Won my 1st tournament!

[boatman37]

Well tournament went well. 88 entries. 10 games highest series wins. Is that called a sweeper? Not sure what the format is called. Anyway, started on 37-38. Bowl 2 games then move 3 pairs and so on. Started with the Eternity Pi and did well. Used it the first 3 games and was slightly coming around the ball but then switched to the Xponent. After a game or so I started struggling so started staying behind the ball as much as I could. Game 7 switched back to the Pi staying behind the ball and started hitting good. Game 10 everyone was struggling. I saw alot of people throwing plastic the last game. There was no re-oiling in between so they were pretty burned up. I was able to salvage a 184 with an open in the 10th.
After 4 games I was 20th. Top 17 cashed. After 6 games I dropped to 32nd. After 8 games I moved up to 12th. My last set I rolled 223 and 184 and was afraid I might drop out of the money. Turns out everyone struggled more than me and I ended up 7th. Cut was +218. I was +285. I was getting 18 pins/game handicap. No idea what 1st was as they haven't posted the final standings yet but I spent $80 on entry and won $300. I spent $35 on brackets and won $25.

Game 1: 247 (8 strikes, 2 spares, 1 open)

Game 2: 192 (5 strikes, 5 spares, 1 open)

Game 3: 193 (4 strikes, 5 spares, 1 open)

Game 4: 224 (7 strikes, 2 spares, 2 opens-1 split)

Game 5: 195 (7 strikes, 4 spares, 1 open)

Game 6: 181 (4 strikes, 5 spares, 1 open)

Game 7: 224 (7 strikes: 3 spares, 1 open-1 split)

Game 8: 242 (10 strikes, 1 spare, 1 open-1 split)

Game 9: 223c (6 strikes, 5 spares, 0 opens)

Game 10: 184 (5 strikes, 3 spares, 2 opens)

Series: 2105

Average: 210.5

First ball average: 9.32

Strikes: 56% (63/111)

Spares: 74% (35/47)

Single pin spares: 80% (24/30)

Splits: 0% (0/3)

[boatman37]

BTW-they haven't posted final results yet but after 8 games 1st place was +400

[Aslan]

Good job!

I like sweeper tournaments. One day, 10 games...moving one pair to another...it's fun. The only downside is...by games 6-10...you can really start to lose oil and your pattern. Definitely helps to have a decent arsenal so you're not lofting gutters or throwing your spare ball as your strike ball.

[boatman37]

Winner was +398. I was +285 and 7th. Winner had a 188 average but rolled 2148 scratch (2398 handicap). I rolled 2150 scratch 2285 handicap. 17th was the last cash spot and was 2218. Only 4 of the 17 had a handicap, the other 13 were 220+ average. 1st, 7th (me), 16th and 17th had handicaps.
It was fun

[boomer]

wait - you missed a 5 pin in a tournament? I HATE it when I do that! LOL

Good bowling - grind out when you think you're not doing well, and HIT it HARD when you find the groove. Nice job!

[boatman37]

yeah. looked great. turned to walk away at the last second and the ball veered in front of the 5 and just missed it. i was pretty shocked...lol

[boatman37]

Another tournament today. This one at a different house that I had never been to. Old wooden lanes. 16 lanes. Heads and mids were fine but the backend hooked hard. Tried the Pi and Xponent in warmups and went with the Xponent. Pi was overhooking. Problem was I had no miss room but stuck with it cause I was at least close to the pocket on most shots What probably made things worse was that I had a good first game so saw no reason to make any changes. The format was bowl 1 game then move 2 pairs. Started having issues after that but was being stubborn. Tried the Helios for one shot near end of game 1 2nd set (4th game). Used the Xponent all 3 games in the first squad for a 570. This was a 40/40 and entered with my son (150 average). Ended with a 1346 and was 11th of about 30 after the 1st squad. Decided to enter the 2nd squad too figuring I wouldn't do any worse...wrong....lol. Top 16 made it and I knew there would be some ringers showing up for 2nd squad. I was right...lol. 2nd set I threw the Xponent first game and 1/2 of 2d game before deciding to try the Pi even though that ball is much earlier than the Xponent. Wish I had switched sooner. Ball was great. Finished game 2 at 195. Game 3 was 223. We had 1332 so 14 pins lower than 1st set. It was a record entry so since the turnout was so good they decided to pay out to 22nd. Well we were 22nd..lol. Got $100 back and won a little in brackets so still lost money today but not too bad.

[Aslan]

Good job!

Wood lanes can be tricky if you're not used to playing them.

[boatman37]

Funny thing is I had never played on synthetic until my return in 2018. When I left in 2002 my center was 1/2 wood and 1/2 synthetic but my league bowled on the wooden half. And was throwing urethane back then

[Hammer]

Nice success story so congrats on your accomplishment.