Bragging

[Aslan]

Did I bowl at the PBA50 Pro Am today? Yes I did.

Did I meet and get my picture taken with the greatest bowler in the known universe; Walter Ray Williams Jr.? Yes I did. ;)

Did I bowl a 222-256-279 = 757? Yes I did.
Disclaimer: It was no-tap, which is a game for infants, the elderly, and uncoordinated women...but still....

Was my 279 one point higher than the combined scores of the two pros (Bryan Goebel and Brian Voss) for that game? Yes it was.

Did I beat my lifetime high score, high sanctioned series, get my first 11-in-a-row, and my first 700-series? No, actually I did not (see Disclaimer above). :mad:

[LyalC52]

how do you get a 279 in a no-tap game?

[classygranny]

how do you get a 279 in a no-tap game?

1st frame - some combination that equals a 9 pin total count and an open, the rest strikes....been there, done that...mine was the 6/10 and chopped it - aargh!

Aslan, still decent bowling - and I'm sure it was fun with those guys!

[Mike White]

how do you get a 279 in a no-tap game?

Keeping Score 101.



81 X X X X X X X X XXX
9 39 69 99 129 159 189 219 249 279

or

X X X X X X X X X X33
30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 263 279

[Aslan]

DING DING DING!!!

Mr. White and Mrs. classy/granny...which when you're high sounds like characters from the board game Clue....are absolutely correct. In Game three I left a 1-3-6 in frame #1...and missed a bit outside...sub-par release....left the 1-pin standing. Struck out (thus the 11-in-a-row comment) for a 279.

Last year I took 2nd place in this event shooting much lower, but I entered with a 164 average and this time I entered with a 192 average. And apparently there's some huge benefit if you're a "super senior" because the least talented guy in our grouping was probably the best no-tap bowler I've ever seen....getting like 4 strikes and getting a N/T almost every other time...he had like 215 pins of handicap...the rest of us had like 30-65.

Great guys though...I'd like to do a tournament like that every week....or every month. I got to bowl with Goebel and Tom Carter again. Definitely makes sense that Carter won the sportsmanship award last year (or the season before)...because he was smiling the whole time. Bowled with Brian Voss and Mike Dias who I didn't bowl with last time. I got Voss on video picking up a split with 2 balls. And with WRW; it was obviously cool, just like getting to bowl with PBN the year before...my two favorites...but I was so nervous and I wanted to get him to sign a bowling magazine I had and get a picture with him. I think WRW had family there so he was busy prior to the event. He definitely had the most people going up to him and trying to get autographs and pictures.

It's one of the biggest things I think I'll miss if/when I leave California....probably not as much opportunities to do stuff like this. Or maybe not.

[mc_runner]

What were the scores of the pros if you beat their combined score? Just curious, I'm sure they were having fun and messing around. That's great to hear about everyone being so friendly in these types of events... very few other sports that you can go right up and compete against the best in the world : )

[vdubtx]

I sure hope you bowled 2 handed against Brian Voss!

LOL!!

[1VegasBowler]

Did I bowl at the PBA50 Pro Am today? Yes I did.

Did I meet and get my picture taken with the greatest bowler in the known universe; Walter Ray Williams Jr.? Yes I did. ;)

Did I bowl a 222-256-279 = 757? Yes I did.
Disclaimer: It was no-tap, which is a game for infants, the elderly, and uncoordinated women...but still....

Was my 279 one point higher than the combined scores of the two pros (Bryan Goebel and Brian Voss) for that game? Yes it was.

Did I beat my lifetime high score, high sanctioned series, get my first 11-in-a-row, and my first 700-series? No, actually I did not (see Disclaimer above). :mad:

As the great Dizzy Dean said...It ain't bragging if you can do it! :)

[1VegasBowler]

What were the scores of the pros if you beat their combined score? Just curious, I'm sure they were having fun and messing around. That's great to hear about everyone being so friendly in these types of events... very few other sports that you can go right up and compete against the best in the world : )

If I remember correctly, the score of the Pros is no less than 220 in the Pro Am.

[bubba809]

Did I bowl at the PBA50 Pro Am today? Yes I did.

Did I meet and get my picture taken with the greatest bowler in the known universe; Walter Ray Williams Jr.? Yes I did. ;)

Did I bowl a 222-256-279 = 757? Yes I did.
Disclaimer: It was no-tap, which is a game for infants, the elderly, and uncoordinated women...but still....

Was my 279 one point higher than the combined scores of the two pros (Bryan Goebel and Brian Voss) for that game? Yes it was.

Did I beat my lifetime high score, high sanctioned series, get my first 11-in-a-row, and my first 700-series? No, actually I did not (see Disclaimer above). :mad:



You go girl!!

[Aslan]

What were the scores of the pros if you beat their combined score? Just curious, I'm sure they were having fun and messing around.

Well, I'm not sure about Games 1 and 2. But in Game 3, their combined score was 278. Had we been bowling on their sport pattern, they'd have outright clobbered us. But on that shorter, drier house shot...they were struggling to stay right of the headpin. They didn't have much pressure on them, so in a way they were kinda taking it easy...but in a way it made them even better because they were totally loose.

[Hot_pocket]

you go girl!!
lol ....wrw = g.o.a.t

[Aslan]

As the great Dizzy Dean said...It ain't bragging if you can do it! :)

Well, Deja Vu all over again!!

In 2015, I bowled the Pro-Am and finished 2nd place with an 809 handicap and lost to a certain female bowler who shot a 823. She got $250, I got my first check from the PBA for $170.

In 2016, I bowled the very same Pro-Am...again finished in 2nd place...this time with an 841 handicap...taking home $200...and lost AGAIN to the same female bowler who this time shot a 863 handicap and won herself another $250.

The 841 was actually tied for 9th with a junior bowler. The junior division only paid out two spots though, so his 841 got him $0. Most of the higher scores were in the senior division. Those guys got a poo-ton of handicap. The guy on my pair was a super-senior and rolled a high-600s with over 200 pins of handicap...ended up with a 912...finished 2nd overall...$300.

So, I've successfully defended my 2nd place in the adult division. I got to meet and bowl with my hero WRW Jr. this time and my LH hero PB-III last year. And I paid $150 to enter...cleared $370...net profit of $220...can't complain. And I got to meet some other PBA50 guys that I now cheer for when I see them in match play or a stepladder finals, like Tom Baker and Tom Carter...both really nice guys.

The only negatives...obviously losing two straight times to the same person is kinda annoying. And Mika wasn't in the Pro AM last season and is sort've retired now...so I never got to meet him. And Norm Duke participated in the Pro-AM this season...but I didn't get to bowl with him. I also would've liked to spend more time talking to WRW about bowling and what not...but he was so busy...I got him to sign a magazine for me and take a picture...I felt like I inconvenienced him enough at that point.

Taking a couple weeks off due to family in town visiting. I might try to sub again the week after next...or wait till July. I have to get my elbow and shoulder looked at by my doctor late next week...I have a feeling it might be bad news in terms of my immediate bowling future.

[Aslan]

lol ....wrw = g.o.a.t

Well, the only bowler with nearly the number of titles is Earl Anthony and he died. So...unless Earl came back as a zombie with mad bowling skillz...I don't see anyone surpassing him (WRW).

Norm Duke, Pete Weber, and Parker Bohn are all close enough that they have a shot...if WRW retires earlier than they do. Weber might be able to make the case that he has more major titles than WRW....and Weber has had a hot hand lately...but with so many fewer events nowadays....I don't see anyone ever surpassing WRW. And as far as I'm concerned, whomever has the titles...thats the best bowler. Otherwise, it's all just heresay and nonsense and personal opinion. 30 years ago, Mark Roth and Mike Aulby were considered the greatest....then Jason Couch....then Chris Barnes...then Sean Rash...then Belmonte. But none of them can amass the titles...none of them can stay consistently good and healthy long enough to unseat the hall of famers. Will Belmo someday do it? Maybe...doubtful...but maybe. I'd say Weber has the best shot...probably Sean Rash has the 2nd best shot...I just don't think the 2-handed style lends itself well to longevity.

But, that being said, even Rash and Barnes and their more traditional styles has led them to deal with injuries...so it's hard to say. Barnes is the most decorated of the "younger guys" with 18 titles...he'd need 30 more to pass WRW. That's 30 titles in less than 10 years...after having undergone back surgery this year. Tommy Jones is at 17...I don't think he has 30 left...even if he bowls another 15 seasons.

When they look back...the next time they rank the Top 50 All-Time...maybe Pete Weber...maybe Mark Roth....maybe Earl Anthony...those 3...a case can be made that even though they are a handful of titles shy...they each have certain intangibles that get them in the conversation. Maybe...20-25 years from now Belmo will be considered in that elite group...given his pace of success early on and his style and how it impacted the game...but I doubt he'll 47 titles.

But it's comparing time periods and thats hard in any sport. Would Ali have beaten Holyfield? In Ali's prime? Would Gordie Howe be as good against today's players as he was in the 50s/60s? How would a tennis player with a 100+ mph serve do 40 years ago? If Ladanian Tomlinson would have played for the Chargers in the 70s...how dominant would he have been? Would Larry Bird even make an NBA squad nowadays? These are impossible questions to answer. Thats why we refer to stats and career totals and championships, etc... Otherwise, the best player is simply the MVP from last season.

[1VegasBowler]

Well, the only bowler with nearly the number of titles is Earl Anthony and he died. So...unless Earl came back as a zombie with mad bowling skillz...I don't see anyone surpassing him (WRW).

Norm Duke, Pete Weber, and Parker Bohn are all close enough that they have a shot...if WRW retires earlier than they do. Weber might be able to make the case that he has more major titles than WRW....and Weber has had a hot hand lately...but with so many fewer events nowadays....I don't see anyone ever surpassing WRW. And as far as I'm concerned, whomever has the titles...thats the best bowler. Otherwise, it's all just heresay and nonsense and personal opinion. 30 years ago, Mark Roth and Mike Aulby were considered the greatest....then Jason Couch....then Chris Barnes...then Sean Rash...then Belmonte. But none of them can amass the titles...none of them can stay consistently good and healthy long enough to unseat the hall of famers. Will Belmo someday do it? Maybe...doubtful...but maybe. I'd say Weber has the best shot...probably Sean Rash has the 2nd best shot...I just don't think the 2-handed style lends itself well to longevity.

But, that being said, even Rash and Barnes and their more traditional styles has led them to deal with injuries...so it's hard to say. Barnes is the most decorated of the "younger guys" with 18 titles...he'd need 30 more to pass WRW. That's 30 titles in less than 10 years...after having undergone back surgery this year. Tommy Jones is at 17...I don't think he has 30 left...even if he bowls another 15 seasons.

When they look back...the next time they rank the Top 50 All-Time...maybe Pete Weber...maybe Mark Roth....maybe Earl Anthony...those 3...a case can be made that even though they are a handful of titles shy...they each have certain intangibles that get them in the conversation. Maybe...20-25 years from now Belmo will be considered in that elite group...given his pace of success early on and his style and how it impacted the game...but I doubt he'll 47 titles.

But it's comparing time periods and thats hard in any sport. Would Ali have beaten Holyfield? In Ali's prime? Would Gordie Howe be as good against today's players as he was in the 50s/60s? How would a tennis player with a 100+ mph serve do 40 years ago? If Ladanian Tomlinson would have played for the Chargers in the 70s...how dominant would he have been? Would Larry Bird even make an NBA squad nowadays? These are impossible questions to answer. Thats why we refer to stats and career totals and championships, etc... Otherwise, the best player is simply the MVP from last season.

I wanted to do the PBA 50 Pro Am here a couple of weeks ago, but I had another commitment where I had to pull out. But being it's Vegas, I know there will be many more to come in this town.

While it's a bummer to finish second to the same person twice in a row, you came out of it with a positive experience and that should be the main goal. After that it's more icing on the cake.

As far as the body pains go, I know how it is. I'm using a compression sleeve and a hinged brace on my left (slide) knee and working on getting a compression shoulder sleeve. And thanks to my blasted kidney stones, I have to wait another year to replace the knee, and then another year to get the shoulder done for a 5th time. If nothing else, I can still get a couple more injections of Celestone in the knee before hand.

[1VegasBowler]

Well, Deja Vu all over again!!

In 2015, I bowled the Pro-Am and finished 2nd place with an 809 handicap and lost to a certain female bowler who shot a 823. She got $250, I got my first check from the PBA for $170.

In 2016, I bowled the very same Pro-Am...again finished in 2nd place...this time with an 841 handicap...taking home $200...and lost AGAIN to the same female bowler who this time shot a 863 handicap and won herself another $250.

The 841 was actually tied for 9th with a junior bowler. The junior division only paid out two spots though, so his 841 got him $0. Most of the higher scores were in the senior division. Those guys got a poo-ton of handicap. The guy on my pair was a super-senior and rolled a high-600s with over 200 pins of handicap...ended up with a 912...finished 2nd overall...$300.

So, I've successfully defended my 2nd place in the adult division. I got to meet and bowl with my hero WRW Jr. this time and my LH hero PB-III last year. And I paid $150 to enter...cleared $370...net profit of $220...can't complain. And I got to meet some other PBA50 guys that I now cheer for when I see them in match play or a stepladder finals, like Tom Baker and Tom Carter...both really nice guys.

The only negatives...obviously losing two straight times to the same person is kinda annoying. And Mika wasn't in the Pro AM last season and is sort've retired now...so I never got to meet him. And Norm Duke participated in the Pro-AM this season...but I didn't get to bowl with him. I also would've liked to spend more time talking to WRW about bowling and what not...but he was so busy...I got him to sign a magazine for me and take a picture...I felt like I inconvenienced him enough at that point.

Taking a couple weeks off due to family in town visiting. I might try to sub again the week after next...or wait till July. I have to get my elbow and shoulder looked at by my doctor late next week...I have a feeling it might be bad news in terms of my immediate bowling future.


I wanted to do the PBA 50 Pro Am here a couple of weeks ago, but I had another commitment where I had to pull out. But being it's Vegas, I know there will be many more to come in this town.

While it's a bummer to finish second to the same person twice in a row, you came out of it with a positive experience and that should be the main goal. After that it's more icing on the cake.

As far as the body pains go, I know how it is. I'm using a compression sleeve and a hinged brace on my left (slide) knee and working on getting a compression shoulder sleeve. And thanks to my blasted kidney stones, I have to wait another year to replace the knee, and then another year to get the shoulder done for a 5th time. If nothing else, I can still get a couple more injections of Celestone in the knee before hand.

[1VegasBowler]

Well, the only bowler with nearly the number of titles is Earl Anthony and he died. So...unless Earl came back as a zombie with mad bowling skillz...I don't see anyone surpassing him (WRW).

Norm Duke, Pete Weber, and Parker Bohn are all close enough that they have a shot...if WRW retires earlier than they do. Weber might be able to make the case that he has more major titles than WRW....and Weber has had a hot hand lately...but with so many fewer events nowadays....I don't see anyone ever surpassing WRW. And as far as I'm concerned, whomever has the titles...thats the best bowler. Otherwise, it's all just heresay and nonsense and personal opinion. 30 years ago, Mark Roth and Mike Aulby were considered the greatest....then Jason Couch....then Chris Barnes...then Sean Rash...then Belmonte. But none of them can amass the titles...none of them can stay consistently good and healthy long enough to unseat the hall of famers. Will Belmo someday do it? Maybe...doubtful...but maybe. I'd say Weber has the best shot...probably Sean Rash has the 2nd best shot...I just don't think the 2-handed style lends itself well to longevity.

But, that being said, even Rash and Barnes and their more traditional styles has led them to deal with injuries...so it's hard to say. Barnes is the most decorated of the "younger guys" with 18 titles...he'd need 30 more to pass WRW. That's 30 titles in less than 10 years...after having undergone back surgery this year. Tommy Jones is at 17...I don't think he has 30 left...even if he bowls another 15 seasons.

When they look back...the next time they rank the Top 50 All-Time...maybe Pete Weber...maybe Mark Roth....maybe Earl Anthony...those 3...a case can be made that even though they are a handful of titles shy...they each have certain intangibles that get them in the conversation. Maybe...20-25 years from now Belmo will be considered in that elite group...given his pace of success early on and his style and how it impacted the game...but I doubt he'll 47 titles.

But it's comparing time periods and thats hard in any sport. Would Ali have beaten Holyfield? In Ali's prime? Would Gordie Howe be as good against today's players as he was in the 50s/60s? How would a tennis player with a 100+ mph serve do 40 years ago? If Ladanian Tomlinson would have played for the Chargers in the 70s...how dominant would he have been? Would Larry Bird even make an NBA squad nowadays? These are impossible questions to answer. Thats why we refer to stats and career totals and championships, etc... Otherwise, the best player is simply the MVP from last season.

The biggest nail you hit on the head here is the number of tournaments available these days when you compare it back to the earlier days.

While there are Regional tournaments for the PBA, & PBA50, the money that could be had back in the day compared to now, just doesn't come close IMO. And the bowlers of today are going to have to be bowling well into their 60's on the regular tour just to have any remote shot of catching the Webers, Roths, WRWs, and everybody else from the earlier days.

And lets not forget all of the sponsors they had back then as well. They were all over the place.

Who are the sponsors for today's bowlers? Besides Barbasol and the shoe & ball manufacturers, the list of sponsors is thinner than a cheap bottle of watered down whiskey. And the question you have to ask, is, why is that? Why can't the PBA get more sponsors these days?

Back in the days of Dick Weber, Mark Roth, WRW Jr., Earl Anthony, etc., bowling had bigger tv ratings than the NFL and the NHL! And while bowling will never get back to those kind of levels, there's something going on that just doesn't attract the sponsors.

I certainly don't have the answer to it, and never will. I certainly have my own opinions, but it's not going to change anything.

[fordman1]

Aslan, Ali would have taken Holyfield apart. Gordie Howe could have played in any era and been great. Walter and Earl were the best ever. Being around a long time makes it look like other are as good but Earl and even Roth did it in a short time.

[fordman1]

Right after posting the last post I went to the bowling alley and on the way there I read that Gordie Howe died I guess last night. 88 years old for Mr. Hockey!

[1VegasBowler]

RIP Mr. Hockey

[Aslan]

Aslan, Ali would have taken Holyfield apart.

I dunno. Hard to say. The only fighter I think they both fought was George Foreman, but I may be wrong. Foreman lost to Ali...but barely...and that was when both were in their prime. Foreman lost to Holyfield...but went the distance and it was when Foreman was past his prime. So, just looking at that comparison, one could make the arguement that Ali is better than Holyfield...slightly.

But, boxing is kinda rigged anyways...so it's hard to compare. Pound for pound...people like de la Hoya, Mayweather, Sugar Ray Leonard, Pacquiao are probably the best. But I think Ali was probably the best heavyweight ever...I'd say Holyfield was the next best. It's hard to say for sure....because Mike Tyson was just so damn dominant early on....before he lost to Buster Douglas...then lost his mind...it's hard to say.