all players bowl two games, the top half go to the next round
round 2: all players bowl one game, top half go on
round 3 and 4: same as round two
The show: four players on one pair. Highest game wins.
I lead the first round with a 479 and felt good
Shot 244 in my round and the lanes looked to be getting easier, but only on some pairs.
I then bowled on one of the tougher pairs and grinded my way to 224. Got a lucky break early, but missed a tenpin later on.
The scores that round were much lower than other rounds so with that score I made the final four.
I bowled a great game in the final match. We bowled on one of those easier pairs so the scores were high, but it was a great final. Going into the 10th, the scores (if we all struck out) was 255 for me 290, 246 and 244. It was tight, great for the crowd not so good for me.
I was up first and dead butted the first and the second. Now I could only come first or second. Cassidy schuab (a two handed lefty) needed only an 8 count to win. He threw it great and and struck out.
I finished second so I was happy with that. I have.cashed everytime I have Bowles so let's hope the scores keep coming.
I have the mini to bowl now so I'll let you know how I go.
Belmo
The Boot Hill event at the south point hotel has finished. It was one of only two events I was allowed to bowl in since all these rule changes. The finals went like this:
round 1: all players bowl two games, the top half go to the next round
round 2: all players bowl one game, top half go on
round 3 and 4: same as round two
The show: four players on one pair. Highest game wins.
I lead the first round with a 479 and felt good
Shot 244 in my round and the lanes looked to be getting easier, but only on some pairs.
I then bowled on one of the tougher pairs and grinded my way to 224. Got a lucky break early, but missed a tenpin later on.
The scores that round were much lower than other rounds so with that score I made the final four.
I bowled a great game in the final match. We bowled on one of those easier pairs so the scores were high, but it was a great final. Going into the 10th, the scores (if we all struck out) was 255 for me 290, 246 and 244. It was tight, great for the crowd not so good for me.
I was up first and dead butted the first and the second. Now I could only come first or second. Cassidy schuab (a two handed lefty) needed only an 8 count to win. He threw it great and and struck out.
I finished second so I was happy with that. I have.cashed everytime I have Bowles so let's hope the scores keep coming.
I have the mini to bowl now so I'll let you know how I go.
Belmo
Friday, February 8, 2008
Las Vegas update
Hey guys,
I have been in vegas for about five days and have bowled ok. Scoring and bowling well doesn't always mean your making money in vegas anymore. Since I can't bowl the high roller anymore (because of a new ruling where national team members can't bowl) the only way to make big money is to win a main event.
I have finished 6th, 6th, 7th and 9th in all my sweepers so I'm close. The patterns here are ok but the oil moves so quickly you feel like moving every frame.
The tournaments though are just beginning so let's hope the pins can fall a little more often for me
will let you know
Be good
I have been in vegas for about five days and have bowled ok. Scoring and bowling well doesn't always mean your making money in vegas anymore. Since I can't bowl the high roller anymore (because of a new ruling where national team members can't bowl) the only way to make big money is to win a main event.
I have finished 6th, 6th, 7th and 9th in all my sweepers so I'm close. The patterns here are ok but the oil moves so quickly you feel like moving every frame.
The tournaments though are just beginning so let's hope the pins can fall a little more often for me
will let you know
Be good
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Viva Las Vegas
hey everyone,
I'm at Sydney international airport waiting to board my 14 hour flight to LA, wait for 4 hours then finally I'll have the last hour of a flight which will land me in Vegas.
I love Vegas but it scares me at the same time.
I'll be bowling the mini and the boot hill. I'll let you know how I go.
Be good
Belmo
I'm at Sydney international airport waiting to board my 14 hour flight to LA, wait for 4 hours then finally I'll have the last hour of a flight which will land me in Vegas.
I love Vegas but it scares me at the same time.
I'll be bowling the mini and the boot hill. I'll let you know how I go.
Be good
Belmo
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
