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
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
K and K Classic- How Bizarre
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
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
Monday, May 21, 2007
Coming up!!!
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
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
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Home sweet home!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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
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
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