Well, I've bowled five regionals over summer and just completed my first USBC Masters tourney.

I bowled well in my first regional but have honestly struggled in the others.  It wasn't so much the PBA patterns or the amount of lane dressing that I hadn't anticipated, (it seems to be the MWPBA has very tough conditions compared to other regions according to the exempt PBA tour guys that know) but more so trusting my abilities and being aggressive on the lanes.

I've learned alot, but the most important thing thus far that I have taken away is that I need to bowl the way I am most comfortable.  I had been trying to implement every ounce of coaching I have had thus far, and I have had some excellent teachers!  But I realize now what elements of those teachings fit with my natural style and understand better how to employ them versus the other items.

I heard some sage advice once qnd it is this:  instead of trying to be a bowler who can play straight up the twig, swing it from 6th arrow, and everything inbetween, you should master your "A" game first and then slowly add on from there.  I picked that up from an interview I heard with Kelly Kulick, and it makes tremendous sense and has a ton of logic to it.  You cannot be a jack-of-all-trades until you excel at one area at a time.  That is the philosophy I shall follow going forward.  It reminds me of what a former boss of mine in sales taught me:  How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time.  So, when you have a huge, all-encompassing goal in front of you such as learning all the different aspects of bowling such as multiple releases, altering your hand position, grip, etc., you need to practice to become proficient, one area at a time, and then move on.  Makes sense doesn't it?

In retrospect, during my regionals I've found that I have tried to be to "fundamental" from my teachings, trying to do everything that was taught to me at once, rather than incorporate the items into my game that best fit.  What eneded up happening was I was so focused on doing EVERYTHING right, I lost my aggressiveness and suffered in the form of pinfall.

Although I was inconsisent during the Masters, I discovered that I can and should trust my own instincts, because when I did, I performed well.

Perhaps there is a takeaway from this that helps someone else out there in the Great World of Bowling.

I am now looking forward to a few highly regarded amatuer tournements including the Fall Classic in La Crosse, Wisconsin the first weekend in November.  This event is an excellent tournament with a good payout that attracts bowlers from WI, MN, IA and IL.  The following weekend is the Wisconsin Badger Elite tourney which also attracts top talent from around WI and features a very challenging condition.

 Best to All,

 Johnny

Why are bowlers the coolest people on the planet?

Because they are more apt to strive to better themselves and understand the value of hard work.

That being said, respect is of great importance in our world.  But for bowlers, I believe how you go about trying to earn that respect speaks volumes about the person you are.  More than any words could ever say.

Be good everyone, and if you can't be good, practice and get better at it!  This goes for anything in life by the way ;)