Well, this will be one of my last posts until next year. Again thanks all for sharing info. All information makes the tournament atmosphere more enjoyable.
This year at ABQ has been one of the most enjoyable trips our group has had. The people in the downtown area were very accomodating. Everywhere we went it seemed like the locals wanted us there. Stayed at the Hyatt Downtown. A little pricey, but you could not ask for a better location. For breakfast we ate at the Gold Street Cafe. One block off Central Ave. We ate one night at Maloney's, one night at the Library, and one night at Texas Land and Cattle. All was excellent. If you are looking to do some shopping go to Old Town.
Now for the Bowling. I did not bowl that well in most of the tournaments. Here is my assumptions. In the RotoGrip (drier than Nationals) I would personally try to bowl on fresh or close to fresh oil. The pattern changes quickly. It also seems like you can at least partially open up the shot during practice balls. The highest I shot there was 403 (2 pocket 7-10 splits).
In Nationals I shot 589, 604(1226 doubles), and a lowly 487(I had a mental meltdown). I believe the shot is comparable to last year. Maybe a little drier on the extreme outside boards. Fresh oil used a Black Widow, after the shot started to change used my Gravity Shift. I was having trouble with my mechanics so I did not bowl even close to my standards. The hardest thing about the tougher conditions is making shots. Sometimes you try to steer the ball or squeeze instead of relaxing and just throwing the ball.
The Bowlers Journal was the wettest condition of all the tournaments for me. Again did not bowl well, same problems as above.
The BTM was about the same amount of hook as the Roto Grip, shot was tougher though. The highest score I shot there was a 762.
The Forty Frame Game was the driest of the tournaments. They had a drier house pattern. Shot is very playable. I either learned how to bowl just before this tournament (12 games bowling on BTM pattern) or I am just a good house bowler. Shot a 1200.
Last I bowled the Isleta Singles Tournament. Again a house pattern, wetter than the 40 frame game. Shot 1469 for 6 games.
Thanks to the People who run these tournaments. All were very accomodating and made us feel at home. Rick Ramsey (BTM) it is good seeing you again, you do an excellent job. More people should take advantage of the Isleta Tournament if they can. The shot is playable and organized very well by Keith Parker. It is a neat settup for a bowling center.
Also thanks to Riggs for your input. 40 frame game was shot with a Domination. Nationals, BTM, Roto, and Isleta were shot with my Gravity Shift. If the operator done the job, I had know problem carrying corners or getting strikes.
I will be online off and on for about a week. I start guiding walleye fishermen on Saturday.
SD Walleyeguide: Well, this will be one of my last posts until next year. Again thanks all for sharing info. All information makes the tournament atmosphere more enjoyable. This year at ABQ has been one of the most enjoyable trips our group has had. The people in the downtown area were very accomodating. Everywhere we went it seemed like the locals wanted us there. Stayed at the Hyatt Downtown. A little pricey, but you could not ask for a better location. For breakfast we ate at the Gold Street Cafe. One block off Central Ave. We ate one night at Maloney's, one night at the Library, and one night at Texas Land and Cattle. All was excellent. If you are looking to do some shopping go to Old Town. Now for the Bowling. I did not bowl that well in most of the tournaments. Here is my assumptions. In the RotoGrip (drier than Nationals) I would personally try to bowl on fresh or close to fresh oil. The pattern changes quickly. It also seems like you can at least partially open up the shot during practice balls. The highest I shot there was 403 (2 pocket 7-10 splits). In Nationals I shot 589, 604(1226 doubles), and a lowly 487(I had a mental meltdown). I believe the shot is comparable to last year. Maybe a little drier on the extreme outside boards. Fresh oil used a Black Widow, after the shot started to change used my Gravity Shift. I was having trouble with my mechanics so I did not bowl even close to my standards. The hardest thing about the tougher conditions is making shots. Sometimes you try to steer the ball or squeeze instead of relaxing and just throwing the ball. The Bowlers Journal was the wettest condition of all the tournaments for me. Again did not bowl well, same problems as above. The BTM was about the same amount of hook as the Roto Grip, shot was tougher though. The highest score I shot there was a 762. The Forty Frame Game was the driest of the tournaments. They had a drier house pattern. Shot is very playable. I either learned how to bowl just before this tournament (12 games bowling on BTM pattern) or I am just a good house bowler. Shot a 1200. Last I bowled the Isleta Singles Tournament. Again a house pattern, wetter than the 40 frame game. Shot 1469 for 6 games. Thanks to the People who run these tournaments. All were very accomodating and made us feel at home. Rick Ramsey (BTM) it is good seeing you again, you do an excellent job. More people should take advantage of the Isleta Tournament if they can. The shot is playable and organized very well by Keith Parker. It is a neat settup for a bowling center. Also thanks to Riggs for your input. 40 frame game was shot with a Domination. Nationals, BTM, Roto, and Isleta were shot with my Gravity Shift. If the operator done the job, I had know problem carrying corners or getting strikes. I will be online off and on for about a week. I start guiding walleye fishermen on Saturday.
Bowl team the 28th (2:30) and d/s on the 29th (7:00). Taking a Smash Time I just bought used from Mike Kruse, Jr, Twisted Fury, Fury, and Ultimate Inferno. I'm a down-and-inner. What surface do you recommend? Mike drilled all balls except the UI. Right now I have Beans Sauce on the Fury, the Twisted is OOB, and I'm not sure what Mike did with the Smash Time (forgot to ask).
By the way, sucked at State in Rapid.
Jon
I would say for Nationals you would not want anything with much polish. My Black Widow had a 2000 abralon cover. My Gravity Shift I had the facory cover with a light 4000 scuff. During team my best look was with the Widow. During Doubles my best look was with the Gravity Shift. We did have 3 people playing the same part of the lane in doubles to help open up the shot.
My doubles partner shot a 622 (he is a 187 to 194 avg bowler) with a 1200 sanded cover Fear Factor. He plays up the boards.
I believe most of Mike's equipment has a scuffed cover on them. I do not believe he uses to much polished stuff.
I would make sure that you have one of your balls with a sanded or scotch brite cover. Your Twisted Fury should be excellent for the 40 Framer. Mike should be able to help you out with selecting the proper covers to give you the best opportunity in Nationals.
Mike's been out of the loop for a while. After he bowled the regional in Raytown, MO he had surgery on his bowling arm. He described it to me that one bone in his arm was an inch longer than the other and it was screwing up his tendons. They cut out a chunk of the bone and plated it back together. I talked to him the day after and he was in a lot of pain. Not sure he'll make it back up to Sioux Falls before I go. I'm thinking about seeing the Storm guy (Janisau (sp??) but not sure if I should go before or after I bowl.
By the way, as much pain as he was in, Mike ended up getting 6th at that Regional tournament (the same one he won last year). He was the KDLT athlete of the week a few weeks ago. Not sure if they still have the story.
Wish Mike the best. I hope he fully recovers. I have the utmost respect for the Kruse family. Mike Sr helped me get started when I was going to the University of South Dakota in 1989 - 1992.
If Mike isn't around, I would talk to Andy Shutt (from Sioux Falls). He is working in the Brunswick Booth at ABQ.
I would believe the lessons would be better when you are done. I thought about seeing him and trying to make my armswing and timing better, but I was having a hip/nerve problem. If healthy, I would of at least went and talked to him.
