PROVIDENCE,
Rhode
Island, February 10, 2008 – For the
legions of adoring fans who have been clamoring for an update on my
fortunes as a tournament bowler, I apologize for not posting a column
in several months. Between my busy day job as a technical writing
consultant and some family problems, there hasn't been much time to sit
down and write.
In any case, you'll recall that last year, I returned to candlepin
bowling after a 12-year absence (20 years from any kind of serious
competition). When I started bowling candlepins again in the fall
of 2006, I had no idea what kind of game I had in the bag -- my last
league average had been a lowly 103, in the 1993-4 season, as a
once-a-week recreational mixed-league bowler. While I knew I
could do a lot better than that, with methodical practice and some
coaching, I didn't know what level of competitive skill would be
attainable -- especially on the far side of 40.
An
"attaboy" from a legendary bowling titan makes the whole comeback
effort worthwhile.
To make a long story short, the partial 2006-7 season was a huge
success, with several good tournament results plus a TV
appearance. So I was looking forward to the '07-08 season with no
small amount of anticipation; averaging 121 in a summer league
satisfied the requirements to join the WCBC Pro Tour (they require a
minimum average of 112, although they've been known to bend the rules
if you demonstrate that you're a serious bowler), so I wrote a check
for the entry fee and signed up. I'm also a full-time member of
the WNECA Pro Tour.
Unofficial
money -- you can take it to the bank!
I
haven't had a phenomenal year, but I've had enough good results that
it's been well worth the effort. In five events, I have not
cashed on the WCBC Tour, but last month, I did manage to garner some
unofficial money by finishing the day with a 163, which was good for
high single for the 10th string.
And in last week's WNECA event, held at Roll-a-Way Lanes in Ware, MA, I
threw a sizzling (if I do say so myself) 653 in the five-string
qualifying round, to make the cut in 3rd place. I lost to Nishon
Morgan in match play, but still finished 4th in a 17-man field
containing some of the best bowlers in New England.
What's more, at the end of qualifying, I looked up and saw a legendary
figure extending his hand. "Nice bowling," he said. "You're
throwing a great ball. Good luck!"
The legendary figure in question was none other than Charlie Jutras, a
bowler I've idolized since the first time I saw a candlepin match on
TV, which I think was in 1972. Charlie is one of the all-time
greats in the sport, and he's had a career spanning more than five
decades. If I'm not mistaken, Charlie was one of only two bowlers
who appeared on the Channel 5 "Candlepin Bowling" show in the '50s,
'60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s (Bob Kelly was the other).
At the risk of sounding like a Hollywood hanger-on, I must say that an
"attaboy" from such a bowling titan as Charlie Jutras makes this whole
comeback effort worthwhile. And it also points out what I like
most about tournament bowling: Your bad days don't matter -- only your
good days count. Disappointing results in some recent TV
rolloffs, a few earlier WNECA tournaments, and various league matches
don't matter -- a brief word of congratulation from a bowling legend
cancels all of that out and makes it this a great year.
It's important to keep that lesson in mind. A bad day is over as
soon as you walk out the door. But a good day -- you can carry
that with you as long as you want. Which is something I fully
intend to do. See you -- again -- at the lanes!
Feedback? Fire off a
letter to the editor, and we'll post
it on the letters page. Letters may
be edited for clarity or length. Also, you may have to endure some
friendly abuse from the editor, should he disagree with you.