I have been really struggling with the PBA patterns so far.  The best I have managed is a 178 on the Chameleon in the last couple weeks.

I did the Ron Clifton Clinic 2 weeks ago.  He worked on my timing, release and overall form.  I really think its better but its like I'm trying to learn all over again.  Retraining my muscles to do it right, so I just don't feel natural yet. 

For some reason I cannot pick up my spares and it's just killing my game.

Sunday is a tournament in Portland with the Scorpion so I think I can work with that.

I've just been doing the Monday night match play, working 3 weeks straight I haven't had much time for practice.  Anyway my bowling is a mess right now but Marc that runs the NW Bowlers Tournaments has a coach coming out to Oregon for 3 days, just in time to save me.  I'm pretty excited to get some help and video analysis so I can see what I'm doing wrong.  The coaches name is Ron Clifton.  Anyone know him?

My best game last night was 158.  Part of it is the wood lanes at Lower Columbia Bowl just got resurfaced and they are definitely less forgiving.  Everyone's scores are lower but the really good bowlers had it figured out by the end of the night.  My problems are with consistancy, timing, release, basically everything.  If it were easy it would be boring, right?

I did a little better tonight. In fact I got 1st place. My scratch scores were: 202 167 157 164 Add 79 handicap per game and 105 bonus point for 3 wins and a tie gives me 1111 total. On the 3rd game I started with 6 opens then finished with a 5 bagger to just win by 7. It was nice to go home wth some extra cash in the pocket and a smile on my face. :)

I didn't bowl particularly well but we had a 246 average bowler show which set a really high handicap. I lost the 1st match with a 147 + 80 (227), Won the second with a 181 + 80 (261) + 30 (291), won the 3rd with a 146 + 80 (226) + 30 (256) and won the 4th with a 150 + 80 (230) + 30 (260) for 1034 total.

I got paid for a high handicap in the second game and I tied for 4th overall. We flipped a coin for the 4th place money and I won. I was willing to split it with him but he wanted all or nothing. So even though I didn't bowl my average I still did okay. I'm having fun with this so far.

A couple of people have asked about the drop in match play that we do at Lower Columbia Bowl in Astoria.  So here is attempt to explain the format:

'll start by saying it's a drop in deal with a $20 entry fee.  The handicap is determined by the entrant with the highest average.  So if I average 160 and a person enters with a 225 then I get a handicap of 65.  Each player starts with their book average from the latest league then it gets adjusted after the 1st 4 games and then every 4 games thereafter.

The 1st round of matches is determined by drawing a pea.  So if I draw #1 then I bowl against #2.  Your score is scratch plus handicap and if you win you get 30 more points.  You then get seeded for the next 3 rounds by your points as an attempt to level the competition.  The 3rd round positions 1-6  shifts right to the next pair of lanes and 7-10 shift right, 11-14 go to the 1st pair of lanes.  The 4th round you shift again.   After 4 rounds the competition ends.  We pay high scratch and high handicap scores for each round.  Then 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place is deternined by the total point score for all rounds.  Last night I had the 4th highest points therfore 4th place.  I don't know how the payout amountt is determined or  how much the house keeps but the more entrants the bigger the payouts.  I think with 14 people 1st place got $38.

I really have fun with this format.  I get paired up with different people with diffenent skills and styles each round so I really enjoy that aspect.

I hope this explains it alright.  If not ask me what I need to clarify