Just got back from watching some bowling. What a cool job.
Actually, I really just got done writing this entire blog entry, but I hit a key by accident and deleted the whole thing. So I'm writing it again.
Anyway, I was out on the lanes watching a group of bowlers/friends from USBC Headquarters, along with two teams of current/former Wichita State bowlers who throw the ball very well and just shot 1,161 to move into the top 10 with 3,145. When I saw their rosters, I guaranteed them 3,100 or better. It's fun to look at the squad lists for the day and see who's coming in and try to guess what they're going to shoot. And when I make a prediction and leave it for my night guy, John, or the folks in Bowler Information, they sometimes seem pretty impressed when I'm right. Or at least I think they are. Either way, it keeps me entertained.
On tonight's squad, we have John Socha, the only bowler who owns two 800 series at the Open Championships, on one team, and Open Championships Lane Maintenance Manager/MOD Eric Pierson on another. On Wednesday, we have a bowler reaching 50 years, along with a visit from 20-year average leader, Lennie Boresch Jr., whose team won the Team All-Events title when the tournament was here in 2000. Then on Thursday, we have another bowler reaching 50 years, followed by one who will hit 60 next year in Las Vegas. This just proves that on any given day, there are great bowlers to meet and watch at the Open Championships.
Also today, I had the opportunity to be in the squad room to hand out the awards for bowlers who have competed in 25 tournaments or more. This is always fun because it reminds me that for many bowlers, this event isn't necessarily about the money or winning. It's about being a part of a team, having something to look forward to each year, traveling to new place or old favorites, competing, spending time with friends, etc. I'm sure I've mentioned this many times over, but it's nice to see people come back each year for so many different reasons.
Each time I handed out an award, I thought about my time here as a bowler. This will be my 10th tournament, and I can't imagine being on the receiving end of a 30-year plaque. Of course I plan to get that someday, but it seems so far away, even though I feel like I've come a long way at the same time.
I come to this tournament, ok, let me rephrase that, since I come to this tournament now because it's my job. I BOWL in this tournament for all of the reasons mentioned above. And yes, I do think that I have the ability to win a title here, assuming I have the day of my life.
And, in a little more than a month, I will take my shot on the tournament lanes. Some people think that being here every day gives me some great insight, but for the whole 100 days, I'm typically thinking about how I would play the lanes, what balls I would bring/throw, how many people will be watching, how many brackets I should get in, etc. I am a worrier, and love to put unnecessary pressure on myself.
As the big day approaches, I will be thinking about how to help my friends/teammates with airport runs, hotel accomodations, restaurant info, things to do and see, what side tournaments to bowl, when to be here, what equipment to buy, etc., all while I worry about how my department will survive without me for two days, even though I know full well that everything will be fine.
And finally, I get to start thinking the things that most bowlers think about when they come here....
"I wish I was one of the bowlers they recognized in the squad room."
"I hope I don't need the one ball I didn't bring."
"I wonder who I have in brackets."
"I wonder how many brackets I just got knocked out of."
"I need this one to stay in the 1-5-9."
"There goes my 30 Clean."
"That shot would've come back in my Monday league."
"Where are we going to eat after this?"
"Wow, is the celing high."
"How did someone shoot 817 out here?"
"My scores certainly weren't my fault, so who can I blame?"
While some of those questions are funny and even true, I bowl in this tournament every year because I enjoy being around the people I bowl with. I enjoy the atmosphere and the venue. I enjoy the march and goosebumps. I like seeing my friends, who took me under their wings 10 years ago and helped me appreciate this tournament, and I enjoy the challenging lanes conditions because if I bowl well, I know I earned it. And if I bowl poorly, I know it's because I made bad shots and missed spares and wasn't as prepared as I should've been.
I enjoy the fact that I get to try again next year. I look forward to doing so in a new city with a different culture and exciting things to do. I look forward to sharing those things with my good friends, and it's fun even if we never come close to winning an eagle. Despite the pressure I put on myself, I enjoy the challenge of the event itself, the side events and the brackets products. I have developed an appreciation for the bowlers who join me on the lanes and make my job possible and a respect for the bowlers who come here, perform and win the prestigious eagles.
My goals for this year are simple. I would like to shoot 1,800. I would like to earn a 30 Clean award. I would like to shoot 1,300 in doubles and 3,000 in team.
But even if none of those things happen, I will leave with a smile and give it my best again next year in Las Vegas.
See you on the lanes on May 18 and 19.
