Jason's Travelling Diary

Aussies are just not built for the cold

2009-01-30T10:55:00.000+11:00

The European tour takes you across some of the most beautiful countries through Europe. The only problem (for an Australian) is the Winters in Scandinavia are not quite like they are back home.
Orange, NSW, Australia, where I’m from does get cold but what I consider cold, my Scandinavian mates would consider shirt, shorts and thongs weather. (oh, in Australia thongs are flip flops, I have been in some interesting conversations before not realising the miscommunication, quite embarrassing)
Minus 15 degrees Celsius , sorry for those who read this and do not use the metric system, but to give you a clearer understanding how cold that is, if you spit into the air, the spit would freeze before it hit the ground….ok that might be an exaggeration but you get the point.
I was wearing everything I had, and I was still shivering. It always made me laugh when I saw a local Swede wearing just jeans and a small coat while riding a bike into town, smiling like it was perfect weather.
Anyway I arrived into Sweden, Stockholm to play in a Swedish Super 6. The first event of the year for me and I was excited to bowl in Sweden again. I had only bowled at this bowling centre once before, I made the TV show and lost in the semi finals to the eventual winner, so I had fond memories.
The Swedish Super 6’s have just started to use some PBA patterns for their events. This week was the Scorpion.
I must say I was a little confident to be bowling on this pattern, the last time I played this pattern I made the cut against the best on the PBA Tour, so I was ready.
The first squad I bowled I shot something like 80 over (for 6 games). That score looked to be safe, but like it usually happens, the cut score went up and I had to keep on bowling to beat it. My 2nd attempt was quite funny. I never missed in the 10 minute practice session and the guys on my pair gave me ‘the look’ that you would give when your implying someone was cheating ☺
Lights on – I think I had 53 in the 4th. Oh dear. Started with 163-178- 104. (Oh yeah, let me explain that score.)
When I started the 3rd game I changed balls to a ball I had left with some friends in Sweden 3 years ago. I couldn’t believe they still had it. Well after 3 years in a Swedish attic the ball was mentally disturbed and forgot how to react when it hit the lane, certainly was not like the way it was when I left it. I took 3 off the right, made a massive move and only just hit a couple more. 4 frames later and I was yet to hit more than 6 pins on my first shot and yet to make a spare and I decided this squad was done. With that in mind, I made a bet with a fellow bowler that I could shoot 99 with no gutter balls. With 2 frames to go I had to score 15. In the 9th frame I left a 4-9 , perfect, if I take 1 that will leave 6 pins left (which is easy to get, 3 off the right and then 3 off the left) I hit the 9 pin dead smack on and to my shock, the pin bounced out and made the 4-9. I never bounce pins out and the only time I never wanted to spare the 4-9 I did. After a wayward first ball in the 10th I shot 104.
The most amazing thing about that score was it was lit up on message boards all around the world, from Sweden, to Australia even on the PBA message boards. I thought that was kind of funny.
I made the cut on my 3rd and final squad and was ready to try and go a few places better than the last time I was in Stockholm.

I really didn’t bowl that bad in the first few games. I was 20 under and felt like I should have been about 30 over. The bowling centre layout is extremely weird. Actually I can’t believe I haven’t mentioned this yet. The scoring monitors are the lowest scoring monitors in the world. I’m only 176cm tall and the monitors on some pairs hit my shoulders. Considering the Swedes are known for their height, I thought that it was quite ironic that the scoring monitors were so low. Many times if you were not thinking you would bang your head on them or hear someone else do it. It was always funnier when some one else does it.
On top of all that the bowl is spilt into two. 14 lanes on each side. The lanes do play much different side to side but I still to this day I can’t tell you which side I like better.
So where was I? Right…… 30 under. Well it never got much better. I had 4 balls with me and I tried them all playing over the entire lane. Every time I managed to find something nice, I would throw 2 awful shots and shoot 190.
23rd in my first event for 2009. Not the start I wanted to begin the year off but the best thing about bowling is there is always another event just around the corner, in this case it was Finland, 3 days later.
If Sweden in the winter is cold, then Finland is even colder. I never actually saw the exact temperature but the snow was heavy and the ground was very slippery because of the ice.
Ballmaster is the European Tour’s first stop. It’s also probably the hardest event of the year to win. The thing about the Finns is many of the great Finish bowlers don’t travel. They only bowl the one stop…. To be honest I’m so happy about that.
Finland as a whole have the best bowlers in the world per capita. Tore Togorgsen was the last non Finish bowler to win the event and that was over 12 years ago, just goes to show you the depth that Finland has.
Tali Bowling Centre is one of the most amazing bowling centre in the world. Once an old ice hockey rink, the bowling centre is huge. With change rooms and showers in the locker rooms, massive grand stand like seating area to watch the bowling and 3 huge projector screens across the house displaying the game by game scores makes Tali one of the grandest bowling centres in Europe. I really love bowling there.
I bowled my first squad and bowled great. Over 1400 (for 6 games) and in this event placement for qualification is a huge advantage.
Basically I played quite hard and straight for the first few games. Once the lane calmed down a bit I jumped in deep and curved the lane.
The top 8 from qualification got seeded directly into the round of 16 match play. If you don’t make the top 8, you have to play 5 games, cut to 50%, 5 games cut to 8 players. It’s really hard so the bye to match play is huge.

My qualifying score held up for 3rd and after the morning 10 games were played Dom Barrett of England was my first match.
Dom is my Walter-Ray Williams to Pete Weber. No matter where I play this guy I seem to lose. I think we have played maybe 5 times and it’s 4-1. The one time I did win was at the High Roller when he was just a pup and still wet behind the ears, so does that really count?
I have always had troubles adjusting to how the lane breaks down when I bowl match play. I thought this time I would try and be a little smarter and make the move before it was too late. The format for this match play was best of 5.
266 my first game, a nice little start. I played very similar as I did in qualifying and felt like I was breaking the lane down nicely. Dom also is a high rev bowler and was a little slower on his ball speed meaning he was a little left of me. I was a bit worried about that but thought it would not affect me too badly. How wrong was I?
Between us both we chewed up the oil on the lane and spat out saw dust. Every move left the ball hooked more and with the massive OUT OF BOUNDS out to the right it was basically who could get far enough left with the best carry. The biggest problem for us was that the oil laid down was very thin, so with every roll, the ball just took all the oil off the lane.
Dom won the 2nd game and I had a chance to win the 3rd. I needed all 3 in the 10th and I left a solid 9. It wasn’t the best shot, I was hoping for a strike but after I saw the 9 pin it was as clear as day that I deserved it.
The 4th game was as bumpy as a Boeing 747 through a storm. In a nut shell we both struck a few times, spared a few times and opened a few times. By this time the lane was sparking it was so dry and we were both lobbing the left gutter.
After I spared the 9th frame and Dom doubled the 8th and 9th for a 30 pin lead, I felt it was over. He stepped up in the 10th and he left a split, leaving the door open for me to steal the win in game 4 and keep my hopes alive .
I left a 4 pin the last time on that lane so I moved a few boards left and bowled a little faster hoping to leave something sparable and win the match.
I thought I dead nutted it, but the ball reacted viciously (which I guess is proof I didn’t let it go that perfect) and I left a 4-6. Not the kind you normally leave, where the ball goes extremely high, but it was the kind where you think it should of left just the 4 pin.
I was beyond upset. Shook Dom’s hand, waved to the crowd, packed my gear up, changed my flight, went straight to the airport.
On the plane I had a good chance to think about what happened and how to fix it. A few things came to mind, but I think I’ll need to practice them a bunch first.

My next events are in the grand USA. I am bowling for 4 weeks (all of February), I can’t wait to get back in the deep end of the pool. With the current form of the PBA players though, in particular Bill O’Neill, Patrick Allen and Wes Mallot, these 4 events are going to be extremely tough to win…. But you’ve got to be in it to win it right!
Till next time…. Be good.

Belmo

Who said long formats are not exciting!!

2008-12-20T23:49:00.001+11:00

Doha, Qatar, The Qatar Open, the last event of the calender year where I played. The previous 2 events I played (the PBA events) did not go exactly as planned so I was hoping to bowl a little better here and make the 3 week tour not a complete disaster.
The format is one of the better formats that we play on the European Tour (a little side note, Qatar Open joined the European Tour as of last year and has the largest prize pool of them all. 30,000 Euro for 1st).
Anyway back to the format. 6 games, re-entry with top 6 getting 2 byes, 7-12th getting one bye, the rest of the cut field making the finals.
The first cut play 6 games cut to half the field. The next cut is then joined by those who placed 7-12th in qualifying, then cut half again after another 6 games, those remaining 10 are then joined by the top 6 from qualifying to form the top 16.
The top 16 then play another 6 games, with 8 going through, the pinfall is then carried over (just from the round of 16 scores) and then the top 8 play another 6 games then it cuts to the top 4 for the semi finals.
Its a fair bit of bowling, but thats the way I like it.
I qualfied early on but not enough for the byes. I tried a few more times, then on my last attempt I shot 1401 to qualify 3rd and get the all important 2 byes.
The pattern was not so easy on the fresh, but after a few games the lanes opened up a little and shooting 250 was considered a huge game.
The first 6 games I played I started off aweful. 340 something for 2 and was sitting last. I knew the number was going to be low so I dug my heels in and fought my way back to 55 over to be the number for the top 8.
I was pretty happy with myself to come back and knew that another 6 good games and I had a chance to win the event.
This is where the story becomes amazing.
The last 6 games was always going to be close. I was the number for the top 8 but only 30 pins out from 4th, so anyone had the potential to make the semi finals. I bowled some great games to shoot 690 for my first 3 to jump into 3rd. I shot 208 my 4th game and slipped to 4th, then 232 my 5th game to give myself some breathing space.
I had a quick glance at the scores and this is how it all sat.
Remy Ong from Singapore was out in front and couldn’t be caught. Nina Flack from Sweden was in 2nd, 40 pins in the number, Dom Barrett from England was also 40 pins inside the cut, then I was the number. I had a 35 pin buffer of Nick Froggatt of England and a 56 pin buffer from Wu Su Hong from Hong Kong.
At first I thought I was really the only one who was in trouble. Dom and Nina were well infront of me and that would make them WAY infront of the other 2 boys.
I started ok, strike, 2 spares then a double. Nina hit a wall as did Dom. Nick and Su Hong both had the front 6.
All of a sudden, only Remy was safe and at this point I’m in the biggest amount of trouble. I string another couple of strikes and then leave the most ridiculous ringing 10 of the trip. I could punch out for 247 and with a few frames left I didnt think it would be enough. I needed someone to miss.
Nick left a 7 pin and then threw some great shots to shoot 279. Su Hong left a 3-6-7-10, then made it, then struck out, leaving Dom, Nina and myself all to strike out.
Nina was up first, BANG BANG. Doubled like it was easy. Dom actually only need the first hit and he dead nutted it. Su Hong was now out. It was me Vs Nick for the final spot.
I needed a double in the 10th and count to beat him and secure my spot in the final 4.
First shot was perfect. Normally I get a little nervous but for some reason this time I had no nerves and just knew I could do it. I let it go perfect and carried all 10 into the pit.
Remy was 1st, Nina and I tied for 2nd and Dom was 4 pins behind us, with Nick just a whisker out by 6 pins.
It was the most amazing last few frames of bowling I have been a part of. The crowd would yell for every strike and for every open a gasp would be heard.
Nick was a true gentleman and came to congratulate me after I doubled and said great bowling. A sign of a great competitor.
I made the final 4 and now I had the chance to win the event.
Nina and I would play the semi finals against each other (format was 2 games total pinfall). This is where the wheels came off. I had played so well but for some reason I just forgot how to bowl. It’s never easy to play against a lady on the European tour. For a start they get 8 pins handicap a game and are just as good as the men.
Nina bowled a solid 480 and I had no reaction to compete. 3rd Place for me and to be honest I was happy with that. Some stages it looked like 16th was the more obvious place for me.
Nina went on to win and beat Dom for the title. 30,000 Euro’s (around $40,000 US). A huge pay check by anyones standards.
So I finished out the year with a smallish bang. Could have been better but it could of so easily been so much worse.
I just want to thank everyone for their support this year, it means a lot. Also have a safe and Merry Christmas and New Year.
Till next year
Cheers and be good
Belmo

The PBA - A closer look

2008-12-20T23:48:00.000+11:00

The PBA Tour is the last hurdle in any ones bowling career. It’s the place where legends of the game are made and it’s where I want to be.
Something that ‘rookies’ of the PBA must first except and then understand is that bowling on tour is unlike any thing else.
The transitions are so much different, the people you are crossing with are so much different and the most important aspect that is completely different is the talent levels.
In Europe and Asia, the talent I bowl against is of a very high standard but the depth of that talent pool is quite shallow compared to that on tour.
Everything you can do on the lane can be done by some one else out here and 9 out 10 times, that person can probably do it better than you
You are constantly fighting the lanes and are constantly thinking about your next moves. In Europe/Asia you do get a period of time to ‘just bowl’ and not worry about anything.
I have played in a few PBA events before, but they have all been majors, where the lanes transition more like ‘normal’ because of the large number of amateur participants.
I have had great success in these events but what i experienced the last 2 weeks taught me a quick and firm lesson about how the tour is really played.
The Scorpion Championship actually was an OK event. I bowled really well. The scoring pace was extremely high and it basically came down to who could knock over the pins the most based on carry. Normally this is something i would like, I mean, being a 2 handed player one of the biggest advantages is being able to strike more….. NOT THIS TIME.
I had just too much power. For the entire week I had 1 game where I had more than 5 strikes in a row. I did shoot 280, but 1 of those games just wasn’t enough.
I think i finished in 29th and to be honest was happy with that start.
The following week, the Cheetah Championship, showed me a thing or 2 about what happens when you play poorly.
It’s been a long time since I have bowled 14 games and could honestly say that I never bowled 14 full games where every shot was different.
I was a mess, missing left and right at my target and my speed control (which is something i pride myself on) was dis-graceful.
I was extremely upset with my performance but Kimberly (my wife) offered her wisdom and made me feel a little better about myself. Basically she told me that even the best have awful weeks, and the important thing is not to dwell about the past so much and work hard to improve the future.
Good advice right.
I watched the Pro’s make a difficult pattern look easy and how they did was amazing. It’s the little tricks (that a rookie needs to learn) that these guys have mastered. The ability to change a breakpoint (like from 40 ft to 36 ft) at will and the ability to generate angles into the pocket that amateurs can’t see is awesome to watch.
These are the tricks i need to learn and trust me when i say that I will learn them and i will be able to keep up.
The next time I ’shoe up’ will be in QATAR, next week to play in one of the biggest events (dollars wise) in the world. Hopefully i’ll be able to turn my form around and finish the 3 week tour off with a BANG.

Cheers and be good
Belmo

The best and the worst days

2008-10-27T02:35:00.002+11:00

The cashes round.

I was in a great position to remain in the top 8. Sitting 4th, with a 50 pin kicker from the top 8. The format for the cashes round is 9 games straight.
9 games against the best bowlers in the world meant if I didnt bowl great, i could easily fall out of the top 8 and if that happened, i would have to play 2 extra best of 7 matches.
I started the day with a huge break in the 10th frame for 234. That single break took all pressure off my shoulders and i felt like i could just relax and bowl.

Bowl I did. I made every single spare, almost every single spilt and threw the ball amazing. I was lofting the left gutter cap a fair bit and was in a part of the lane that noone else was, giving me the advantage of going pair to pair with a lot more confidence.
I shot 418 over for 9 games and ended up leading the field by 240 pins and securing the number 1 seed.

I was extremely excited at the prospect and now i just had to wait for 2 matches to see who I had to play.

Here comes the 'worst' part of the story.

I waited around and watched Chris Barnes come back from 3-0 down to win against Tom Baker.
I was really happy to bowl Barnes. If your going to win a major, you always want to knock out the best along the way.

I started the match GREAT. 236 and 247 to go to a 2-0 lead. Chris wasnt looking good and i was looking great. I felt like i had a great chance to win the match,
The something happened. I dont know what, but all i know is that what ever happened turned me into a nervous and un-focused player.
Chris got a little lucky in games 3 and 4, by going brooklyn 4 times over the 2 games to create 2 four baggers in both those games.
I didnt really get unlucky, i just did strike as much as i could of. The 5th game i gave away, missing spares left right and centre and then the 6th game was practically over by the 8th.

I was more upset with how i spared in the match then actually losing. I missed a bunch of spares, considering the only spare i missed in 27 games of qualifying was a single 3-6-9-10.
Chris was nice and apologized for some of his lucky breaks, but thats how the games goes. Its been there from the beginning and luck will be with bowling till the end of time.

The only positive i can take is over a many games i know i can compete with the best.....now i just need to learn how to break down a pair of lanes in the best of 7 matches.....Patience and practice and i know i will master it.

Cheers for everyones support over the past 7 days. Means a lot

Be good

Belmo

Day 2 and 3 of the PBA World Champs

2008-10-24T08:35:00.002+11:00

Yesterday was a little bit of a grind.
I started with a couple bad breaks mixed with a couple bad shots to start the day a little slow. I didnt really pick the pace up to much but i didnt want to push, make a bad ball choice and shoot a couple of low games. I stayed consistent and shot 109 over for my second squad....basically it keep me near the top.
The lanes played much drier than they did the first day and my angle of entry was a little different, hence the solid 9's and flat 10's i left all day.

Today was, well, more like a roller coaster. I played the burn squad and the nick name for the carry down squad lived up to its name.
The left end of the house hooks like 15 boards more and i really didnt know which ball to use. I guessed and like usual i guessed wrong haha
188 out of the blocks and started to feel a little pressure. I struck in the fill shot with a different ball (Hy-Road) so i felt i could string a few together with that ball.
String a few together i did.... I bowled my first ever PBA 300. It was a great feeling. I have bowled 300 in many countries, on TV, but this was one was nice. I was very proud and excited.
The perfect game calmed me down a little and i was much more relaxed. Finished the day with 162 over and am now sitting 5th with a squad to go.

One more big day and ill make the top 8 and get the all important byes into the round of 16.

Will keep you up to date

Belmo

PBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS - Day 1

2008-10-22T04:41:00.002+11:00

Day 1 - This event has treated Australians ok. Last year my idol and great mate, Andrew Frawley made the show and i hope to copy his performance this year.
The lane pattern is ok, the scores will be high but i think that scores will come from the surface of the lanes, rather than the oil pattern.
Let me explain.
The surface is very old and beat up and a track seems to have been burnt into the lane. Thus making a defined hook spot down lane. The pattern is not on the hard end, combined with the help of the lanes, scores will be rather high.

I bowled my first of 3, 6 games blocks today and bowled very consistent. Low game of 232 and a high game of 247. I had my chances in a couple of the games to get to 250 mark but with a bad shot here and there I couldnt break the 240 barrier. But as long as your low game is in the 230's, i think its safe to say that 247 is a great game.

I used the new Hy-Road basically all day and it looked great. Mix a great ball reaction with good sparing, it equals quite a good day at the office.
The format is long though, so i just have to make sure i bowl equally as good in the next few days.

I finished the day at 227 over and am sitting 2nd behind Sean Rash, he is at 266 over.

I bowl the last squad tomorrow, so i have a few hours between the squad i just finish and tomorrow nights squad, which ill use watch a couple of movies and no doubt watch some bowling :) (isnt that what bowlers do haha)

Be good

Belmo

Special Surprise

2008-09-02T03:55:00.002+10:00

the best part about the World Championships was the surprise I got early one morning from my Mother.

At 830am my house phone called, my mobile called and there was knocking at my hotel door.....ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

My room mate Jez, answered the house phone, i answered my mobile and then i slowly stumbled out of bed and went to the door. My dad was on my mobile, asking me if I was awake. At 830am Im not the happiest guy in the world and crankily told him "well I am now DAD" He was asking me to answer the door (How did he know someone was at the door??????) Before i could ask him that question, I opened the door and saw my mother standing in front of me.
Its been almost 3 months since I had seen, since moving to France and it was a great surprise that she was standing there.

My eyes were still half open and I must of looked like $hit haha but she hugged and kissed me and was very excited to see me.

It was the best surprise and spending the couple of days with her in Thailand was great. It really made me miss home and think of home much more.
Mum is the best cheer girl, screaming for the team each frame no matter what our scores are. For example. 1 game in the sinlges i was 36 in the 4th frame.
36!!!!!!!
And when i struck in the 5th frame, she yelled ' COME ON AUSSIE, strike out!!!!!!!!!!" hahaha not too likely considering that when someone is 36 in the 4th frame their reaction is not so good hahaha
But she yelled it out and it made me smile!!!!

Anyway....I just wanted to say thanks to Mum for coming over and supporting me......wished I had of struck a little more for you!

Love you Ma

Jason

World Champs- Masters!

2008-09-02T03:32:00.003+10:00

The masters event.

the last chance I had to win a medal. The format, whilst I hate it (for so many reasons) was the best chance i had for a medal considering my reaction.
Best of 5, on 2 patterns and i had to win just 2 matches for a medal.

I played Dom Barrett of England first up and I chose the short oil pattern to start. Basically every game we would change to the opposite pattern. the most weird and stupid part of how we played the games was it was only on 1 lane each.
Meaning the bowler who went first in that game, would be the bowler applying the pressure all game.......SO STUPID.
But it was what it was.
I started great, 250 something on the short and then doubling in the 10th for 2teen on the long to go to a 2-0 lead. One more win and I was into the next round.
The next 2 games i truly thought I should of won either of the 2 games. I shot 225 on the short oil, with a solid 8 pin and a ring 10, and Dom carried a few messengers and bounced a 2-8-10 split out of the back to give him the upper hand and shoot 240.
No worries. I was still leading and only needed 1 more win.
i then started the next game on the long solid 7, solid 9 and then a turkey. Dom had the front 4 with 2 of them having the possibility of leaving something.
He then left a 10 pin in the 5th frame and in the 7th he missed the head pin to the right, he spared both those frames. The next 3 frames summed the game up for me. I left a solid 9, then a strike, then a pocket 4-9. He tripped the 4 pin, threw a great shot, then sent the ball wide and mixed the pins up for the turkey.
Going into the 10th he needed a mark and threw it great and struck, shutting me out.
I felt robbed, i bowled better by 30 pins but Dom beat me by 20. Bowling is the craziest game!!!!!

The 5th and deciding game is the easiest to describe. Dom bowled like a pro, throwing the ball great for 10 frames and I bowled like I did when i was bowling in the Tuesday Afternoon 4:30pm Junior comp.
I was out played and in that game he deserved to win. I was not upset with my bad breaks or his good fortune, thats how bowling is, its been that way forever and it will always be decided in close games by a little bit of luck. I was more upset at how I let it all get to me.
Normally I take it on the chin and shake my head a little but then forget about it. When a medal at the World Champs can be won, holding onto those bad feelings of misfortune is the worst thing you can do.
I didnt shake it off, I held onto those feelings the whole match, resulting in me not concentrating on my game and what i was to do in the future frames, but what had already happened.
A true 4:30pm junior mistake!!!!!
A mistake I will not let happen again!!!!!!!!

Dom will be the best bowler to come out of England ever....PERIOD. He has a great game, he can play anywhere on the lane and his ball speed control is excellent for someone his age (22). He also has a great personality which in this game is what we need more of!!!
I have no doubt that Dom and I will be bowling for major titles in the future, just hope he lets me win a couple of them :)

Dom went on to claim bronze and Walter Ray Williams of the USA (the best to of ever thrown a ball) won the gold.

Overall i felt my performance at this years World Champs was awful. I never hit my straps in any of the events and for some reason i was bowling with more fear in my head rather than aggression.
Kimberly and my mum did make me feel better by saying that a bad event for me (like this) was 7th in the all events......many guys would take 7th in a heart beat, so i did smile a little about that!

Next ill be off to Japan and Korea in 2 weeks.

Will keep you all updated on those 2 trips.

Belmo

World Champs- Sinlges

2008-08-31T17:22:00.002+10:00

With a great chance to win a gold in the all events, my heart rate in the morning before my squad was a little faster than normal haha

All i wanted to do was bowl well and let what ever happens happen.

I started the first 9 frames great....from there it was all down hill. I opened 4 out of 6 10th frames, 3 due to bad shots, missed a bunch of spares and got more and more frustrated as the day went on.
Looking back at it all now, i think i could of shot 50-80 over no worries. But as it happened 40 under was what i ended up with.

I was extremely upset with my performance and spent the next 30 minutes (after i finished) cursing myself in a hidden room in the ball park :)

With all that said, I still had to keep my head high, masters was the day after and i needed my head to be clear

Will let you know how i went in the masters

Belmo

World Champs- teams day 2

2008-08-29T20:27:00.002+10:00

We needed a big day as a team to make the TV show.
The first game was the worst start possible. Bowling on a pair where 9 urethane bowling balls were used, the backend was so tight that if you were not perfect at the breakpoint, the ball never hooked.
We battled as best we could through out the day but our first game just put us in too big of a hole.
Individually i bowled well and gave myself a great chance to medal in the all events.
720 with some bad breaks, but my confidence is now on a high.

Singles event on long oil, anything can happen

Belmo

World Champs- trios

2008-08-26T02:06:00.002+10:00

The trios event has now finished and bad news for Australia, there were no medals won in this event.

Walshy, Frawls and I had a chance going into today. We started great 720, then the wheels came off. With a game to go, we could still get there but we needed plenty of strikes.
The lanes had changed from pair to pair a fair bit, but the last pair fooled us.

The idea was to move inside with a stronger ball and just ping it at the gutter, the problem was that we had all played further right and didnt know that the shot was further left till it was too late.

I shot 651 today and gave away a few pins in bad shots. I was happy though because it could of been much much worse.

Still our heads must stay high and now we look forward to the teams event. The long oil in the teams starts tomorrow so ill be sure to let you know how I go.

Belmo

World Champs- Doubles and trios

2008-08-25T02:40:00.002+10:00

Doubles was the first event I was to play. I was paired up with Jason Walsh and together I thought if we bowled well we could get into the top 4 and win a medal.

We started the practice we both had a great look. Walshy bowled great and so did I. The difference between us was that we beat me by 40 pins.
I shot 179 and left the 9 pin 3 times, the 10 pin 5 times, the 2 pin once and a 2-8-10. The normally dont complain about carry because if you leave these pins that many times it means you need to change something. Silly thing was I did everything in 10 frames to strike. I moved, slowed down, speed up, changed roll....it truly was amazing.
But the luck (or bad luck I had) didnt stop there. The next 2 games I missed the pocket 3 times and had 3 pocket spilts, a few more 9 pins and a bunch more 10 pins.
I was frustrated and i am sure that the frustration and the doubt in my mind about the carry added to constant misfortune. Walshy and I didnt have a chance at the medal so we relaxed a little and started to bowl much better. I got to 130 something over and Walshy got to 50 something.
Kept us alive for all events and gave us a little more confidence for the trios.

The doubles was won by the USA who beat Sweden in one of the greatest matches I have seen. Cant wait to watch the tape and remember it all over again :)

The trios was on the long. I was with Walshy and Frawls and again, we knew if we bowled well we would have a great chance to set ourselves up for a medal. The trios was 3 games on long oil and 3 games on short oil.
Today was only the long oil part.
The long oil is far from long. The oil volume is basically nothing and what oil there is on the lane evaporates within a few frames.

We shot -16 for our 3 games as a team and are 100 off to the pace. We need a massive day on the short oil, but with some luck and great bowling...... I know we will win a medal.
My striking shoes need to be on tight and tomorrow when I walk into the bowling centre my attitude on how to attack the pins will be much much different.

Will keep you up dated

Belmo

World Championships- Official Practice

2008-08-22T04:24:00.002+10:00

This is it..... The big one.

This is the the tournament that everyone wants to bowl their best. It has the most prestige and now with the Pro's allowed to play, winning a gold (or any medal for that matter) will be all the sweeter.

The Australian is made up of 6 guys, Andrew Frawley, Jason Walsh, Mac Stewart, Glen Loader, Jarrod Lean (my room mate) and myself. Its a very well balanced team and I really think if we bowl our best, anything can happen.
The official practice was today and we got a taste of the duel patterns. The short played much easier than we all though. With the last 4 boards giving everyone free hook, the scores are going to be extremely high. The long on the other hand was much more tricky. The oil would move very fast and the heads would dry up after a few games.
The shot seems to be on the long, left and the shot on the short is where it always is, way out side.

Most teams experienced similar ball reactions to ours, so we know that everyone is in the same boat, its going to be a matter of who puts their striking shoes on better than anyone else.

The doubles start tomorrow, Im paired up with Jason Walsh and together we have a good chance of doing great. All we need is the luck to go our way and for us to do the rest.

Will keep you posted our the results go and how I played.

Be good and wish me luck

Belmo

barcelona - The whole story- part 2

2008-08-01T11:24:00.002+10:00

Just thought i would let you all know that i missed the next cut by a mere 3 pins.
It kills me when i miss by such a little margin. I look back at all the things i could of done, but thats bowling. It will teach me to make every spare and always take the count.

Hall of famer Pete Weber did what Pete Weber does best......win
It was a remarkably close game, Paul Moor of England needed to strike out in the 9th and 10th to shut pete out, but missed the 9th, giving Pete a chance.....he took it.

On a more lighter note, my wife decided to make an outrageous bet. if Nicole Sanders, a young lefty, who also made the TV final was to win, the bet was that Kimberly was to run around the bowl naked.
Much to her delight, but not everyone else's Nicole lost to Pete in the first match and Kimberly got to keep her clothes on.

Its amazing what crazy bets you make after you have a couple of cocktails :)

Be good

Belmo

Barcelona - The whole story

2008-07-27T19:14:00.003+10:00

Ok i didn't get a chance to write here till now, so i will explain everything.....

I drove from Nice with Kimberly and Celia on Wednesday morning and bowled a squad that night. I was tired and really shouldn't have bowled, but did anyway.
The lanes are tough....which is great to see. It has been a while since I have seen such a tough pattern and good shot making was very important. I scored awful the first set, better the 2nd set and then shot 1300 my 3rd attempt to qualify.
The format though makes you take 1/2 your qualifying score, so I wanted to try and improve on my 1300. I would always have 1 low game on 1 pair (lanes 11-12) and it would cost me 40 pins every time.
11 has no backend and 12 has a bunch. The lowest scoring pair in the house by far. But it was ok. 1300 was plenty and now i just needed to bowl well in the final.

Sunday morning and I felt good. I bowled great the first game and shot 201. Three 10 pins on the left lane and no doubles till the 10th. The scoring pace has been low so a 200 was a good start.
My next pair was my arch enemy. 11-12. I started 9 spare double and felt like this was my chance. I bowled what I thought was a good shot and left a 2-10, to add to my frustration I wrapped the 2 around the 10. Next frame on the left lane I left a pocket 7-10 and then finally a ringing 10. 170 was all i could get too.
Man I HATE THAT PAIR!!!!!!! Killed me everytime and after bowling on them 4 times I still have no clue how to beat it.
The 2 next games I bowled about as good as I could. Lanes softened up and getting to the pocket was easy, In 2 games I left three 10 pins, three 7 pins, a 9 pin and two 7pins. I shot 234, 237 and I think im 10 short. The 2nd squad is about to start and I now have to wait.
But I'm a realist and another hit some where in my games would of put me in the cut for sure I think.

My only hope is that a few players in the next squad trip and hurt themselves :) (if that actually does happen, I want it known that I had nothing to do with it haha)

Some better news, I was invited to play the Federations Cup which is the Asian Zone Vs American Zone vs European Zone event (kind of like a smaller version of the World Ranking masters). Asia was unable to field enough player because of the extremely late notice of the event, and well since I am living just around the corner I was asked to make up the team.
I dont know a single thing about the event, so when I know more Ill let you know

Till next time

Be good

Belmo

San Marino Open

2008-07-23T18:35:00.004+10:00

Hey guys,

I am very sorry for the late read here. There have been many problems with the internet at the bowl and the hotel. San Marino is not known for its internet cafes either haha.

San Marino is a little country with in the Italian boarder. Small is an understatement. The city boasts a massive population of about 30,000 and takes roughly 45 minutes to drive around it haha.

What it does have is some amazing views. The city itself has been built on a massive hill. Im not sure how high up we were, but the view from the top of the hill was incredible.

Kimberly and I were looking forward to this event for 2 reason. The first was that we had never been, and the 2nd was that we were to be driving down with some of our best friends.

Timmy Mack and Mike Fagan road with me and Kimberly drove down with our new good friend Celia (from Nice). A road trip it was. Road trips are great for laughing, singing old old old songs and talking about bowling. 6 hours and we were there.

I bowled the first squad and bowled okay. The lanes were not as easy as I heard they were. (Pete Weber, Jens Nickle both had massive 1500 plus scores) i shot something like 1330 and to be honest i felt like i bowled 1430. The next squad was a waste of time really. After driving all day, bowling 1 squad already, my legs were not up to bowling a 2nd squad, but you know me, i love to throw money away haha

I put a touch of polish on my ball after the 2nd squad in hope that the next squad i played, the ball would match up better. I was right. The T-Road looked great on the day and on the lane and i shot 1422.

That score was then enough to qualify with 2 byes and i was put directly into the matchplay part of the event.

I won my first round match against Marilyn Planchard got off to a good start 258 to her 202 then lanes then got a little tricky for both of us but because of my lead after the first game Marilyn couldn't make up the difference. It is never easy playing against a lady because of their 8 pin handicap and it never is easy playing against a fellow countryman, she may not be an Australian but right now France is my second home. My 2nd match in the round of 8 did not go so well. 213-150 were my two scores. Tomas Gross beat me and went on to loose to Remi Ong in the final.
In my match against Tomas, the lanes just broke down so fast and every move i made ended up leaving me with something awful to try and spare. Lost is the best word to describe how i felt while i was bowling.

I finished the event in 5th and was happy with how i played, till my last game, but thats bowling........cant win them all right???

Im driving to Barcelona today and hopefully there they have better internet coverage.

Till next time

Be good

Storm Dutch Open Part 2

2008-07-01T07:27:00.005+10:00

My apologies to everyone..... I had accidently typed in Belgium Open finals and not the Storm Dutch Open.....I was in HOLLAND this week :) Sorry

I stayed in the top 8 with my qualifying score so I had the luxury of sleeping in a little.
1pm was tee off time and when I walked into the bowl and saw my first match, I knew I would need every little bit of strength to get me through it.

OSKU PALERMAA Vs JASON BELMONTE.

It's a paring that should be in the title match but because of bowling and its stupid formats we were to bowl each other the first round of the match play.
Just a side note, has Roger Federer and Nadel ever played a first round against each other?? Hmmm......

We were not alone on 5 and 6, Martin Larsen and Tore Torgensen was the other match......again nice format and draw!

It was a best of 3 match and I knew Osku was only going to bowl better the more games we played. It was important that I won in 2 games.

THE FIRST GAME:
We went blow for blow really....it was neck and neck going into the 9th frame. I was working on some strikes and Osku left a 3 pin in the 9th to give me the chance to get up and in the 10th and shut him out.
Osku was up first and he needed a spare to force me to strike and a double to force me to double.
Osku left a 4-9, it was his best shot, but for how hard he throws it, something should of taken one of the pins.
I stepped up knowing that if I strike I win the game. SOLID 9.
Osku needed to spare the 4-9, which he missed narrowly, leaving me the simple spare for the win.

THE SECOND GAME:
The lanes started to burn up a lot. With Osku, Me, Martin and Tore on the same pair, the lanes was breaking down fast. I left a 4 in the first frame and then made a large move left, hoping if I slowed it down, I would stay away from everyone and my line would not change.
The 6th frame was the turning point of the match. Osku had 4 strikes and a 9 spare, I had a 9 spare and 5 in a row. Osku then left the most amazing pocket 7- 10 I have ever seen. Pins went flying and somehow the 7-10 stayed upright.
That gave me a little room and I relaxed a little more. I struck out for 290 and Osku did the same for 256.

The toughest guy in the field was gone and I felt like now I had the best chance to win.

My next match was against Paul Moor. The right lane had a awful rack and re-racking was useless.
Paul started poorly and shot 180 something, I had 210 or something like that. But I was more worried about my carry. I left all but the 8 pin and my reaction although looked good, the pins were standing far too much for how many times I thought I smashed the pocket, striking was not easy.

Paul made a ball change and shot 300, making it 1-1. I made a ball change hoping that my strike % would increase and for a second I thought it did.
Strike, 9 spare, double. He had 1 open, 1 spare and 1 strike in the first 4 frames.
Then it started to get a little crazy. Paul struck on 2 shots thats should of been spares, even possibly splits, and I left a solid 9, 7 and 10 in middle of strikes and other spares.
Paul need a mark in the 10th and struck and I of course struck out when it didnt matter.

I was really cranky, I know I cant complain about the format, its the same for everyone, but I really do wish that the Europeans would open their eyes and see that bowling is a game about repetition and skill. Not who gets who on which pair.
Bowling in Europe is great because the level of bowlers is so high, now if only the powers that be let those bowlers show off their skill in more than 3 games, people might want to come and watch some more.
(I say this, but last EBT event when I came in 2nd I wasn't bitching even though it was the same format....haha....I know i am a bad loser)

Anyway....thats my complaining out of the way.
I was happy I bowled and I felt like I bowled well......Thats all you can do.

Kimberly and I must say thank you to the staff at the bowl and the pro shop for all their help. We were treated very kindly and its that kind of welcome that makes us want to come back more and more.....

The next event Ill be bowling is in San Marino in a couple of weeks

Will let you know how I go....

Belmo

Storm Dutch Open

2008-06-27T03:16:00.002+10:00

Kimberly and I are now in Holland.

So far I really like this country. It's both Kimberly's and my first trip to the Netherlands and although we have only been here for 36 hours our first impressions are that we both think its a fun country.

We're really looking forward to visiting Amsterdam. We have heard so much about the city and I think it's a place that to completely understand what it all about you have to see it with your own eyes.

Today I bowled a little better than i did last night. We arrived late yesterday and I decided to have a bowl. In short when you srat 148 and then 175, there are usually two reasons for this. You're bowling bad and you have the wrong ball in your hand. That's what happened to me. But with the format here (and all EBT events) 6 games re entry events allow for the occasional bad squad.

Thankfully today I had the right ball in my hand and I bowled much better. I missed a spare and bowled a few bad shots but overall I am happy with how I played. 1461 for six games. Enough for 4th right now.

I now have to sit back and hope another four guys don't go past me so I can stay in the top eight and get a bye into the matchplay round.

The lanes here are on the easier side, a little wet dry later on in the day but if you bowl well there is a HUGE number to be shot.

I'll let you know how I go in the coming days.

Be good

Belmo

THE PETERSEN CLASSIC!

2008-06-12T19:37:00.003+10:00

What makes this event so cool???
Is it the $25000 on top to win? or is it the fact that the worlds best bowlers cant average 190?

This is what happens.

You pay your entry and all your scam bets (doubles, teams, high game pots) you place only 2 of your bowling balls on their table, and thats the last you see them till the lights turn on.
They mark your ball with a number on it (a lane number) and then you have to go and find your ball.

The bowling centre is old and run down, but it adds to the feel of this amazing event that has been running since the 20's (might be wrong, could be even earlier).
Lanes 1-20 are sealed and blocked off. Massive golden doors with "WELCOME TO THE PETERSEN, good luck" is written boldly on the door, and for secuirty the doors are pad locked. There is a 12 ft fence built around the lanes, Oh i forgot, the bowling centre is 40 lanes large. So its weird walking into a bowl and seeing half of it closed off.

The announcement to start us off was yelled into the mic and we all walked into the arena.

What makes the event even more special is that there are no arrows on the lanes, there is no practice and each lane is oiled differently from the next,

My first shot, left gutter 30ft down the lane. there was no oil at all......so i got my plastic, 2 of the left. The pinsetters are old and all the pins are off set......but there is no re-racks. Basically its who can hit the head pin the most and that my friend is no easy task.
So to get back to my story. I then moved far to the right and tried to hit the 10 pin, but my ball never moved. 60ft straight up the lane. 3 more pins. In 3 shots i had knocked over 5 pins and after 2 frames i had 9.
This was ridiculous but wildly fun.

The winner of the event usually shoots 20 over. To most amazing thing though is this event runs for 5 months. So in 5 months, with people bowling in it all the time only 1, maybe 2 guys shot 200 average.

Oh I forgot to mention, there is a wall built from the ceiling down, above the arrows. So when you let go of the ball you cant actually see the pins, you have to bend down and look under the wall they have built. Not to mention that some pins weigh 5 times the normal pins and some pins weigh 5 times less. STriking is impossible............. Like i said, ridiculous.

I made a bet with Martin Larsen that i would shoot 200 under for the event. I was off by just a little. I shot 401 UNDER, for 8 games. low games of 112 and 122 and 129 helped me achieve my lowest 8 game total since i was 4.

WOuld i bowl again, FOR SURE, with a different game plan of course........would i suggest everyone to bowl it once in their life....ABSOLUTELY.
The people there are great and really look after you, its also full of non stop laughs.

That was my Petersen experience. Wont be my last though, i will average 200 once at that event.......mark my words :)

Belmo

Belgium Open Finals

2008-06-03T07:03:00.002+10:00

Ok.
I was a little worried about getting the 1 bye in the morning.
After shooting 1513 in qualifying i was ranked number 1 and the top 6 got byes right into the matchplay side of things.
I am more of a bowler who likes to start early and get on a roll, so the early morning games can sometimes be a bonus, but i was told that you should always take a bye and be happy with it.
The reason i am worried about the 'morning off' is a few times in my European career i have had byes and my first few games out are well short of where i want to be, in a best of 3 match, 2 games is sometimes all it takes to get knocked out (it has happened to me in France earlier in the year and also in Germany).
This time though i had my cheer squad with me.....KIMBERLY. Every strike was followed by either a "Aussie Aussie Aussie" cry or a extremely loud whistle.
Its funny how the nerves go away when you some some familiar support. I played Kirsten Penny in the first match.
Ladies get a bonus 8 pins, beating her scratch is hard enough, but now i have to give her 8 extra pins.
I came out of the gate quick and shot 280 to her 202, then my reaction got a little weird and and going into the 10th i needed a double to win the match. I threw it good and left the 2-8-10.
The final match I needed a strike in the 10th to shut her out and i nailed it. 245 to her 228.

My next match was against Eric Kok of the Netherlands. He is a older guy who plays very straight off the corner and is a great spare shooter. I was happy to play the guy because I thought with my rev rate i would burn the lane up and he would have to move in, if that happened I would for sure strike more and win the match.
The first game was a nail biter, I had a chance to double in the 10th to shut him out, I hit the first and then stuck on the appraoch a little and missed well left. NO GOOD.
He now needed a double and dead smacked them both. I lost 256-254. But like I thought, he had to start moving inside more and more and his reaction was getting worse and worse, where mine was getting better and better. My next 2 games were 279 and 238 allowing me to advance to the round of 8.

The next guy i had to play was Robert Anderson of Sweden. One of my great mates, aldo one of my team Pergamon mates, Robert is very hard to beat. He throws it great when he has to and can strike just as much as anyone.
The first game i hit my straps early and finished 265 to his 221. The next game though was awful for me. Robert looked a million dollars. he only bowled 216 because he threw off the last couple of frames when he knew i could not win.
The last game was going to be 50/50 after 8 frames. He opened twice early but came back with strikes from frames 6-9 and I started with a 4 bagger but then left 3 10 pins and 2 7 pins. I needed a double to win and i did just that.

Only 4 left and I had to play probably one of the most experiance bowlers i know. Jouni Helminen from Finland.
To play anyone from Finland is never a good draw but Jouni is so good it made it just a little worse. We drew a pair which i was bowling great on and the format for the semi finals and final was 2 total pinfall.
I had a 50 pin lead after the first game, with the help of a few massive messengers and shot 278. Jouni is a guy though who can string a bunch of strikes together so i was still pushing just in case. Lucky for me a few early opens from him and the match was over before the 6th frame.

This win lead me to my first final (since my move) in as many attempts. I had to play Martin Larsen of Sweden who just beat fellow 2 hander Osku in a close one. I played Martin in the final in Kuwait and beat him there was i was feeling great about the match,
We started the match and I was having some serious problems with my slide and threw 3 awful shots to lose the first game 214- 237. I changed balls and moved in a little deeper and started with the front 4 and was in the lead. I really thought I was going to win, but a solid 9 and a ringing 10 in frames 8 and 9 gave Martin the upper hand again. I smashed all 3 in the 10th to forsce Martin to spare and he struck.
One thing I have learnt about the Europeans, you can never give them the chance to win. They will take it many more times than they will miss it.

He won the final 473-458 and I was a little shattered. I really wanted to win my first event, in front of Kimberly and even more because to make the final in Europe does not happen so often, so when you get there you must take it every time.
2nd though is still a great effort and I am happy with how i bowled. I averaged 240 over my 11 games and 9 out of 10 times you will win a tournament with those numbers,

Next stop for me is the USA, where i will bowl in the PBA Summer Series. I leave in a few days so I'll be sure to let you know everything about that.

Be good

Belmo

EBT Tour- Brunswick Belgium Open

2008-05-30T17:47:00.002+10:00

Well, first off let me say how amazing it was that our flight from Nice to Brussels was only 2 hours. Normally it takes me over 30 hours to get to Europe and for the first time I felt fresh and comfortable when i woke up the following morning. No jet lag for me haha
The scores here are very high, so i knew the lanes would have to be on the easier side, and they were :) but where i think the scores are coming from is the carry.
The pins fall very easy and to shoot big games, well its not as hard as it is normally.

I started the day with 246 243 280, then followed it up with 233 278 and a 233 again, 1513 total.

Not bad :) i know!

I did get a little lucky in that set but ill take it. Right now im sitting 1st with 2 days left of qualifying. If i stay in the top 6 (which im quite certain i will) then i get a bye in the morning and have to just play the matches.

Kimberly and I, joined by Bill O'Neil are going to have a day in Gent today. Heard some great thing, will let you.

Belmo

EUROPEAN TOUR- The beginning

2008-05-29T00:20:00.002+10:00

Hey everyone,

Well I have been flat out organising myself (well Kimberly has been organising me) on our arrival into France.

Nice is now where we are living, and i'll write a huge article on our move and what the place is like in the coming days.

Right now though I just want to inform you that I am at the airport about to fly to Belgium to start my European Bowling Tour campaign. I am extremely excited about the prospects of bowling in europe and whats even better is my lucky charm (Kimberly) gets to come with me everywhere.

I have on clue what the format in Belgium is, except like all EBT events there is a 6 game qualification round that will end on Saturday. I am booked into bowling a squad tomorrow night and the following morning.
So as soon as i finish both my squads i will let you know the format, the lane pattern and most importantly how i played.

Cheers and Ill be back soon

Be good

Belmo's

Kuwait Open- Final day

2008-04-30T14:24:00.003+10:00

What a day!

I started off in the morning on fire. 269, 256, 243, 241, winning all my matches, i flew past Martin and was bowling some of the best bowling in my career. The scores were low and I was the only guy striking.

I had a massive lead and ended up leading the round robin by over 200.

I was the first seed and i had to get beaten twice to lose the event.

Frawls also made the show: He won the first match against Sami Konstori (finland) then beat Hussain Al Sawaudi (UAE) then lost to Martin Larsen (SWE).

It was Me Vs Martin.

Martin did not look good at all on the left and he opened 3 times in the first 5 frames. I had 4 strikes and 2 spares in my first 6 frames. I went on to win 207 - 146
A bowler loves to win a event by doubling in the 10th, but ill take every win i can get even if my opponents dont bowl so well.

It was a great come back from the world masters. To get knocked out in the first round and then to come to Kuwait and win is just AWESOME.

Thats 3 wins out of 4 attempts at the Kuwait Open. Do you think i like that place :)

Be good

Belmo

Kuwait Open - day 3

2008-04-27T07:51:00.002+10:00

I didnt have the best night sleep. About 3 hours to be exact. I didnt get to bed till late because i could not sleep, then when i did my alarm went off and i had to be get ready and bowl 6 games.

I was tired but i needed to put a few more pins on the board just to be sure i could take it easy the next day.

I stated 265, followed by 190 and then a couple of 230's. SAFE!

i now have the top 32 cut, we play 8 games and then we cut to the top 16 and the show starts.

I just hope i keep bowling as well as i have been. If thats the case, im a real chance

be good everyone

Belmo

Kuwait Open: Day 2

2008-04-26T08:22:00.003+10:00

Day 2 is now done and dusted.

I bowled much better today. I started 215 (opened the 10th) then came back with 258, 276, 242, 211 and 257. I felt much more in control of my ball than i did yesterday. I used my rapid fire for the most and it struck so much.
The lanes are not hard by any means, but the carry % is so high for me that when i get near the 1-3, it strikes.

There is an out of bounds so you cant just throw it where ever, but there is a fair bit of room left.

I now have another 6 games of qualifying to go, then it cuts to the top 32. We then bowl 8 games and the top 16 are to start from scratch for a 15 game round robin.

The event really doesnt start till you make the top 16.

If i can keep throwing the ball like that (like i did today) I really think I can win this tournament.

be good

Belmo

Kuwait Open

2008-04-25T10:16:00.002+10:00

The Kuwait Open.

I have had a great history with this event. I have played it twice, winning in 05,06 and 6th in 07.

The format this year is great. 26 games of qualifying, cut to the top 16, drop the pins, round robin, top 6 making the step ladder.

I played the first day qualifying tonight and played up and down. Started like a road train 300, 254. Then it got a little fuzzy. 190, 190 and 182. The lanes got messy and i played them so wrong, not to mention i missed a spare.
I am crossing with Andres Gomez and he was playing a little to the right, so i followed him (thanks mate) and i shot 233 to finish to lead the day by a single pin.

Pervis Granger also helped me out with giving me an idea to change ball, so i must thank him. (owe you a drink mate, maybe not in Kuwait, not to much to drink here, but some where else in the world).

Plenty of games to go, so i hope i can keep throwing the ball well and make every shot count

be good

Belmo

World Tenpin Masters- Day 1

2008-04-19T17:22:00.002+10:00

Oh dear. The best 2 words i can put together without using ****

Ok, i felt awful on the lane. The approaches were the stickiest I have ever played on and that made me extremely uncomfortable on the lane.

I had no confidence and to make matters worst, i was the first match. A million hours around the world and i had the least amount of rest.

Now that i have had my whinge, i must comment on my opponent.
James Tidd. Never heard of him, never met him till the day of the match. Its a name I wont forget either. He had nothing to lose, had a big family crowd to support him and it was his birthday. My chances of winning were dropping dramatically every minute.

He played a great game. he carried everything (which helps) and settled in on the lane much better than I did. I guess he was expected to lose so losing wasnt so bad.
But in this format noone is safe. I mean 2 games, well my grand father can beat me in 2 games.

He is a good bowler who im sure will only get better as his career goes on. I wish him all the luck in the event and I look forward to bowling him in a another event with a few more games :)

As for me, Ill get over it. I was looking for a 8 ft ladder and some rope after the match, but after a good night sleep and a chat with my wife Kimberly, I am now convinced this will only make me a stronger bowler.

Kuwait next, so i need to forget about the woes of the WTM and think about how I am going to win the Kuwait Open.

be good

Belmo

WORLD TENPIN MASTERS- Day 1

2008-04-18T19:32:00.002+10:00

After one of the longest flights in history :) I finally landed into the UK (without an bags) and to my shock it was raining haha

The world masters is one event that anything can happen and usually does. Last year i bowled amazing and Paul Moor and I had a match that will go down into record books as one of the best.

This year, my first round I am playing a guy named James Tidd. I have never met James, but i have heard good things and in this format, anyone can beat anyone.

Practice session will be a little later on, then James and I are bowling the first match of the tournament. Ill be sure to make him work for it, because I know he has nothing to lose and will be pushing me all the way.

Hope I have good news when I come back

Belmo

US OPEN- Final day

2008-03-30T17:50:00.002+11:00

The final day.

I was not feeling the best, had another early morning wake up and not much sleep because we finished late the night before and Billy lives 45 min away.

Got to bowl and i slowly stared to wake up.

I had to bowl Norm Duke in my first match and was hoping that if I got off to a flier i could catch the leaders and make the show. 170 something is not what i call off to a flier, but i did win my match, so i got my 30 pins.
The rest of the day was really and truly like a roller coaster. I would hit a great pair and bowl 240 then make the cross and shoot 170. I spared a heap better but on this pattern, nearly there only gives you a split not 9.
I was winning my matches and staying in touch. With 3 games to go i needed a run, i shot 223 and lost by 2 pins, with a soild 9 and ringing 10 to lose, then 247 with a win and i was 175 pins out with 2 games to go. If i could somehow shoot 250, 250 i was in.
NO GOOD. I hit an awful pair and had no clue where to bowl, 175....the dream was over :)

I finished 11th and was happy with how i played. Looking back i threw away so many pins and when i come back next year and bowl, thats something i will not do again.

My first US OPEN and i finished 11th, I'm happy.

Cant wait to go get home and see my wonderful wife and family. I miss them all very much.

Be good

Belmo

US OPEN Day 2, 3 and 4

2008-03-29T23:07:00.002+11:00

I have had a little trouble with this site getting my blogs up, but it seems to be ok now.

Day i bowled great, it was the 'burn' squad so by the first ball of the squad i was launching the ball over the left gutter, made almost all my spares and got a little unlucky at the wrong times to shot 105 over.....that score leaped frogged me into 2nd.
I was over the moon.

The next day i bowled about as bad as i could. -35 and never had a chance to improve my score. Everything i tried was awful, my ball reaction was either washout or big 4.
I dropped to 14th i think.

The 4th day was a roller coaster, The top 122 came back for 9 more games and the top 24 would be determined.
I started the day exactly how i finished the day off yesterday. 157.
I dropped from well inside the cut, to a little bit out. Not very happy.

I scrambled my way back and made every spare i could. I needed a big last game to make sure i was there and i bowled 237.

I qualified in 15th.

The same night we had the first 8 of 24 round robin matches.
I started awesome. 207 (with a open in the 10th) 246. With 30 pins for a win, winning is a huge factor. Then i bowled on what can only be described as the most evil pair in the building.

154, i lost all my timing, the ball reaction was awful and my confidence dropped faster than you could say "trouble".

I finished the day bowling dreadful, missed a bunch of spares and was really too tired to bowl well. I started the day at 6am to drive to the bowl, then we finished bowling that night at 10pm. I was spent.

Right now im 223 pins out from the show, after a good night snooze, anything could happen

Cheers and be good

Belmo

US OPEN- Day 1

2008-03-26T15:47:00.002+11:00

135 over the card is where I am after day 1.

And let me be the first to say that my score did not reflect how i bowled. I really should be about 35 over. I got very lucky today, but this is one game that when you get a break or 2 or 10, you must capitalize on it and I did.

The lanes are not easy at all, some pairs seem easier than others but on a whole, no pair is easy. The low end of the centre is about 20 boards drier and i ended up throwing over the left gutter and the high end is extremely tight down lane.

Making the cross is the hardest thing to do, you just have no idea where to stand or where to bowl.

Anyway, im off to a good start and I hope i can keep the luck going my way.

Ill let you know how it all goes after i bowl tomorrow

BE GOOD

Belmo

US OPEN- Can't wait!

2008-03-25T15:25:00.002+11:00

Its finally here.

The the greatest event in the world. Possibly the hardest tournament to win, 492 bowlers on the most demanding lane pattern in an unpredictable bowling centre.

Today we had the practice session. 82 lanes, you could bowl anywhere you wanted. The bowling centre is situated in New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. There are 46 on the higher level and the rest are on a floor only 6 steps lower.
But the differences from the top end to the low end are much greater than the 6 steps it takes to walk down.

Lanes 1-46 play much drier. The ball reads the backend harder and you will find the lanes will break down not only completely different, but much faster.
Lanes 47-82 are so much tighter down lane and there is no real defined hook spot pair to pair. For me the down stairs lanes will be much lower scoring, so sparing will be so important (not that it isn't normally).

The bowling centre was packed today for the Pro-Ams they had. 82 lanes with 5 on a lane for 2 squads. The pro's are constantly being asked for autographs and photos, people are forever saying "Hi, do you remember me, we met 7 years ago", or "Hi, how do you get that spin on your ball". The questions are relentless and the pro's prove that not only are they amazing players, but they respect each and every bowler there with polite and honest answers.

Pro-Ams consist of 3 games, with the pros moving a pair to their right after every 5 frames. Its a long day, especially when you have 10 to a pair.

Im am extremely lucky for 2 reasons this time on my travels. Jason Walsh, one of my great mates from back home has joined me for this trip and Bill O'neil (one of the exempt pro bowlers) is putting us both up at his place for the week.

Billy is a great bowler who is also a great guy. He is young (26) and is one of the rising stars of the PBA tour. Usually when i travel to the states or he travels overseas we hang out as much as we can.

Anyway.......

The practice session is done and dusted, tomorrow its for the main event. We are all bowling 'C' squad, so we dont start till late, but at least we can have a little look at how the lanes are playing.

Will let you know how Me, Walshy, Billy and Mike Fagan (another young rising star of the tour who is also staying with Billy) go. Lets hope we all strike alot

Belmo

BEC- The finals

2008-03-17T12:14:00.002+11:00

Oh dear..... Thats about the only 2 words i can say with out 'bleeping' the text.

There was no reason to bowl as bad as i did. I had a good sleep in and I felt fine. Plain and simple I bowled bad.

I shot 170 something my first game, missed a single pin and was basically spraying painting the lane with my ball. I could see where I had to throw it but my hands decided that it would be better if they did what they wanted.
I must say though, I needed the first hit in the 10th to win the first game and I left a flush 9, but to be honest I didnt throw it perfect and even though the 9 pin could of fallen, I expected not to strike.

2nd game I bowled a tad better, 279 but i did get a couple of lucky breaks. It was 1-1 and i felt like all i had to do was stay soft and slow and I would hit the pocket. Funny thing though was my target was the same as the first game, so i dont know why I threw it so bad.

Anyway, in the 3rd game I struck every shot on the left lane, on the right lane i left a 10 pin, 9 pin, 7pin and a 2-8-10, Not to mention i missed the 10 pin by a yard.
The guy i bowled had 3 cross overs, 2 for a 4 bagger and ended up shooting 220 to my 161.

But i not saying his was lucky and thats why he won. Even though it may be true, if i bowled half of what i should of, i felt like the pattern would let me shoot at least 230......But you cant always bowl great and this time i bowled my worst when it counted the most.

As always when i lose i was not the happiest little Aussie, but Kimberly, like she always does, lifted me up and made me feel better about what happened.
I know, she really is the best.

Anyway, Im off to the states tomorrow and going to bowl the US OPEN. I'll meet Jason Walsh there and will let you know how we go.

Be good........

Belmo

ps- Peter Ljung won the event, beating Mike Fagan from the USA. If you get a chance, check out bowlingdigital.com and there is video of the final.

Cheers

Qualifying at the BEC- France

2008-03-14T12:52:00.001+11:00

There have been a few dramas with the internet at the bowl making jumping online a little hard.....but it seems to be working ok, for now.

I have bowled 2 squads and bowl squads i bowled rather well. First squad i shot 1373 and the 2nd squad i shot 1398. Sitting 2nd behind the one and only Martin Larsen from Sweden.
The lanes are tricky to start with, i have been playing a little to the right and throwing the ball hard up the lane with a bunch of forward roll. After the first 2 games i then get a little deeper and slow wheel the lane with a rapid fire (which I will say is one of the best bowling balls Storm have produced in the last year) and try and stay clean on the release.

The lanes are playing tight, i guess when there is a bunch of oil and the oil length is 40ft slowing down is the key.

Im going to have a few days off now and cheer on my room mate Andres Gomez and the big daddy Frawls. Hope they can go around me, cause if they do then Saturday we are all going to Paris to have a look at the most romantic city in the world, and dont worry ill be telling the boys that even though it is the city of love, im for looking and not for touching :)

Be good

Belmo

Brunswick Euro Challange: France

2008-03-13T00:01:00.003+11:00

The biggest tournament on the European Tour.

BEC boasts over 90,000 Euro in prize money, on a challenging oil pattern. Not to mention the cut throat format. First it's 6 games qualifying with re-entries then the top 16 get 1 bye into the finals.

From there its best of 3 matches. Anything to can happen and usually does.

This is my first trip to France, Paris and i must say i am extremely excited to be here. I have a good history with this event, when it was in Greece (they moved it to France this year). I played twice, 5th the first year and then i won it in 2006.

France is quite nice (i have only scene from the airport to the bowl/hotel) but i have a good feel about it. Thats kind of important i guess when Kimberly and I are moving to France in May :)
The people are nice and willing to help, but from what i have heard Paris, the CBD, is like most major cities, people are in a hurry and not really to helpful. But ill make my own call when i visit Paris myself.

The bowl is about 35 min out side of the city so its not very busy and the roads are not packed with cars.

I bowl my first squad tonight at 5pm, so i hope i have good news to report after i bowl.

Be good

Belmo

Belmonte Vs Duke

2008-02-24T11:54:00.003+11:00

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

PBA World Champs Day 3

2008-02-22T15:05:00.002+11:00

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

PBA world champs day 2

2008-02-21T16:10:00.002+11:00

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

Day 1, PBA WORLD CHAMPS

2008-02-20T15:44:00.002+11:00

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

PBA World Championships

2008-02-19T15:26:00.002+11:00

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

MINI ELIMINATOR 1st place

2008-02-13T17:57:00.002+11:00

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

2nd place at the Boot Hill

2008-02-11T06:52:00.001+11:00

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

2nd place at the Boot Hill

2008-02-11T06:52:00.000+11:00

Las Vegas update

2008-02-08T06:40:00.000+11:00

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

Viva Las Vegas

2008-02-02T11:18:00.000+11:00

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

Qatar Open Final

2008-01-22T03:02:00.000+11:00

The last 16 and i felt like i had a great chance.

I played where i did the day before and 'shocker' the edge was out of play....169 first game and now needed some help. I bowled 223 223 to get back into the game.
The last game i needed all 3 in teh 10th for 220 to force anoter guy from the UAE to double. I hit them all and waited..... He missed.

Now only 8 and i had a match against Wu Su Hong, from Hong Kong.

The format was total pinfall over 2 games.

if we both struck out in the 10th i would going into the 2nd game 2 pins up. He went first and rolled the 2-10, then tripped a 4 pin for the double.
I left a ringing 10 with a messenger that went in front.....SWEET! Now im down by 20.

The right lane was great for me, the left was awful, no opens but no doubles. Su Hong washed out in the 9th and made it, forcing me to double to shut him out.

I stuck on the approach a little, but it didnt really bother me too much, i missed left at the arrows and it never had a chance. I left the 3 pin.

Su Hong needed a mark and proceeded to dead nut the next 3 shots.

He went on to run 2nd (losing to Kirsten Penny from England). She did what i didnt do against Su Hong, doubled for the $50,000US first place prize check. AMAZING i know.

For me top 8 finish is ok, im salty about missing that shot now (not to many chances to bowl fo $50,000) but i learnt something that i didnt know before.......10th frames are no different than 1st frames.....so i need to throw the ball like its my first shot............

Cant wait to get home and see my wonderful wife. I miss her soo much.

Anyway...next stop is Las Vegas, USA...... hope i can hit the 10th frames better there

Belmo

The last day of qualifying

2008-01-20T05:00:00.000+11:00

Well....what an up and down day.

Yesterday i through away 2 chances of making it to the top 8. Bad bowling combined with a couple of dodgy pairs of lanes gave me no chance. My score was true, i didnt bowl any better than 120 over and 128 over. Of course there was a few un lucky breaks but i got my fair share too.
I was not in the best of moods but knew with 1 day with, anything can happen.

I came in and started with a positive out look on the day. I bowled in the part of the lane that i did the day before but for some weird reason there was no shot there at all..... i had no chance, i started with 160 somethingand the used the other 5 games as expensive practice :)

I had 1 chance left, 1 squad left to improve my score and try to get into the top 8 or at least the top 16 (top 8 gets 2 byes, top 16 gets 1)
I played the insdie part of the lane (because there was no shot on the gutter the squad before) and amazingly inside looked awful. I quickly went wide, through it hard and bagged out for 202.
Next 2 games were 223 and 224, or something like that. The back to back 267's i needed 210 the last game and i was in the top 8 for sure.
I bowled an awful first 6 frames and needed a double in the 10th for 206 (which would be enough) i went up and left the greatest smash 8 pin ever :)
Im happy though i get 1 bye and i know that the 8pin didnt cost me the top 8, it was the 9 frames before it.

Not to worry though i get a little sleep in (bowling starts at 1pm, so i start at 4pm) like i said, a little sleep in :)

Will let you know how i play tomorrow, i hope i have great news for you all

Belmo

Qatar international open!

2008-01-18T01:15:00.000+11:00

Qatar, this is the 2nd time I have been here. The first time the weather could only be described as a sauna. This time its the complete opposite. Mother nature is not happy. Anyway enough about that and more about the bowling. The lands have played quite hard, I don't have a ball reaction where I can shot over 230. But I'll be patient like always. The people are wonderful as usual which allows me to enjoy my bowling even more.
I'll let you know how I go after I'm done.

Be good

Belmo

The TV SHOW- ABF Tour

2008-01-13T18:13:00.000+11:00

The final was bowled on the 'up staris' portion of the bowling centre. We never bowled a ball up there and the only practice we get is 2 balls.
It's actually a joke! 2 balls on a pair of lanes with a different pattern, on a pir we have not bowled on all week, on TV, what did they expect to happen to the scores.

The guy i bowled against bowled 4 good shots for the match, 1-4 frames were strikes, the rest of the game was filled by missing the headpin, basically having no chance to strike.
Me on the other hand had 4 good shots too, 2 struck, then a 7 pin then a 10 pin.

Going into the 10th he needed to open and i needed to bag out to win. He ,isse dthe headpin to the right and left a simple spare......It was all over.

I voiced my thoughts as to how much of a joke the final was today (granted i was a little pissed from loosing, but it needed to be said) and only time will tell if the powers that be open their eyes and use some common sense.

Im off to QATAR tonight to bowl in teh Qatar Open.....$50,000 US for first and hopefully this event will be run the way tournaments should be....

Belmo

ABF Tour, Tournament of Champions

2008-01-13T15:02:00.000+11:00

Hey guys,

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and New year. I have had about six weeks off from bowling and must admit that I have really enjoyed the time off. Spending most of my time with my wonderful wife Kimberly. But its now back to work.
I am in Jarkarta, Indonesia. Only 7 hours flying time so that was nice.
The event I am playing in is call the Tournament of Champions. Basically you have to qualifiy by attaining points through out the 2007 abc tour.
The formats for this is the top 16 guys in points come here and bowl a 15 game round robin to then cut to the top 8. Once that happens we then play a 1 game match and if you lose your out. Win 3 matches and you win the event. That sounds good, but what makes that so much harder is the lane pattern.
Day one and two where completly different, some pairs play 42 feet others play 32 feet. There is not much oil on the lane so by the end of the day everyone is throwing the ball hard. I finished in 6th after the round robin and was so glad it was over. Today is the tv shows for the matches, I am playing the number 2 seed. Which is ok, its the two practice balls you get I'm worried about, normally most people need at least 3 minutes. But that's how its done is Asia. Wish me luck

Road to the world cup- I have never been so proud/upset

2007-11-11T21:02:00.000+11:00

There are times in everyone’s life that moments don’t seem quite real.
Ann-Maree Putney (AMP) was bowling on the TV pair and I was with Andrew Frawley sitting 10 lanes to her right watching the bowling on the huge TV screen that had set up.
I told Andrew that for some reason AMP looked like she had for seen the future. So positive, so confident. I knew that she knew, she was going to win.
She has been to the world cup more than anyone else I know, and always makes the TV show. This time, I can see the look in her eyes; this time there was no one in the building that was to take what is rightfully hers.

Strike after strike, she repeated her shots better than I have ever seen her do. There was fire in her belly and she let that fire out through every shot she bowled.

I kind of felt sorry for the Korean..... "Does she know what she is in for?" I said to Andrew.

The 2nd game. So important. She struck, and then again for a double after a few troublesome and stubborn corner pins.
I screamed "that’s our girl". She just didn’t stop striking. Andrew and I were up on our feet every shot, yelling support.
The 10th frame. She let the ball go and it was a little in, get there we yelled. High on the head pin and the 4 pin the last pin to fall.........

I looked at Andrew and jumped on him. WE HAVE ANOTHER WORLD CHAMPION.
I ran to the lanes and gave AMP the biggest hug whispering in her ear," You are such a good girl, im so proud of you."
Years of near finishes, had built up years of torment from this event. AMP is a tough girl, I have never seen her cry, but there were tears of joy flowing.

I had never been so proud of a fellow bowler in my life. I knew what this meant to her and to see her dream come true....well, I have no words to describe how happy I am for her.

My turn:

I watched the men’s matches, hoping to see a pattern developing. I did, Bill Hoffman from the USA was striking alot. But that’s ok; I can strike with the best of them.
I walked out to congratulate Bill for winning his match and say sorry to one of my best friends Andres Gomez. Andres worked so hard to get to the TV show, and his scores do not tell the picture of well he bowled.

I started 148, for the first game of the final..... I was no more nervous than I have been in other events, but for some reason everything looked small. My target, the lanes, I don’t know how to explain it.
I was not so positive in my body language, I was in trouble.
I had asked Andrew to sit with me and be my coach on the lanes. I have trusted Andrew with my bowling and he could possibly be the only person in the world I would ever let sit with me while bowling.
He did what a great coach does. Relaxed me without me even knowing he was doing it. Talking about everything else other than my bowling. We both knew where I had to move to, he just wanted to make sure I was going to throw the ball the way I can.

It worked like a charm. I felt so relaxed while bowling, laughing softly in between shots. The lane started to appear larger and my target was huge. 268 and felt I now have a chance to win.

It's amazing how in every match there is a moment where at the end of the game you look back and say "that changed everything".
Bill tripped the 4-9 and a Brooklyn strike in frames 4 and 5, to give him a turkey.
I felt like someone had taken the wind out of my sails. This was so unlike me. I never worry about the other guy, and I never lose my positive attitude.

I think this is what im more upset with myself about; I let it all get to me. I didn’t show it physically, but mentally I was thinking "why is he so lucky, give me a break".

The 9th frame came and I needed to strike out. I made a move left on the approach and for a change I let it go good, perhaps too good. The ball jumped off the spot and I left a 4- 10. Bill had already won, 3 strikes in the 10th would mean Bill needed -1 on his first shot.

I was so upset. Still am really. I wanted this so bad, but I let fear get into the way. "What if I lose" "What if I leave a pocket 8 pin and he carries everything" These are not the thoughts of someone who truly thinks he will win the world cup. AMP didn’t come close to thinking them.

The old saying, you live and learn, is so true, but along with that saying you need patience.
Im young and I know I will win a world cup in my life time; I just wanted it the easy way.
Never again will I let fear stop me from winning.

I just want to say thank you, on behalf of AMP and myself for all the support via this website or via messages.
We are truly proud to be Australian and it’s a wonderful thought knowing a country is right behind you.

AMP is a WORLD CHAMPION.

And......I will be some day, well that’s the plan!

Jason Belmonte
__________________

Road to the World Cup- The final

2007-11-10T18:48:00.000+11:00

OK....

So i have made the final 3. I bowled amazing in the 8 game, top 24 round. I shot 2038 for 8 games which broke the previous record set by good mate, Osku Palermaa.
Seemed like everytime i let the ball go it wetn right where i wanted it to and i let it go perfect. That gave me a huge lead going into the top8 round robin portion the following day.
I started the round robin a little slow, lost my first match 205-246 to 2nd place Bill Hoffman, with 30 pins for a win, my head started to crunch some numbers and i know in this format, 250 is not impossible to catch.
I couldnt get going, bad ball reaction along with a few bad shots resulted in some poor games.
Bill came within 130 pins with 2 games to go. I made a drastic move on the lane and played much straighter, further to the right.
Good move i think.....
I bowled a perfect 300 and put my number seeded position out of reach.

Now i have to play the winner of Andres Gomez of Columbia and Bill Hoffman of the USA......

Im nervous because i know who ever wins that match will be extremly tough to beat....

Wish me luck

Belmo

Day 4- Road to the World Cup

2007-11-08T05:40:00.000+11:00

Today was so much tougher on the lanes than any other day.
To explain what i mean, pair to pair was again tricky but the lanes were so different to the otehr 3 days it was really confusing.
I bowled great and scored 1400 for 6 games. No games over 257 and no games under 223. I made all my spares and hot the pocket so much more today.
The backends were so tight, carrying the 10 pin was extremley hard.

I increased my lead by a few more pins, which is good, but the way that the other guys are bowling, it would only take an 'ok' day and the boys could run around me.

I have 8 games left of qualifying with the top 24 then a further 8 games round robin with the top 8

If i make my spares and bowl well, ill be there bowling for the title and thats all i want to do.

Belmo

Day 2- The road to the world cup

2007-11-07T01:37:00.001+11:00

OK, so we started at 8am today......

Im not the best person in the morning on the best of days, so when i have to start at 8am with not to much sleep (jet lag is really killing me this time) i felt like it was going to be tough to compete at a level i would be happy with. But like all times when i bowl, i get a little nervous and the body seems to perk up.

I started great....249, 255 and 245, or something like that. Then i hit a couple of pairs which have gained a reputation in the centre as 'crappy'. I shot 190 and 213, then finished off with 222.
I missed 3 makable spares and through a few really bad shots, so i was not very happy with my bowling but my score was much better than i thought it should be.

I play at 8pm tomorrow, so i hope a good night sleep and a little time to unwind will help a bunch.

Will let you know what happens....wish me luck

Belmo

Day 1, off to a good start

2007-11-05T00:09:00.000+11:00

Day 1,

The lanes played so different to the practice it was amazing. The oil carried down further and played so much tighter.
I could get to the pocket with out to much drama but because of the carry down, carrying the 10 pin made life a little hard. In saying that, if you hit your tarhet at both the arrows and at the break point, the carry was great. The bowling centre has great carry by nature, so when you threw it good you struck.

I shot 1452 for 6 and felt like i bowled well. A couple of pairs were tricky but in general i felt like each lane did what i thought they would do.

The scoreing pace is much lower than normal world cups and i think that it suits me that way. With the tight lane pattern and seeing how importing sparing everything is, i feel i have a great chance to do well.

But each day is a new day and in this game 2 days are never the same, so lets hope i bowl well

Will let you know

Belmo

Road to the Bowling World CUP

2007-11-04T03:12:00.000+11:00

Hey all,

Sorry for the delay in this. Russia has not the internet advancements as many other countries i go to, so finding time to find some internet has not been easy, but as of today the bowling centre has opened some free wireless.

It took me over 30 hours to get to St. PetersBurg, Russia, but the prize that awaits is so worth the time spent cramped on a 747 QANTAS plane.

The city is full of rich history and culture. When i get some more time ill explain more in depth.

We finished the practice session today, the lanes are ok. Easy like they have been over the years at the world cup, but the biggest difference is the oil and the pairs. The oil carries down the lane extremely fast and pair to pair is a little tricky. in saying that the scores will still be very high but i dont think anyone is going to break and records this year.

i start bowling at 12pm my time, so ill let you know how i go when im done.

I´ll also write a little story in the sites when i can....some amazing buildings and churches here

Cheers

Belmo

The last supper!

2007-10-01T03:32:00.000+10:00

Sorry for late entry.... A couple of the hotels we stayed at didnt have internet access, and because we finish quite late, there was nothing open near by either.

So tonight was the last night of the Storm Fair. We all had a blast. Pete and I had some side action on the games, 1000 Yen a game and 1000 for series. I am happy to report i made 4000 off him :)

Thing though is that we are all having so much fun, sometimes you forget that you are gambling and do trick shots for spares or strikes and can lose a game by a couple of pins, well that was the excuse Pete gave me hahaha

After the bowling we went to a really nice Korean BBQ place, where you cook your own food. Sounds funny, i mean we pay top dollar for food we have to cook ourselves haha.

Pete stood up and gave a great speech to close the night off, he may of had a couple of wines but his Japanese was spot on :)

All the guys went on out to a karoke club....not my scene so i stayed at the hotel and chilled out with Tommy Delutz for a little.
What a top bloke he is...... Will be adding him to my facebook for sure :P

Anyway, i really enjoyed my time in Japan. The team over here were amazing to work with and not only did i work with some of the greatest bowlers i know, i learnt a bunch from them too, not to mention laughed about 80% of the time i was around them.

Some of the stories the guys told (which i can not repeat here anyway) were 1 in a million.

I have a 4pm flight out tomorrow to Panama where ill meet Jason Walsh. Will be great to hang out with him and bowl in a high quality event.
Hope i can throw the ball as well as i have been throwing it here in Japan

Will let you know

Belmo

The worlds largest bowl!

2007-09-28T12:15:00.000+10:00

I have been to Las Vegas a few times now and i thought their bowls were big. One particular bowl there was called The Showboat, later renamed to Castaways. It was 106 lanes. 70 in a straight line, then a round the corner 36 more.

Thats nothing !!!!!

Nagoya, the city i am in, has a bowling centre called 'The Grand Bowl'. They didnt lie.
156 lanes split over 3 levels. 52 on each. Up untill a year ago they actually had another 52, making it 258 lanes, but due to costs of running so many lanes, the sold the equipment on the 4th floor and did some renovations to the other levels.

Nothing more weird than changing lanes from 136 to lane 88. Seeing a lane with 3 digits is really funny. Would hate to have to move from lane 154 to lane 4 :) better call a taxi :)

The demo day went well, not quite as busy as the last few days, we got out of there a little eariler, 1030pm. But we signed more autographs than ever. At least 300 people needed shirts, bags, shoes, pictures, towel, posters and a couple of arms to be signed, the whole group felt like our hands were going to freeze up from siging so many things.
I have been trialing some new bowling balls here for Storm, and i have been using the Sure Fire and the new Attitude Shift. Both are now coming everywhere with me....keep a look out for these too, they really are worth every penny.

Off to do another demo, will let you know where and how it all went.

Jason

Japan Part 2

2007-09-27T13:53:00.000+10:00

Another day, another city.

What do we do???

Ok so everyday we do 3 hours of 1 on 1 coaching, followed by about 1 hour of a ball demo (we are using some asian release bowling balls) that is then followed by a quick dinner then a 4 game Pro-Am with at least 6 on a pair.
We start about 2pm and finish about 11pm everyday. It is a long day but we get to do what we love (bowl and help people) so the time does fly, but by the end of the day you are completly stuffed.
The hotel rooms in Japan are very small, almost like a areoplane toilet size (not kidding) and every morning we travel on abus from anywhere from 2-6 hours to get to our next host city.

Bowling with Pete, Tommy and Timmy is great fun, we all put in $40 each (along with the JPBA bowlers) in the pro-am and play some pot games to make the night a little more fun.
The first night i got swept, but last night i shot 1089 for my 4 games and won 3 ot of the 4 ($10 each a game)...... Got my revenge :)

I have to run, i am getting called as im writting this to hurry up :), the Japanese run a very tight ship let me tell you, everything is followed to the minute.

Best be off

Belmo

Let the Tour begin

2007-09-25T10:32:00.000+10:00

JAPAN STORM FAIR TOUR:

The Japanese and Storm have a very close working relationship, Japan rank 3rd in the world regarding to Storm ball sales, so for the past 10 years, Storm along with Japanese bowling company HI-SPORTS, began a travelling coaching/demo tour around Japan.
Storm sends their best pro's to this event and i have been lucky enough to of joined them once before in 2005.
This trip Storm and Roto Grip have sent, myself, Pete Weber, Tommy Deluze Jr, Tim Mack, Steve Klopeken, Purvis Granger, Hank Boomershine and Chris Schlemmer.
We travel to 6 cities in 7 days and do Pro Am's plus one on one coaching with as many bowlers as we can fit into the day.
When i came here in 2005 everyday was packed with bowlers and families wanting to be taught by some of the worlds best bowlers, i also remember in 2005 a few 2 handed bowlers, so maybe ill see a few more this time around.

The tour starts in Osaka and ends in Toyko (West to East of the country). The days are long starting at 10am and finishing around 10pm, but its a great chance for me to learn from the best and be able to hang out with bowlers who i have looked up to for many years.

Ill let you know how it all goes

Jason

World Cup Qualifier.....South Pacific CLassic

2007-09-17T16:45:00.000+10:00

Last weekend i competed in Australia's world cup qualifier, the South Pacific Classic (SPC). It's supposed to Australia's biggest and best event, but for some reason, the last few years, entries have gone down and the atmosphere inside the bowl has dropped to an all time low.

There are a million reasons why i think this has occured, but i think that chat is for a different time and place.

On to the story........

Format:
12 games qualifying (split over 2 days, so 6 and 6) top 24 coming back on the Sunday morning to bowl another 6 games qualifying, with carry over pinfall, then the top 12 play a 11 man round robin. The winner will be who ever knocks over the most pins over the whole weekend, a proper event.

The condition was the hardest i have seen in Australia for quite some time. It was a 41 ft pattern and the carry down occured quick and very inconsistant from lane to lane and pair to pair.
220 was a great game.
I started the first of 6 games with 180 something and 150 something, then followed it by another 180 something. It was the worst i have bowled in about 5 years.
I couldnt get close to hit my target and even if i did, i chose the wrong ball and was playing in the wrong part of the lane. My next 3 games were 230, 220 and 170. i finished -51 for the 6 games and was 270 off the lead.
I was extremly upset with my performance and knew i needed to change a few things if i was even going to make the first cut to 24 bowlers.
I was sitting in 48th and needed a big 2nd day.

I changed the surface to a few of my bowlings balls to try and get the ball to read the lane much more consistant.
It worked wonders. my next 6 games were 254, 243, 215, 222, 194 and 247.
I jumped into 4th place, only 170 off the pace. I felt with 6 more games of qualifying and 11 games of matchplay, i could catch the leaders and win the event.

The Sunday morning did not go to as planned. I bowled 20 over for 6 and bowled much better than my score said i did. A bunch of pocket 7-10's and solid 9's and 7 pins cost me dearly. But thats ok, i still had 11 games and with 20 pins bonus for a win i had plenty of games up my sleeve. Only 220 off the pace i was right where i wanted to be (to use a Tim Mack quote there)

Matchplay started and i was in trouble early. 180 and 204 to start. My reaction was awful and the leaders still looked great. I made a drastic move and started to play the right gutter, harder, faster and more direct.
Why didnt i move there earlier?????
I had a great reaction, 230, 230, 250 and 260 were the games to follow, and because the scoring pace was so low, and i won all my games, i leaped into 2nd, only 40 off Paeng Nepomuceno from The Philippines.
5 games to go and it was game on.... The lead swapped between us a few times and then it came down to the final game.
I was on 5 and 6, he was on 3 and 4.
He was 36 pins ahead, so it was vital that i won my match and he didnt. Then all i would have to do is beat his score by 17 and i would be the champ.
One good thing though is 3rd place could not catch me, so either way i would be able to represent Australia in St. Petersburg, Russia for the world cup, because Paeng is not Australians there for can not win the spot for the world cup.
I needed a strike in the 9th and all 3 in the 10th to shut Paeng out. I stuck on the approach in the 9th, made a spare, then missed left a touch in the 10th and it had no chance of striking, another spare. Now i finished with a game of 220, got my bonus pins and had to wait for Paeng to bowl. He needed a double in the 10th to win the event, he nailed the first, then split the 2nd shot. He had thought he had won, someone then told him that he must win the game and get his bonus befor he could get excited about winning, his opponent, also needed a double to beat Paeng.

I couldnt watch, if Bruno (Paeng's opponent) strikes twice i win. The first was BLACKJACK!!!! Only one more, i turned away, then looked back again just as he let the ball go, it got stuck on his thumb and looked to be going brooklyn. It hit high and the 10 pin was the last pin standing, it wobbled but not enough to fall. Paeng won the SPC for a 2nd time in his career and i came 2nd again for the millionth time in my career.

I was happy with my result considering how i started, but to get the chance to win and not take it, upsets me a little.

Ah well, now i get to focus on the World Cup and try and win that...... I sure hope i do.

Ill be in Japan and Panama for the next couple of weeks and will update you how those trips go!!!!

Cheers

Jason

What a bizarre ending!

2007-09-08T02:41:00.000+10:00

The last 6 games of the 12 man round robin were played today. I was 30 pin inside the cut to make the TV top 5 step ladder and was only 120 off 2nd.
It was realy bunched and because the scoring pace was so high, a 190 could mean a 100 pin turn around (thats with the 30 pin bonus).
I started ok, 231, lost, but felt like i could put together a few good games, i needed to.

My next 3 games were 289, 279 and 264 (front 9 with a open in the 10th) for a nice 832 series and moved into 3rd. I was couldnt catch the leaders, so my goal was to stay in 3rd and i did just that.

I waited for the first match to finish on the show then my turn.

Korean's are by nature very strict, and with live TV, the time table was to be followed to the minute.
I bowled against a Korean Pro, Y.H Byeon, doesnt do to much with the ball just hits the pocket every shot.
He opened in the 8th to give me the chance to shut him out, and i did just that, 267 - 222.
My next match was to play against a Japanese Pro, Shigenori Sakata. A very funny guy who was a little weird on the lanes.
This is where the story gets interesting.............

Going into the 9th and 10th i could shut him out and bowl 246. As i was getting ready to bowl in the 9th frame, Sakata, who had taken about 20 seconds to walk off the approach, walked by while i was drying my hand, clenched his fist and raised it to my face. Of course i took it as a joke, smiled it off and stepped on the appraoch.

I threw the ball ok, and for some reason the ball never hooked where it had been all game. 2-10. I miss it and strike out in the 10th for a 212.
Now, while i was bowling my 10th frame, a local Korean guy was yelling loudly the whole time. I had no idea what he was saying and was getting a little cranky at him because if i strike out, it would force Sakata to mark the 10th.
Now this guy yelling turns out what he was saying was, was that Sakata should be dis-qualified or i should have another shot due to un sportsman like conduct.......
After i finished i sat down and the translator came over to me and asked if the taunting from Sakata put me off, causing me to bowl a split.........
I told her of course NOT, everything was fine. But there is a rule in the KPBA that a player can be disqualified or the player affected can re-bowl that frame if the tournament director deems it worthy.
So the question i had to answer was, do i take the 9th frame again, bowl a strike and shut out Sakata, based a rule that i break almost every other event :) or do i decline the offer (because i think taunting is part of step ladder bowling) and make him throw the spare.
As much as i wanted to bowl the shot again, it just didnt seem right. He did nothing wrong, just taunted me (ok maybe a little close to my face, but that didnt put me off) something that i am guilty of most the step ladders i have been in.

I rejected the offer and asked that Sakata finish the game.

Now dont forget this is live TV, going around the whole of Korea. Sakata, accused of bad sportsmanship now has to get up in the 10th and mark after 15 minutes of debate if he should even be bolwing.
The tournament director then got made the annonucement about the rule and my decision and gave Sakata the green light.

He stepped up and bowled a great shot and struck. I finished in 3rd, but it will be a match i'll never forget.

The winner of the event was Isao Yamamoto from Japan, a great bowler, he lead from game 1 and desereved his win.

Can't wait to get home and see Kimberly and the rest of the family, plus it will be nice to ask someone the time and not have to play 'guess what im trying to say' haha

Cheers for reading...

Belmo

The 2nd block and the finals

2007-09-06T18:20:00.000+10:00

Didn't get a chance to write last night, i was extremly tired, so ill give you the run down of yesterday and today.

I bowled the fresh last night and the lanes were much easier, i could play around the 2nd arrow ad the ball went down the lane very smoothly.
I made some bad shots when i needed it, but i knew that if i could limit myself to 1 bad shot a game, i would be happy.
I finished 524 over for my 16 games qualifying and was sitting 6th. The lefties are killing us, with 3 in the top 4, but i feel like if i bowl well enough i can make the TV show.

The finals started at 9am this morning. I flew out of the gates, 243, 259 and 267. I was only behind the lead by 91 and felt like the ball was going to strike every time it hit the pocket.
I moved to a really bad pair and was 41 in the 4th frame, somehow i managed to get to 202. Bad news though was i lost about 70 on the leaders.
From that game i could find a rythem or line to the pocket that was good enough to keep up. I finished with games 224,194,226 and 237. Not bad but when the field is averaging 240, its not good.

I make the top 12 round robin in 8th position. There was no reoiling between the break (which was bad news for me).
We played 6 of the 12 games today and tomorrow we play the other 6. The only good news was that in the round robin you get 30 pins for a win, i had about 100 pins to catch and if i could somehow bowl well, with those bonus pins, i could bridge the cap quickly.
I started slow again, 202 and 220. My ball just didnt hit the pins like i wanted it to.
I made a small change in speed and release and shot 268, then followed it by 266, then 237 and 226.
I made a few pins and am now sitting 5th, with the top 5 making the TV show.
The lefties are killing everyone, top 4 are lefties then me, then the guys behind me are only a few pins back.
Tomorrow i need to GET ON!

Will let you know if i won ro not

Jason

Day 1 of the KPBA

2007-09-05T08:17:00.000+10:00

OK so the format goes like this.....

16 games qualifying split over 2 days (8 and 8). The top 32 come back and bolw another 8 games. From there the top 12 play a round robin and then a top 5 TV show.

I was to bowl in B squad. The carry down squad. A squad finished and the scores were very big, the top 6 in the squad shot over +300 and the top 70 were averaging the card.
Bad news for us right handers is that this bowl is left handed friendly and the lefties have an amazing look.
This got me a little nervous because the fresh looked great but the carry down got messy.

My first few shots looked ok, I was playing up 15 out to about 7. Then i dont know what happened, but my ball could not stay right of the head pin.
I moved a little left and the ball wouldn't move......There was somuch oil in the middle of the lane and the carry down of that oil made for a very small backend. If your pace was a little quick, your ball missed the head pin, if you missed right the ball just flew off the spot and went high.

I moved rather deep and slowed my ball speed right down and put a few rev's on the ball and just played in the oil.
It was ok, one pair killed me, hitting the pocket was not so hard, knowcking them over was impossible, 178 (and yes i missed the 3-6-9 twice).

I finished up something like 240 over, i didnt see the scores before i left, i had to hurry back to the hotel for dinner then bed.

Tomorrow i play on the fresh, and i know my scoring pace has to be high or i could fall way down. Hope i can knock them over a few more times today.

Will let you know how it all goes

Jason

My first Korean PBA event

2007-09-02T01:57:00.000+10:00

I have been lucky enough to of been invited to play in a KPBA event, sponored my Storm Bowling products.

It's not my first time to Korea, actually its the same bowling centre i bowled in for the World Mens Championships, this time last year.

Im staying in the same hotel as well..... Things look very much the same as last time too.

I had a few delays in my flights so it took a little longer than i wanted to, but im here safe and sounds and i have all my luggage, which these days is something to get excitied about on its own :)

I have a day off tomorrow, then a practice session the day after....Will let you know how it goes and who is bowling. Rumour has it that 5 PBA players, plus 30 Japanese Pro's are also competeing, so im really looking forward to this.

Talk soon

Belmo

My first Indonesian Open win

2007-08-12T23:31:00.001+10:00

The 2 day final (16 games, split into 8 and 8) had begun and i was a little nervous about the lane pattern, it had started to play closer and closer to the gutter each day, which would of made me more comfortable if i had the right equipment but i didn't.

I started the first 3 games slow, just trying to make every spare, the condition was brutal. If you missed left or right, to fast or to slow, with the wrong release you were punished. If you bowled more than 250 on this pattern you bowled a great game. Not to mention the pin carry is very bad here.

I found a decent line to the pocket, bowling quite hard but very straight around the 17th board at the arrows. I left a million 10 and 7 pins, plus each game had at least one split. Pair to pair was just as tricky as well.
Many players including myself would struggle the first part of the game, find something good to finish the game, move pairs and the lanes were completely different. Like i said, 250 or higher was a great game.

By the end of the first day i was sitting first, by 9 pins but had another 8 games the following day.

The next day the lanes felt impossible, i bowled 100 over with next high series for the day was 50 over. The scores were so low, noone could score any high games.

I needed a 220 game in my last game to qualify top seed and i did, 224 to be exact.

I was top seed into the step ladder which is a huge advantage. If i am to loose the first match in the final, the challenger must then beat me again to win the title.

I started the final game well with the front 5, i felt those 5 strikes were my best 5 shots of the week, but like always the lane started to change a little and i left a split in the 6th and a spare in the 7th.
The young Korean i was playing had 2 spares and 4 strike in his first 6 frames meaning i was behind with 4 frames left.
The Korean left a split in the 7th, struck the 8th and spared the 9th. Meaning all i need was to stay clean to win..... i doubled the 8th and 9th and then the match was won.

My first title in Indonesia and i could not be happier.

After the match there was a press conference and there were many TV and newspaper cameras in the room. I felt like i was Roger Federer at the Australian Open haha

This was my 2nd trip in Indonesia and i will be back for sure

Jason

Earthquake hits Indonesia!

2007-08-12T20:16:00.000+10:00

"OH MY GOD, everybody out of the hotel" was the cry from Andrew Frawley. A powerful 7.5 earthquake hit Jarkarta and it was the first time i had ever experianced such a powerful blow from mother nature.

The hotel swung left and right, the walls in the hotel starting to crack and the lighting hanging from the hotel lobby was swaying uncontrolably.

The quake was so powerful that it actually knocked Tim Mack out from his bed while he was sleeping (on the 17th floor). I was both nervous and worried that the building i was staying in was to fall any moment, but reasuring words from Andrew calmed me down.

I was feeling a little tired but after the quake is was impossible to get to sleep.

Jason

Jakarta, Indonesia aka Crazy Town

2007-08-08T14:43:00.000+10:00

Indonesia is a country that truly is unlike any other country in the world. It is so crazy here that the word crazy actually means 'normal'.
The road rules are worse than in Manila, (if that is possible) and the streets are covered in rubbish. But if you look past that and talk with the locals, they are some of the nicest people in the world.
The hotel is nice and the staff will bend over backwards to help you, but you may have to explain things a few times. Their English is ok, but some words get lost in translation. For example i ordered a ceaser salad at the hotel when i checked in and a pizza arrived haha. Not what i was expecting.

The bowling centre is 60 lanes, split into 40 on 1 level and 20 on another level. They play completely different too.

The lane condition for the Indonesian Open is extremley tough. The ratio is 1.5:1, meaning that any error in speed or accuracy is punished. It's the way bowling was meant to be i think.

I attempted to qualify in the morning and afternoon, had an ok ball reaction, was just throwing a bad shot every so often, and those bad shots really hurt your scores.
The night squad i changed my approach and played much smarter and straighter and bowling great. 930 for 4 games which will qualify easy on this pattern.

The finals are in a couple of days so i will take a few days off and relax and watch my mates bowl and support them, hoping they all make the cut.

I'll update you again in a couple of days

Belmo

1st @ New South Wales Open

2007-07-23T11:31:00.000+10:00

The New South Wales (NSW) Open is one of Australia's hardest event to win in recent years. The condition has been extremly tough and out of the last 6 years a lefty has won it 5 times.

Format:
10 Games qualifying that is then followed by the top 30 playing a further 4 games the next morning. From there the top 15 men have earnt the right to play in a 3 way round robin formatt. 1st on the paid gets a bonus 20, 2nd gets 10 and last gets nothing.

I qualified quite well, coming in 3rd after the 10 games, missed a few spares that i shouldnt of, but over all i felt quite happy with my performance.
The pattern was not quite as tough as previous years but you still had to make great shots.
The bowling centre (AMF Castle Hill Bowl) is fitted with GSX Brunswick machines and pro anvil lane surface, meaning the lanes played much straighter because of the surface and carrying is very hard because of the GSX machines.
If you bowled a 250 plus game, you bowled a great game. Just a little speed or angle of entry variance you left a corner pin for sure.

My good friend George Frilingos was leading by 150 heading into the round robin part of the event.
George is by far the hardest bowler in Australia to beat, he has won 12 national titles and like Tiger Woods, once is in the lead heading into the final day, is extremly hard to catch.

We started the round robin and i knew the only way i was going to catch George was to win as many round robin matches i could, to get the bonus pins and to strike alot.
I did just that, the 7 game round robin saw me average 249, i won 5/7 matches, a tie for 1st in another and 2nd in the other match.
That didnt stop George from doing the same though, George won 4/7 and 2nd in the other 3 matches.
It came down to the last game. On my pair was George and Shaun Cummings. Shaun had injured his left knee and was basically crawling to the line, so that left just me and George in a head to head battle.
I down by 30 or so pins, that meant i needed to beat George by 20 scractch, get my 20 bonus, and that should be enough.

It came down to the 10th frame and the crowd were feeling the presure just as much as we were.
I was up first, threw the ball and threw it bad. Was just way to fast, i just hit the head pin, leaving the 2 pin.........WAIT A MINUTE........ a pin has come from no where and rolled the 2 pin for a strike. "That's one for me" i screamed.
I needed the next one in the 10th to shoot 240 and shut George out. I let it go perfect, i knew it off the hand, the 10 pin the last to fall before a screaming messenger smashed it into the wall. .

I have won the 2007 NSW OPEN.

George, like the sportsman he is shook my hand and gave me a hug and said "great bowling". Not easy to do when you have lead the entire event untill the last frame of the last game.

This was the first national title i have won in my own home state of NSW, so i am extremly happy to break that drought.

I used a T road Solid all weekend and it truly is one of the best balls i have used. It does everything i need it to do.

Till the next event, which i think is in Indonesia in 2 weeks......Be good and keep on rollin!

Thats how the high roller goes!

2007-07-09T15:50:00.000+10:00

To win the high roller you need a combination of skill and lucky. You can not make it on skill alone and no matter how lucky you are, you need skill to have any chance.
Now if you are not on your game and you dont have any luck, you will be exiting the event in the 1st round......like i did.

I bowled well for 4 frames of the game, my opponent bowled well for 5 frames, he had more luck than i did, hence when he through a bad shot it struck, when i did it was split.
I have only myself to blame though, dont get me wrong, it should never of come down to luck to win the first match. If i bowl well, then i have the match won early and thats the end of the story, but i played awful.

Dis-appointing is really the only word that comes to mind, but i am young, i will getover this loss and i know the next time i put my shoes on, i would have forgotten this horrible end to a great event.

Jason

Some more High Roller news

2007-07-06T19:19:00.000+10:00

Sorry for the late reply.

Bowling starts at 10am and finishes about 10pm, its a all day thing, you never really get to leave the bowl, so the last couple of nights i have been drained......but i think i have just enough energy to update you :)

I played great today, i made both $1000 rounds and i feel like as each day comes i am playing better and better.

The lanes play a little easy on the fresh but with every game that is played, the lanes get drier and drier and its not long till i am lofting the left gutter.
I am using a Fired Up, with a touch of polish on it and it looks great, but thats all i have that looks like i can shoot big numbers..... Just hope it holds up in the super final.

Will let you know how it all goes tomorrow

Jason

How your luck can change!

2007-07-04T17:08:00.000+10:00

Las Vegas..... A place where in a single moment your luck can change from great to crappy and of course crappy to great.

I played in the high roller again today, i bowled well but the cut scores were so high again that an un-timely corner pin would be the difference from 240 to 220 and of course that it can take to knock you out of any round. No cash for Jason again at the high roller :(
Good news for the Aussies though is that Glen "Chip" Loader bowled great and made it not only to the cashing round but he went on to make it to the super final of the high roller, giving him a chance to win the main event.
So just wanted to say WELL DONE CHIP!!!!!!

After the high roller qualifying was a $5000 sweeper. 3 games in a set, 2 squads and the best scores over both squads gives you there placings.
My first attempt was miserable. I bowled games 142, 143 and 144. Ok so i didnt try for the whole set but i had no look, no chance of cashing.....nothing.
I debated with myself if i should just call it a night and try and forget that today ever happened, or have one more go and hope a miracle occured.

Well a miracle did occur, i shot 268, 268 and 222 (758) to win the sweeper and the money.
My day went from a nightmare to a kick arse dream :)
I have so much more confidence now and i am ready to throw a million strikes for the rest of the week.

As one of my best mates Andrew Frawley would say.............IT'S GAME ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jason

Not to plan!

2007-07-03T18:31:00.000+10:00

Ok so i started bowling for the high roller today.

Its simple......1 game, beat 3/4 of your division move into the 2nd round. From there beat 1/2 of the guys in your division, the you claim $1000 (sweet) and then on the to 3rd round. The 3rd round, again in your division you take the top 6 scores, those top scores then reward you a spot in the rand final.

I played 3 games. 237, 233 and 236, It wasnt till then 3rd attempt i made the 2nd round. The scores are extremly high this year, normally 215 makes the first cut and 200 makes the 2nd round for a $1000......not this time.

But thats Vegas, today was today and you can bet every dollar in your pocket that tomorrow will be totallt different.....lets hope so.

Talk again soon

Belmo

VIVA LAS VEGAS

2007-07-01T13:04:00.000+10:00

"Welcome to fabulous Las Vegas"

Thats the sign you see as soon as you drive into Las Vegas.

My trip started in Orange, we had a terrible snow storm and all roads to get to Sydney were closed. I drove 3 hours in the other direction so i could drive around the snow (where the roads were open) total drive time was almost 8 hours, plus the 14 hours to LA, plus the 1 hour to San Fransico and then on top of that Victor Meyerhoff (one of my best mates from the states) drove 9 hours to Vegas, total travel time 32 hours to Vegas.

Vegas is simply one of those cities that anything you want, need or see can be done at any time any day.

The bowling tournament is at Sam's Town Hotel Casino. Its a cowboy style casino, really targeted at the older generations and is not a place i would say it worth visiting, but that where the High Roller is, so this is the most logically place to stay.

There are 3 events on at Sam's Town. The high roller, the A Game and the Red Hot. I bowled tonight to try and qualify for the A Game, bowled greatm 130 over for 5 games and have made the semi finals, which start tomorrow.

Vegas is hot this time of year, i mean it is a desert :) so shorts and shirts are all you need. I hope to maybe have some relax time and hit the swimming pool.

Will keep you updated day by day...hope i keep having good news

Jason

1st @ Melbourne Cup 2007

2007-06-12T13:38:00.000+10:00

Melbourne Cup has been an event i have had great success at.
I won in 2002 and 2004 (and now 2007) and ran top 3 every year in between 2002-2007.

This is a special tournament too. It has a different format and the prizes you can win (un-cut diamonds) makes this event one of Australia's biggest.

This year would be the last time this event was to be held at the Ed Fleming Lanes in Melbourne. The bowling centre is closing down and re-locating so i really wanted to do well.

The first day of qualifying did not go to as planned. 8 games and i was sitting 6th. I missed a bunch of spares and was not very happy with myself. I knew that if i was to win this event i would have to spare everything i left and find, then keep, great timing.

The next 8 games qualifying was much better. I shot 320 something over and made every spare and at the end of the 16 games qualifying i was in the lead by 100, from great mate Jarrod Lean.

The finals are very funny. Top 30 make the first round where all the even numbered place finishes after qualifying (2nd, 4th, 6th etc) play a round robin, 3 to a pair with 20 extra pins for a win, 10 for 2nd and 0 for last on the pair. The odd numbered bowlers did the same.

Pin fall is carried over all the way.

After that the top 15 then make the final. Where again 3 way round robin, 20 pins for a win, 10 for 2nd and 0 for last.

I bowled great all day. I won by over 200 pins from Andrew McArthur and George Frilingos (both lefties, which makes the win even more sweet haha) I never missed a spare (till i knew i had won) and felt like i could strike on almost every shot.
I averaged 240 for the round robin (14 games) and won all my matches bar 3.
I won the 2007 Melbourne Cup for the a record 3rd time and this year the diamond was the biggest ever.
0.62 of a carrot worth $5,500. Plus $3,500 for the event in cash.
But even more special than that was i had taken Kimberly along with me this year, so to win with her there to share in the excitment was even cooler. She is for sure my lucky charm, wish i could take her everywhere!!!!!!!!

So, all in all not a bad weekends work if i do say so myself.

Next stop on the tour calender in Viva Las Vegas, for the High Roller. I will be trying to defend my title that i won in Feb earlier this year.......till then be good to your mum!

Belmo

K and K Classic- How Bizarre

2007-05-28T14:30:00.000+10:00

The K and K Classic was the event I missed my last cut in for any tournament around the world.
That was this time in 2005. I made a deal with myself not to do that again.
Kedron bowling centre has like a curse against me, just walking in the doors i felt like something bad was going to happen.
How right was I??
In my first of ten games of qualifying both of my strike balls had their cores inside pop. Another way to explain that is the core had moved inside and the ball rolls about as good as a pumpkin down the lane. The only thing i think that causes this to happen is when bowling balls have been on long plane trips, the temperture is so cold that if the balls get thrown around by baggage handlers it can cause the 'pop'. Well thats what i have been told in the past and i dont know of any other possible ways this can happen.
It has happened to me twice before, once in Dubai and once in Vegas, so when i happened again i knew it straight away.
Not to worry though, i just had to bowl a lot straighter than usual.
I some how spared my way and struck my way to 180 over about 200 off the lead. Still 6 games to go for the top 30 then cut to top 15 for a 3 way, 7 game round robin with bonus pins for wins.
I drilled up a brand new ball that i could get my hands on (Thanks Ryan Burton) and drilled it up (thanks to Brando's Pro Shop) ready for the finals.
The 6 games in the morning I bowled quite good, a couple of bad breaks at the wrong times but all in all i felt like i had a chance to really make a run at the title.
The re-oil occurred after the 6 games, and the players were from 30 to 15. i was sitting 8th about 100 from 2nd and about 250 from first.

When i made my way back to the pairs after lunch to bowl the round robin i noticed my shoes were no longer next to my bowling balls.
I looked up and down each pair of lanes and so did a few of my mates, but no shoes. We made announcements, but still no one found them.
The lanes turned on to practice and i need a pair of shoes.

"Size 11 please" i asked the staff member at the counter.

I had to bowl in house shoes for the whole of the round robin. Let me just say house shoes are not as much fun to bowl in as i see the public enjoying them.
I missed spares left, right and centre. Sliding was so hard to find any consistency, i must of hit my target at the arrows with my first shot about 45% of the time.

I ended up 10th in the event, i was both happy and cranky at that placement. It was nice to bowl ok when your equipment breaks and goes missing, but at the same time I wished i could of bowled full strength.

Queensland, Australia has once again knocked me out of the ring, not sure how many times i can keep getting back in the ring before i throw in the towel.

Jason Belmonte

Coming up!!!

2007-05-21T16:32:00.000+10:00

So i have been home now for a few days, catching up on some important sleep and spending time with all my family and friends.
Catching up with everyone is great. You hear all the news from everyone while you are gone and although there is not much news with Orange itself, the people living in it always have new stories to tell.
Some have to go overseas or interstate for a holiday, for me, coming home and seeing everyone is my holiday.

Now that I have relaxed a little i have to start planning where im going for my next bowling adventure.
Australia has a few great tournaments throught out the year and the next few weeks have 2 of them.

My first stop will be to Brisbane for the K and K Classic, then 2 weeks after ill go to Melbourne for the Melbourne Cup.

I will keep you updated how they all go.

Belmo

Home sweet home!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-05-16T14:28:00.000+10:00

Like the old saying goes......"There is no place like home". I have missed home a heap and to drive down the main street of Orange, although it's not very long :) was wonderful.

After 30 plus hours sitting on planes or in airports, i was greeted in Sydney by my parents who made the trip to Sydney to pick me up, i would of driven myself but the police had decided to take my licence off me for the 3rd time, they think i drive too fast?? Only 4 more weeks left and ill be legally aloud to drive again.

Orange may not be the most exciting or exotic place i have been to in the last 5 weeks, but to me it the best. It's the perfect place to come home too, small quite and friendly. Plus all my friends, family and my wonderful girl Kimberly are here and i have missed them so much.
Can't wait for the home lunches and dinners ill be served by all the family, boy have i missed them too :)

I have league tonight, but something tells me after the 2 days of travel and the constant bowling over the past 5 weeks, i can treat myself to a little rest and forfeit.

Not sure what i am bowling in next, hopefully something in Australia. Will keep you all updated though.

Belmo

Vi är svenska mästare!!! (We are Swedish Champions)

2007-05-13T22:40:00.000+10:00

Like the heading suggests, Pergamon won!!!!

What a day, drums and songs sung all day, the crowd fuelling the players to perform. THE BEST FUN BOWLING I HAVE EVER HAD!!!!!!!!
Knowing each one of your team members is behind you, willing you to strike is a feeling hard to describe. Its unlike any other team bowling i have ever seen or experienced.
Pergamon dominated each game and i personally bowled much better today. i averaged 245 for my bowling and it felt GOOD!

Our flight back to Gothenberg leaves in a few hours where the party will start. When Alex says he is having a party, its not your usual party i have been told.
He always finds ways to exceed his last party, and because this was Pergamon's 5th straight win (which no other Swedish team has ever done) i am sure tonight will be massive.

I'll be heading home tomorrow night and i cant wait to get back to the sandy shores of Australia. Although travelling is fun, i miss home so much. I miss all my mates, my family and more than anything else my wonderful fiancé Kimberly. Only 48 hours till i am home sweet home.

Belmo

End of the semi finals

2007-05-13T08:28:00.000+10:00

We played the 2nd set of the best of 3 match...... Pergamon is now into the GRAND FINAL.

We played ok today, nothing special, but all you need to do is win and that's what we did.
I am extremely looking forward to the final, we are playing a team called Advance, who caused an upset to make the final.
I have been promised that our supporter will bang their drums louder than ever and scream chants till we win....hope we as players don't disappoint them.

Will let you know how it all went after we win :P

Belmo

Swedish League Finals

2007-05-12T03:31:00.000+10:00

Sundsvall in Sweden is the city that is hosting the league finals. League in Sweden is unlike league back home, each player joins a club and they travel to play against another team, kind of like a footy season.
I joined team Pergamon about 18 months ago and this is my first ever league match.
8 players on each team, with 1 sub, play a total of 4 games in the doubles format. Pretty much its doubles team VS doubles team on each pair for 1 point and 1 point for the team who has the highest pin fall over all the lanes for that game. So 5 points maximum for each game, 20 total for the set and we play a best of 3 match.

We played the first set against Falkenberg. The lanes played alot different to the practice session but Pergammon did what we had to do to win the first set.
My team tonight consisted of Me, Osku Palermaa, Tore Torgersern, Tomas LeAnderson, Martin Larsen, Robert Anderson and the sub was Par Svensson
So on paper that team is extremely strong and we proved that on the lanes.
What makes this event so cool???
There is LIVE STREAMING of the event, you can see us play frame per frame, on each pair with Swedish commentary :) The link is www.livestream.se click the big blue pic/words in the middle of the page and it will bring it up. Also from ball one to the final ball drums are played loud and crowd is chanting songs like at a soccer match.
Pergamon has over 80 supporters here and each one screamed till it hurt. The supporters were flown from Gothenberg (where Pergamon is station) by a man called Alex Kotton. Alex owns Pergamon and he is the guy you have heard of, that you wished you knew :)
Alex is far from any financial worries and loves bowling, but more than he loves bowling he loves Pergamon and its players and its supporters more.

We play the next set tomorrow against the same team, if we win that set we are through to the grand final.......If we bowl the way we should, we will be bowling for the title.

Talk soon

Belmo

WRM- A day to forget

2007-05-07T07:04:00.000+10:00

I was the higher seed so i have the option of chosing which pattern the match would start on. I very rarely chose a pattern that i think my oppenent would not prefer, rather i chose the pattern that i think i would bowl better on.
For me on the fresh, the long oil i felt much better. I started the game with a strike then a ringing 10, i slipped at the foul line and missed the spare, followed by 2 more strikes and a solid 7. Peter had an early lead and never looked like missing, he finished the game 258 and when i knew i could not win i moved around the lane to see what else i could do.
The short was awful, never had a clue where i was to stand or throw the ball. The pattern felt so different. I had 2 opens in the first 5 frames, Peter spared the 3rd frame and struck the rest, for a nice 279. He had 537 total and i would of needed 3 games to beat it.
Peter bowled great, and even if i bowled well im not sure if i could of kept up. I wish him all the best and i hope he goes on to win.

Now i know I am a little cranky about losing and this may seem that i am having a whinge, but hear me out.
As bowlers we play on some ridculas formats, most go by with out too many people saying anything but this event, THE WORLD RANKING MASTERS could be the worst format for bowling in the world.
This event is supposed to show case 'who' the best bowler in the world is. Osku lead this event by 200, i was next and we are both sitting in the grand stands watching the semi finals???
24 games on short, long and duel patterns and then we play best of 3???
Does that make sence to you??
Wonder how Tiger Woods would feel after leading a major, then been told to play 3 more holes against someone he beat by a truck load.

This is the problem we have with bowling.....The best does not always win, and this week OSKU was the best and he is having a beer as we speak!

Belmo

Quarter Finals

2007-05-06T13:50:00.000+10:00

Only 8 left.
Osku
Me
Stu Williams
Paul Moor
Martin Lasen
David O'Sullivan
Peter Ljung
Tomas Gross.

Its now a best of 3 matchplay formatt and based on the qualifying positions, Peter Ljung and I will meet.
These best of formatts are very unpredicable, anyone can shoot any score. I will have a tough game in Peter. The Swedes are used to this formatt and if given the chance to win, Peter will take it with both hands.

Like always i am nervous the night before, my head is always running a million miles..... But i hope by the time i have my shoes on, the nerves will be gone and ill be able to bowl my best.

Will let you know how i played

Belmo

WRM Long Oil

2007-05-04T15:31:00.000+10:00

If there is a bowl that you have been too and you think it has AMAZING CARRY, well times that by 100 and that's close to how good the carry here is.
THe pins hit the walls and bounce off them like trampolines. Some of the strikes you see are impossible to produce in a 'normal' bowling centre. So many splits that turn into strikes because pins have bounced from somewhere and taken out 2 or more pins......truly amazing to watch and no matter how much i try and describe it, it has to be seen to be believed.

Because each lane has a CATS on it, you can go to the kegel website (if you click the heading it will take you there) and check out all the stats from all the players for all the games we played. Really cool to see where we were playing, during any game, ball speed and rev rate.

Because pattern ended up really dry, i was throwing the ball over the left gutter and i dont think CATS can read some of the shots because the ball was in the air when it passed the first sensor :)

I bowled up and down today, first few games were great, felt good and the ball looked great, then i hit the transition and a bad pair and i lost a little bit of the feel. But patience is a virtue.
The lanes dried up fast and i made a couple of bad moves, till i finally decided that the ball cant hook in the air :) Over the left gutter, hard and fast, just the way i like it :)

Im sitting in 3rd with the short oil starting tomorrow, check the website for all the complete scores and other info.

Will let you know how i do in the short as soon as i finish

Belmo

World Ranking Masters warm up

2007-05-03T08:08:00.000+10:00

Kegel training centre is something quite unique. Its a 12 lane bowling centre inside a 75000 square foot building.
Lake Wales is the city the bowling centre is in, but im staying in another city called Winter Haven about 20 minutes away.
The best way i can describe both places is........Dry, boring, hot and middle of no where. There really is nothing to do.
I went to the bowl to have a warm up and test the lanes out. The centre is set up to perfection, regarding the lanes. Each lane is perfectly flat, has perfect lane surface and each lane has C.A.T.S (Computer Aided Tracking System). C.A.T.S is amazing, it gives you exact read outs of how fast you bowled, which board you hit and how many revs you place on each shot.
Something that has revolutionised coaching.
The carry at this bowl is so good its stupid. I expect the scoring pace to be massive for the event.

Will keep you up to date with how the event goes when it starts

Belmo

Coming to America!

2007-05-01T15:58:00.000+10:00

Its 2:14am, i have arrived into Florida, bagless, tired and cranky :)
The flying time from Istanbul to Orlando should be about 12 hours in total, but i had 2 delays of more than 2 hours each, plus waiting for luggage that decided it would prefer to have a holiday without me.
At least the hotel im at (The Holiday Inn) has high speed internet for free :)

Will let you know all about Florida when my eyes are more than a 1/4 open.

Belmo

Runner Up in Istanbul

2007-04-30T17:53:00.000+10:00

2nd again at the Istanbul Open.
Im happy though, in a 1 game step ladder anything can happen, and this time i was the guy who couldn't find the pocket.
I played Mathies from Switzland in the semi final and bowled up and down through out the game, going into the 10th i needed all 3 stirkes to win by 1 pin. I threw the ball great and nailed each one. 225-224
Osku had played Paul Moor in the other final and Osku started with the front 6 and Paul never looked like striking, so it was another all 2 handed final, (something i think will happen a few more times in the future).
I was playing a little to the right all day, around the 2nd arrow, hard and straight. The TV pair were playing a little funny all tournament but i thought that would help me because i was playing straighter than Osku, guess i was wrong.
Osku was throwing the ball threw 4th arrow and was just smashing the pins, i couldnt get near the pocket.
He shot 257 and i managed to strike out from the 8th for a 195, i moved in deeper to where he was, but it was a little too late.
2nd again, like last year and my 5 week tour has been ok so far.
6th in Kuwait, 2nd in ABF tour (Kuwait), 1st at the World Masters and 2nd in Istanbul. Guess you cant be to upset with that run.
Off to Florida for the World Ranking Masters, i have a 14 hour flight and a few days of rest before i start.
Lets hope i can keep throwing the ball the way i have been.....

Belmo

Istanbul Open

2007-04-28T02:26:00.001+10:00

OK. So After we had an eventful day walking around Gallipoli and staying up for over 36 hours, Frawls and I both thought it would be a great idea to bowl the 9pm squad when we got back to Istanbul.
Um whose idea was it again???
Both of us played awful. The format is a 6 game re-entry with the top 8 getting 3 byes and the next 8 getting 2 byes and so on till the top 42 make the cut.
After our poor display of bowling, we wne t back to the hotel to rest up for the next days plays.

Sleep didnt seem to help, the next 2 squads i felt like i was aiming at a thumb tack and the tach seem to get smaller and smaller.
The lanes played a little funny, some pairs in the house are almost 20 boards drier, Frawls believes it has something to do with the installation.
My 4th attempt i decided to play smarter and take the massive hook out of my game and play as straight as possible....seemed to work 180 over for my next 6 games and i was on top of the leader board with 2 days left of qualifying.
Now i get to wait and hope i stay in the top 8 and get the 3 important byes.

Frawls is bowling now and is in great shape, 130 over after 4 and looks like he will smash my score. He told me the 500 Euro practice he had in the last 4 squads was well worth the money haha.

Will inform you all how the finals get on in a couple of days.

Belmo

Istanbul Open

2007-04-28T02:26:00.000+10:00

Gallipoli

2007-04-26T23:05:00.000+10:00

From Istanbul to Gallipoli its a 5 hour drive and in this traffic it can feel like 10.
Finding ourselves a ride to Gallipoli was harder than we both first thought. All the tours were fully booked and noone wanted to drive us 5 hours to Gallipoli, stay for the dawn service and drive right back so we need to find a guy who knew a guy who knew another guy that could help us.
After an hour of trying to find someone, we got a number to a guy who organised everything from pick up, food and travel home.
His price though was not something we liked, $400 US each but you know what, to experiance something that means so much to every Australian, i would of paid more.

Gallipoli is famous for the landing of Australian and New Zealander army troops to fight the Turks in World War 1. At school I learnt a lot about this battle and the stories told were horrific.
10,000 Men died at ANZAC beach, the main reason they lost tha many was because of the terrain the men fought in.
Once the ships laned onto the beach the a cliff of 30ft sttod infront of them and the Turish Army used the ANZAC men as taregt practice.

The dawn service commenced and the weather was freezing, about -1 plus the wind off the water made sitting still impossible.
9000 people attened the service and it was extremly powerful and emotional. I cant not put into words how the men must of felt during that campaign and i am extremly grateful and thankful to the men who lost theirs lives to keep Australia safe.

It is something ill never forget and something that will stay fresh in my mind for many years to come.

Thanks to the Frawls who made this trip so much better than if i went on my own.

Bowling starts tomorrow, will keep you updated on that.

Jason

Istanbul Arrival

2007-04-26T22:56:00.000+10:00

Istanbul is a wonderful but chaotic place :) People everywhere and cars pack the roads like everyone is in The Istanbul Car Racing Open.
Horns are there to let everyone know "im coming around you, so move".
The hotel im staying (sharing with Andrew 'Frawls' Frawley is small but nice and also expensive. 90 Euro a night and the room just fits us both in. But when you are as tired as i am right now a bed on any kind is worth that money.

Tomorrow Frawls and I are going to Gallipoli to experiance the dawn service on ANZAC DAY, this is something i am really looking forward too.

Jason

WORLD MASTERS CHAMP

2007-04-24T17:44:00.000+10:00

There is nothing more nervous than sitting in the players room waiting for your match.The players all look calm but each one of us knows that we are about to play only 2 games and anything can happen.Thoughts of all the bad things that can go wrong start running through your mind..... Your palms start to drip with sweat and your heart races so fast nothing really feels real.You congratulate your mate for winning his/her match or express your sadness for them losing as you walk passed them down the hall, knowing in 5 minutes time its going to be you who is congratulated or consoled.The announcement for your name to make your way down to the lane happens and then BANG!The nerves are gone and it feels like your watching the show rather than staring in it.The match is a blur and really can’t remember much of it, but you know the result.A big fat W next to my name, sweet, but hang on, I have to go through all those pre game feelings again???Each match doesn’t get any easier, you watch each player bowl and see how good they really are and see how high they can score.What happens if I can’t find a line??? I could get beat on World Wide TV by over 100?? Those thoughts come back and the palms get sweaty again.With each round more and more pictures are taking from the crowd, more and more autographs need sighing and you start to feel like a pro golfer I have never realized that bowling does get so much respect from those who love the game!!!!!!!The players room has mixed emotions with every match, some lucky to be alive and they know it, others feel ripped off and want there shot at the title they feel they deserve. but at the end of the day we are all in the same bar, all buying each other drinks all laughing together, that’s what makes bowling better than any sport in the world!How do you beat a pro???Nothing beats playing a PRO. and Chris Barnes is not just any pro. Countless titles as an amateur and then to make a name for yourself on tour and win what he has won, respect from the players just oozes out of him.Before my match with Chris he walked up to me and said " No matter what happens on this lane tonight between us, let me just say that I think you are amazing and if I lose, I would want it to be to no other"WOW, the guy is bloody cool!Not only is he one of the greatest players in the world, but a great guy too. Beating him just got even harder!The match is over so quickly and all I can remember is after I threw the winning shot I fell to the approach exhausted. He took every ounce of energy out. He shook my hand, let in and said you will be one of the best ever......WOW how and what do you reply with that other than.......Hmmm cheers mate. That match is something ill never forget, not because I won, but because it taught me that things can happen to you if you want them to happen.The final match........What were the odds??? If someone had of told me I would shoot 524 in the final and my opponent was not going to spare, would I take the score???I would take it in a heart beat....Paul said the same thing too after!566-524!!!!!!!!The most fun I have ever had bowling, the crowd were so energetic and every shot felt like the roof was coming off.I can’t tell you what I did, or why I struck 23/24, what I can tell you though every shot I threw, I threw it like it would be my last.The 2nd 300 on TV in my career and it will be the luckiest 300 you have ever seen!!!I won’t give too much away, but I know you will love the 11th when you see it!!! I DID!The 12th though..... As soon as I let it go I screamed ITS GOOD and before the ball hit the 45ft down the lane I yelled WHOO HOOOOOO....I knew it off the hands!!!!!!!The crowd went wild and Paul, like the gentleman he is was the first guy to shake my hand and congratulate me.The 2nd game is a little bit of a blur, I remember leaving the 4-9 and that’s it! Funny how sometimes you remember the bad shots more prominently!!!!!I am the 2007 World Masters Champ..... and im proud of it. My bowling idol (the Frawls) told me to go one better than him and I didn’t want to let him down!Messages from my family and friends came in as soon as the last shot was thrown and some of the things said nearly brought a tear to my eye. To have the support from a country that is a million miles away makes this Aussie boy proud to say he is Australian.Calling Kimberly (my Fiancé) mum and dad and my sister was just as exciting as winning. Screaming down the phone line that you are the winner will never get boring!!This years Masters was the most exciting one I have ever been too, not because I won, but because each match had a script you couldn’t write better if you tried!!Bowling is alive and well, sometimes you just need to have a closer look!Jason Belmonte

World Masters in England

2007-04-20T09:26:00.000+10:00

I have arrived into sunny England, Yes sunny. I cant believe it either, but the weather was actually real nice. I met up with pro bowler Chris Barnes today, we went and had some lunch, then for the next few hours i explained to him the game of cricket, we were watching a world cup match in the hotel bar. He actually caught on real quick, even giving his opinion on a few wickets and shots played.
I have my first match against Jens Nickle on Friday night at 9pm over here, im nervous about it. Jens is one of those players who i find real hard to beat, i hope Friday night at 9pm i get lucky!

Click the title to go to the World Masters home page....other wise its www.worldtenpinmasters.com

Welcome

2007-04-17T14:53:00.000+10:00

Join me in my 'Travelling Diary' as I talk about my travels to various parts of the world playing Tenpin Bowling Tournaments.