2nd Annual Billy Hardwick Memorial Aslan vs. ZDawg Southern California Inviational

[Aslan]

Well, it's that time of year again!!

First off, for any of the new folks or those that just want to relive greatness, you can go check out the leadup and follow-up to last year's innaugaral tournament here:

You can also check out actual FOOTAGE of this great event...NOT on Bowl.tv....NOT on XTra Frame...but on Aslan's very own youtube account which is easily accessible by clicking on my USBC# in my signature! Totally Free service!!

But...it's now time for the 2nd event...and as a non-cliff notes Mudpuppy non-approved teaser...

Last year saw a truly great display as relative unknowns (Aslan and ZDawg) were joined by bowling sensation (debateable) MWhite at the 1st Annual Billy Hardwick Memorial Aslan vs. ZDawg Southern California Invitational in Temecula, California. A town known for it's country bars and Indian casino...played host to one of bowling's most coveted tournaments!

MWhite was the favorite in the event by a 3 to 2 margin...but had a disasterous start on what he claimed was a "reverse-block" pattern. He recovered nicely in Games 2 and 3 but could not catch the youngsters and their hefty amounts of handicap pins. The exciting tournament came down to the final frame of the 3rd Game as ZDawg had Aslan in his sights...but ultimately Aslan held on to the narrow margin to take home the prize!

As tournament winner, Aslan chooses the next venue for the 2nd Annual event and has chosen Brunswick Cal Oaks Bowl in Murrieta, CA.

Event Date is currently TBD.
Proposed dates are as follows:

- February 14th (St. Valentine's Day Massacre!!)
- February 16th (President's Day Massacre!)
- March 7th (it would need to be much later in the evening on this date; probably 6PM or after)
- Any day April 6th through 10th (weekdays)

Other possibilites are:
- March 8th, 15th, 22nd, or 29th (all Sundays though)
- February 21st or March 8th (if I DON'T do the OC Open)
- March 14th or 28th
- April 4/5 or 11/12 (holiday weekends so lane conditions may be questionable...may or may not be open the 5th, Easter Sunday)

Dates that are OUT:
- March 21/22 because thats my sweeps weekend in Vegas.

Late night Fridays are also a possibility...but to get to Murrieta in the evening on a Friday from Orange County will add an extra couple hours due to traffic...so it'd be pretty late; like 9PM-ish.

Since I'm sure MWhite wants to avenge his horrible and humiliating defeat...he's probably going to want a Saturday because thats his one day off usually. So he's welcome to chime in with his schedule. Since it IS an invitational...ALL are welcome...if you're in San Diego, Anaheim, L.A...or want to make the drive.

But we should start planning now so I can get a couple dates, call Cal Oaks Bowl, and make sure we don't pick a date where they are hosting an event or something.

[Aslan]

Also...in case Chris Hardwick reads this...it'd be awesome if he came as well!!

Cuz THAT would be cool. Might distract me though because I'd be constantly talking to him about his dad and Breaking Bad...but I only need to partially concentrate to beat ZDawg and MWhite...so it shouldn't be a big deal.

[zdawg]

but I only need to partially concentrate to beat ZDawg and MWhite...so it shouldn't be a big deal.

Haha, we shall see. I'd prefer a Saturday as well, the weekend of Feb 21st is definitely a no go for me as I have a friend visiting from out of town, but that's the only conflict I can think of right now for me.

[Mike White]

Haha, we shall see. I'd prefer a Saturday as well, the weekend of Feb 21st is definitely a no go for me as I have a friend visiting from out of town, but that's the only conflict I can think of right now for me.

I've got friggin Jury Duty during the 2nd week of February.

March/April sounds like a better time frame.

[Aslan]

Scheduling Update:

Event Date is currently TBD.
Proposed dates are as follows:
- March 7th (it would need to be much later in the evening on this date; probably 6PM or after)

Other possibilites are:
- February 14th (St. Valentine's Day Massacre!!)
- February 16th (President's Day Massacre!)
- March 8th, 15th, 22nd, or 29th (all Sundays though)
- March 8th (if I DON'T do the OC Open)
- March 14th or 28th
- April 4/5 or 11/12 (holiday weekends so lane conditions may be questionable...may or may not be open the 5th, Easter Sunday)

Dates that are OUT:
- March 21/22 because thats my sweeps weekend in Vegas.
- February 21st (ZDawg has a friend visiting from out of town)
- Any day April 6th through 10th (weekdays); (turns out I'm not off that week after all).

Why don't we aim for Saturday March 7th at 6:30PM. I've already called Cal Oaks Bowl and they are open that day (duh, it's a Saturday), no tournaments/events scheduled, and it doesn't even look like there's cosmic/glow bowling going on.

So you two gentlemen (and I use that term loosely) take a look at your monthly planners and see if Saturday, March 7th at 6:30PM works for you. IF it does...we'll lock in the date...I'll even give Cal Oaks Bowl a call to let them know we're coming (not that they'll care or probably take reservations or anything)...and we'll get started on the tournament rules, handicap, details, etc....

[Mike White]

How much Handicap are y'all going to need?

Lets use the USBC (Bowl.com) 2013-2014 season composite average for non-sport conditions.

[zdawg]

Saturday March 7th looks good for me. Hopefully Randy Pedersen has enough time to adjust his schedule this year

[zdawg]

How much Handicap are y'all going to need?

Lets use the USBC (Bowl.com) 2013-2014 season composite average for non-sport conditions.

Fine by me, my Sports average was higher than my non-sports average last year

Do we use the entire year average which from what I can tell counts Winter and Summer seasons?

[Mike White]

More games should give a more accurate picture of your ability for the time frame.

BTW ZDawg, what is your USBC #?

Mike is 1560-11073, Aslan is listed in his signature.

[Aslan]

How much Handicap are y'all going to need?

Lets use the USBC (Bowl.com) 2013-2014 season composite average for non-sport conditions.

I'm proposing 90% of 220 just to make it fair across the board. All 3 of us now have actual sanctioned averages to work with...AS WELL AS our Virtual Bowling Tour averages!!! (sponsored in part by bowlingboards.com).

Here are my proposed averages for myself, ZDawg, and MWhite based on 2013/2014 sanctioned averages AND the VBT averages (not counting the entering average situation). I would go out on a limb and say that "even Mike will agree these are fair"...but as Rob recently learned....that is a terrible limb to go out on!

ASLAN: (172*12) + (166*66) + (165*66) + (173*24) + VBT (170*18) = 31,122/186 = 167. ((220-167)*0.90) = 47 pins.

MWHITE: (199*290) + VBT (222*18) = 61706/308 = 200. ((220-200)*.90) = 18 pins.

ZDAWG: (145*93) + (168*39) + (183*8) + VBT (169*18) = 24543/158 = 155. ((220-155)*0.90) = 58 pins.

So, last year we had:
Aslan + 26 pins/game.
Mike + 0 pins/game.
ZDawg + 50 pins/game.

This tournament;
Aslan goes from getting 26 pins to getting 47 pins (+21).
MWhite goes from getting 0 pins to getting 18 pins (+18).
ZDAWG goes from getting 50 pins to getting 58 pins (+8).

I feel this is the fairest way for the following reasons:
1) Aslan's 167 is actually a bit over his 165-166 averages that make up most of his composite. And the only things bringing that up are a < 21-game league he subbed in and a sport short adjusted average. All indications (sanctioned leagues and VBT) point towards Aslan being a 160s average bowler.

2) MWhite when you add all his leagues up, is a 199 average bowler. But in the short VBT...he managed to average 222 and take the championship. Given his potential to bowl well into the 200s...it doesn't seem unreasonable that we add a pin to his 199 and make it 200.

3) ZDawg STILL is going to come in as the favorite to win...because unfortunately...the bulk of his sanctioned scores seem to have been bowled before he "figured things out" and thus he ends up with a entering average of 155...yet his later leagues AND VBT performances clearly show that he's a high 160s bowler just like Aslan. So you add the 10 pins to that 145...due to his recent success and VBT successes...and it's still low...but not as bad.

So, using ALL of the data...even the sub leagues and the VBT scores...really only impact Aslan and MWhite by adding a pin to their true average...and while it affects ZDawg more...he still appears to have a 10-pin cushion due to him becoming a better bowler as of late.