Q: In March of 2007 you became the 18th PBA player in history to bowl a 300 game on television. Describe that accomplishment.
A: Bowling that game on TV was a defining moment for me. A pro is lucky to even get a chance like that once in his career. I've never been a guy who throws high scores on TV. It just seems to happen that the scores are usually moderate when I make the show. In fact, on that show I was throwing my "C" game, which for me means I was throwing it straight. I think that proves I'm pretty versatile. I have to believe that with most of the previous 17 televised 300 games the guys were throwing their "A" games, which means their best line. Even so, I had always wondered how they had all gotten up and thrown that 12th shot. The pressure was unbelievable, and I am proud of myself for standing up to it.
Q: What is the best part of bowling for a living?
A: I get to do what I have wanted to do since I was 5 years old. It has allowed me to travel to Tokyo, Amsterdam, Frankfurt and even Paris. I have gotten to accomplish great things and bowl with great bowlers like Pete Weber and Walter Ray Williams. I never dreamed I could do that for 21 years.
Q: You've been on tour for 21 years. Has it taken a physical toll?
A: I have a bad hip and a bad knee. Some days are better than others. You learn to deal with it. For the past two years I have been going to the gym about four days a week to help strengthen the muscles around my knee and hip. This has definitely helped me continue to compete at a high level. Who says bowlers aren't in good shape?
Q: How has your game changed over the years?
A: Obviously I gained knowledge with each tournament. I had to learn to be versatile in order to be successful. I've become very good at throwing it straight if I have to, and I would say I'm one of the best spare shooters on tour. These statements would have been false 21 years ago. Without those improvements I would have to live in a box under a bridge down by the river. I've also become very diligent about practice. I work much harder than I did when I was young.
Q: What is the hardest thing about bowling for a living?
A: Being away from home. I miss my wife, my family and my daily routine. Also, I have only 20 weeks to make money for the year, and that money is not comparable to other sports. I am very fortunate to have a ball contract with Storm Products to supplement my tour income.
Q: Since the season is only 20 weeks, what do you do in the off-season?
Whatever my wife tells me to do. No, as I said, I go to the gym, do trade shows, clinics and bowl regional tournaments. But mostly I practice and hang out at Rossi Lanes. I'm there four to five days a week, and I owe much of my success to Sperry Navone and his generosity. Not every pro is as lucky as I am and gets to practice for free. Also, Jimmy Pitts puts the PBA patterns on the lanes for me so that I can stay sharp. I appreciate all his help and Lou Masone's help.
Q: I know you are superstitious. What are a few of your quirks?
A: I have several superstitions. Part of it is having a routine and part is I truly believe in karma. If something works I continue to do it, like always having a 5 or an 8 in the serial number on my ball and only picking up the ball with my left hand. Also, over the course of a tournament I wear my bowling shirts in a particular order. I probably shouldn't name any more or I might be diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder.
Q: You were on the cover of September's Bowlers Journal. The tagline was "major frustration." What does that mean and how do you feel about the article?
A: The article points out how close I have come to winning several major titles, kind of an "always the bridesmaid but never a bride" idea. I found the article to be positive; the author seems to feel that I should have won a major by now and that I will win one soon. Personally I have mixed feelings. I've had bad luck and I've blown a few. But I'll take my record in majors and compare it to anyone's. The 2006 U.S. Open was the one that really hurt. I ended up losing to Tommy Jones after leading for 51 games. I thought I bowled a better game than he did. Tommy and I are good friends, and it meant a lot when even he told me I deserved to win.
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